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Could bread mold build a better rechargeable battery?

Researchers have discovered that a specific type of bread mold, Neurospora crassa, can transform manganese into a mineral composite with favorable electrochemical properties. This process has the potential to create more sustainable electrochemical materials for use in rechargeable batteries.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 17, 2016

Catalyst combining reactivity and selectivity could speed drug development

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a manganese-based catalyst that combines high reactivity and selectivity, enabling chemists to install nitrogen into carbon-hydrogen bonds with greater ease. This breakthrough has the potential to accelerate drug discovery and development, reducing costs and increasing efficiency.

Manganese speeds up honey bees

A study by Washington University in St. Louis found that low levels of manganese increased dopamine levels in honey bee brains, speeding up their behavior, while high doses caused toxicity. The findings suggest that honey bees may serve as early warning indicators for environmental toxins.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalBiology Letters·DateMar 24, 2015

So... do you know what is in your water?

Researchers at Virginia Tech find that 50% of the population can't detect high levels of manganese in water, leading to potential health risks. The study's findings highlight the importance of considering water safety not only in tap water but also in humidified air.

Insights from nature for more efficient water splitting

Researchers from RIKEN have discovered a mineral-based catalyst that efficiently splits water into oxygen and hydrogen ions at neutral pH. The key to this success lies in synchronizing electron- and proton-transfer timing, which greatly improves the catalytic activity of manganese oxides.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 30, 2014

The ATM strikes back

Researchers developed a self-defending surface that releases hot foam to deter attackers, protecting cash boxes in ATMs. The film is made of plastic layers filled with chemicals that mix when damaged, producing a violent reaction.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·DateApr 11, 2014

Researchers identify key enzyme found in bacteria responsible for heart valve disease

Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University and MIT have identified a key enzyme necessary for a disease-causing bacterium to survive, which may lead to the development of new antibiotics. The study found that eliminating this enzyme or its manganese-attachment protein prevents the bacterium from causing heart valve disease.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateMar 5, 2014

Morphing manganese

Researchers discover manganese(III) forms up to 90% of total manganese present in marine environments with gradation of oxygen concentrations. The finding sheds light on the complex connections between biology, geology and chemistry in ocean environments.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalScience·DateAug 22, 2013

A stepping-stone for oxygen on Earth

Researchers found evidence of an early manganese-oxidizing photosystem in ancient South African marine sedimentary rocks, which predates the evolution of oxygenic cyanobacteria. This discovery supports the idea that manganese oxidation provided a stepping-stone for water-oxidizing photosynthesis.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 26, 2013

Study suggests second life for possible spintronic materials

A new study suggests that scientists can create a stable structure with manganese and gallium nitride, which could be used in spintronics devices at or above room temperature. By incorporating a uniform layer and heating the sample, researchers were able to form a manganese-nitrogen bond that remains stable even at high temperatures.

SourceOhio University·JournalPhysical Review B·DateJun 6, 2013

To clean up the mine, let fungus reproduce

Harvard researchers found that a fungus produces superoxide, which oxidizes manganese, forming reactive minerals used for water cleanup and nutrient control. The discovery lends insight to environmental remediation and raises questions about the role of fungi in biogeochemistry.

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 16, 2012

Solving a spintronic mystery

Researchers at Berkeley Lab and Notre Dame have determined the origin of charge-carriers in gallium manganese arsenide, a material promising for spintronic devices. The study reveals that holes controlling Curie temperature are located in an impurity band, opening possibilities to expand its width and boost performance.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateFeb 27, 2012

A manganite changes its stripes

A team of researchers has uncovered a startling new feature of lanthanum strontium manganese oxide, which can change its stripes from fluctuating to static and back. At the right temperature, it switches from a metallic state to an insulator, exhibiting colossal conductivity changes.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 14, 2011

Welders may be at increased risk for brain damage

Researchers found that welders had an average 11.7 percent reduction in dopamine markers in the brain compared to non-welders, suggesting potential neurotoxic effects from manganese exposure. The study also revealed brain changes consistent with manganese deposits, highlighting a potential public health concern for U.S. workers.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNeurology·DateApr 7, 2011

Iron legacy leaves soil high in manganese

Researchers found elevated manganese levels in 20 of 21 soil samples from a ridge at Shale Hills Critical Zone Observatory, with 53% attributed to atmospheric deposition from industrial sources. The excess manganese can be toxic to trees and other vegetation, highlighting the legacy of past iron furnaces.

SourcePenn State·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateDec 10, 2010

A new chemical method for distinguishing between farmed and wild salmon

Researchers have developed a technique to distinguish between farmed and wild salmon by analyzing the chemistry of their scales, which grows like tree rings and preserves a record of the water they lived in. The new method achieved 98% accuracy and has the potential to identify farms responsible for releasing wild fish into rivers.

SourceNational Oceanography Centre, UK·JournalMarine Ecology Progress Series·DateSep 30, 2009

Scientists discover magnetic superatoms

Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University discovered a stable cluster of atoms that can mimic different elements of the periodic table, exhibiting strong magnetic properties. The discovery has potential applications in creating faster computers, larger memory storage, and molecular electronic devices.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalNature Chemistry·DateJun 15, 2009

Bacteria from the deep can clean up heavy metals

A species of bacteria, Brachybacterium sp Mn32, has been found to effectively remove manganese and absorb zinc and nickel from solutions. The bacterium's manganese oxides have a greater surface area, enabling more metal ions to be absorbed, making it a promising candidate for bioremediation and cleaning up heavy metal pollution.

SourceMicrobiology Society·JournalMicrobiology·DateJun 4, 2009

Scientists unwrap the elements of life

Scientists at Newcastle University have discovered a mechanism that ensures the correct metal binds to proteins, which has potential applications in synthetic biology and treating diseases such as Alzheimer's. The research found that protein folding location determines metal binding, revealing new insights into protein-metal interactions.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalNature·DateOct 22, 2008

Focus on photosynthesis

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute have determined the structure of photosystem II, a crucial step in photosynthesis. The discovery reveals the precise arrangement of manganese and oxygen atoms, which could lead to the development of artificial catalysts for regenerative hydrogen production.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateNov 23, 2006