Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Mobile gold fingers

American researchers have characterized 'gold fingers' using ion mobility mass spectrometry and identified the exact gold binding sites. The study reveals that gold ions force zinc ions out of zinc fingers, changing their conformation. This finding could lead to new metal-based antiviral and antitumor drugs.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 27, 2017

Life origination hydrate theory

The LOH-Theory suggests that amino-acids and primitive organisms arose in semi-liquid water systems saturated with functional organic substances, allowing for exothermal and thermodynamically feasible syntheses. The theory is supported by analyses of available literature and paleontological data on the origins of life on Earth.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalMini-Reviews in Organic Chemistry·DateMar 15, 2017

Ion treatments for cardiac arrhythmia

Researchers develop a non-invasive procedure using high-energy carbon ions to treat cardiac arrhythmias, offering a gentler alternative to catheter-based surgery. The method, tested in animal studies, can permanently interrupt the propagation of disruptive impulses with pinpoint accuracy.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 24, 2017

Viral escape hatch could be treatment target for hepatitis E, Princeton-led study finds

Researchers at Princeton University have identified a potential treatment target for the hepatitis E virus by exploiting its ability to use proteins to escape host cells. The study found that curtailing viroporin production could prevent viral particles from spreading, providing a new avenue for antiviral drugs.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 16, 2017

A wolverine inspired material

Researchers developed a transparent, self-healing, highly stretchable conductive material that can be electrically activated to power artificial muscles. The material has potential applications in robots, biosensors, and electronic devices, offering improved durability and efficiency.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateDec 23, 2016

New approach captures the energy of slow motion

A new concept harnesses low-frequency mechanical energy to generate electricity, improving performance at lower frequencies than existing devices. The device, called an ionic diode, operates at one-tenth Hertz and has a higher peak power density compared to piezoelectric generators.

SourcePenn State·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateDec 21, 2016

Making spines from sea water

Sea urchins and microorganisms have been found to 'drink' seawater, extracting calcium ions through a network of bubbles within their cells. This method may be more energy-efficient than previous theories, but also presents challenges in manipulating ions in the sea water.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 5, 2016

Bioelectronics at the speed of life

Researchers have developed a bioelectric system that can deliver neurotransmitters in the body at speeds nearly as fast as the nervous system itself. This breakthrough technology has the potential to treat conditions such as chronic pain, epilepsy, and Parkinson's disease.

SourceLinköping University·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 2, 2016

Watch a tiny space rocket work

Researchers at Michigan Technological University and University of Maryland operated a tiny electrospray thruster under a microscope to study its behavior. The thruster, which creates a force less than the weight of a human hair, was found to form needle-like spikes that disrupt its function.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalNanotechnology·DateAug 8, 2016

The first image of a new gaseous component in a planetary nebula

A team of researchers from the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias has discovered a new gaseous component in a planetary nebula, which is helping to understand the chemical evolution of our Galaxy. The component, rich in heavy elements such as oxygen and carbon, was detected using the OSIRIS instrument on the Gran Telescopio CANARIAS.

SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 7, 2016

Building a better battery

Researchers have long struggled to understand the factors contributing to battery inefficiency. A new study led by Texas A&M University chemist Sarbajit Banerjee reveals that trapped electrons, which form 'puddles of charge,' are a major obstacle. By imaging these electron clusters using advanced X-ray microscopy, the team has gained i...

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 28, 2016

ALMA observes most distant oxygen ever

The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) has observed oxygen in a galaxy 700 million years after the Big Bang, providing evidence for cosmic reionisation. The findings suggest that many brilliant stars have formed in the galaxy, emitting intense ultraviolet light to ionise gas.

SourceESO·JournalScience·DateJun 16, 2016