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Breakthrough in understanding ice formation in clouds

Researchers at Bielefeld University have discovered that microcline's most common surface is sufficient for ice to form in an ordered manner, known as epitaxial growth. This finding provides a new perspective on the importance of uncommon ice faces for understanding ice nucleation.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 25, 2026

Researchers suggest new design principle for lithium conversion battery catalysts

Researchers challenged thermodynamic-based framework for catalyst design and proposed new principle focusing on declining efficiency of solid-phase electron transport. They designed homonuclear cobalt-cobalt dual-atom catalyst DA-CoCo, significantly enhancing charge transport in solid intermediates, validating the new design principle.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Catalysis·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 11, 2026

New UNC Charlotte study reveals how just three molecules can launch gene-silencing condensates, organizing the epigenome and controlling stem cell differentiation

A new study by UNC Charlotte scientists has discovered a self-clustering mechanism in the Polycomb protein CBX2 that is essential for initiating gene-repressive condensates and guiding stem cells toward their proper fates. The researchers found that CBX2 clusters recruit two Polycomb repressive complexes, creating multicomponent repres...

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte·JournalMolecular Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 4, 2026

Creating ice layer by layer: the secret mechanisms of ice formation revealed

Researchers from the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, used molecular-scale simulations to understand ice formation. They found that the arrangement of water molecules in the two layers closest to the surface is crucial for nucleation, promoting a low-dimensional hexagonal crystal lattice at the surface.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalJournal of Colloid and Interface Science·DateJun 4, 2025

Illuminating the twist: light-driven inversion of supramolecular chirality

The study successfully manipulated the formation of left-handed or right-handed helical aggregates using precise light control, exhibiting promising insights into novel functional materials. The researchers found that residual aggregates acted as nucleation sites forming oppositely directed helical assemblies under certain conditions.

SourceChiba University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 11, 2025

Direct observation of a glass hardening process

A research team observed partial crystallization of a glass and developed a model explaining the crystal nucleation mechanisms within a glass at different spatial scales. The team used multiscale structural analysis mainly using synchrotron X-rays, revealing nanosized crystal nuclei forming within Zr-rich regions of the glass.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalNPG Asia Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 19, 2024

Making diamonds at ambient pressure

Researchers create diamond film at 1 atm pressure and 1025°C using a novel liquid metal alloy, breaking the high-pressure requirement. The synthesized diamond has a high purity and unique silicon-vacancy color centers, opening new avenues for applications in magnetic sensing and quantum computing.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 24, 2024

Forming ice: There’s a fungal protein for that

A new study reveals that fungal proteins can facilitate ice formation at temperatures as warm as -10°C, challenging the long-held assumption that pure water only freezes at 0°C. The research also shows that these proteins are incredibly efficient, with some being 25 times smaller than other known ice-nucleating proteins.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 13, 2023

Arctic dust found to be a major source of particles that form ice crystals in Arctic low-level clouds

Researchers at Nagoya University found that Arctic dust is a significant source of particles forming ice crystals in Arctic low-level clouds. The findings suggest that Arctic dust can act efficiently as an ice nucleating particle, increasing the number of ice nucleating particles by over 100 times.

SourceNagoya University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 7, 2023

Impact of cortactin in cancer progression

Researchers discuss cortactin's impact on cancer progression by modulating the Wnt5a/ROR1 signaling pathway. Cortactin expression is found in various cancers, including breast and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, suggesting its potential role in promoting metastasis.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 4, 2023

The world in grains of interstellar dust

Researchers at Hokkaido University have discovered a new pathway to forming presolar grains, which could help scientists better understand the interstellar environment and develop more efficient nanoparticles. The study suggests that these grains formed through a non-classical nucleation pathway, involving three distinct steps.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 13, 2023

Revolutionary images of the birth of crystals

Researchers have successfully visualized crystal nucleation, a crucial stage in crystallization, using Raman microspectroscopy and optical trapping. This breakthrough enables better understanding of molecular dynamics and may lead to the development of purer and more stable crystals for pharmaceuticals and other industries.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeNews article·DateApr 21, 2022

Weak bonds a strength in making borophene

Borophene, a 2D version of boron, can be synthesized on hexagonal boron nitride using weak van der Waals forces. This method allows for easier removal and evaluation of the material for its plasmonic and photonic properties, as well as its electronic properties relevant to superconductivity.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 12, 2021

Ice formation on surfaces enhanced via a non-classical nucleation process

Researchers at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have discovered a non-classical nucleation process that can greatly facilitate ice formation on foreign surfaces. This finding has the potential to decelerate glacier melting and alleviate environmental concerns by predicting and controlling crystallization processes.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 17, 2021

Electrode interphase formation

The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) plays a critical role in ideal battery function, and researchers have studied its nucleation and growth in atomic detail. Anions and solvents must be well-balanced to form a homogeneous inorganic, crystalline SEI.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 22, 2021

Organic crystals' ice-forming superpowers

Researchers discover that organic molecules, commonly found in aerosols, can facilitate ice crystal formation in clouds. They also investigate a memory effect where second-round ice formation is more effective than the first, revealing crevices in the nucleant surface can hold onto small amounts of ice.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMar 18, 2021

Crystal close up

Researchers use novel techniques to observe salt crystal formation at the atomic level for the first time. The study confirms theoretical predictions about crystal formation and provides insight into polymorphism in crystal growth.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJan 21, 2021

How aerosols are formed

Researchers at ETH Zurich have gained new insights into aerosol formation by detecting volatile components for the first time. Volatile components were found to catalyze vapor nucleation, accelerating the process.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 14, 2021

Visualizing diffusive dynamics beyond tracking limit with standard optical microscope

Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology developed a new approach to detect crystallization signs without fluorescent labeling or tracking. They used particle image diffusometry to analyze microscopy movie data, revealing the collective motion of molecular clusters before nucleation.

SourceTokyo University of Agriculture and Technology·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateFeb 17, 2020

Science snapshots: A toxin antidote in frogs, atomic motion in 4D, and better biofuels

Scientists have discovered a natural defense against the deadly neurotoxin saxitoxin in bullfrogs, which could lead to the first-ever antidote for this compound. Additionally, researchers have captured atomic motion in 4D and identified a molecular switch that promotes IIL tolerance in bacteria, paving the way for better biofuels.

We now know how insects and bacteria control ice

Scientists have discovered how key proteins produced in bacteria and insects can either promote or inhibit the formation of ice. The study reveals that these proteins can be designed to nucleate ice at specific temperatures, enabling more accurate weather forecasts and potentially solving water scarcity issues. This breakthrough has si...

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateApr 12, 2019