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Killing cancers with Z-DNA: A new approach to treating therapy resistant tumors that targets a very-specific cell-death pathway

Scientists have discovered a small molecule that bypasses ADAR1 suppression and directly activates tumor cell death by ZBP1, inducing highly immunogenic cell death and destroying fibroblasts supporting tumor growth. This approach has the potential to improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy in treating therapy-resistant tumors.

SourceInsideOutBio·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 25, 2022
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Spinning is key for line-dancing electrons in iron selenide

A team of researchers used resonant inelastic X-ray scattering to study the behavior of electron spins in iron selenide, a material that exhibits directionally-dependent electronic behavior. They found that high-energy spin excitations are dispersive and undamped, indicating a well-defined energy-versus-momentum relationship.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2022

X-rays help scientists uncover new forms of material using designer DNA

Researchers use DNA to program metal nanoparticles to assemble into new configurations, resulting in the discovery of three new crystalline phases. The approach enables symmetry breaking and creation of complex colloidal crystal structures with unique optical and catalytic properties.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateMar 31, 2022

To the bone: 3D mapping mineral patterns inside the shark vertebral centrum

Researchers used energy dispersive diffraction to create high-resolution 3D maps of bioapatite arrangements within shark centra, revealing key structures and their functions. The study provides insights into the structure-function relationship of the shark skeleton and could be applied to other organisms.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Medical Imaging·DateFeb 2, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Crystallography for the misfit crystals

Scientists have developed a new technique called small-molecule serial femtosecond X-ray crystallography (smSFX) that can reveal the structures of not-so-neat-and-tidy materials. This method uses an exceptional X-ray laser and custom-built image processing algorithms to diffract individual granules of powders, providing a precise sharp...

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2022

Advancing materials science with the help of biology and a dash of dish soap

Researchers have developed a new approach to determine the structures of tiny crystals relevant to chemistry and materials science. The new method, called smSFX, uses ultrafast pulses from an X-ray free-electron laser to collect structural information before damage sets in.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2022

Mirror-image peptides form ‘rippled sheet’ structure predicted in 1953

A team of researchers at UC Santa Cruz has created an unusual protein structure known as a ‘rippled beta sheet’ by mixing mirror-image peptides. The study used x-ray crystallography to obtain images of the structure, which closely matches predictions made in 1953 by Linus Pauling and Robert Corey.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalChemical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 17, 2021

Room-temperature crystallography aids new study of photosynthetic bacteria

Researchers used room-temperature crystallography to study photosynthetic bacteria's proteins, discovering they are 'remarkably robust' and more efficient than previously thought. The study sheds new insight into the mechanism of electron transfer early in photosynthesis.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 16, 2021
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Science snapshots from Berkeley Lab

Researchers at Berkeley Lab have successfully engineered microbes to produce novel chemicals and developed a new technique for studying enzyme reactions in real-time. This breakthrough could lead to the production of sustainable fuels, pharmaceuticals, and renewable plastics.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 21, 2021

Is your ML training set biased? How to develop new drugs based on merged datasets

Researchers at GlaxoSmithKline and CCDC combined proprietary and published datasets to train machine learning models for predicting stable polymorphs in new drug candidates. The approach leverages the large volume and variety of data in the Cambridge Structural Database, resulting in more confident predictions and improved model accuracy.

SourceCCDC - Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre·JournalCrystEngComm·DateOct 1, 2021
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Terahertz-waves provide a new method to analyze biomass-based plastic

Researchers employ terahertz-waves to detect differences in higher-order structures of polylactide (PLA) and other biomass-based plastics. This achievement suggests that terahertz-waves have potential to enable nondestructive analysis of plastic properties.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalMaterials Advances·DateAug 25, 2021
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Earthly rocks point way to water hidden on Mars

Scientists have found evidence of hydrohematite, an iron oxide mineral containing water, in Martian rocks. This discovery suggests that Mars may have once had a watery environment and could hold a significant water reserve.

SourcePenn State·JournalGeology·DateJul 28, 2021

Scientists create unique instrument to probe the most extreme matter on Earth

Researchers at PPPL have designed a novel X-ray crystal spectrometer to measure fine structure in HED plasmas, revealing their state of matter under extreme conditions. The new spectrometer addresses design challenges such as reducing statistical errors and improving energy resolution for NIF-produced HED plasmas.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateJun 9, 2021

A new approach will help save X-ray studies from failing results

Scientists developed a method to predict and eliminate X-ray glitches in single-crystal optics, increasing the efficiency of refractive optics. The approach is based on accurate simulation and prediction of glitches, allowing researchers to tune their work at modern X-ray sources.

SourceImmanuel Kant Baltic Federal University·JournalCrystals·DateJun 9, 2021

Transformation toughening of ceramics made crystal clear

Zirconia ceramics exhibit improved toughness due to phase changes, but real-time observation of these changes is challenging. Researchers employ time-resolved X-ray diffraction to visualize transformation toughening during dynamic fracture.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJun 8, 2021
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Drug target could fight Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease

A team of international researchers has discovered a promising therapeutic drug target, SARM1, which is activated in response to nerve fibre damage. This finding offers hope for developing effective treatments for neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNeuron·DateMar 2, 2021

Scientists suggested using 'defective' diamonds in x-ray optics

Nitrogen-bearing diamond crystals have been shown to produce high-quality X-ray beams due to their superior thermal conductivity and coefficient of expansion. Despite historical concerns over their quality, researchers from BFU successfully manufactured plates with sufficient defect-free areas using a unique device.

SourceImmanuel Kant Baltic Federal University·JournalJournal of Synchrotron Radiation·DateFeb 24, 2021
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

New techniques probe vital and elusive proteins

Researchers develop new approach to acquire structural data of membrane proteins, including GPCRs, using LCP crystallization and MicroED. This method enables the determination of detailed structures of previously inaccessible proteins.

SourceArizona State University·JournalStructure·DateOct 6, 2020

Mining molecular data with cryo-EM unveils hidden biological secrets

Researchers use a new method to extract information from cryo-EM data, enabling the visualization of minimum free-energy pathways during simulations. This study demonstrates the potential of cryo-EM in understanding biological functions and has implications for drug discovery.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 22, 2020

New technique enables mineral ID of precious Antarctic micrometeorites

A new technique using a Gandolfi x-ray diffraction camera allows for faster and cheaper identification of Antarctic micrometeorites while conserving more sample material. The method was tested on small rock samples containing olivine and pyroxene, showing promising results.

SourceResearch Organization of Information and Systems·JournalMeteoritics and Planetary Science·DateJul 28, 2020
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Princeton chemists resolve origin of perovskite instability

Researchers at Princeton University have discovered that the source of thermodynamic instability in cesium lead iodide (CsPbI3) is the 'rattling' behavior of the inorganic cesium atom within its crystal structure. This discovery could help improve the stability and efficiency of solar cells made from this material.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJul 7, 2020

Order out of disorder in ice

An international research team identified a temperature/time-dependent kinetic pathway with three distinctive transitions in the structural evolution from metastable crystalline ice (ice VII or ice VIII) to the thermodynamically stable ice I. The end result is a juxtaposition of these processes, where intermediate amorphous-ices compet...

SourceCenter for High Pressure Science & Technology Advanced Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 24, 2020

Snapshot of exploding oxygen

Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt have developed a new experimental technique using the European XFEL's powerful laser pulse to 'X-ray' individual oxygen molecules. The resulting images show the atomic structure and fragmentation process of the molecule, providing valuable insights into its behavior.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalPhysical Review X·DateJun 9, 2020

Chemistry breakthrough could speed up drug development

Scientists at Newcastle University have developed a new method to grow crystals of organic soluble molecules from nanoscale droplets, allowing for rapid screening of hundreds of experiments in minutes. This breakthrough could transform the analysis of small molecules and accelerate the discovery of new pharmaceutical agents.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalChem·DateMay 8, 2020
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Researchers map protein motion

Cornell structural biologists develop a new method to capture collective protein motion, revealing subtle breathing motions that direct biochemical function. The technique adds valuable information to regular crystallography experiments.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 9, 2020

Gold in limbo between solid and melted states

Researchers used X-ray free-electron lasers to study the structural changes in polycrystalline gold thin films during laser-induced melting. The findings suggest that melting occurs preferentially at grain boundaries, resulting in a non-uniform process.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 2, 2020

Improving efficiency, effectiveness of security X-ray technology

Researchers propose a novel technique for efficient security detection using a spiral array of X-ray detectors, increasing detection depth and accuracy. The system can distinguish individual items within a suitcase, addressing limitations of traditional X-ray imaging.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAIP Advances·DateDec 19, 2019
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Protein imaging at the speed of life

The European XFEL has enabled scientists to create molecular movies of ultrafast protein movement, allowing them to observe proteins' physical functioning and enzyme activity in real-time. This breakthrough capability opens the door to answering bigger biological questions and potentially saving lives.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin - Milwaukee·JournalNature Methods·DateNov 18, 2019

Super light dampers for low tones

Physicists have discovered a way to convert oscillations into thermal energy, creating ultra-light soundproofing materials that can filter out interfering frequencies. The technology has potential applications in various industries, including architecture, aircraft construction, and automotive engineering.

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 15, 2019
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Study reveals limitations of method for determining protein structure

A new study shows that X-ray crystallography can provide inaccurate information about critical cell membrane proteins, leading to poor drug design. Researchers used supercomputing to simulate molecular dynamics of a membrane protein and found that unresolved loops can stabilize the protein despite apparent lack of structure.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 8, 2019

X-ray laser sight reveals drug targets

Serial femtosecond X-ray crystallography (SFX) allows researchers to analyze the tertiary structure of proteins previously inaccessible. This method uses powerful X-ray free-electron lasers to generate diffraction patterns before destroying the sample, enabling faster and cheaper drug design.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalExpert Opinion on Drug Discovery·DateJul 19, 2019
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Optical 'tweezers' combine with X-rays to enable analysis of crystals in liquids

Researchers developed a new technique combining optical tweezers with high-powered X-rays to position and manipulate crystals in solution. This allowed them to observe reactions as they occurred, revealing sub-nanometer scale defects and grain boundaries within the ZnO microcrystal.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 22, 2019

Seeing the unseeable

Scientists at Cardiff University used x-ray crystallography and computer simulation to study the binding of viruses to cells. They found that adenoviruses can bind weakly to a different entry receptor called CAR, previously undiscovered mechanism.

SourceCardiff University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 19, 2019

Classic double-slit experiment in a new light

A research team at the University of Cologne has successfully performed a variant of the double-slit experiment using resonant inelastic X-ray scattering. The experiment provided valuable information about the dynamic physical properties of solids and proved a fundamental theoretical prediction from 1994.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 18, 2019
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Enzyme's unfrozen adventure: In crystallo protein thermodynamics

A team from Osaka University has made a groundbreaking discovery using non-cryogenic crystals to analyze protein conformational changes and thermodynamic properties. This breakthrough technique allows for precise temperature control, providing valuable insights into the structure and function of enzymes.

SourceOsaka University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 20, 2018

Powerful method probes small-molecule structures

Researchers have developed a faster and simpler technique to analyze the structures of small molecules, reducing the time needed for X-ray crystallography. This new method, microcrystal-electron diffraction (MicroED), allows scientists to study small-molecule structures at high resolution in under 30 minutes.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Central Science·DateNov 8, 2018
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

First experiments at new X-ray laser reveal unknown structure of antibiotics killer

The European XFEL has successfully obtained the first scientific results from its X-ray laser, revealing a previously unknown structure of an enzyme responsible for antibiotics resistance. The team achieved this at an unprecedented speed of 220 nanoseconds, outpacing previous X-ray lasers by more than an order of magnitude.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 2, 2018

Europe's new X-ray laser reveals structure of antibiotic-disabling enzyme

The European XFEL has obtained the first scientific results from its operation, revealing the structure of an antibiotic-disabling enzyme. The international collaboration used X-ray flashes to obtain flash X-ray exposures of tiny crystals, allowing them to build up the full three-dimensional structure of the biomolecule.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 2, 2018

A new guide for explorers of the submicroscopic world inside us

Researchers from the University of Virginia have established new guidelines for scientists mapping out the body molecule by molecule to better understand how cells use metals. The guidelines aim to prevent pitfalls that could compromise work in X-ray crystallography, a technique used to reveal small molecular structures.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalNature Protocols·DateMay 25, 2018
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

A shape to remember

Kyoto University scientists have developed a shape-memory effect in porous materials, which can change and retain their shapes. The new material, with a porosity of 46%, has been shown to adsorb carbon dioxide and retain its shape after multiple cycles.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 27, 2018

Wiggling atoms switch the electric polarization of crystals

Researchers have discovered that atomic vibrations can modulate the macroscopic electric polarization of ferroelectric materials. The study uses ultrafast x-ray diffraction to track charge dynamics and link them to macroscopic properties, paving the way for high-speed electronics.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalStructural Dynamics·DateApr 12, 2018

Precision experiments reveal gaps in van der Waals theory

Researchers performed synchrotron X-ray diffraction experiments on titanium disulfide and compared results with theoretical calculations. They found that interlayer interactions are stronger than theory indicates, involving significant electron sharing.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalNature Materials·DateFeb 16, 2018