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New recipes for better solar fuel production

A team of researchers from China and the UK has developed new ways to optimise the production of solar fuels by creating novel photocatalysts. These photocatalysts, such as titanium dioxide with boron nitride, can absorb more wavelengths of light and produce more hydrogen compared to traditional methods.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalApplied Surface Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2023

A novel green photoreactor for the synthesis of desirable chiral enantiomers

A team of Japanese researchers has successfully developed a recycling photoreactor that enables the synthesis of optically pure compounds with high yields, achieving an optical purity of 98-99%. The system uses a two-step rapid photoracemization process and can produce enantiomerically pure chiral sulfoxides in yields higher than 80%.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalThe Journal of Organic Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2023

Scientists develop new concepts about the shape and dynamic nature of molecules

Researchers at Durham University and the University of York have developed new concepts about the shape and dynamic nature of carbon-based molecules. They found that a simple rearrangement of a molecular cage structure can lead to inversion of mirror image forms, making carbon-centred chirality dynamic and responsive.

SourceDurham University·JournalNature Chemistry·DateMar 13, 2023
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.

Small-molecule drug reverses neural effects of concussion

Researchers at UCSF discovered a small molecule called ISRIB that can reverse the neural and cognitive effects of concussion in mice, weeks after an injury occurred. The drug blocks the integrated stress response, which became chronically activated in damaged neurons, restoring normal spine dynamics and cognitive function.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 10, 2022
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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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

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

Joining the fight against non-small cell lung cancer

Researchers have identified new biomarkers to detect non-small cell lung cancer in its early stages through a blood test, offering improved survival chances. The approach can also identify potential drug resistance, allowing clinicians to choose alternative treatment options.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 2, 2022

New type of triterpenes discovered

Researchers have discovered a new type of triterpenes in fungi that don't require squalene, overturning current knowledge and offering a new approach to pharmaceutical science. This breakthrough opens up possibilities for creating more valuable compounds with anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and other properties.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2022

People around the world like the same kinds of smell

A study published in Current Biology found that people share similar odour preferences regardless of cultural background. The researchers discovered that the structure of the odour molecule determines whether a smell is considered pleasant or not.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 4, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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Tryptophan blockers offer new way to kill bad guys

UC Riverside scientists developed a technique to map tryptophan production, opening the door to new treatment drugs. By understanding how bacteria make tryptophan, researchers can create enzymes that shut down this process, killing invasive bacterial cells without affecting human cells.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 10, 2022

The 2021 year in chemistry

In 2021, researchers made notable discoveries, such as the identification of pain-causing proteins in snake venom and the development of bite-sized protein structures that can be felt with the tongue. The year also saw significant progress in plastics recycling and molecular editing, which holds promise for medicinal chemists.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateJan 5, 2022
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

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Cellular environments shape molecular architecture

Scientists devised a method to analyze the NPC directly inside cells, capturing its true size and structure. The results showed that the pore had a wider central channel than previously thought, emphasizing the importance of analyzing complex molecules in their native environments.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology Department of Biology·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 15, 2021