Add BrightSurf on Google Email

New recruits in the fight against disease

Scientists at Monash University have deciphered the atomic structure of PlyC, a powerful anti-bacterial lysin that kills bacteria causing infections from sore throats to pneumonia. PlyC's unique 'saucer' shape and eight docking sites make it 100 times more efficient than other lysins at killing certain bacteria.

SourceMonash University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 23, 2012

Making microscopic machines using metallic glass

Scientists have developed a new technology to mass-produce high-precision molds for making tiny plastic components using bulk metallic glasses. The components can be used in computer memory devices, microscale testing kits, and chemical reactors with microscopic surface patterns.

SourceElsevier·JournalMaterials Today·DateMay 22, 2012

Zooming in on bacterial weapons in 3-D

Researchers have elucidated the structure of type III secretion system needles at atomic resolution, revealing similarities in their inner part while surface variability evades host recognition. This discovery enables new insights into pathogen immune evasion and prospects tailored antiinfectives to block needle assembly.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateMay 21, 2012

Antimatter zapped!

Researchers at CERN have successfully manipulated antihydrogen atoms using microwaves, providing the world's first glimpse of an 'anti-atomic fingerprint.' This achievement demonstrates the feasibility of applying microwave spectroscopy to study antimatter atoms.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalNature·DateMar 7, 2012

2 crystals linked by quantum physics

Scientists at UNIGE have successfully linked two large crystals through quantum physics, paving the way for quantum memory and long-distance quantum communication. The entangled pair exhibits simultaneous behavior despite their separation, showcasing a promising step towards creating quantum repeaters and secure networks.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Photonics·DateMar 5, 2012

A baby crystal is born

Researchers identified the 32-atom 'baby crystal' through computer simulations and experimentally confirmed its structure using scanning tunneling microscope images. The discovery provides insight into how small crystals form larger units.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateJan 17, 2012

Scripps Research scientists find potential Achilles' heel on Lassa fever and related viruses

Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have determined the atomic structure of a protein used by the Lassa fever virus to replicate within infected cells. The study reveals an unexpected molecular crevice where the viral protein grips viral genes, making it a target for potential antiviral drugs.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 14, 2011

Enzyme's structure reveals basis for head, sex organ deformities

The molecular structural basis for severe head deformities and ambiguous sex organs in babies born with Antley-Bixler syndrome has been revealed, suggesting that riboflavin therapy may reverse enzyme defects. The study also found that the enzyme NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase plays a crucial role in human syndromes.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 19, 2011

Researchers demonstrate green tea is effective in treating genetic disorder and types of tumors

Researchers at The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center have discovered that green tea polyphenols can control a deadly congenital disease by hijacking the ADP activation site. This finding has also been validated in two types of tumors, glioblastomas and tuberous sclerosis complex disorder, suggesting potential for drug development.

SourceDonald Danforth Plant Science Center·JournalBiological Chemistry·DateAug 15, 2011

Lattice of magnetic vortices

Physicists at Hamburg and Kiel University have found a regular lattice of magnetic skyrmions on a surface, consisting of cycloidal vortex spin structures with exceptional stability. The discovery was made using spin-polarized scanning tunnelling microscopy and confirmed by quantum mechanical calculations.

SourceKiel University·JournalNature Physics·DateAug 1, 2011

Juvenile diarrhea virus analyzed

Researchers have defined the atomic structure of astrovirus, which causes juvenile diarrhea, identifying potential targets for vaccine development and antiviral drugs. The study may help block the virus before it becomes infectious and reduce the risk of dehydration in children.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 18, 2011

Probing atomic chicken wire

Researchers found that graphene's electronic properties were significantly improved when mounted on boron nitride, a material almost identical in structure to graphene. The team was able to measure the topography and electrical properties of the resulting smooth graphene layer with atomic resolution.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature Materials·DateMar 3, 2011

Fingerprints of a gold cluster revealed

Scientists have successfully characterised the absorption spectrum of a gold cluster, shedding light on its electronic properties. The research provides valuable insights for future applications in catalysis, sensing, and molecular electronics.

SourceAcademy of Finland·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateFeb 28, 2011

Atomic-level manufacturing

Researchers at Zyvex Labs have demonstrated a process for removing individual hydrogen atoms from silicon surfaces and adding single atomic layers of silicon. This technique allows for the creation of atomically precise three-dimensional structures with potential applications in nanotechnology, quantum computing, and more.

Pinning atoms into order

Researchers at University of Innsbruck create one-dimensional structures in optical lattice and observe 'pinning transition' from superfluid to insulated phase. Strongly interacting atoms align regularly along wire due to repulsive interaction.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature·DateJul 28, 2010

Metallic glass yields secrets under pressure

Scientists at Carnegie Institution used high-pressure techniques to study the connection between density and electronic structure of a cerium-aluminum metallic glass, opening up new possibilities for developing metallic glasses. The research found that high pressure causes changes in properties such as volume or electronic behavior, re...

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 16, 2010

Team develops new weapon to fight disease-causing bacteria, malaria

A team of researchers at the University of Illinois has discovered a potent inhibitor for malaria parasites and disease-causing bacteria, including tuberculosis. The compound, PPP, is 1,000 times more potent than previous inhibitors and targets an enzyme called IspH, which promotes the synthesis of essential compounds.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 15, 2010

In touch with molecules

A team of European researchers has achieved the first experiment to study the electrical behavior of only two C60 molecules touching each other. The investigation revealed that the conductance between the two molecules is significantly lower than expected, with a controlable leakage current between neighboring circuits.

SourceKiel University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 12, 2009

Atoms don't dance the 'bose nova'

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck successfully realized an excited, strongly correlated many-body phase using ultracold cesium atoms. By tuning the interaction between atoms, they created a stable, one-dimensional structure that defies traditional Bose-Einstein condensate behavior.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalScience·DateSep 3, 2009

Strong elasticity size effects in ZnO nanowires

Researchers at Northwestern University resolved discrepancies in ZnO nanowire elasticity by performing experiments and computational studies. The findings reveal that the elastic stiffness of ZnO nanowires monotonically increases as their diameter decreases, with atomic level changes attributed to surface reconstruction.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNano Letters·DateOct 13, 2008