Articles tagged with X Ray Diffraction
Using nearly two decades of research and ultrabright X-ray beams, scientists have created a detailed structural map of the nuclear pore complex (NPC), a key regulator of cellular operations. The results provide significant implications for understanding disease mechanisms and developing new treatments.
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.
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.
Researchers successfully synthesized a novel nitride with hexazine rings, a dianionic compound, for the first time in a laboratory experiment. The nitride remained stable under pressures as low as 20 GPa, paving the way for potential high-energy density materials.
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.
Researchers have developed a new imaging technique using X-ray lasers to capture high-resolution images of complex single molecules. The technique, known as Coulomb explosion imaging, uses ultra-bright X-ray flashes to explode the molecule and reconstruct its image.
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.
Researchers develop small-molecule serial femtosecond crystallography, enabling precise analysis of complex materials. The technique reveals accurate atomic structures of previously unsolvable compounds.
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...
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.
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.
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.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have reported the first-ever observation of long-range ferromagnetic order in icosahedral quasicrystals. The discovery was made using conventional X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility, and specific heat measurements.
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.
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.
Researchers found that additives in commercial shopping bags boost the conversion of solid plastics into water-soluble compounds under sunlight. The compounds vary depending on the additives used, with some bags releasing up to 15,000 dissolved compounds.
Researchers used a neutron beam to perform pendellösung interferometry on silicon, achieving the highest precision measurements to date. The technique provided insights into the crystal's mechanical and thermal properties, as well as the neutron's charge radius and short-range forces.
Researchers have determined the structure of a molecule that helps S. pneumoniae take up manganese, a mineral essential for its survival. This finding could aid in designing new drugs to block this pathway and deny the bacteria its manganese supply.
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.
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.
MicroED can solve high-resolution crystal structures from sub-micron-sized crystals, aiding small-molecule drugs and transient polymorphs determination. This approach helps guide synthesis strategies and inform production decisions.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers have successfully developed the first stable and strong self-assembling nanographene wires using 3D design. The team created a molecule called 'bitten' warped nanographene (bWNG) that can assemble into double-stranded, double-helix nanofibers.
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.
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.
Researchers have defined how antibodies recognize phosphohistidine, a central role in some cancers like liver and breast cancer. The study provides insights into antibody structures and enables scientists to engineer more efficient antibodies.
A team of researchers determined the atomic structure of a coronavirus protein thought to aid in evading human immune cells. The structural map enabled investigations into how SARS-CoV-2 ravages the human body and laid groundwork for targeted antiviral treatments.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have uncovered the detailed shape of a key protein involved in muscle contraction using cryo-EM technology. The discovery may lead to improved understanding of muscle-weakening genetic conditions.
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.
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.
An international team of scientists developed an optic system to visualize protein crystals in X-rays and determine their position. This improvement significantly reduces analysis time and preserves the integrity of biological molecules.
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.
A team of scientists has proposed a new method for studying the structure of complexly organized materials, enabling the study of difficult-to-analyze self-organizing three-dimensional materials. This breakthrough could revolutionize industries such as electronics and biomedicine.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers observed grain refinement and structural changes in polycrystalline aluminum foil under laser-driven shock wave loading. The technique enables studying microstructural deformation from atomic to mesoscale level.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab's Advanced Light Source employ X-ray Laue microdiffraction to study tiny samples of promising candidate minerals. The technique successfully identifies ognitite, a newly discovered mineral with unique chemical properties.
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.
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.
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.
Duke researchers will develop a new type of X-ray scanner that combines the best features of two technologies, enabling the detection of an object's molecular composition. The resulting device could one day become standard in airports worldwide.
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.
This study introduces a green method for synthesizing benzopyrano and xanthenol compounds using TiO2 nanoparticles as catalysts. The reaction is carried out in aqueous medium at room temperature, yielding high yields (92-98%) within short reaction times.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.