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Gold nanoparticles show promise for early detection of heart attacks

Researchers at NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering have developed a new colloidal gold test strip that demonstrates high detection sensitivity for cardiac troponin I (cTn-I) detection. The new strip uses microplasma-generated gold nanoparticles, attracting more antibodies and resulting in significantly higher detection sensitivity.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalPlasma Processes and Polymers·DateJan 15, 2015

More than glitter

Researchers have identified a mechanism by which tiny gold particles can fuse with cell membranes without damaging cells. This discovery suggests possible strategies for designing nanoparticles that could get into cells more easily.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 21, 2014

Making a gem of a tiny crystal

A Northwestern University research team successfully built near-perfect single crystals out of nanoparticles and DNA, transforming disordered materials into orderly crystal structures. The technique, developed by Chad Mirkin and Monica Olvera de la Cruz, holds promise for novel technologies and new industries.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature·DateNov 27, 2013

Gold nanoparticles give an edge in recycling CO2

Researchers from Brown University have developed a catalyst using gold nanoparticles that selectively converts CO2 to carbon monoxide, an active molecule for making alternative fuels and commodity chemicals. The team found that particles with an exact size of eight nanometers achieved the best selectivity, converting 90% of CO2 to CO.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateOct 24, 2013

Dark field imaging of rattle-type silica nanorattles coated gold nanoparticles in vitro and in vivo

A new composite nanoparticle material, silica nanorattles @ gold nanoparticles (SN @ GNs), has been developed for biological imaging. The silica shell reduces the toxicity of gold nanoparticles, increasing their maximum tolerated dose to 200 mg/kg. This innovation provides a promising approach for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

SourceScience China Press·JournalChinese Science Bulletin·DateApr 26, 2013

Nanoparticles reach new peaks

Rice University researchers have found a way to selectively heat diverse nanoparticles using short laser pulses. They demonstrated the effect in common gold nanoparticles, nanoparticle clusters, and mixed nanorods and nanoshells, showing narrow photothermal spectra and spectral selectivity.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJan 3, 2013

'Dark plasmons' transmit energy

Researchers at Rice University have created a way to print fine lines of gold nanoparticles on glass, allowing them to transmit signals over long distances using dark plasmons. This breakthrough enables efficient energy transfer on the micrometer scale, potentially improving optoelectronic devices.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateFeb 9, 2012

Gold nanoparticles help earlier diagnosis of liver cancer

A team of researchers from Brown University has developed a new technique using gold nanoparticles to detect liver cancer at early stages. The approach uses X-ray scatter imaging to spot tumor-like masses as small as 5 millimeters, which is significantly smaller than the current detection limit of about 5 centimeters.

SourceBrown University·JournalNano Letters·DateJun 22, 2011

1 nano-step closer to weighing a single atom

Researchers have created a new class of ultra-sensitive nanoscale devices capable of detecting the vibrations of individual gold nanoparticles. By studying bipyramid-shaped nanoparticles with highly uniform sizes and shapes, scientists overcame previous limitations in understanding damping in these systems.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJul 27, 2009

Synthetic HDL: A new weapon to fight cholesterol problems

Researchers at Northwestern University have successfully designed synthetic HDL, a nanoparticle version capable of irreversibly binding cholesterol. The study shows that the synthetic HDL mimics natural HDL's surface composition and could one day help fill the gap in useful therapeutics for raising good cholesterol.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJan 9, 2009

Pairing nanoparticles with proteins

Researchers demonstrate ability to attach gold nanoparticles to proteins, forming protein-gold arrays for deciphering protein structures, identifying functional parts, and targeted drug delivery. Applications include catalysts for biomass energy conversion and precision vehicles for tumor targeting.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateJun 27, 2007

Gold nanoparticles emit intense heat, study finds

Researchers at Ohio University have discovered that gold nanoparticles can heat an area significantly larger than the nanoparticle itself, making them useful for targeting specific cells or objects. The particles' heating properties are precise and can be controlled using bio-linkers to affect specific targets.

SourceOhio University·JournalNano Letters·DateMar 30, 2006