Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Nanoparticle gives antimicrobial ability to fight Listeria longer

A Purdue University research team developed a nanoparticle that can hold and release an antimicrobial agent, preserving its effectiveness against Listeria monocytogenes for up to three weeks. The nanoparticle attracts and stabilizes nisin, a food-based antimicrobial peptide, allowing for extended use in foods susceptible to Listeria.

SourcePurdue University·JournalJournal of Controlled Release·DateDec 7, 2010

Gold and silver nano baubles

Scientists in Mexico and the US have synthesized gold and silver nanoparticles just 25 nanometers in diameter, which could have potential applications as catalysts, drug-delivery agents, and quantum dots. The analysis reveals multiple layers of shells within each particle, with some blending or alloying of metals.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Nanoparticles·DateDec 3, 2010

Colonic navigation

Researchers have developed a method to control drug delivery using nanoparticles, which can improve the therapeutic effects of colon cancer treatments. The new approach targets the lower intestine, overcoming existing barriers such as stomach acidity and rapid clearance.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Nanotechnology·DateNov 4, 2010

Smaller is better in the viscous zone

Duke University researchers discovered that smaller catalyst particle size is crucial for improving efficiency in chemical reactions. The team found that the surface-to-volume ratio of the catalyst particle is more important than previously thought, leading to faster reactions.

SourceDuke University·JournalACS Nano·DateOct 21, 2010

Breakthrough in nanocrystals growth

Researchers at Carnegie Institution for Science have successfully watched nanoparticles grow from the earliest stages of formation using high-energy X-rays. This breakthrough allows for the development of new techniques to control growth conditions, paving the way for improved solar-cell technology and chemical sensors.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNano Letters·DateOct 18, 2010

Sneaking spies into a cell's nucleus

Researchers have successfully slipped silver nanoparticles cloaked in HIV protein into the nucleus of cells, where they can detect subtle light signals and deliver payloads. This innovation has potential implications for disease treatment and basic scientific research.

SourceDuke University·JournalNanomedicine·DateSep 28, 2010

Nanotechnology for water purification

Researchers at D.J. Sanghvi College of Engineering have investigated various nanotechnology approaches for water purification, including nanofiltration and zeolite filtration membranes. These methods can effectively remove sediments, chemical effluents, charged particles, bacteria, and other pathogens from water.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Nuclear Desalination·DateJul 28, 2010

Pitt team designs artificial cells that communicate and cooperate like biological cells, ants

A team of University of Pittsburgh engineers has designed artificial cells capable of self-organizing, performing tasks, and transporting cargo. The cells interact through nanoparticles and can be controlled to perform specific functions, offering a significant step towards synthetic cells that behave like natural organisms.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 19, 2010

'Instant acid' method offers new insight into nanoparticle dispersal in the environment and the body

NIST researchers use a chemical trick to change the acidity of a solution instantly, allowing them to study how nanoparticles behave when exposed to sudden changes in pH. This technique has implications for designing nanoparticles for medical applications, where pH can vary significantly within cells.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateJun 9, 2010

Curcumin nanoparticles 'open up' resistant cancers

Researchers found that curcumin nanoparticles, delivered via nanoparticles, increased the sensitivity of resistant ovarian cancer cells to chemotherapy and radiation. The treatment enables lower doses of cisplatin and radiation, improving therapeutic outcomes without increasing toxicity.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalJournal of Ovarian Research·DateApr 28, 2010

Magnetic fields drive drug-loaded nanoparticles to reduce blood vessel blockages in an animal study

Researchers successfully delivered paclitaxel using magnetically guided nanoparticles to treat rat arteries, achieving better results at lower doses than conventional therapy. The technique has potential for treating patients with vascular disease and offers opportunities for varying treatment doses and repetition.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 19, 2010