Research on engineered particles at the nanoscale. Covers hyperspectral imaging, nanoparticle cancer therapy, gene-editing delivery, and heat-beating materials.
The NIH has awarded $400,000 to Arizona State University's Kevin Bennett to develop a non-invasive method for detecting nephritis, a common form of kidney disease. The new technology uses magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic nanoparticles to extract information about the kidney's function and location.
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame have developed a new sensor that can detect organic contaminants in water at very low concentrations. The sensor uses silver nanoparticles and graphene oxide films, allowing for side-selective deposition of metal ions.
A team of researchers has created nanoparticles made from DNA and RNA that can deliver snippets of RNA directly to tumors, turning off genes expressed in cancer cells. The new particles pose less risk of side effects and offer better targeting due to their biodegradable nature.
A new type of biosensor, known as a biochemiresistor, has been developed by a UNSW-led team to detect tiny traces of contaminants in liquids in just 40 minutes. The sensor can detect one-billionth of a gram of the veterinary antibiotic enrofloxacin in milk with high sensitivity and speed.
Researchers developed coatings that use nanoparticles to interact with sunlight and break down pollutants like nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxides. The coating is thin, adaptable, and durable, making it suitable for construction materials.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab directly observed the critical step of oriented attachment in nanocrystal growth, enabling a better understanding of forces driving this phenomenon. This breakthrough has potential applications in synthesizing new biomimetic materials and improving environmental restoration efforts.
The Iowa State team has successfully delivered functional protein and DNA into plant cells using custom-built nanoparticles, opening up opportunities for targeted genome editing in crop plants. This achievement marks a significant advancement toward delivering proteins and enzymes to both animal and plant cells.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab observed nanoparticles forming winding polycrystalline chains that align and attach end-to-end to form nanorods with controlled length-to-thickness ratios. This process suggests a new understanding of how nano-sized particles assemble into hierarchical structures.
Researchers studied adhesion of E. coli to silver- and copper-coated porous clay ceramic surfaces, with silver nanoparticles showing highest affinity for bacteria. Copper may be a less expensive alternative to colloidal silver as a disinfectant coating.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new, all-solid-state solar cell that exceeds the performance of traditional Grätzel cells. The device achieves an impressive conversion efficiency of approximately 10.2 percent and is stable over time, addressing key limitations of current solar technology.
The new handbook provides a common scientific basis for nanoparticle testing, standardizing procedures and analytical methods. It aims to improve the comparability of research results and address concerns about nanoparticle toxicity.
Researchers aim to develop commercially viable and scalable method for producing nanocomposites, potentially leading to faster production of electronic devices such as transistors and solar cells. The new approach combines molecular beam epitaxy and inert gas condensation to increase material production speed.
Scientists have developed a new technique that allows for the mapping of nanoparticle atomic structures using transmission electron microscopes, removing barriers to widespread use. The method produces highly similar results with x-ray synchrotron data and has potential applications in energy, medicine, and materials science.
Scientists have extended the trapped particles' useful life more than tenfold by using a refined technique for trapping and manipulating nanoparticles. The new approach, which involves a control and feedback system that nudges the nanoparticle only when needed, increases the lifetime of the particle while reducing its tendency to wander.
A UNC study successfully delivers therapeutic doses of a cancer drug using nanoparticle carriers, overcoming pharmacologic challenges that led to its abandonment. The study demonstrates improved efficacy and reduced toxicity for the abandoned drug.
Researchers at McLean Hospital have developed a new category of nanoparticles that can non-invasively cross the blood-brain barrier, transporting various types of drugs. These nanoparticles also outperform existing MRI contrast agents, offering a significant improvement in imaging performance and reduced gadolinium toxicity.
Engineers at Stanford University have developed a novel method to decorate nanowires with nanoparticles, increasing surface area and altering surface chemistry. This technique may lead to improved lithium-ion batteries, more efficient thin-film solar cells and enhanced catalysts.
Researchers have found evidence that engineered nanoparticles can accumulate in plants and cause DNA damage. The study tested cupric oxide nanoparticles on radish and ryegrass, finding increased DNA base lesions and cellular uptake of copper in plant root cells.
Researchers at Stanford University developed nanoparticles that can be imaged three ways at once and highlighted brain tumors, precisely delineating their boundaries. The technique could improve prognosis for patients with glioblastomas, the most aggressive form of brain tumor.
Researchers at MIT have developed hybrid copper-gold nanoparticles that can convert carbon dioxide into hydrocarbon fuels with significantly less energy than pure copper. The tiny particles, engineered to increase surface area and stability, have the potential to greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from powerplants.
A team of scientists has developed porous carbon nanoparticles that utilize sulfur molecules to achieve high efficiency in lithium-sulfur batteries. The sulfur can absorb two lithium ions per sulfur atom, making it an excellent energy storage material.
Northwestern University scientists develop gold nanostars that target cancer cells' nucleus, releasing a killing drug. The nanoparticles are attracted by a protein on the surface and change shape after drug release, causing cell death.
Researchers used nanoparticles and magnetic fields to kill head and neck cancerous cells in mice without harming healthy cells. The treatment induced hyperthermia, raising the body temperature of only the concentrated nanoparticles within the tumor site.
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 at Stanford University have directly observed plasmon resonances in individual metal particles measuring down to one nanometer in diameter. This discovery could lead to advancements in catalytic processes, cancer research and treatment, and quantum computing.
Researchers developed nanoparticles called nanopills to release proteins with therapeutic effects, successfully recovering activity in 'sick' mammalian cells. The technology has been licensed and is being developed by biotech firm Janus Developments.
Researchers have developed nanoparticles of chitosan, a natural polysaccharide from shrimp shells, with effective antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Escherichia coli. These nanoparticles also stimulate skin cell growth, enhancing wound healing and potentially leading to anti-aging benefits.
A recent study by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health found that silver nanoparticles can suppress cellular growth and multiplication, causing cell death depending on concentration and duration of exposure. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles also caused DNA damage but with weaker effects.
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.
Scientists discovered that silver nanoparticles effectively kill hard-to-treat yeast infections, including oral thrush and dental stomatitis. The nanoparticles' stability in liquid medium makes them a potential strategy for developing alternative treatments.
Researchers at NIST have created a method to directly correlate particle size, shape, and agglomeration with redox chemical properties of nanoparticles. This allows for the observation of structural changes in nanoparticles during important chemical reactions.
University of Oregon researchers developed new measuring techniques that monitor nanoparticle growth, reducing waste and environmental risks. By using green chemistry approaches, they improved efficiency and stability of nanoparticles.
Research reveals that plastic nanoparticles impact fish feeding behavior and metabolic parameters, including weight loss and cholesterol levels. The findings have implications for assessing nanoparticle risks in aquatic ecosystems.
Researchers developed a three-dimensional living tissue model to study brain tumors and therapeutics, confirming iron-oxide nanoparticles can deliver tumstatin to blood vessels surrounding gliomas. The model allows for testing of agent characteristics in a realistic environment.
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 used 3D computer simulations to study the diffusional behavior of nanoparticles on surfaces. They found that ordered nanorods can facilitate faster diffusion than disordered ones, with channels between rods enabling particles to speed through.
Researchers developed a nanoparticle microfluidic color device for rapid detection of acute sepsis and other biomarkers, offering improved accuracy and speed in medical diagnostics. The device boasts high sensitivity and can detect minute quantities of biomolecules, making it a promising solution for point-of-care diagnostics.
Scientists at Duke University Medical Center created nanoparticles that target lymph nodes to greatly enhance vaccine responses. The particles mimic natural mast cell granules and provide a timed release of inflammatory mediators, stimulating effective immune reactions in mice vaccinated with the influenza A virus.
A team of researchers from Pitt and UMass proposes a 'repair-and-go' approach to fix malfunctions caused by small-surface cracks on any digital device. This method uses nanoparticles and droplets of oil to repair defects on-site, potentially extending the device's lifetime.
Researchers have successfully penetrated fruit flies' brains with ORMOSIL nanoparticles, which hold promise as a potential vehicle for targeted drug delivery. The particles can be filled with helpful chemical compounds or gene therapies to target neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
A team of researchers at the University of Notre Dame has created a one-coat solar paint that can be applied to any conductive surface without special equipment. The paint uses semiconducting nanoparticles to produce electricity, offering a potential solution for inexpensive and efficient energy production.
Researchers developed a method to characterize the optical properties of ZnO nanoparticles, allowing them to assess their safety in sunscreen. The study found that nanoparticles did not penetrate beneath the stratum corneum, the topmost layer of skin, after being applied and washed off.
A recent study by Marshall University researchers discovered that nanoparticles of cerium oxide, commonly used in diesel fuels, can travel from the lungs to the liver and cause damage. The study found a dose-dependent increase in cerium levels in the liver, associated with liver enzyme elevations and histological evidence of liver damage.
The Singapore research team led by Associate Professor Xiaogang Liu developed a synthesis of lanthanide-doped core-shell nanocrystals with advanced optical properties, enabling efficient upconversion and tunable light emission. This breakthrough has significant implications for cancer detection, medical imaging, and therapeutic delivery.
Researchers developed a gelatin-based drug-delivery system that can quickly restore blood flow by activating tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in blood clots. The treatment, which uses soundwaves to reactivate tPA once it reaches the clot, shows promise for treating patients with chest pain en route to the hospital.
Physicists from the University of Constance used computer simulations to study shape memory materials down to the nanoscale. They found that the material's atomic-scale crystal structure shifted as the temperature increased, triggering a structural phase transition.
Green algae exposed to carbon nanotubes exhibit reduced growth rates and photosynthetic activity, primarily caused by increased shadowing and agglomeration. However, the absence of absorption by the plants indicates that CNTs do not pose a direct toxic threat.
Researchers studied the relaxation dynamics of 2D nanoparticle systems, which exhibit unusual slow relaxation and aging effects due to their unique structures. The study used a novel approach to measure surface pressure in two directions, revealing complex relaxation mechanisms.
Scientists discover miniscule metal nanoparticles naturally occurring in silver articles, jewelry, and utensils, revealing a dynamic behavior that changes over time. This finding challenges traditional views on nanoparticle toxicity and suggests humans have been exposed to these particles for millennia.
Researchers can create new materials with distinct electrical, optical, and mechanical properties using self-assembly processes. These developments have the potential to tackle challenges in catalysis, medical sensing, and other fields.
Researchers used computer simulations to show the effectiveness of an alternative method for molecular depth profiling. The study found that combining buckyball bombardment with low-energy argon creates a smoother surface, allowing for clearer analysis of molecular arrangement. This technique has potential applications in studying huma...
Scientists investigate whether diesel nanoparticles are affecting bees' brains, causing them to lose their way back to the hive. The study aims to understand how tiny particles in diesel fumes could be contributing to bee colony collapse, which has economic and ecological implications for global pollination.
Scientists at Sanford-Burnham and Salk Institute developed a method to combine peptides and nanoparticles to eliminate glioblastoma in previously untreatable mouse models. The nanosystem proved effective in treating two different mouse models, curing most tumors and significantly delaying tumor development.
Researchers at Delft University of Technology found that smaller metal alloy nanoparticles release hydrogen gas more quickly when stored in a metal hydride. This could lead to more efficient hydrogen storage for fuel cells.
Researchers at Delft University of Technology have developed a cheap and efficient quantum dot solar cell by understanding electron movement in linked semiconductor nanoparticles. The discovery was published on Nature Nanotechnology, paving the way for more sustainable energy solutions.
A new type of nanoparticle has been developed to deliver chemotherapy drugs more effectively, with a high drug loading capacity and controlled release. The nanoparticle demonstrated significant growth inhibition of pancreatic tumors, showing up to three times higher therapeutic efficacy than traditional chemotherapy drugs.
Scientists have found that nanoparticles can cause brain injury in fish, leading to the formation of vacuoles and nerve cell death. The results may influence policy regulations on environmental protection and human safety.
Researchers found that low concentrations of carbon nanoparticles can cause leakage in the cellular lining of the renal nephron, leading to potential harm. The study highlights the need for further research into the effects of CNPs on human health and the environment.
Researchers develop a new collector technology using water-repelling nanoparticles to recover gold, silver, and copper from waste rock. The process achieves near-100% recovery rate in laboratory experiments.
A team of researchers has discovered a thermodynamically stable RNA nanoparticle that can serve as a platform for building larger, multifunctional nanoparticles. This breakthrough could lead to new therapeutic applications in treating cancers and viral infections.