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Duke wins $15 million renewal to study nanotech safety

The Center for Environmental Implications of NanoTechnology (CEINT) at Duke University has been awarded a $15 million grant renewal to continue studying the environmental impact of nanoparticles. The research focuses on understanding where nanoparticles accumulate, how they interact with other chemicals, and their effects on ecosystems.

A fresh solution for the lindane problem

Researchers at the UPV/EHU and Tecnalia have developed an innovative method using iron nanoparticles to degrade lindane, a toxic insecticide banned by farmers. The study confirms the high reactive capacity of iron nanoparticles to break down lindane, revealing reaction tendencies and speeds over time.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalChemosphere·DateOct 22, 2013

Cells prefer nanodiscs over nanorods

Researchers discovered that mammalian cells prefer disc-shaped nanoparticles over rod-shaped ones under typical culture conditions. The study's findings could help design better therapies for various diseases by understanding how nanoparticle shape affects transport into cells.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 7, 2013

Airbrushing could facilitate large-scale manufacture of carbon nanofibers

Using an airbrush, researchers can grow vertically aligned carbon nanofibers on several metal substrates, opening the door for incorporating these nanofibers into gene delivery devices, sensors, batteries and other technologies. The technique enables large-scale manufacturing processes, making it suitable for various applications.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateSep 11, 2013

STING may take the bite out of autoimmune diseases like arthritis, Type 1 diabetes

Researchers discover STING's critical role in treating autoimmune diseases by evoking expression of enzyme IDO, which blocks immune attack on healthy body constituents. Mice with STING deficiency had no response to DNA nanoparticles, highlighting the protein's essential role in recognizing the molecule that senses DNA.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalThe Journal of Immunology·DateSep 9, 2013

Breakthrough in sensing at the nanoscale

The discovery enables rapid localization and measurement of cells within living environments at the nanoscale, such as changes to a single cell in response to chemical signals. The ultra-sensitive nanoparticles, or SuperDots, can detect individual particles with thousand times more sensitivity than existing materials.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateSep 1, 2013

Quantum of sonics: Bonded, not stirred

Researchers at McGill University have discovered a method to join nanoparticles together using ultrasound, forming strong agglomerates without changing their useful properties. This discovery could lead to the development of new hybrid materials with various everyday applications, such as improving catalytic converters in car exhausts.

SourceMcGill University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJul 26, 2013

Surface porosity and wettability are key factors in boiling heat transfer

A team of MIT researchers investigated the factors controlling boiling heat transfer from a surface to a liquid, finding that surface porosity is the most important factor. They developed methodologies for systematically depositing nanoparticles onto surfaces with controlled wettability and porosity, leading to improvements in heat-tra...

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJul 16, 2013

Ingested nanoparticle toxicity

Researchers reviewed existing studies on nanoparticle toxicity and found that ingestion is unlikely to cause health problems at typical exposure levels. However, the literature lacks evidence on long-term effects or subtle alterations in gut microbial populations.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Biomedical Nanoscience and Nanotechnology·DateJun 26, 2013

Enhancing RNA interference

A new study from MIT sheds light on the nanoparticles' fate, suggesting ways to maximize delivery of short interfering RNA (siRNA) for gene silencing. The researchers found that a protein called Niemann Pick type C1 (NPC1) is crucial for nanoparticle recycling, and disabling it can increase siRNA delivery efficiency.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateJun 24, 2013

Light and nanoprobes detect early signs of infection

Researchers use silver-based nanoprobes that reflect distinct optical fingerprints when light is shined on infected samples, detecting specific genetic materials taken from human samples. This technique has the potential to provide fast and reliable information about patients at the point of care.

SourceDuke University·JournalAnalytica Chimica Acta·DateJun 20, 2013

Nanoparticle opens the door to clean-energy alternatives

A new discovery by Penn State researchers may lead to the creation of cheaper clean-energy technologies. The team, led by Raymond Schaak, has found that a nickel phosphide nanoparticle can effectively trigger hydrogen production from water. This process is crucial for many energy-production technologies, including fuel cells and solar ...

Squishy hydrogels may be the ticket for studying biological effects of nanoparticles

Researchers at NIST create three-dimensional scaffolds made with cells and hydrogels to evaluate the biological effects of nanoparticles. The hydrogel-based scaffolds provide a more realistic environment than current laboratory tests, allowing for longer-term studies and better representation of normal exposure levels.

New technique can help nanoparticles deliver drug treatments

Researchers have developed a new technique to improve the use of nanoparticles as a drug delivery system. The study found that smaller particles degrade faster in the body than predicted by in vitro measurements. By understanding this degradation, a mathematical model can be developed to optimize nanoparticle-based therapeutic systems.

National study of nanomaterial toxicity sets stage for policies to address health risks

A national study on nanomaterial toxicity has provided comparable health risk data, enabling regulators to develop policies to protect workers and consumers. The researchers found that carbon nanotubes caused inflammation in the lower regions of the lung, but made them less hazardous by modifying their structure.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateMay 6, 2013

Surface diffusion plays a key role in defining the shapes of catalytic nanoparticles

Controlling the shape of nanometer-sized catalytic particles is crucial for optimizing their activity and selectivity in applications such as catalytic converters, fuel cells, and chemical catalysis. Surface diffusion plays a key role in defining these shapes. The research found that varying temperature and deposition rate can control ...

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 8, 2013