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Nano-velcro clasps heavy metal molecules in its grips

A Swiss-American team has developed a simple, inexpensive system to detect heavy metal pollutants like mercury in water and fish. The new method uses nanoparticles with tiny hairs that can trap toxic substances, enabling accurate measurements at unprecedentedly small concentrations.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Materials·DateSep 9, 2012

New catalyst could improve production of glass alternatives

University of Oregon chemists have identified a catalyst that dramatically reduces waste made in methyl methacrylate production, a process used for lightweight glass alternatives. The new catalyst overcomes fundamental chemical reasons why previous catalysts failed, enabling efficient conversion to methyl methacrylate.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·DateAug 21, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

A fragrant new biofuel

JBEI researchers have engineered Escherichia coli bacteria to generate significant quantities of methyl ketone compounds from glucose, which yielded high cetane numbers comparable to gasoline. The findings add flexibility and options for the biofuels industry, with potential applications in producing advanced biofuels.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateMar 13, 2012

MU scientists study how to improve pesticide efficiency

Researchers at the University of Missouri are studying the molecular structure of a controversial pesticide to determine if it can be made more efficient and safer. They found that the active ingredient, methyl iodide, can be slowed down in its release, reducing the need for large amounts of pesticide.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateFeb 29, 2012

On the nanoscale, particles flow in unexpected ways

Scientists studied how fluids travel through nanoscale channels and found that methyl alcohol diffused much faster in one direction due to the shape of the pores. The discovery has far-reaching implications for novel microscopic materials, including nanotubes and drug delivery systems.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateOct 24, 2011

Alternatives eyed for methyl bromide

Researchers are examining a cropping system using molasses to stimulate microbial activity, which could replace the fumigant methyl bromide. The study also explores recently developed fumigants dimethyl disulfide and methyl iodide.

SourceUnited States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics·DateMar 16, 2011
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

NOAA-led team measures atmosphere's self-cleaning capacity

Researchers found that global levels of hydroxyl radical, a critical player in atmospheric chemistry, are stable and vary by only a few percent every year. This discovery improves confidence in projecting the future of Earth's atmosphere and reduces concerns about human-caused or natural changes.

SourceNOAA Headquarters·JournalScience·DateJan 6, 2011

Honey bees: Genetic labeling decides about blue blood

Researchers find that methyl labels determine a bee's fate from food intake, influencing gene expression and potentially linked to human cancer. They identified 550 genes with differences between queens and workers, offering insights into epigenetic regulation.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 3, 2010

Stress can control our genes

A study by Dr. Klaus Hansen's group at BRIC, University of Copenhagen, reveals that external stressors can activate genes responsible for cellular development and function.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalMolecular Cell·DateSep 24, 2010

New greenhouse gas identified

A new study identifies sulfuryl fluoride as a significant contributor to future greenhouse warming due to its long lifetime of 36 years. The gas is currently present in the atmosphere at very small quantities, but increasing emissions pose a risk.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateMar 11, 2009
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Researchers discover a new pathway that regulates inflammation

Researchers at the University of Illinois identified a novel pathway controlling NF-kappa B activity, a key protein involved in inflammation. This finding could have important implications for treating diseases linked to chronic inflammation.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateMar 11, 2009

Maternal diet can increase development and severity of asthma in offspring

A study by John Hollingsworth at Duke University Medical Center found that a maternal diet rich in methyl donors can increase the development and severity of asthma in mice offspring. The researchers discovered that genes modified by methylation due to methyl donor exposure were likely responsible for this increased risk.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 18, 2008

Plants in forest emit aspirin chemical to deal with stress; discovery may help agriculture

Researchers at the National Center for Atmospheric Research discovered that plants in a forest produce significant amounts of methyl salicylate, a chemical form of aspirin, in response to stress. This finding has the potential to give farmers an early warning signal about crops that are failing.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalBiogeosciences·DateSep 18, 2008

Alternatives to ozone-depleting pesticide studied

Scientists evaluated eight chemical alternatives to methyl bromide, finding some controlled weeds as consistently as the banned pesticide but at lower yields. Environmental factors also affected results, highlighting the need for further research and management strategies.

SourceAmerican Society for Horticultural Science·JournalHortScience·DateMay 7, 2008
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Dental chair a possible source of neurotoxic mercury waste

Researchers have found high levels of methyl mercury in wastewater from dental clinics and offices, which can become a potent neurotoxin when exposed to sulfate-reducing bacteria. The study estimates that up to 11 pounds of methyl mercury could be entering the US public water supply each year.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMar 26, 2008

Paired microbes eliminate methane using sulfur pathway

Researchers have discovered that paired microbes use a sulfur compound to eliminate methane from the oceans, preventing it from reaching the atmosphere. This process is crucial for regulating global methane and carbon cycles.

SourcePenn State·JournalEnvironmental Microbiology·DateJan 17, 2008

Most comprehensive study of mercury in dental fillings begins

A comprehensive study is underway to examine the impact of prenatal exposure to mercury from dental fillings on neurological development. The researchers will collect hair samples from children in the Seychelles who were exposed to methyl mercury through their mothers' seafood consumption and dental work.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·DateSep 13, 2007
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Researchers find substantial amount of mercury entering the ocean through groundwater

A new study by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution researchers has found significant amounts of dissolved mercury entering coastal waters through groundwater, contrary to previous assumptions. The discovery has implications for understanding the environmental impact of mercury pollution and its effects on marine ecosystems.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMar 21, 2007

Eco-friendly bug sucker

A new method, metabolic stress disinfection (MSDD), sucks the life out of bugs by subjecting them to alternating vacuum and carbon dioxide, effectively suffocating organisms. The technique could replace post-harvest pesticides and may complete phasing out ozone-depleting methyl bromide, reducing chemical costs and environmental impact.

SourceSociety of Chemical Industry·JournalJournal of the Science of Food and Agriculture·DateJul 2, 2006
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Novel enzyme offers new look at gene regulation

A novel enzyme, JHDM1A, has been discovered to remove methyl groups from histones, a finding with diverse implications for understanding gene regulation and its role in diseases. The study suggests that many proteins containing a similar domain may also be involved in histone demethylation.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalNature·DateDec 19, 2005

Biotechnology's newest chemical tool

Scientists have developed a method to add larger chemical groups to DNA using enzymes that recognize specific sequences. This technique allows for the manipulation of DNA function and has potential applications in labeling biomolecules such as RNA and proteins.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateNov 28, 2005

To grow, stars and planets need space dust . . . and formaldehyde?

Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered a formaldehyde-based chemical in interstellar dust clouds, suggesting that organic molecules may play a more prominent role in star and planet formation. The findings could change ideas about how these molecules form in the universe.

SourceOhio State University·DateJun 30, 2004

AGU Journal highlights - 25 March 2004

Researchers made new discoveries about the Earth's magnetic field, Mars rover data, and post-earthquake ground movement. A thin layer in the Earth's magnetic field was observed, while a Martian rover's landing site may be coated with iron oxide, affecting water detection. GPS technology also revealed ground movement after an 8.0-magnit...

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMar 25, 2004
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Atmospheric bromine, which attacks ozone layer, is decreasing

The study finds that the decrease in atmospheric bromine is driven by a large decline in methyl bromide, which has more than offset increases from halons. Global industrial production of methyl bromide has declined due to restrictions on its use, contributing to a faster-than-expected recovery of stratospheric ozone.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 13, 2003

Atmospheric mercury has declined -- But why?

Researchers have observed a steady decline in atmospheric mercury levels since the mid-1990s, with concentrations remaining relatively constant. The findings highlight the need for further research on the sources of mercury emissions, including both natural and manmade components.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJun 10, 2003
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Gene researchers close in on nicotine's 'evil cousin'

Researchers are working to isolate the nicotine N-demethylase gene, which converts nicotine into nornicotine, a potent carcinogen. The goal is to reduce levels of harmful nitrosamines in Burley tobacco and explore alternate uses for the crop.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·DateNov 15, 2002

Ultrafast laser spectroscopy tracks energy flow through molecules

Dlott and colleagues used mid-infrared lasers to excite hydroxyl stretching vibrations in alcohols, then probed with visible light to monitor energy flow. The study found that energy transfer occurs through bond interactions, increasing speed by about 400 femtoseconds for each methylene group.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalScience·DateJun 20, 2002
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Method removes gas additive MTBE from tainted water

A Purdue University chemist has developed a method that uses high-energy ultraviolet rays to remove the gasoline additive MTBE from contaminated ground water. The technique involves exposing tainted water to UV rays, oxygen, and titanium dioxide, which eventually turns the compound into carbon dioxide.

SourcePurdue University·DateMar 28, 2000

Polar snow reveals secrets of ozone-depleting gases

Researchers analyzed polar snowpack and found major ozone-depleting gases were not present in the atmosphere in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Human emissions can account entirely for their presence in the atmosphere.

SourceNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration·JournalNature·DateJun 23, 1999
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Phase Out Planned For One Of Top Five U.S. Pesticides, Plant Doctors Respond

Plant pathologists are developing new management practices for disease control, including the use of ecologically-based strategies and biological control organisms. The phase-out of methyl bromide is expected to have a significant impact on American agriculture, prompting research into alternative pest control tools.

SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalPlant Disease·DateFeb 17, 1998