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Speed plays crucial role in breaking protein's H-bonds

A team of researchers has explained the discrepancy between computer simulations and experimental observations of protein behavior under mechanical stress. At slower speeds, hydrogen bonds in proteins behave differently, breaking three at a time when pressure is applied slowly.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 30, 2007

Hydrogen bonds shown to play 'conserved' role in protein folding

Researchers at Duke University have shown that hydrogen bonds are crucial for protein folding and are highly conserved across different proteins. Their study found that deleting hydrogen bonds from proteins led to destabilization of the structure, supporting the importance of these bonds in protein folding.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 10, 2006

Water makes a splash

Researchers at Berkeley Lab found that most liquid water molecules interact with only two other water molecules, contrary to the traditional picture of four hydrogen bonds per molecule. The study used a unique experimental technique and measured the energy required to distort hydrogen bonds in solid and liquid water.

Favorite liquid revisited

A team of scientists has found that water molecules in liquid form clump much more loosely than previously believed, challenging 20 years of research. This discovery reopens the hunt for a better understanding of water's unique properties and potential applications in fields like biology.

Plastic is forever -- or not

Virginia Tech researchers have made a breakthrough in creating polymers that can be reversed using heat, opening up new possibilities for thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) and novel adhesives. The team synthesized nano-phase separated polystyrene and polyisoprene based materials containing reversible linkages.

The Secret Nature Of Hydrogen Bonds

A US-France-Canada physics collaboration has confirmed that hydrogen bonds in water partially get their identity from covalent bonds within the H2O molecule. This property is a manifestation of quantum mechanics' effects, enabling researchers to improve predictions and advance areas like nanotechnology and superconductors.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 12, 1999