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New cellular insights in bone development

A team of engineers at Washington University in St. Louis studied the formation of new bone and teeth, discovering that miniscule gaps in collagen's fiber structure facilitate the nucleation of calcium phosphate. The findings provide a new view into the current theory of calcium phosphate nucleation in confined spaces.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 6, 2018

Birth of a mineral

Researchers used a powerful microscope to study the birth of crystals in real time, revealing that calcium carbonate forms into different minerals through various pathways. This discovery may help scientists understand how to lock carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and better reconstruct ancient climates.

Biologists take snapshot of fleeting protein process

Researchers have captured the first three-dimensional crystalline snapshot of the initial step in actin filament formation, crucial for understanding cell shape and cancer. The study's dual-mutant approach helped overcome challenges in forming crystals, revealing critical contacts involved in nucleation.

SourceRice University·JournalCell Reports·DateMay 30, 2013

New insight to demineralization

Scientists at Virginia Tech have found a novel mechanism for demineralization of noncrystalline silicas, which can dissolve up to 100 times faster than expected. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of biomedical implants and synthetic materials with bone-like properties.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 7, 2008

New finding bubbles to surface, challenging old view

Chemical engineers discovered a fundamental flaw in the conventional view of how liquids form bubbles that grow and turn into vapors. The new findings apply to homogeneous nucleation and suggest multiple possible pathways for phase transition, potentially leading to practical safety benefits for industry.

SourcePurdue University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 20, 2007