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Discovery of the least 'metallic' stellar structure in the Milky Way

A unique stellar structure in the Milky Way, C-19, has been found to consist of stars with extremely low metallicity, challenging current understanding of star formation models. This discovery provides a direct window into the earliest ages of star formation and the development of stellar structures in the distant past.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature·DateJan 5, 2022

Why the world needs a better LED light bulb

Researchers have developed a new light-emitting material that doubles the intensity of existing LEDs while also being more energy-efficient. The material, cerium-doped zinc oxide, has the potential to be used in commercial LED lighting applications and could make lighting more affordable for households and businesses worldwide.

SourceUniversity of Johannesburg·JournalJournal of Luminescence·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 8, 2021

Predict phosphine reactivity with one simple metric

Researchers developed a predictive tool using %V bur (min) to categorize phosphine structures as active or inactive in many experimental datasets. This advancement will facilitate organometallic chemistry and catalysis, enabling easier computation and prediction of phosphine reactivity.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 14, 2021

Study reveals unique physical, chemical properties of cicada wings

A new study reveals that cicada wings are coated in a stew of hydrocarbons, fatty acids, and oxygen-containing molecules, which contribute to their ability to repel water and kill microbes. The ratio of surface chemicals differs between two cicada species, and altering the surface chemicals changes the nanopillar structure.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalAdvanced Materials Interfaces·DateApr 14, 2020

Roll up

Researchers successfully grow crystals of various materials onto the surface of carbon nanotubes, paving the way for unique properties in 1D vdWs. This breakthrough enables potential applications in flexible electronics, lasers, solar energy conversion, and more.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScience·DateFeb 5, 2020

Russian scientists obtain new results in the study of inorganic pigments with apatite structure

Researchers at Lobachevsky University have synthesized a high-purity sample of barium hypomanganate chloride and characterized its crystal structure and chemical environment. The study has stabilized the degree of manganese oxidation and measured its isobaric heat capacity, revealing anomalous behavior below 15K.

SourceLobachevsky University·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics·DateOct 30, 2018

Following the path of chemicals through the soil

Researchers used visible/near-infrared spectroscopy to predict breakthrough curves of dissolved chemicals in intact soil columns. The new technology estimated mass transport with a high degree of accuracy and has potential for cost-effective and efficient monitoring of dissolved chemical transport.

SourceAarhus University·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 27, 2018

Durable wood 'sponges' act as green sensors of mechanical strain

Researchers created a sustainable wood carbon sponge material by treating balsa wood, making it highly compressible and suitable for strain sensing and various applications. The material's unique structure provides exceptional mechanical and fatigue resistance, outperforming most reported compressible carbonaceous materials.

SourceCell Press·JournalChem·DateMar 1, 2018

Researchers put new spin on old technique to engineer better absorptive materials

A team of University of Illinois bioengineers has developed a new technique to characterize metal organic frameworks (MOFs) using infrared chemical imaging. This method allows for non-destructive analysis and provides detailed information on the structure and chemistry of MOFs, enabling better detection and utilization of these materials.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateNov 13, 2017

Detailed chemical structure of P22 virus resolved

Scientists have completed a model of the P22 virus's chemical structure with unprecedented detail, revealing the building blocks of proteins and their interactions. This breakthrough allows for more information about biochemistry and provides detailed annotations for future experiments.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 7, 2017

Clues in Zika's genome

Scientists have found genetic structures similar to other viruses in the Flaviviridae family in the Zika virus genome, which may serve as potential antiviral drug targets. The study identified seven G-quadruplexes shared with viral cousins and a unique structure consistent within the Zika virus strains.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalACS Infectious Diseases·DateAug 12, 2016

Weaving for lightweight construction

A textile engineer at Technische Universität Dresden has developed a flexible weaving technology for producing three-dimensional textile structures with excellent structural mechanical properties. The technology can be used in various applications such as aircraft fuselage, car bodies, and machine enclosures.

Wayne State chemistry professor earns NSF CAREER Award to examine unusual chemical structure

Jennifer Stockdill, a Wayne State University assistant professor of chemistry, has received a $650,000 NSF Faculty Early Career Development Award to investigate the reactivity of neutral aminyl radicals. The award also supports outreach programs aimed at promoting diversity in STEM fields among middle school girls and graduate students.

Turing's theory of chemical morphogenesis validated 60 years after his death

Scientists from Brandeis University and the University of Pittsburgh validate Alan Turing's theory of morphogenesis, demonstrating that identical cell-like structures can differentiate into various patterns through intercellular reaction-diffusion. The research has implications for biological development, materials science, and soft ro...

SourceBrandeis University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 10, 2014

Bristol researchers solve 70-year-old mystery

Researchers at the University of Bristol have solved the 70-year-old mystery of stipitatic acid synthesis by identifying genes responsible for its production. The discovery has far-reaching implications for understanding organic chemistry and potentially leads to new drugs with antibacterial and antimalarial properties.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 16, 2012

Influencing stem cell fate

Scientists at Northwestern University developed a powerful analytical method called nanocombinatorics to rapidly identify the chemical and physical structures that cue stem cells to become osteocytes. The researchers successfully directed stem cell differentiation without additional chemical cues, demonstrating better control than curr...

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 6, 2012

Nanowires get into the groove

Scientists at the Weizmann Institute of Science have developed a method to grow semiconductor nanowires on a surface, producing relatively long, orderly, aligned structures. This breakthrough enables the production of enhanced electronic and optical properties suitable for various applications.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalScience·DateAug 22, 2011