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Can we ‘recharge’ our cells?

Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a method to recharge cellular mitochondria using nanotechnology, potentially extending healthy lifespans and improving outcomes for patients with age-related diseases. The molybdenum disulfide nanoparticles stimulate mitochondrial regeneration, helping cells generate more energy.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 25, 2024

A viral close-up of HTLV-1

Researchers at ISTA have decoded the structure of HTLV-1 using Cryo-Electron Tomography, revealing a distinct viral lattice that differs from other retroviruses. This discovery could pave the way for novel treatment approaches to combat HTLV-1 infections, which affect 5-10 million people worldwide.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 25, 2024

LJI discovery paves the way for antivirals against Ebola virus and its deadly relatives

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have captured the first detailed images of the Ebola virus nucleocapsid structure, which is crucial for replicating in host cells. This breakthrough may accelerate the development of universal antivirals that target this viral structure to combat multiple filoviruses.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 17, 2024

We're closer than ever to solving mystery of deadly virus

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have identified the protein complex that enables the hepatitis C virus to infect cells. This discovery is a significant step towards developing a vaccine against the disease, which causes chronic inflammation and 300,000 deaths annually worldwide. The study's results, published in Nature maga...

New 'chiral vortex' of light reveals molecular mirror images

A new structure of light has been discovered that can accurately measure chirality in molecules, a property of asymmetry important in physics, chemistry, biology, and medicine. This 'chiral vortex' provides an accurate and robust form of measurement, allowing for the detection of chiral biomarkers.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalNature Photonics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 2, 2024

UVA engineers design lookalike drug carrier to evade lung’s lines of defense

Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science have designed a drug-carrying molecule that can slip past the lung's natural defenses. The nanocarrier, called PEG-BB, is shaped like a bottlebrush and mimics the properties of mucus, allowing it to move quickly through the airway.

PolyU scientists harness quantum microprocessor chips for revolutionary molecular spectroscopy simulation

Researchers at PolyU have successfully developed a quantum microprocessor chip that can simulate large-structured and complex molecules with high accuracy. The breakthrough enables scientists to tackle complicated quantum chemistry problems beyond the capabilities of classical computers.

SourceThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 20, 2024

SNU researchers develop technology to predict the deformation of DNA origami structures induced by DNA-binding molecules

Researchers at Seoul National University have developed a technology to quickly predict the mechanochemical shape changes of DNA origami structures based on the concentration of binding molecules. This methodology enables the design of tunable DNA origami structures that can change shape as needed, contributing to advancements in DNA n...

SourceSeoul National University College of Engineering·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 8, 2024

How fungi elude antifungal treatments

Researchers at Michigan State University characterized how fungi restructure their cell walls to thwart current antifungal medications. The study found that fungi enhance their survival odds by making specific changes to the structure and organization of the components in their cell walls, rendering existing drugs ineffective.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 7, 2024

Escaping from traps

Researchers from MPI-DS investigated how non-reciprocal interactions can help overcome static equilibrium states in complex systems. They found that these interactions can counteract energy barriers, allowing trapped systems to escape and potentially leading to more efficient molecular systems.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 25, 2024

Seeing inside Alzheimer’s disease brain

Researchers have determined the structure of molecules within an Alzheimer's disease brain for the first time using cryo-electron tomography and fluorescence microscopy. This study revealed the molecular structure of tau protein and its arrangement with amyloid plaques, providing new insights into the pathology of the disease.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateJul 11, 2024

AI model finds the cancer clues at lightning speed

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg developed an AI model called Candycrunch to automate the analysis of glycan structures in cancer cells. The model can identify abnormal structures and biomarkers in just a few seconds, accelerating the discovery of new treatments.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalNature Methods·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 1, 2024

U of T researchers develop deep-learning model that outperforms Google AI system to predict peptide structures

Researchers at U of T have developed a deep-learning model called PepFlow that can predict the full range of conformations for peptides, which are shorter than proteins but perform similar biological functions. The model combines machine learning and physics to capture precise and accurate conformations within minutes.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·DateJun 27, 2024

Slipping a note to a neighbor: The cellular way

Researchers from PSI and ETH Zurich studied connexin-36 gap junction channels and found that antimalarial drug mefloquine binds to the channels, potentially explaining its severe side effects. The study provides new insights into how drugs interact with connexins and may lead to the development of therapies for neurological diseases.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalCell Discovery·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 26, 2024

An enzyme with a smart friend

Researchers discovered that enzyme METTL6 interacts with tRNA synthetase to recognize specific tRNAs, enabling precise modification and potential application in cancer treatment. This discovery provides new insights into the molecular machinery of protein production.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 25, 2024

Quantum state mixing in photobiology – new insight from ultrafast terahertz Stark spectroscopy

Researchers used ultrafast terahertz Stark spectroscopy to characterize the molecular quantum states involved in the proton pump reaction of bacteriorhodopsin. The study reveals pronounced quantum state mixing in the early electronic and nuclear dynamics, supporting a picture of mixed excited-state characters.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 20, 2024

Gold nanoparticles that selectively emit left-/right-handed light

Researchers found that chiral gold nanoparticles exhibit high selectivity for left- or right-handed circularly polarized light with a dissymmetry factor of approximately 0.7, outperforming previous materials. The findings suggest potential applications in anti-counterfeiting and quantum information using circularly polarized light.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 4, 2024

Editing without “cutting”: Molecular mechanisms of new gene-editing tool revealed

Researchers elucidated the spatial structure and molecular mechanisms of 'prime editor,' a novel gene-editing tool that achieves reverse transcription without DNA cutting. This breakthrough contributes to designing gene-editing tools accurate enough for gene therapy treatments, opening new avenues for both basic and applied research.

SourceSchool of Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 29, 2024

Producing novel liquid crystals by stacking antiaromatic units

Scientists have developed a new approach to designing materials with useful electronic and optical properties. By stacking antiaromatic units using van der Waals interactions, researchers created highly conductive liquid crystals. This breakthrough could lead to advances in organic electronics, optoelectronics, and sensing devices.

SourceRitsumeikan University·JournalChemical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2024

Scientists develop technique to analyze RNA structures in ultra-high definition

Scientists at the University of Nottingham have created a powerful method to analyze RNA structures in unprecedented detail. By combining cryogenic OrbiSIMS with advanced computational modelling and automation, they can now determine RNA structures in a matter of days, significantly advancing the field of RNA structural biology.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2024

Insights into functions of micronutrient transporters may pave way for new treatments for neurological diseases

Scientists have discovered the transporters responsible for delivering essential nutrients choline and ethanolamine to human cells. The study sheds light on the atomic structure of these transporters and their role in distributing micronutrients throughout the body, providing a foundation for new therapeutic approaches.

Alkyl-aromatic hybrid micelles formed from emergent umbrella-shaped molecules

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed alkyl-aromatic hybrid micelles that exhibit high stability in water and excellent host functions towards aromatic guests. The new amphiphiles feature a linear alkyl-chain flanked by two aromatic panels, forming an alkyl core surrounded by an aromatic shell.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 20, 2024

Enhancing superconductivity of graphene-calcium superconductors

Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology experimentally revealed that high-density Ca introduction enhances superconductivity in graphene-calcium compounds through confinement epitaxy, leading to increased critical temperatures. This breakthrough could enable the development of C6CaC6 superconductors with wide applicability in qu...

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 20, 2024

Toxic chemicals can be detected with new AI method

A new AI method developed by Swedish researchers can identify toxic substances based on their chemical structure, potentially replacing animal testing. The method has been shown to be more accurate and broadly applicable than existing computational tools, offering a promising alternative for environmental research and authorities.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 2, 2024

Synthesizing π-extended carbohelicene-based circularly polarized luminescence emitters

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a new strategy to synthesize 3D π-extended carbohelicenes, overcoming molecular distortions and achieving CPL brightness of up to 513 M–1 cm–1. The study provides a solid groundwork for further research and development of high-performance carbohelicenes.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Synthesis·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 23, 2024