Articles tagged with Iron
A new process developed by MIT researchers uses molten oxide electrolysis to produce steel without emitting greenhouse gases, resulting in higher purity metal and potential cost savings. The method could be adapted for production of other metals and alloys with similar advantages.
Researchers found a surprising relationship between the oxidation state of iron in volcanic rocks and variations in the deep Earth's chemistry. The study revealed that lavas with lower iron concentrations are enriched in elements like barium and lanthanum, suggesting a role for carbon in the deep Earth.
The researchers used a new technique that can probe a sample with an intense X-ray beam and deduce its state within seconds. They determined the melting point of iron up to 4800 degrees Celsius and 2.2 million atmospheres pressure, leading to the estimated temperature at the center of the Earth's core.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory and Technical University of Madrid create model for iron transportation in legumes to enhance nitrogen fixation. This breakthrough aims to lessen reliance on nitrogen fertilizers and promote sustainable agriculture practices.
Rice physicists Qimiao Si and Rong Yu discovered a new electronic state in which some electrons become frozen, while others remain mobile, leading to 'bad traffic' on the path to superconductivity. This phase, known as orbital-selective Mott phase, provides clues about the fundamental origins of superconductivity.
Researchers characterized SUDEP in a mouse model of DS, finding that treatment with drugs reducing parasympathetic activity reduced incidence. Lymphatic vasculature also plays crucial role in cholesterol removal from arteries, with impaired lymphatic growth leading to increased cholesterol retention. A new therapeutic target is identif...
Two studies by Weill Cornell Medicine researchers propose new treatments for beta-thalassemia, HFE-related hemochromatosis, and polycythemia vera. The discovery reveals a crucial role of macrophages in regulating iron production and red blood cell production, offering new avenues for therapy.
Lyme disease bacteria rely on manganese to make essential enzymes, evading immune system defenses that starve pathogens of iron. This discovery opens the door to new therapies targeting manganese, potentially improving disease detection and treatment.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University found that normal prion protein PrPc plays a crucial role in regulating iron metabolism, which may contribute to neuronal death in CJD. Iron imbalance caused by prion aggregation leads to neurotoxicity and brain cell death.
A new study by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution identifies glaciers as a significant source of iron to the North Atlantic Ocean. The research found high concentrations of dissolved iron in meltwater from glaciers and ice sheets, which may fuel plankton growth during spring and summer.
Researchers at UMass Amherst and Harvard found that women who consumed more non-heme iron had a 30-40% lower risk of developing pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS). High intake of zinc was also associated with lower risk. In contrast, high potassium intake was linked to higher PMS risk.
Researchers develop fast and efficient iron-based molecule that splits hydrogen gas into electricity, rivaling commercial catalysts. The breakthrough could make fuel cells more economical, addressing the high cost of platinum used in current systems.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a clean coal technology called Coal-Direct Chemical Looping (CDCL) that chemically harnesses coal's energy while capturing nearly all the carbon dioxide produced. The technology, which uses tiny metal beads to carry oxygen, has been successfully tested for 203 continuous hours.
Researchers identified HRG1 protein to safely transport heme-iron, a crucial component of red blood cells. This finding offers promise for new treatments for iron deficiency and parasitic worm infections.
Researchers have created a way to cultivate iron-oxidizing bacteria using electricity, enabling the study of these organisms and potentially leading to biofuel production. The electrochemical cultivation method supplies the bacteria with electrons, allowing them to respire and replicate without iron.
Research found that low iron levels accelerate H. pylori-induced carcinogenesis in rodents and humans, increasing the risk of gastric cancer. Iron deficiency is associated with more virulent H. pylori strains and greater inflammation, highlighting the importance of iron levels in identifying high-risk patients.
A new study calculates the impact of ocean iron fertilization on carbon sequestration, finding that it is unlikely to be an effective method for reducing greenhouse gas levels. The study estimates a net sequestration rate of just 10 tonnes of carbon per square kilometer, making it a costly and inefficient solution.
A randomized controlled trial found that iron supplements reduced behavioral problems like ADHD in low birth weight infants by 9.8 percentage points compared to those without supplementation. The study concluded that early iron supplementation has long-term health benefits for marginally low birth weight infants.
Researchers found that iron-deficient diets impaired piglets' ability to learn and remember in spatial navigation tasks. The study used a T-maze test, which showed that pigs with severely deficient iron levels struggled to adapt to changing rules.
Researchers found that E. coli must acquire iron from the host to establish a foothold and colonize the gut, resolving a long-standing debate about the importance of iron in bacterial infection. By understanding how bacteria obtain iron, scientists can develop new strategies to block microbial diseases and create new antibiotics.
A new study in Science reveals pallasites, space gems with iron-nickel matrices and translucent olivine crystals, were formed from a smaller asteroid crashing into a planet-like body 30 times smaller than Earth. The research team used advanced techniques to determine the parent body's radius and classify it as a protoplanet.
A recent study reveals that two different types of electron holes contribute to the photocurrent in hematite-based photoanodes. The discovery was made using soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy under simulated sunlight and in the dark, providing new insights into the electronic structure of hematite.
Scientists have synthesized a new material with promising superconducting transition temperatures of 44 Kelvins, improving upon traditional copper-based high-temperature superconductors. The material, LixFe2Se2(NH3)y, displays an intercalation of potassium or rubidium, achieving a superconducting temperature of 32K.
Two new studies provide insights into the formation of the European Alps and ancient sanukitoids. Reconstructing pre-glacial topography reveals most glacial erosion occurred in lower parts of the Alpine catchments, while aseismic creep has begun on major strike-slip faults like the North Anatolian Fault.
A team of researchers at MIT has discovered a set of general principles that explain the sudden increase in material strength as strain rate increases. This phenomenon, known as flow-stress upturn, has broad implications for understanding materials' behavior under various types of stresses.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen suggests that an increased activity of a particular iron-transport protein destroys insulin-producing beta cells, leading to type-2 diabetes. Mice without this iron transporter are protected against developing diabetes, providing potential insights into preventing the disease.
Researchers develop a human liver-chimeric mouse model to study malaria parasites and understand human host/parasite interactions. Additionally, studies reveal the link between serum ferritin levels and insulin sensitivity, as well as the role of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor in protecting against influenza infection.
Higher serum ferritin levels are linked to lower adiponectin production, a protein regulating blood glucose. Reducing ferritin levels improves insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in humans.
Researchers used ultrafast X-rays to observe electron transfer in iron oxide nanoparticles, shedding light on the environmental impact of rust. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient solar cells and a better understanding of contaminant remediation efforts.
Electron mobility in iron oxide is crucial for understanding chemical reaction mechanisms, including uranium groundwater reactions and low-cost solar energy devices. The study reveals the rates of electron transport vary depending on iron oxide structure, with rates ranging from a single hop to five hops per nanosecond.
A U.S. Department of Agriculture scientist has discovered a natural, biodegradable chelating agent called EDDS that can replace existing fertilizers contributing to waterway pollution. The findings support the use of EDDS in floral and nursery crop industries, promoting environmental sustainability.
A new study has found that heavy prenatal alcohol exposure leads to growth restrictions that persist through to nine years of age, as well as a delay in weight gain during infancy. The effects were exacerbated by iron deficiency, and children with fetal alcohol syndrome had leaner body composition.
A new study found correlations between micronutrient levels and performance on physical fitness tests in adolescents. Hemoglobin, retinol, and vitamin C were positively associated with cardiorespiratory fitness, while hemoglobin and beta-carotene were linked to muscular fitness.
The EIFEX experiment showed that a substantial proportion of carbon from the induced algal bloom sank to the deep sea floor. This is remarkable because the bloom developed in a 100-meter deep mixed layer, much deeper than previously believed.
A clinical trial found that iron supplementation reduced fatigue by almost 50% in nonanemic women with low ferritin levels. The study, involving 198 menstruating women, also showed positive effects on hemoglobin and blood levels after six weeks of treatment.
Research from Tufts University found that being born to an obese mother with elevated hepcidin levels is associated with lower iron status at birth. Overproduction of hepcidin interferes with the transfer of iron from mother to infant, potentially leading to health problems.
Researchers developed a new method called inverse Partial Fluorescence Yield (iPFY) that allows them to examine the structure of metal ions-complexes in solution without sample damage. The study found that iron ions interact strongly with water, contradicting previous thoughts.
Researchers have created an ultrafast nickel-iron battery that can be fully charged in about 2 minutes and discharged in less than 30 seconds. The new battery uses graphene and multi-walled carbon nanotubes to improve performance, making it suitable for applications such as electric vehicles and emergency situations.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center and colleagues have tested deferasirox as a treatment for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a blood-related malignancy that affects the ineffective production of blood cells. Deferasirox reduced iron levels by 23% in 53% of patients, showing promising results for this type of cancer.
Researchers found that iron can substitute for magnesium in RNA binding, folding and catalysis, enabling more diverse structures and functions. This discovery suggests that life evolved in the presence of iron and is optimized to work with it.
Researchers at Stanford University have discovered a new type of carbon nanotube that can enhance catalytic activity without compromising electrical conductivity. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more efficient fuel cells and metal-air batteries, reducing reliance on expensive platinum catalysts.
The study found that prenatal multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) combined with early food supplementation reduced infant mortality rates. Infants in the early invitation with MMS group had a lower risk of death compared to those receiving usual invitation with 60 mg of iron and 400 μg of folic acid.
Researchers have developed environmentally-friendly iron-based nanoparticle catalysts that work as well as expensive metal-based catalysts. This breakthrough reduces the need for toxic and expensive organic ligands, making industrial syntheses more cost-effective.
Researchers found iron oxides remove one fifth of organic carbon deposited on ocean floor, trapping it and removing CO2 from atmosphere. Decrease in dissolved oxygen levels threatens coastal ecosystems' ability to extract carbon dioxide.
Researchers at CU-Boulder and NIST used X-ray lasers to study magnetism in nickel and iron atoms, finding that each metal behaves differently. The findings could lead to optimized optical energy delivery for hard drive performance.
Researchers at Binghamton University found that nanoparticles affect the absorption of nutrients like iron, causing disruptions to intestinal function. Chronic exposure leads to changes in intestinal villi size, increasing iron absorption rates.
Phytoplankton, tiny single-celled algae, act as a natural sponge for carbon dioxide and are critical to the global carbon cycle. Research by Canada Research Chair Maria Maldonado has shown that phytoplankton adapt to iron limitation by increasing copper uptake, leading to more efficient carbon absorption.
Researchers warn that billions of engineered nanoparticles are ingested daily, potentially blocking iron absorption and causing subtle effects on health. The study used chickens as a model to simulate human exposure and found changes in intestinal cell structures.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered that iron pyrite, commonly known as 'Fool's Gold', has catalytic properties. The study focused on the reactions between iron pyrite and nitrogen oxides, an extremely poisonous class of compounds produced by car engines and industrial power plants.
Researchers found that low iron levels in adolescence can affect the brain's physical structure, leading to changes in brain regions vulnerable to neurodegeneration. High iron levels during adolescence may also impact brain wiring and myelin production, potentially increasing the risk of diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
A recent study in the journal mBio challenges the unique E. coli protein YfeX's role in iron acquisition, finding it lacks catalytic ability to dechelate iron from heme. Meanwhile, researchers discover an unprecedented level of transference of resistance among strains and species of bacteria via plasmids containing carbapenemase genes.
Researchers at Caltech have conducted high-pressure experiments on iron to study its behavior under extreme conditions found in the Earth's core. They obtained unprecedented measurements of iron's vibrational properties, which will help estimate the amount of light elements in the core.
Scientists have discovered a new kind of metal in iron oxide at extreme depths, challenging previous assumptions about its behavior. The findings suggest that iron oxide can be both an insulator and a highly conducting metal depending on temperature and pressure conditions.
Researchers have successfully created a nano-bio PEC electrode, consisting of iron oxide conjugated with a protein from blue-green algae, which is twice as efficient in water splitting as iron oxide alone. The use of phycocyanin, a light-harvesting protein, improves the electrode's ability to absorb photons and generate photocurrent.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered a new way to track the progression of multiple sclerosis by using powerful MRI to measure iron levels in brain tissue. The study found that high iron levels are associated with physical disabilities and may be an early marker of MS.
Researchers found that treating iron deficiency may help prevent potentially lethal blood clots, as low iron levels are strongly associated with higher levels of factor VIII and increased risk of pulmonary emboli/deep venous thromboses. The study suggests a potential new risk factor for blood clots in the general population.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that carbon-rich planets could form with a core and mantle, but these cores would be very carbon-rich and mantles dominated by diamond. This means no geothermal energy, plate tectonics, or magnetic field on such planets.
Researchers at the University of Seville have developed a technique to identify beer origins using chemical patterns, distinguishing between German, Spanish and Portuguese beers with high accuracy. The model is based on variables such as aluminium, iron, and polyphenol content, providing valuable insights for the food industry.
A team of scientists led by Yingwei Fei found that oxygen is not a major component of the Earth's liquid outer core, contradicting previous models. The discovery has significant implications for understanding the planet's formation through accretion of dust and clumps of matter.
Hepcidin, a hormone that regulates iron levels, may be targeted to treat atherosclerosis. Suppressing hepcidin reduces iron levels in white blood cells, promoting reverse cholesterol transport and interfering with atherosclerosis progression.