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Tracing the origin of life

Researchers discover abiotic peptide chain formation from glycine in space conditions, shedding light on the origin of life. The study shows that small clusters of glycine molecules exhibit polymerization upon energy input.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry A·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2023

Incorporation of water molecules into layered materials impacts ion storage capability

Researchers have used a technique called QCM-D to observe the interplay between hydration structures and ion configurations in layered materials. The study found that the hydration structure plays a crucial role in determining the material's ion-storage capacity, with flexible layers helping to stabilize the structure.

SourceShinshu University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 20, 2023

The effects of tightening a molecular knot

A study by University of Liège researchers decodes the mechanical response of synthetic small-molecule overhand knots to tightening, revealing a high resisting force and relative rigidity. The results have relevance for designing extended knotted and molecularly woven materials.

SourceUniversity of Liège·JournalChem·DateJan 16, 2023

Now on the molecular scale: Electric motors

A multidisciplinary team led by Northwestern University has developed an electric motor that can convert electrical energy into unidirectional motion at the molecular level. The motor's design is based on a catenane molecule and has the potential to make a huge difference in medicine, particularly in biomolecular motors in the human body.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 11, 2023

Rice University scientists get fungi to spill their secrets

Researchers at Rice University have developed a multiplex base-editing platform that significantly improves the pace of new drug discovery by inducing fungi to produce more bioactive compounds. The technique has been deployed as a tool for mining fungal genomes for medically useful compounds, reducing research timeline by over 80%.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 6, 2023

Lab lights way to simple chemical synthesis

Researchers at Rice University have developed a photochemical process that simplifies the manufacture of essential precursors for drugs and agricultural chemicals. By illuminating reagents with visible light, they can form diazides in conditions far gentler than current industrial processes.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 6, 2023

Enzymatic synthesis of primary, secondary and tertiary amines containing two stereocenters

Researchers at the University of Amsterdam's Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Synthesis have developed a biocatalytic method to synthesize primary, secondary, and tertiary amines containing two stereogenic centers. The method uses a one-pot enzyme cascade, achieving excellent stereoselectivity and high chemical purity.

SourceUniversiteit van Amsterdam·JournalACS Catalysis·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 16, 2022

Material separates water from … water

A Kyoto University research group has developed a material that effectively separates heavy water from normal water at room temperature. The discovery uses an adsorption-separation method based on copper-based porous coordination polymers, which utilize the flipping action of linkers to separate molecules.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature·DateNov 9, 2022

‘Click’ chemistry may help treat dogs with bone cancer, MU study finds

Researchers at the University of Missouri have successfully used click chemistry to deliver radiopharmaceuticals specifically to tumors in large dogs with bone cancer, increasing effectiveness and minimizing circulation. This breakthrough could pave the way for click chemistry-based treatments for humans with cancer in the future.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalMolecular Pharmaceutics·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 4, 2022

Towards higher nanopatterning resolution with molecules that fill nanogaps better

A research group from Tokyo University of Science has discovered molecular features that govern the filling process at nanoscales, enabling finer resolutions in ultraviolet nanoimprint lithography. The findings provide valuable insights for guiding the selection and design of optimized resists for sub-10 nm resolution.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalNanomaterials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 8, 2022

An easier and safer way to synthesize medicines

Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new method to synthesize medicines using carbenes, reducing the need for explosive intermediates. This breakthrough could enable faster production of cyclopropanes, a key ingredient in COVID-19 treatments and other medications.

SourceOhio State University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2022

Novel multi-proton carrier complex as efficient proton conductor at high temperatures

A team of researchers from Tokyo University of Science has developed a novel multi-proton carrier complex that shows efficient proton conductivity even at high temperatures. The resulting starburst-type metal complex acts as a proton transmitter, making it 6 times more potent than individual imidazole molecules.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalChemistry - A European Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2022

Programmed cell death in cancer cells: Overcoming resistance through paraptosis-inducing compounds

Researchers from Tokyo University of Science developed novel complex-peptide hybrids that induce programmed cell death in apoptosis-resistant cancer cells through paraptosis. The compounds, syn-6 and anti-6, inhibit cell death by uncoupling mitochondrial calcium uptake and inducing cytoplasmic vacuolization, leading to cell death.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalBioconjugate Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022

95% nanoplastic removal with apples?!

Researchers at Shinshu University have developed a new method to remove nanoplastics from water using apples and pectin. The study found that the method was able to remove 95% of nanoplastics in just 24 hours.

SourceShinshu University·JournalJournal of Environmental Chemical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2022

Iron catalyst could make important chemical reactions cheaper and more eco-friendly

Researchers have designed an iron catalyst to facilitate the olefin metathesis reaction, a widely applicable catalytic reaction for carbon-carbon double bond formation. The iron-based catalyst shows promise in reducing costs and environmental impact compared to traditional ruthenium-based catalysts.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalNature Catalysis·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 2, 2022

‘Dative epitaxy’: A new way to stack crystal films

Researchers have developed a novel method called 'dative epitaxy' for growing thin layers of crystals made from different materials on top of each other. This technique allows for the formation of special chemical bonds to fix crystal orientation, overcoming limitations of conventional and van der Waals epitaxial techniques.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateApr 20, 2022

National Cheng Kung University researchers present new solution for wastewater remediation

Researchers have developed an eco-friendly and reusable solution for removing toxic synthetic dyes from wastewater using nanocomposite-based hydrogels. The new material, made from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and graphene oxide, demonstrates high adsorption capacities and retains its effectiveness even after multiple cycles of use.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials·DateApr 14, 2022

Scientists develop environmentally safe, frost-resistant coatings

Scientists at the University of Illinois Chicago have created a new family of environmentally safe, frost-resistant coatings that can delay the formation of frost for extended hours. These coatings can be applied to various surfaces without preconditioning or expensive surface treatments, reducing pollution and ice-related problems.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 31, 2022

Illinois musicians, chemists use sound to better understand science

Researchers at the University of Illinois used sonification to analyze data and teach protein folding, leading to a new discovery about protein folding mechanisms. Musicians collaborated with chemists to create audio-mapped visualizations that complemented traditional views, increasing intuition for experts.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Chemical Education·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 17, 2022

Matthew Jones wins NSF CAREER Award

Matthew Jones, a Rice University chemist, has won a National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award to investigate the fundamental processes of nanoparticle formation. He aims to develop a mechanistic understanding of nanoparticle growth to control their size and shape, enabling advances in biomedicine, energy storage, and computing.

Boxing up molecular machines

A team of scientists successfully constructed a supramolecular rotor inside a hollow cube-shaped zinc(II)-metallated porphyrinic cage (Zn-PB) molecule. The addition of a chemical stimulant initiates both rotary and tumbling motions, controlled by external stimuli.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalChem·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 18, 2022

Newly improved quantum algorithm performs full configuration interaction calculations without controlled time evolutions

Researchers at Osaka City University developed a new quantum algorithm that calculates potential energy curves of molecules without controlled time evolutions. This addresses issues with conventional quantum phase estimation algorithms, enabling parallel processing and efficient full-CI calculations.

SourceOsaka City University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 29, 2021

For the first time, DNA and proteins sensed by de novo-designed nanopore

Researchers in Japan have designed the first de novo-designed peptides that can form artificial nanopores to identify and enable single molecule-sorting of genetic material in a lipid membrane. The peptides can detect specific molecules, including DNA, and have the potential to mimic natural proteins' ability to detect specific proteins.

SourceTokyo University of Agriculture and Technology·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateNov 24, 2021

Rice lab first to mimic molecule found in poppies

A Rice University undergraduate student and her mentor have synthesized the first molecule found in poppies, setigerumine I, using a three-step process at room temperature. The environmentally friendly method produced 20 milligrams of the rare extract, which could be a potential precursor for non-addictive painkillers.

SourceRice University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 15, 2021

New substance classes for nanomaterials: Nano spheres and diamond slivers made of silicon and germanium

Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt and Bonn have synthesized molecular nano spheres made of silicon atoms, known as silafulleranes, which can encapsulate chloride ions. The discovery of these new compounds may lead to improved applications in electronics, solar cells, and batteries.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2021

Girdin one’s loins

A team of researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine discovered that GIV/Girdin plays a critical role in sperm motility, survival, and fertilization success. The protein regulates capacitation and acrosome reaction processes, essential for successful fertilization.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 20, 2021

Polymer electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries without dead zones

Researchers developed a novel block copolymer electrolyte that controls structure through electrostatic interactions, enhancing ionic conductivity. The new nanostructure enables significant enhancement in conductivity compared to typical two-dimensional structures, paving the way for safer all-solid-state batteries.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 20, 2021