Articles tagged with Surfactants
Researchers investigated how hydraulic fracturing chemicals degrade in agricultural soil and found that co-contamination can slow down biodegradation. They tested three common chemicals and found varying degradation rates, highlighting the need for further studies to understand chemical interactions and their impact on human health.
University at Buffalo researchers have created a method to strip away excess surfactants from common injectable drugs, potentially making them safer and more effective for millions. The breakthrough removes potentially harmful additives, improving the formulation of anti-cancer medicine, testosterone, and other drugs.
Researchers from Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University developed a method to create ordered crystal-like structures from micelles using shear flow, enabling faster drug discovery and material sciences applications. The technique involves adding external shear flow to induce controlled crystallization at ambien...
Researchers at UW-Madison have developed a technique for creating nearly two-dimensional sheets of compounds that do not naturally form such thin materials. The new method uses a surfactant to grow crystalline faces and has great potential for different materials and applications.
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have found a way to assemble photovoltaic polymers in water using a surfactant, enabling the creation of defect-free polymer assemblies for fast electric charge transport. This breakthrough creates molecular building blocks for designing optoelectronic and sensory materials.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified two proteins responsible for initiating the labor process, which control genes for pulmonary surfactant components that promote labor. Surfactant is essential for normal breathing outside the womb. Understanding these molecular mechanisms may help prevent preterm birth.
Researchers analyzed fracking fluid samples from five states and found that surfactant chemicals were commonly found in everyday products, including toothpaste and laxatives. The study's results suggest that the toxicity of these chemicals may not be as high as previously thought.
LA BioMed researcher Frans J. Walther is receiving Phase II funding to develop an aerosol form of synthetic lung surfactant, which could reduce complications in premature babies. The grant will support the development of a new treatment that can be easily administered in resource-limited settings.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that alcohol consumption leads to a buildup of fat in the lungs, weakening the immune system and increasing the risk of pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. This discovery offers a potential new explanation for why heavy drinkers are more susceptible to lung disease.
A study found that methyl oleate in biodiesel emissions reacts with ozone to reduce surfactant properties, slowing down water droplet growth and cloud formation. The reaction could impact the water cycle by altering cloud formations and rainfall patterns.
A UConn team developed a novel process creating monomodal mesoporous metal oxides with uniform pores, allowing targeted molecules to flow in and out of the material. This 'green' technology has significant applications in adsorption, sensors, optics, magnetic, and energy products.
Researchers at the University of Akron have developed new nanoscale materials that can be used to create ultra-lightweight electronics. These materials, known as 'giant surfactants,' have the potential to revolutionize the tech industry by enabling the creation of smaller and more efficient devices.
A team of scientists has developed a new face paint that protects soldiers' faces from the intense heat generated by bomb blasts, while also providing camouflage. The makeup can shield skin for up to 15 seconds before temperature rises to cause burns.
LA BioMed has received a Grand Challenges Explorations grant to develop an innovative treatment for premature infants using aerosolized synthetic lung surfactant. The project aims to reduce breathing problems in preterm babies by providing a non-invasive approach.
Scientists discovered that liquid crystals can spontaneously create nanoscale morphologies, leading to new classes of materials with unique properties. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in fields such as biosecurity, healthcare, and biology research.
Purdue University researchers discovered that chemical additives in pesticides can form smaller 'satellite' droplets that drift into unwanted areas. By carefully modulating the strength or ratio of surfactants to polymeric additives, these unwanted satellite droplets can be mitigated or eliminated.
A new method of surfactant delivery without intubation has been shown to reduce the need for mechanical ventilation and improve lung function in premature babies. The study found that infants treated with this method spent less time on mechanical ventilation and had a lower need for oxygen.
Scientists at the US Department of Agriculture have identified yeast species that produce sophorolipids, a type of green surfactant. The study found three new Candida species that can be used to mass-produce these eco-friendly alternatives.
A new additive has been developed to treat carbon dioxide, making it suitable for efficient and environmentally friendly oil extraction. The additive can also reduce environmental damage caused by industrial processes.
A University at Buffalo researcher is working on designing more environmentally friendly oil dispersants using polymers, surfactants and solvents. Her goal is to create novel dispersants that can interact with crude oil and naturally occurring particles at the nanoscale level.
A national study found that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment may be a viable alternative to routine intubation and surfactant administration in preterm infants. Infants treated with CPAP required less frequent intubation, fewer days on ventilators, and fewer steroid drugs after birth.
A new meta-analysis of individual patient data found that high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) has outcomes comparable to conventional ventilation for preterm infants, without increased risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia or brain damage. The study included 3229 participants and analyzed 10 randomized controlled trials.
The NSF has awarded a rapid response grant to scientist David Valentine to understand how the use of dispersants impacts the degradation of oil in the Gulf of Mexico. Researchers will investigate the effects of surfactant compounds on the ability of microbes to naturally degrade hydrocarbon compounds found in crude oil.
Researchers found that higher oxygen levels in preterm infants improve survival rates, but also increase the risk of retinopathy of prematurity. A new treatment using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is as effective as traditional ventilator therapy and may result in fewer complications.
Researchers identified LPCAT1 as a key protein in lung surfactant production, essential for air breathing transition in mice. Decreased LPCAT1 expression may underlie fatal respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have discovered a novel anesthetic approach that selectively blocks pain sensation in nerve cells while preserving motor function. This breakthrough could lead to the development of longer-lasting local anesthetics for childbirth and musculoskeletal disorders, with minimal impact on mobility.
Research shows that later birth years are associated with higher survival rates for children with congenital anomalies. Advances in treatments, surgical techniques, and prenatal diagnosis have contributed to this trend. The study analyzed data from the UK Northern Congenital Abnormality Survey and found varying survival rates for diffe...
A new study found that Serum surfactant protein A is the strongest predictor of survival in patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). This discovery could help doctors determine disease severity and make informed treatment decisions, potentially improving patient outcomes.
Researchers develop first tri-continuous mesoporous material, named IBN-9, with a hexagonal minimal surface, opening possibilities for catalysis, separation and drug delivery applications. The material has unique nano-fiber morphology and distinct diffusion rates in different directions.
Researchers at NIST and Rice University have discovered a new method for self-assembling carbon nanotubes using bile acid, allowing for the creation of ordered, aligned arrangements of individual nanotubes. This process is inexpensive and does not require external magnetic or electrical fields.
Cincinnati Children's scientists have discovered a critical gene that regulates lung maturation and surfactant production in newborns. Deletion of the Foxm1 gene led to immature lungs and respiratory distress in mice, highlighting its importance for human health.
Scientists at the University of Chicago have explained the physics governing how thin materials transition from wrinkles to folds under compression. The study's findings have implications for the design of foldable electronics and the production of synthetic lung surfactant for therapeutic uses, with potential applications in both fields.
The Dutch team used two types of self-aggregating compounds: surfactants and gelators. They formed aggregates that coexisted without interfering with each other, resulting in complex structures with separate compartments. This orthogonal self-aggregation enables the creation of versatile compartmentalized systems.
Researchers have created a biological detergent that can be turned on and off depending on its application, offering potential solutions for improving laundry efficiency and reducing irritation in eye care products. The 'switchable' detergent has broad applications across various industries, including personal care and oil extraction.
A nationwide study led by UCSF provides evidence that inhaled nitric oxide is safe and effective in preventing chronic lung disease in very premature infants. The study found no adverse effects of inhaled nitric oxide on surfactant production or function, suggesting a potential beneficial effect.
Research suggests that congenital diaphragmatic hernia does not disrupt pulmonary surfactant maturation in human fetuses, contrary to previous findings. The study provides new insights into the development of this complex condition.
An MIT team has solved the case of the throbbbing oil drop, explaining how evaporation-induced variations in surface tension cause a periodic expansion and contraction. The mechanism, which involves three interfaces between oil, water, and air, has implications for environmental engineering and could be applied to biological systems.
Researchers at Brown University have developed a technique to synthesize iron-platinum nanorods and nanowires with controlled size, composition, and magnetic alignment. The method produces batches of similarly-sized nanowires or rods in solution, showing promise for high-density information storage and other applications.
Researchers successfully create a double inversion of an emulsion by adding surfactant to a nanoparticle-containing mixture. The process, which uses silica nanoparticles and a specific type of surfactant, allows for the conversion between oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions.
A large multiyear database analysis shows that Curosurf (poractant alfa) Intratracheal Suspension significantly improves neonatal survival in preterm infants with RDS. The study found nearly 20% lower death rates for babies treated with poractant alfa compared to beractant or calfactant.
A retrospective study of 24,883 premature babies found that poractant alfa significantly reduced mortality rates, with no differences in outcomes between rural and teaching hospitals. The treatment was approved by the FDA in 1999 and is now being compared to other natural surfactants used in treating respiratory distress syndrome.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have created uniform porous silicon oxide nano-objects with defined sizes and structures by disassembling larger lattice-like structures. The resulting particles exhibit worm-like pores and can be easily customized by varying the colloidal crystals used as moulds.
Researchers have identified alveolar type I cells as potential diagnostic markers for acute lung injury. The study's findings suggest that these cells may play a crucial role in the development of pulmonary diseases.
Lung surfactant plays a crucial role in balancing host defense and reducing surface tension. Research has also linked surfactant to the innate and adaptive immune systems, with collectins such as SP-A and SP-D regulating immune responses and preventing infection and lung injury.
A study by University of Pittsburgh researcher Rick Relyea found that Roundup is extremely lethal to amphibians, causing a 70 percent decline in biodiversity and an 86 percent decline in tadpole mass. The herbicide's surfactant was responsible for its toxic effects on amphibian populations.
Researchers discovered that three-quarters of premature infants with lung disease experience surfactant dysfunction, which worsens respiratory status. These episodes can benefit from replacement surfactant treatment or strategies to increase the infant's own production of surfactant.
Researchers compared two animal-derived surfactants and found that Infasurf improved lung function with fewer doses required. The study suggests a cost savings, as Infasurf was more effective over time.
Researchers have identified Foxa2 as a master gene controlling lung development and function at birth. The absence of Foxa2 leads to respiratory distress syndrome and death, highlighting its crucial role in stabilizing surfactant production.
Researchers studied vibrational energy flow through a water-surfactant-organic solvent system, finding that the shape of molecules plays a crucial role in heat transfer. The study reveals that different excitations travel along different paths and rates, leading to significantly longer energy transfer times.
A genetic mutation in the ABCA3 gene is linked to severe surfactant deficiency in infants, leading to fatal lung disease. Researchers found mutations in 16 infants, with 15 dying from their illness, and discovered a potential mechanism for the defective transport of phospholipids critical for surfactant function.
An asthma intervention study showed a 60% reduction in total hospitalizations among patients with frequent asthma exacerbations. Researchers also found that initial use of three antibiotics followed by diagnostic testing led to better patient survival and reduced antibiotic use for ventilator-associated pneumonia. Additionally, prematu...
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that a readily available chemical called sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (NaDDBS) can disperse nanotubes in water with remarkable efficiency. This discovery represents an important step towards wider applications of nanotubes.
The study found that lower levels of cigarette smoke exposure decrease NaPi-IIb cotransporter gene and protein expression, while higher smoke exposure increases its expression. This suggests a compensatory mechanism for surfactant production in smokers.
Researchers are working to create a better lung surfactant mixture that can be easily produced without batch variance, tailored to specific cases. The new formulation aims to reduce mortality rates by 30-50% for infants with neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.
Researchers developed a new therapy using an enhanced artificial surfactant that improves oxygen levels and protects natural surfactant in lung-affected patients. The treatment has potential for treating infants and adults with difficult-to-treat lung disease cases.
A new study found that surfactant therapy significantly reduced the death rate of premature white infants, but failed to have a similar impact on black infants. The study, which analyzed 1,563 premature births, showed that while the overall mortality rate dropped 16%, the death rate for premature black infants remained unchanged.