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Solving the structure of a functional amyloid protein provides new clues to the origin of a rare disease

Researchers at Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona solved the structure of a functional amyloid protein, hnRNPDL-2, which forms stable and non-toxic fibres in humans. The discovery changes the concept of disease origin and treatment, suggesting that molecules stabilising or facilitating fibre formation could be the key to therapy.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2023

Robots and A.I. team up to discover highly selective catalysts

Researchers developed a machine learning model using advanced 2D chemical descriptors to predict highly selective asymmetric catalysts without quantum chemical computations. The model demonstrated high accuracy in predicting catalyst structures and selectivity, outperforming existing methods.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 2, 2023

Eggshells of large, flightless birds evolved along different tracks

A new study analyzes the microstructure of eggshells from living and extinct flightless birds, shedding light on their evolutionary history. The research finds that wedge-like microstructures in rhea eggs evolved from ancient ancestors, while prism-like structures in ostrich and tinamous eggs likely developed independently.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateJan 31, 2023

The last mysteries of mica

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have explained the distribution of potassium ions on mica surfaces using an atomic force microscope in ultra-high vacuum. The study reveals tiny patterns of ion arrangement, which could improve electronic circuit performance and make mica a suitable insulator for 2D materials.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 25, 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

New ‘chain mail’ material of interlocking molecules is tough, flexible and easy to make

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have created a new type of 'chain mail' material called an infinite catenane, which can be synthesized in a single step. This material is flexible, strong, and resilient like chain mail, and has potential applications in airplanes, armor, and robotics.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature Synthesis·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 18, 2023

AI discovers new nanostructures

Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have successfully discovered new materials using artificial intelligence and self-assembly. The AI-driven technique led to the discovery of three new nanostructures, expanding the scope of self-assembly's applications in microelectronics and catalysis.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 13, 2023

Atomic structure of a staphylococcal bacteriophage using cryo-electron microscopy

Researchers have gained a better understanding of the structures and functions of Andhra gene products, paving the way for custom phages for therapeutic applications. The high-resolution knowledge of the virus structure is crucial for developing targeted treatments against Staphylococcus epidermidis infections.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 16, 2022

Automated chemical reaction prediction: Now in stereo

Researchers demonstrate the expanded use of a computational method called AFIR, predicting pericyclic reactions with accurate stereoselectivity based on target product molecule information. The technique successfully handles molecules up to 52 atoms and predicts stereochemistry for reactions that break Woodward-Hoffman rules.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 1, 2022

Shared conserved module found in formation of moss midribs and seed plant axillary meristems

Researchers identified a shared conserved module in the formation of moss midribs and seed plant axillary meristems, highlighting a universal mechanism associated with evolutionary innovation. The GRAS family genes promote cell division in both structures, leading to defects when this process is compromised.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2022

Researchers reveal the structure of the IFT-B complex, which is essential for formation of the cilium organelle

The study reveals the structure of the 15-subunit IFT-B complex, a crucial component in cilia formation and maintenance. The complex's elongated and flexible nature is consistent with previous low-resolution reconstructions, and two configurations are identified that may drive bi-directional movement.

SourceAarhus University·JournalThe EMBO Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 10, 2022

New potential from ‘one-pot-and-one-step’ polymer synthesis

Researchers at Hokkaido University have developed a one-pot-and-one-step synthesis procedure to create long and geometrically interlinked polymer molecules. This process can produce a wide range of advanced materials with applications in drug delivery, data storage, microelectronics, and nanolithography.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 24, 2022

Scientists map water in molecular crystals, aiding drug development

Researchers developed a computational protocol called MACH that can quickly determine whether a given compound will form a crystal hydrate. The tool uses rules to systematically determine where water would likely be inserted into a crystal, providing essential knowledge for drug development and formulation.

SourceNew York University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 24, 2022

NTU Singapore scientists’ discovery of the structure of a key part of our chromosomes could improve understanding of how humans age and develop cancer

Scientists from NTU Singapore have discovered that telomeres are stacked in columns like a spring, leaving DNA exposed to damage. This finding could improve understanding of how humans age and develop cancer, with potential treatments for diseases caused by dysfunctional telomeres.

Genetic defects lead to enamel malformations

A study conducted at the University of Zurich has identified a key gene network responsible for severe tooth enamel defects. The researchers found that mutations in the Adam10 molecule lead to disorganization of ameloblasts and severe defects in both structure and mineral composition of enamel.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2022

Game-changing new theory upends what we know about how charged macromolecules self-assemble

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst discovered that uniformly charged macromolecules can self-assemble into large structures through dipole-dipole interactions. This finding highlights the importance of dipoles in biological assembly processes and offers new insights into life's fundamental mysteries.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 26, 2022

New study explains mechanisms of salt transport and could help treat cystic fibrosis

A recent study by Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center researchers has shed light on the mechanisms of salt transport across membrane barriers. The findings have significant implications for treating cystic fibrosis, a disease caused by mutations in three types of sodium-potassium pumps.

SourceTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateSep 21, 2022

How far can a proton make its presence felt when embedded in water?

Researchers have gained insight into the electronic structure of hydrated proton complexes, revealing that three inner water molecules are drastically modified by the proton. The first hydration shell senses the electric field of the proton through Coulomb interactions.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 19, 2022

Dragons and brain evolution

A team of scientists generated a molecular atlas of the Australian bearded dragon's brain, comparing it to mouse data. The findings suggest that both reptilian and mammalian brains evolved clade-specific neuron types from a common ancestral set, challenging popular views on brain evolution.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 2, 2022

Chemistry: Long-range interactions

Researchers led by Heinz Langhals have found intermolecular interactions that extend beyond 100 nanometers, enabling molecules to interact with their environment at almost macroscopic dimensions. This discovery raises new possibilities for addressing molecular structures macroscopically and may lead to advancements in molecular memories.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateAug 24, 2022

Building the best zeolite

Researchers have developed new methods to prepare state-of-the-art zeolites with nano-sized dimensions and hierarchical structures, critical for industrial applications. The findings emphasize the importance of smaller size and structure in determining performance.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalNature Synthesis·DateAug 11, 2022

Combining techniques to create more environmentally friendly, heat resistant, and transparent plastics

Researchers at Nagoya University have developed a new technique for creating polymers with controlled molecular weight and high optical activity. The discovery uses a combination of living cationic polymerization and asymmetric cationic polymerization, resulting in optically active polymers with unique properties.

SourceNagoya University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 8, 2022

Simulations provide map to treasure trove of fluorinated compounds

Researchers at Hokkaido University used computer simulations to discover a reaction that selectively adds two fluorine atoms to a difficult-to-access position on an N-heterocycle. The successful synthesis of 48 new compounds with unique alpha position fluorine substitutions has significant potential for novel drug development.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalNature Synthesis·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 8, 2022

Building molecular bridges: New crystal engineering strategy to design ultrabright fluorescent solid dyes

A new study from Tokyo Institute of Technology introduces a novel crystal engineering strategy to design ultrabright fluorescent solid dyes. This approach allows for monomeric emission and suppressed intermolecular interactions, enabling the creation of highly dense crystalline structures with controlled electronic properties.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalChemistry - A European Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2022

Molecular electronics: a possible solution beyond Moore's Law

Researchers have developed instruments for single-molecule electrochemistry and spectroscopy, aiming to design and synthesize materials with chemistry, physics, and engineering at the atomic scale. They discuss challenges and opportunities in functionalizing molecular junctions and forming stable molecular electronic devices.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateJul 27, 2022

Tetrahedrons assemble! Three-sided pyramids form 2D structures

Researchers at Rice University have created 2D chiral superstructures using three-sided pyramids, which could lead to breakthroughs in metamaterials. The structures, composed of ultrathin assemblies of particles, incorporate left-handed and right-handed domains and exhibit unique optical properties.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2022

Visualization of binding processes of cell-cell adhesion molecules in solution

The study reveals multiple dimeric structures of cadherins in solution, including W-, cross-, and S-shaped dimers. The researchers propose a novel conformation, the S-shaped dimer, and suggest that binding mechanism progresses through sliding motion followed by flipping motion to form stable SS-dimers.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2022

New structure found in cells

A research team, led by Rohit Pappu and Anthony Hyman, found that protein molecules form dynamic clusters at low concentrations, which have structures that encode function. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that there is no further structure underlying biomolecular condensates.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 12, 2022