Articles tagged with Iron
A marine bacterium has discovered a novel ferritin mechanism to control toxic metals, producing an enhanced ability to detoxify reactive oxygen species. This process is unique among known ferritins and holds promise for future engineered biocatalysts in drug development.
The study examines how ocean acidification affects iron availability to phytoplankton, a critical nutrient for marine productivity. Researchers aim to develop proxies for quantifying iron availability under present and future ocean acidification conditions.
The study will investigate the impacts of iron deficiency on infant brain development and physical growth. The trials aim to recruit over 6000 women and children in developing countries.
Researchers from Tomsk Polytechnic University propose a new origin for the Bakchar deposit, suggesting that hydrothermal fluids and brine migration through marine sediments could be the source of its massive iron reserves. The study challenges the long-held theory that iron came from eroded mountainous areas.
Researchers discovered that diatoms storing iron through ferritin are more resilient to iron shortages, outcompeting others in shifting ocean conditions. This finding has significant implications for marine food webs and large ocean cycles.
Iron plays a significant role in ferroptosis, a type of programmed cell death, by inducing lipid oxidation and ROS formation. A recent review by MSMU scientists reveals that glutathione peroxidase 4 reduction is the primary mechanism driving this process.
Scientists at HZDR created an iron-rich compound in a semiconductor that became magnetic due to the formation of two-dimensional lamellae. This unusual structure could help understand superconductors and optimize their properties.
Scientists have found magnetic evidence of oxygenation in a paleolake, suggesting that most water column and history contained oxygen. The study analyzed drill cores from the Nonesuch Formation, revealing a gradient of oxygenation according to water depth.
Researchers have created an iron molecule that can function as a photocatalyst to produce fuel and in solar cells to produce electricity. The iron molecule has properties largely as good as those of the best noble metals, making it a potential cheaper alternative for solar energy production.
A simulation by researchers at the University of Michigan and others revealed that shockwaves can create loops in iron, which can strengthen or weaken steel depending on their placement. The discovery could help engineers design better radiation-resistant steel for reactors and potentially lead to stronger steel overall.
Scientists at BESSY II discovered that mixed iron complexes can convert sunlight into electricity by releasing charge carriers. The findings suggest a new direction for developing inexpensive transition-metal complexes suitable for use in solar cells.
Researchers replace essential magnesium ions in the translational system with iron and manganese, revealing its robustness under primordial conditions. The experiment's success corroborates the translational system's place at the earliest foundations of life on Earth.
Researchers have created phthalocyanines with a ring structure resembling that of hemoglobin or chlorophyll, which can be switched into different states with green light, affecting their chemical behavior. This discovery opens up new avenues for biomimetics and the development of novel molecules optimized for nature-specific applications.
A team of Arizona State University geoscientists has found a new source of water on Earth, tracing it back to the formation of our planet. They discovered that the solar nebula, the gases and dust out of which the Sun and planets formed, contained hydrogen and oxygen, which could have supplied the origin of Earth's global ocean.
Researchers at Yale and the Flatiron Institute found that compact, multiple-planet systems are more likely to form around stars with lower amounts of heavy elements. This discovery suggests new insights into the formation of smaller planets and their potential for supporting life.
A new agent has been developed to combat anthrax by reprogramming the human immune system's siderocalin protein to neutralize a special iron complexing agent produced by the bacterium. This approach is expected to provide an effective treatment against the life-threatening infection.
Researchers successfully biofortified wheat to naturally increase its iron content, a process that could help address global iron deficiency. The breeding lines showed no significant decrease in grain yield, making it a promising solution for improving nutrition without compromising farmers' profits.
Researchers at MIT have discovered a unique aspect of the enzyme carbon monoxide dehydrogenase, which converts carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide. The C-cluster's structure can change its configuration in response to oxygen exposure, providing a safety net for the metal atoms.
A new study elucidates the structure of lactoferrin, a protein that binds tightly to free iron ions to prevent damage to proteins and DNA. The researchers discovered that an amino acid plays a key role in the conformation stability of the protein.
Researchers from Rutgers University discovered that lunar swirls are produced by strongly magnetized lava flows, challenging the existing understanding of the moon's geology. The study provides new insights into the moon's ancient volcanic activity and internally generated magnetic field.
A new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health warns that high CO2 levels could lead to widespread nutritional deficiencies, affecting 1.9% of the global population by 2050. The research estimates that 175 million people will become zinc deficient and 122 million will become protein deficient due to lower crop yields.
A team of researchers developed an electrically conductive MOF that conducts electricity up to 10,000 times better than before, using a potassium chemical mix to boost conductivity. The new material has high electron mobility and can be used in various applications including batteries, supercapacitors, and fuel cells.
A new study reveals that E. coli produces a compound called enterobactin, which helps cells absorb iron, benefiting the host in the process. This discovery could lead to more effective therapies for iron deficiency anemia, impacting over 1 billion people worldwide.
Calculations by Masafumi Noguchi confirm two-stage formation of Milky Way stars, with iron-rich stars forming after a gap in star birth. This discovery sheds light on the galaxy's dramatic history and provides insights into its formation.
The study reveals that the rootworm uses specific iron complexes formed at the root surface when benzoxazinoids bind to iron to guide itself to nutrient-rich crown roots. This allows the insect to severely damage maize plants and undermine plant breeders' efforts to control it.
Astronomers have detected iron and titanium vapors in the atmosphere of KELT-9b, an ultra-hot Jupiter, using spectroscopy. The high temperatures break apart molecules, making these atomic species visible.
Researchers found that a small fraction of protons in neutron-dense objects significantly impact their stiffness, mass-to-size ratio, and cooling process. Protons are believed to determine several properties of the star due to their high energy content.
A University of Adelaide-led team suggests a potential link between iron handling and rare gene mutations causing Alzheimer's disease. The theory proposes that abnormalities in how neurons handle iron could result in the devastating early onset form of the disease.
Researchers find that giving mice dietary iron supplements enables them to survive a normally lethal bacterial infection and results in later generations of bacteria being less virulent. The approach promotes the health of the host, taming the behavior of the bacteria.
A new MRI technique monitors brain iron levels to identify MS patients at higher risk of developing physical disability. Iron depletion or increase in certain brain structures is associated with longer disease duration and higher disability degree.
A study published in Clinical Nutrition found that heavy drinking causes uncontrolled iron absorption, leading to health issues like heart attacks and liver disease. Iron loading was significantly higher in drinkers than non-drinkers, predicting increased mortality rates.
The discovery of a Cambrian-age banded iron formation in western China pushes back the timeline for iron-rich seawater conditions by millions of years. This finding supports the presence of oxygen-enriched environments, which were previously believed to limit complex life evolution.
Researchers have determined the detailed chemical abundances of Ross 128, a red dwarf star that hosts an exoplanet similar to our Solar System's Jupiter. This helps estimate the makeup of Ross 128 b, indicating it should be rocky with a temperate climate.
Researchers from ETH Zurich have found that cold, iron-rich seawater from the North American continental slope is captured by meanders of the Gulf Stream and carried out to the North Atlantic Gyre, enriching it with iron. The study suggests that this source may deliver up to 15% of the iron delivered by Saharan dust.
Researchers identify chemically reduced iron species in brains affected by Alzheimer's, including a magnetic iron oxide called magnetite, which may contribute to disease toxicity. The study suggests that understanding these metals could lead to more effective therapies for Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology found that sodium- and potassium-ion batteries can be more stable and have a longer life than previously thought. The study suggests that these batteries could be used in large-scale energy storage systems, such as smart grids, due to their potential for cost-effectiveness.
Researchers from Rice University found that garnet steals the most iron from continents, contradicting 40-plus years of geophysical thinking. This discovery has weighty implications for understanding Earth's atmosphere and potentially Mars' rusty landscape.
Researchers found a new archetype of microbes living in Yellowstone National Park's thermal features that sheds light on the origin of life and the importance of iron in early Earth. The discovery is critical to understanding the universal tree of life and evolutionary history of the Earth.
A well-preserved horse burial at Tombos has provided new insights into the social significance of equids in the Nile Valley during the Third Intermediate Period. The discovery suggests that horses represented symbols of a larger social, political and economic movement in ancient Nubian culture.
Geologists from KU Leuven have found that magmas split into two separate liquids under specific conditions, leading to the formation of Kiruna-type iron ore deposits. These discoveries may help identify new iron ore deposits globally.
Two common iron compounds, ferric citrate and ferric EDTA, have been shown to increase the formation of a known biomarker for cancer, amphiregulin. This is the case even at low doses. The study suggests that these iron supplements may be carcinogenic.
Researchers found mice engineered with Huntington's disease have excessive mitochondrial iron accumulation, leading to dysfunction and neuronal death. This study identifies a pathway for the neurodegenerative disease and has implications for related disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
Scientists used lab-cooked recipes to model mantle minerals, providing clear measurements of density, compressibility and electronic conductivity. This study will help scientists interpret seismic waves and accurately map the amount of iron in the mantle.
Elsbeth Walker and her team will investigate how plants control iron levels, using sophisticated techniques to detect and test for iron signaling mechanisms. The research aims to understand how plants regulate iron uptake, with potential applications in breeding cereals that are rich in bioavailable iron.
A NIH study found that extra iron interferes with ferroportin, a protein preventing toxic iron buildup and protecting red blood cells against malaria. The researchers also identified a mutant form of ferroportin, Q248H, which appears to protect against malaria in African populations.
Research by IIASA researcher Narasimha Rao found that Indian diets can be improved to reduce micronutrient deficiencies while lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The study suggests that adopting a diet rich in coarse cereals, legumes, and green leafy vegetables can boost protein intake and reduce deficiencies.
Researchers at the University of Bonn used ultrashort laser pulses to create a highly reactive variant of carbon dioxide, which can form new bonds with other molecules. This breakthrough has the potential to change ideas about extracting and using greenhouse gases for chemical industry.
Researchers have found that ocean acidification impairs phytoplankton's access to iron, a crucial nutrient for growth. This discovery highlights the critical impact of rising CO2 levels on marine food webs and global carbon cycling.
Researchers discovered xenon compounds with nickel and iron at extreme pressures and temperatures, which could explain the missing noble gas in Earth's atmosphere. The study provides evidence for previously theorized compounds of iron and xenon under core conditions.
Researchers gathered ancient clay samples to compile a record of Earth's magnetic field strength over many centuries, revealing the South Atlantic Anomaly is part of a recurring phenomenon. The data suggests that the region under southern Africa may be responsible for recent changes in the global magnetic field.
Researchers discovered that Pseudomonas aeruginosa rapidly overexpresses genes coding for proteins capturing host's iron and uses lactate, lipids, and collagen as nutrients. This knowledge opens the way to develop innovative treatments to counter its strategies.
A study found that iron-deficient piglets exhibit reduced iron content and structural deficiencies in key brain regions, including the hippocampus. After iron supplementation, these deficits persisted, highlighting the long-lasting impact of early-life iron deficiency on brain development.
Researchers identified elevated tissue iron as a critical factor in fungal infection risks for lung transplant recipients. Elevated iron levels prompted Aspergillus invasion into transplanted tissue, suggesting a potential new approach to curb these life-threatening infections.
Scientists at the Institute for Basic Science have made a major breakthrough in controlling the quantum properties of individual atoms. They used advanced methods to image and measure individual iron atoms, finding that nearby electrons destroy their quantum behavior.
Researchers found highly oxidized iron in garnets from diamonds at a depth of 550 km below the Earth's surface, contradicting expectations about iron oxidation in the mantle. This discovery suggests that molten carbonate may have oxidized rocks to form diamonds.
A team of scientists at Princeton University has successfully created a protein that can catalyze biological reactions, functioning as a genuine enzyme. The artificial protein, Syn-F4, was designed entirely from scratch and can sustain life in E. coli bacteria by replacing the natural enzyme Fes.
The newly discovered room in the Pyramid of Cheops contains a mysterious void, leading researchers to speculate about its function and content. The
A new lithium-rich battery developed by Northwestern University can cycle more lithium ions than its common counterpart, enabling higher capacity batteries that could extend the lifespan of smartphones and cars. By leveraging both iron and oxygen to drive the chemical reaction, the battery's capacity is significantly increased.
A team of researchers at Rice University has detailed the structure of MiNT protein, which balances forces in cells' mitochondria. This discovery could provide a new target to treat cancer, diabetes and other diseases by regulating iron and reactive oxygen species.
A new study found that a bioluminescent worm's ferritin is nearly eight times faster at storing and releasing iron than human capabilities, with potential applications in biomedical research and medical treatments.