Scientists have found that tungsten accumulates in the spleen and bones of laboratory mice, raising concerns about its potential impact on the immune system. Further research is needed to determine the effects of tungsten on human health.
Scientists discover a new coating material made from flyash that can extend the life of concrete structures by decades, saving taxpayer money. The coating is hundreds of times more durable than existing ones and costs half as much.
Researchers at Arizona State University created nanoscale DNA Möbius strips, measuring 50 nanometers across, using DNA origami and Kirigami techniques. The unique structures have potential applications in biology, chemistry, and electronics.
Researchers have developed a way to use Rice University's light-activated nanoshells as building blocks for complex structures that can trap, store and bend light. These materials have unique optical properties, making them suitable for applications such as ultrasensitive biological and chemical sensors.
Particle No. 30, named Orion and Sirius, have been identified as the most likely interstellar candidates discovered to date. The discovery was made by a team of researchers using non-destructive X-ray analysis techniques.
A University of Pennsylvania team has developed a method to transform semiconducting nanowires into various nanoscale materials using ion exchange reactions. This process enables the creation of reconfigurable materials and circuits with precise control over their chemical composition, structure, and morphology.
Scientists developed a test to evaluate the performance of smudge- and reflection-resistant coatings used in smartphones. The test revealed that fluoroether content, silica, and aluminum layers enhance anti-smudge properties and reduce glare.
The RSC/ChemSpider InChI Resolver will enable scientists to share and search compound data using the InChI standard, promoting standardization in chemistry. The service will also provide tools for creating standard InChI data and depositing it for future use.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have discovered a new compound that could potentially detect chemical and biological weapons over long distances. The compound, (A)ZrPSe6, was made possible by the unique beamline of the Advanced Photon Source, allowing scientists to analyze its remarkable properties.
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed MultiSeq, a free software that analyzes sequence and structure data to investigate changes in proteins and nucleic acids. This allows scientists to gain insight into fundamental questions like the origin of life and develop resistance to antibiotics.
Researchers at Georgia Tech will create new tools for fabricating 3D photonic crystals using optical patterning and polymeric structures. This project aims to make high-quality 3D crystals accessible to a wider range of researchers, increasing the potential for innovation in crystal research.
A team of researchers has developed a high-throughput method using GFT-NMR to solve protein structures in just 10-20 days per protein. This breakthrough could lead to major advancements in structural biology, enabling the study of membrane proteins and developing new medicines.
A recent study published by the American Chemical Society has identified a critical crystalline structure in popcorn kernels that affects their popping performance. The researchers found that stronger, more highly ordered crystalline structures tend to maximize moisture retention and lead to better popping quality.
Virgil Percec, a Penn chemist, has received an American Chemical Society award for his work in polymer chemistry. He is recognized for striking a balance among diverse disciplines and extending nature's solutions to design synthetic functional nanosystems.
Scientists at Northwestern University developed a method to construct flat or curved nanoscale structures using hybrid gold-polymer rods. The controlled assembly process holds promise for creating new materials with unique electronic and optical properties.
Proteins: From Sequence to Structure is the first book in the Primers in Biology series, covering sequence, structure, and functional properties of proteins from a post-genomic focus. The authors, Gregory Petsko and Dagmar Ringe, are authorities in their field and have received high praise for their comprehensive primer.
A University of Cincinnati biochemist has discovered that the V3 loop region of the HIV gp120 protein is structurally flexible, changing its shape as needed to bind to host cells. This finding rules out using a fixed structure as a target for anti-HIV drugs, making it harder to develop effective treatments.
Scientists have identified a class of ceramic materials that may safely contain radioactive waste for long-term storage, featuring disordered atomic structures. The fluorite-type complex oxides show promise as radiation-proof materials, warranting further development for containing nuclear wastes.
Researchers at Purdue University will study the three-dimensional structure of several types of viruses, including yellow fever and hepatitis C viruses, using a combination of X-ray crystallography and molecular biology techniques. The goal is to develop drugs that prevent infection by similar viral pathogens.
The research describes a cone-like deformation as the basic building block of a crumpled object, found in mountains and wrinkled materials. The study also reveals that crumpling is dominated by bending rather than stretching in its initial stages.
Researchers found a novel natural, very dense polymorph of silica in the Shergotty meteorite, which challenges the accepted composition of Earth's lower mantle. The discovery suggests that free dense silica polymorphs could exist in the Earth's deep interior.
Researchers used new techniques to study HDL particles, verifying the lipid bilayer structure and confirming a key finding about protein orientation. The study resolves a long-standing controversy over the structure of HDL, shedding light on its role in cardiovascular health.
Astronomers used numerical cosmology to study the earliest structures that formed in the universe, finding tiny star clusters containing 1,000-10,000 solar masses. These early clusters were likely the 'spark plugs' that started the formation of galaxies.
Researchers at the University of Limerick have developed a prototype penicillin structure that works by incorporating a unique fragment to the penicillin molecule, fatal to bacteria and activated only when cleaved. This new approach shows promise in combating antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains.
David V. Rosowsky, a Clemson civil engineering associate professor, has received the Dow Outstanding New Faculty Award for his groundbreaking work in wind engineering research and teaching. He is part of a team that developed methods to make homes better able to withstand high winds, utilizing Clemson's unique wind-load test facility.
Researchers determined the structure of methyl-coenzyme M reductase, a key enzyme in methanogenesis that produces methane for cellular energy. The crystal structure has provided new insights into the enzymatic mechanism and will aid in characterizing other enzyme states.
Researchers at the University of Illinois used advanced computer modeling to study the purple bacteria Rhodobacter sphaeroides. The team created a three-dimensional model depicting how the light-harvesting complexes aggregate in a ring around the photosynthetic reaction center, shedding light on efficient energy capture. This breakthro...
Researchers have discovered a novel 'left-handed' spiral structure in the protein enzyme LpxA, which could lead to the development of new antibiotics that target this unique structure. The discovery offers a promising approach to combating bacterial resistance to current antibiotics.
A recent study reveals how Huperzine A, a natural substance derived from a moss used in Chinese folk medicine, inhibits the brain enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) involved in Alzheimer's disease. This specific binding could lead to the development of potent and safe Alzheimer drugs.