Articles tagged with Oxygen
Students at the University of Washington have developed a low-technology solution to turn slash piles into biochar, a crumbly charcoal-like product that helps farmers' soil hold water and nutrients. The new method is estimated to be cost-effective and could transform what was once a big problem into a money-making engine for landowners.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum found that oxygen inactivates enzyme function in three phases, leading to the destruction of biological catalysts. This discovery could help develop more robust enzymes for hydrogen production.
A recent study found that drugs promoting nitric oxide production may improve recovery in critically ill patients with low oxygen levels. NO is produced by virtually every cell and serves important functions including blood pressure regulation, learning, and memory formation.
MIT researchers found evidence that tiny aerobic organisms may have evolved to survive on extremely low levels of oxygen in oceanic 'oxygen oases.' Laboratory experiments with yeast suggest early ancestors could have thrived with minimal O2, reconciling a debate over early Earth's atmosphere.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed an artificial lung that uses air instead of pure oxygen, achieving efficiencies comparable to the genuine organ. The device is a significant step towards creating easily portable and implantable lungs, with potential use in humans within a decade.
A study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry reveals that a protein called globin E plays a crucial role in supplying oxygen to the avian retina. This finding helps explain how birds evolved large eyes without a dense network of ocular capillaries, and sheds light on the unique properties of the avian eye.
Scientists have discovered that calcium, aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) formed far away from the sun and later fell back into the mid-plane of the solar system. The findings provide new insights into the formation and evolution of our solar system, suggesting turbulent conditions during its early stages.
A gas-giant planet orbiting a sun-like star has been found to be rich in carbon, with rocks potentially made of pure diamond or graphite. The discovery challenges conventional planetary chemistry and raises questions about the possibility of life on this extreme world.
The Cassini mission has discovered an oxygen atmosphere on Saturn's moon Rhea, which is extremely thin and sustained by high-energy particles bombarding its icy surface. The formation of oxygen and carbon dioxide could be a pre-requisite for life, with complex chemistry potentially common throughout the solar system.
Researchers at Queen's University have discovered a way to detect oxygen in complex biomolecular systems, revolutionizing the study of proteins, DNA, RNA and other molecules. This breakthrough allows scientists to examine all four major elements and learn more about their chemical structure and interactions.
Ancient oceanic microbes produced oxygen through photosynthesis, altering Earth's atmosphere billions of years ago. The discovery sheds light on the emergence of oxygen in the oceans, which eventually led to the development of complex life forms.
A team led by Dr. Jonathan Stamler will research the development of a new class of drugs that selectively dilate blood cells under hypoxia, enhancing soldiers' performance at high altitudes. The grant aims to improve tissue oxygenation and deliver more oxygen to tissues despite low blood oxygen content.
Research by Duke University scientists reveals that seawater's higher concentrations of mercury make saltwater fish like tuna and shark more toxic to humans. Methylmercury latches onto dissolved organic matter in freshwater, but tightly binds to chloride in seawater, where sunlight can't break it down as easily.
The Gulf oil spill is threatening to worsen and expand the oxygen-depleted region known as the 'dead zone', a phenomenon caused by urban runoff and nitrogen-based fertilizers. Researchers are analyzing water samples to understand the impact of oil on oxygen levels, which could have devastating effects on marine life.
A breakthrough discovery by Colette Heald simplifies our understanding of atmospheric organic aerosols, a key factor in climate change. By identifying common characteristics among these tiny particles, scientists can now accurately represent their composition in climate models.
A research team from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed a new method to detect subtle clues to environmental threats affecting blue crabs. By analyzing metabolite levels in blue crab hemolymph using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, they found biomarkers that can identify specific sourc...
A group of UK anaesthetists designed and tested three prototype low-cost ventilators that could provide effective ventilation for patients in emergency situations. The devices operate on a gas-efficient principle and have been shown to consume less oxygen than commercially available ventilators.
Scientists at VIB have identified a bacterial defense mechanism that repairs damaged proteins caused by oxygen. The discovery, using the intestinal bacterium E. coli, has implications for human cells and may provide new insights into protein protection against oxidation.
A UC Riverside-led study found oxygen production via photosynthesis occurred in Earth's oceans at least 100 million years before the GOE, affecting ocean chemistry and potentially stimulating eukaryote evolution. The research suggests that even low concentrations of oxygen can have profound effects on ocean chemistry.
Researchers developed nanosized capsules compatible with various substances for medicine and energy applications. The capsules can carry anticancer drugs or medical-imaging agents to specific locations within the human body. A highly sensitive oxygen sensor was also created, detecting minute amounts of oxygen in confined spaces.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley have discovered a mild and relatively inexpensive procedure for removing oxygen from biomass, potentially replacing traditional petrochemical feedstocks. The formic acid treatment converts glycerol into allyl alcohol, used to manufacture polymers, drugs, and other chemical products.
A team of scientists discovered that the Great Oxygenation Event coincided with the first widespread ice age on Earth. The oxygenation of the atmosphere led to a decrease in greenhouse gases, resulting in a significant drop in surface temperatures.
Calculations suggest low-oxygen dead zones in the ocean will expand significantly over the next century. Marine animals will need more oxygen to survive as carbon dioxide levels increase, exacerbating the effects of 'dead zones'.
A new theory proposes that a sharp decrease in nickel-rich volcanism led to the decline of methanogen bacteria, causing oxygen levels to rise. The discovery suggests approximately 2.4 billion years ago was when the planet became oxygenated, allowing complex life forms to evolve.
Researchers have developed a new mechanism for water splitting, which generates oxygen gas from water molecules. The process is divided into three stages, utilizing light and heat to produce clean fuel.
A team of Penn biochemists designed a simple and robust oxygen-transporting protein using design principles inspired by nature. They successfully created the protein, which can transport oxygen, using a set of simple design principles.
Research by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory scientists discovered water acts as a catalyst in complex explosive reactions at high temperatures and pressures. Water transports oxygen between reaction centers, challenging the current view that it's just a stable detonation product.
Chemists have visualized a chemical reaction that splits water into oxygen and hydrogen, improving our understanding of processes like hydrogen production and pollution cleanup. The discovery reveals that water can act as a catalyst, enabling the movement of adatoms on a metal oxide slab.
A team of researchers has illuminated the structure of reactive oxygen species in a vital enzyme using a unique light-based probing technique. The study reveals details about flavoproteins involved in biochemical reactions, including oxygen activation, which is essential for energy conversion in animals and plants.
A Stanford researcher has quantified the enormous size jumps of life on Earth, finding two major leaps: one 1.6 billion years ago and another 600 million years ago. These increases were triggered by significant boosts in atmospheric oxygen levels, which enabled eukaryotic cells to develop and multi-cellularity to emerge.
Researchers from UC San Diego and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have eliminated one model explaining the unusual oxygen isotope mix found in a stony meteorite. The team found that molecular symmetry, rather than photoshielding, is responsible for the anomaly, which challenges our understanding of solar system formation.
Under high pressure, oxygen molecules interact through their outermost electron clouds, increasing interactions and changing orbital locations. This leads to the formation of molecular clusters like (O2)4 at pressures about 10,000 times atmospheric, with potential applications in new materials and technologies.
Researchers have discovered an efficient way to produce oxygen from water using a simple and inexpensive technique involving cobalt and phosphates. This breakthrough has significant implications for the large-scale deployment of solar energy, offering a cheap and easily manufactured storage mechanism.
Researchers have discovered a way to extract pure oxygen from water using relatively small amounts of electricity and common chemicals. The breakthrough could lead to the development of solar-powered energy systems that can operate 24/7.
Researchers at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility have visualized air pathways in apples and pears, showing that these microscopically small structures play a crucial role in determining fruit health. The study reveals that pears are more susceptible to decay due to their smaller oxygen supply channels.
An interdisciplinary team used computational methods to study myoglobin's structure and function, revealing that oxygen follows two pathways with branches, mainly through alpha helices. The simulations showed ligand migration is local and short-lived, and occurs between protein scaffolds.
Researchers at the University of Bonn have identified a new hemoglobin type that appears to transport less oxygen than normal. This discovery was made after examining two patients with low oxygen levels in their blood, who did not show any signs of cardiac defects. The new type of haemoglobin, named Haemoglobin Bonn, can distort oxygen...
A computer model developed by researchers at the Catholic University of Leuven can predict the oxygen concentration inside pears, leading to a better understanding of internal browning. The model suggests that extremely low oxygen concentrations in the core of the pear can lead to cell death and browning.
Scientists from PNNL found that split oxygen atoms exhibit unexpected chemical behavior on reduced titanium oxide surfaces. The team discovered that one oxygen atom stays in place while the other shimmies away, likely stealing energy from the stationary one.
Researchers develop unconventional metal hydrides to produce water through oxygen reduction, a process essential for making water. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient hydrogen fuel cells and lower production costs.
Astronomers study G292.0+1.8 supernova remnant to understand complex star death and dispersal of elements like oxygen into next generation of stars and planets. The new Chandra image shows an intricately structured debris field with varying temperatures, indicating lopsided explosion.
Traces of oxygen appeared in Earth's atmosphere 2.5 billion years ago, 50-100 million years before the Great Oxidation Event. The discovery was made by analyzing a drill core from Western Australia and provides new insights into the history of atmospheric oxygen.
Researchers at Ohio State University are developing a new technology to keep artificial liver cells alive and functioning normally. By creating different types of hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers, they can recreate natural oxygen gradients, allowing the liver cells to function as well as they do in the body.
A new UCLA study used fMRI to capture detailed pictures of the human brain's response to inhaling pure oxygen. The researchers found that adding carbon dioxide to the gas mix calms the hypothalamus and slows the release of dangerous chemicals, preventing lasting damage.
Research in mice shows migraines can lead to brain damage, with areas of the brain experiencing oxygen shortage. The study emphasizes the importance of preventing migraines through avoiding triggers and using prescribed medications.
A pioneering biofuel cell has been developed that can generate electricity from low levels of hydrogen in air, offering an inexpensive and renewable alternative to platinum-based fuel cells. The cell uses enzymes from naturally occurring bacteria and can power electronic devices with minimal power requirements.
A team of researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine has discovered a natural toxin, PAR-polymer, responsible for most tissue and organ damage after a period of blood oxygen loss followed by restored blood flow. The toxin triggers cell death through a process called parthanatos, which can be prevented with potential new treatments.
Researchers replaced a single amino acid in a modern desaturase enzyme to create an oxidase, revealing similarities with a simple peroxidase. This substitution supports the theory of a common origin for the two enzymes around 2.5 billion years ago.
The Antarctic ozone hole reaches its annual peak, providing insights into the impact of the Montreal Protocol ban on CFCs. NASA's satellite data suggests that while the hole has not shown substantial recovery signs, long-term monitoring indicates a possible decrease in size by 2025.
Researchers have found that Thermatoga neapolitana bacteria can produce hydrogen efficiently in a moderately low-oxygen environment. This breakthrough could enable the large-scale production of hydrogen from agricultural resources, paving the way for a clean energy future.
Researchers from UGA discovered a surprising absence of hot gas in the disk of spiral galaxy NGC 1068, which could offer clues to the origins of the Milky Way. The discovery suggests that the process of heating gas in this galaxy is more complex than expected.
Researchers found that patients with severe COPD walked significantly further while breathing Heliox 28 than with other gas mixtures. The study suggests that using lower-density helium gas can reduce airway resistance and improve respiratory gas exchange for these patients.
A new study at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory reveals a four-step process to produce oxygen in frigid environments, challenging previous models. Oxygen isotopes measured during experiments showed that intermediate species of hydrogen-oxygen permeate the ice film.
A USC-led study found that higher ozone levels during pregnancy are associated with lower birth weight and increased risk of intra uterine growth retardation. The researchers monitored ozone and carbon monoxide levels in Southern California communities and analyzed birth records from over 3,900 children.
Scientists at the University of Illinois used computer simulation to study how oxygen and hydrogen travel to an enzyme's catalyst site. They discovered that closing oxygen pathways could increase hydrogenase tolerance to oxygen, making it a more economical source of hydrogen fuel.
A recent study found that a single water molecule can catalytically enhance the oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide at low temperatures. This breakthrough could lead to new channels of reactivity using polar molecules like water.
Researchers at Penn State developed implantable glucose sensors to monitor troops' metabolic health in the field. The sensors can detect glucose, oxygen, lactate, and pyruvate levels, providing valuable insights into a soldier's overall metabolic picture.
A new model suggests that the transition from a hydrogen-rich atmosphere to an oxygen-rich one occurred approximately 2.4 billion years ago, driven by the escape of hydrogen atoms into space. This allowed free oxygen to oxidize the crust and eventually dominate the atmosphere.
Researchers at Yale University have found that varying oxygen concentrations in alligator eggs alter growth patterns and affect bone development, suggesting a link to fossil records of prehistoric atmospheric oxygen levels. The study provides new insights into the complex interaction between vertebrate development and oxygen levels.
Researchers at Temple University have discovered that oxygen groups on single-walled carbon nanotubes enhance their interaction with ammonia, which could lead to the development of small sensors for Homeland Security. The study found that heating and cooling the nanotubes affected their ability to bind with ammonia molecules.