Articles tagged with Electron Microscopy
New research published in PNAS finds the missing link between soft surface adhesion and the roughness of the hard surface it touches. The study reveals that small-scale roughness can create more surface area for soft materials to grip, explaining predicted adhesion behavior.
Scientists used X-ray microscopy to study the digestive process of malaria parasites, revealing that they store hemoglobin in their digestive vacuole. The parasites then crystallize toxic hemozoin molecules, which active compounds may prevent from forming by disrupting their detoxification process.
Researchers aim to leverage quantum dot technology to understand how living things conduct internal communications and send messages to other organisms. They will track the movement of extracellular vesicles and their cargo using quantum dots, which offer superior brightness and stability.
A team of researchers has revealed how nacre, the rainbow-sheened material lining mussel shells, achieves its remarkable hardness and resilience. By studying the nano-engineering process, they found that combining microscopic 'bricks' of aragonite with organic mortar enables strength without losing resilience, setting it apart from hum...
Researchers at Salk Institute and UC San Diego developed a novel technique to trace neural connections, enabling them to understand how brain responds to light signals. They found that different time scales affect how neurons communicate with the retina and brain regions.
Researchers developed DNA microscopy, a technique that maps cells by encoding spatial information using chemical reactions. This approach enables the visualization of biomolecules such as DNA and RNA in their native environments, revealing complex interactions between cells.
Researchers have invented a new type of microscopy called 'DNA microscopy' that can image cells at the genomic level. This technique uses DNA bar codes to pinpoint molecules' relative positions within a sample, allowing scientists to build a picture of cells and amass enormous amounts of genomic information.
The Kentucky Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network (KBRIN) has received a $18.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to enhance biomedical research in Kentucky. The network provides access to equipment, collaborative networks, and funding for early-stage researchers.
Researchers used cryogenic electron microscopy to visualize the virus's protein shell and its condensed genome, which forms a liquid crystal state. The study sheds light on how viruses replicate and may contribute to tackling viral diseases.
A research team created a nanoscale 'playground' on a chip to simulate the formation of exotic magnetic particles called monopoles. The simulation follows 'ice rules,' allowing north or south poles to move freely, mimicking real-world magnetic behavior.
Nano-droplets play a crucial role in controlling the formation of membranes, a process that can be manipulated to create new nanomedicines. This discovery has significant implications for the development of targeted cancer treatments by encapsulating medicines in liposomes.
Shape memory alloys are underutilized in commercial applications due to limited understanding of their internal microstructures. Researchers used novel 3D X-ray microscopy techniques to visualize these structures, revealing surprising results that shed light on decades-old areas of contention in SMA micromechanics. The study's findings...
Researchers have developed a new way to image the brain with unprecedented resolution and speed, revealing individual neurons and their connections. The technique combines expansion microscopy with lattice light-sheet microscopy, allowing for rapid imaging of large volumes of brain tissue.
A team of scientists has captured a high-resolution, three-day image of the fly brain using expansion plus lattice light-sheet microscopy. The new imaging technique allows for rapid 3D images of brain tissue with details as small as 60 nanometers across.
Researchers at Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona have confirmed a surprising structure of chromosome DNA using cryo-electron microscopy. The study shows that chromatin forms multilaminar plates in mitotic chromosomes, providing insight into the compact and protected structure of genomic DNA during cell division.
Scientists visualized a real virus with a three-dimensional model to track its movement within a mosquito's body. The study found that the virus leaves the midgut within 32-48 hours, revealing a narrow window for prevention. Researchers aim to inhibit genes involved in virus release to prevent future transmission.
A UCLA-led team has developed a new method to analyze nanocrystals using electron microscopes, enabling quick identification of small molecule structures. This technique accelerates processes for drug development by allowing scientists to screen more samples faster.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley create high-resolution images of individual atoms in synthetic polymers, revealing 35 arrangements of crystal structures. The discovery could inform polymer fabrication methods and lead to new designs for materials and devices.
A study published in Communications Biology found that changing an enzyme's surface density can alter its ability to bind different substrates. By swapping single components on the surface, researchers were able to convert one enzyme into another, with implications for biotechnology applications.
An interdisciplinary team will create a novel X-ray microscope to analyze bone microstructure in living individuals, enabling the study of osteoporosis and its progression. The '4D+ nanoSCOPE' will make it possible to monitor bones over time and assess the effects of aging and other factors on bone health.
Researchers at Zelinsky Institute successfully observed an organic catalytic reaction in a liquid medium using electron microscopy. The study demonstrated the possibilities of employing nanostructured reagents in organic synthesis and provided insights into the reaction mechanism and its potential practical applications.
By studying materials down to the atomic level, researchers have found a way to improve catalytic efficiency and reduce environmental impact. They used advanced electron microscopy and computer simulations to optimize atomic spacing in metallic nanoparticles, leading to more energy-efficient catalysts.
Bird feathers have been found to resist tearing due to a sophisticated cascaded slide-lock system, composed of flexible hooklets and spines. This discovery overturns centuries-old explanations and provides insight into the design of smart textiles.
A new study reveals that kidney stones are built up in calcium-rich layers resembling mineralizations in nature. The research found that the stones partially dissolve and regrow again and again as they form, contradicting the widely held notion that they never dissolve.
Scientists have successfully manipulated individual dislocations in bilayer graphene using advanced electron microscopy and nanoscale robot arms. This breakthrough confirms long-standing theories of defect interactions and opens up new possibilities for studying plasticity.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have created a new tagging device called FerriTag that allows for the precise visualization of proteins within human cells. This breakthrough method eliminates the need for external tags, reducing cell damage and enabling more accurate studies on protein behavior.
The new Pacific Northwest Center for Cryo-EM will provide state-of-the-art technology and training to researchers nationwide. The facility will enable scientists to see molecules in breathtaking detail, with resolution near atomic levels, revolutionizing the understanding of disease at the molecular level.
Researchers at TU Wien and Medical University of Vienna have discovered that T cell antigen receptors operate alone, contrary to previous assumptions. This groundbreaking finding has significant implications for understanding immune responses and developing effective therapies against cancer and autoimmune diseases.
A team of researchers has discovered new evidence for color in Mesozoic fossils, revealing that intricate microstructures created the metallic bronze to golden colors found on ancient butterfly wings. This study extends the evidence for light-scattering structures in insect fossil records by over 130 million years.
Scientists at University of Cambridge have found a rare mineral vaterite in the protective silvery-white crust on alpine plants' leaves. The discovery has potential uses in drug delivery and other industries due to its high loading capacity and solubility properties.
Researchers have developed a new imaging paradigm to study the extracellular space between brain cells, revealing its complex and dynamic nature. The technique, called SUSHI, provides high-quality 3D reconstructions of brain tissue and has the potential to improve drug delivery within the brain.
Magnetic soil nanoparticles are primarily composed of magnetite, formed by soil wetting and drying cycles. This finding suggests that magnetic variations in Chinese Loess Plateau soils can be used as a benchmark for testing paleoclimate models.
Researchers at LMU Munich create a new mode of electron microscopy that enables the observation of fundamental interactions between light and matter in real time and space. The technique uses attosecond pulse trains to monitor ultrafast processes initiated by light oscillations onto matter, allowing for sub-atomic resolution.
A research team led by Eva Dyer has imaged brains at a mesoscale using the most powerful X-ray beams in the country, revealing capillary grids interlacing brain tissues. The technique could open new windows onto how brain signaling networks work and potentially lead to better understanding of neurological diseases.
Nerve cell networks reorganize themselves during periods of inactivity, becoming hypersensitive and prone to overreaction when signals are reinstated. Researchers developed a high-speed microscopy process to visualize communication networks of living neurons, shedding light on the effects of blocking neural pathways.
Researchers at IBS Institute for Basic Science observed polymers in liquid inside graphene pockets without staining, revealing their dynamic movement. The study paves the way for observing life's building blocks and self-assembly of materials.
Scientists have identified where laminin 511 interacts with integrins, crucial adhesion molecules that determine cell function and shape. The discovery reveals the gamma chain directly interacts with integrins, stabilizing the laminin-integrin bond.
Researchers developed a new imaging approach called ChromEMT to visualize the three-dimensional structure of chromatin, resolving long-standing debates about its organization. The study reveals that local nucleosome structure combined with global 3D organization determines gene expression and cell fate.
Researchers have discovered a unique membrane structure in the indestructible Acidianus hospitalis Filamentous Virus 1, allowing it to survive extreme temperatures. This discovery has potential applications in creating super-strong materials and delivering medicine directly to cancer tumors.
Researchers at MIT and Harvard Medical School have devised a way to image biopsy samples with much higher resolution, revealing detailed information about disease. The new technique expands tissue samples before imaging, allowing for the detection of features that can only be seen with high-resolution electron microscopes.
Researchers develop a technique called expansion microscopy to physically expand tissues, enabling pathologists to diagnose diseases like early breast cancer with high accuracy and reliability. The method has been shown to improve the resolution of conventional microscopes and can be applied to any type of clinical sample.
The new camera can record fast processes in transparent specimens and increase image resolution. It captures phase deformations of ultrashort laser pulses, allowing researchers to study biochemical reactions and cellular mechanisms with high accuracy.
Researchers at OIST used one-atom-thin graphene film to drastically enhance the quality of electron microscopy images of biological specimens. The low-energy electrons interact strongly with the virus sample but not with the background graphene layer, providing high contrast and resolving tiny details.
Researchers used X-ray techniques and atomic resolution electron microscopy to study bridgmanite, the dominant mineral in Earth's mantle. They found that changes in iron composition at certain pressures cause bridgmanite to become more viscous, leading to slowed flow patterns.
Researchers have developed a new method for observing the movement and rearrangement of ions in ionic liquids at electrode interfaces. The technique, using photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM), allows scientists to study the structural changes and ion mobility in real-time.
Scientists have discovered clues into how a destructive autoimmune disease works using a unique microscope capable of illuminating living cell structures. They were able to see clusters of antibodies atop astrocytes, the brain cell target of the autoimmune response in neuromyelitis optica.
Sai Veeraraghavan, a research assistant professor at Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, has received the George Palade Award for his work on conductive behavior between heart cells. His novel analysis software, STORM-RLA, allows researchers to quickly parse through the locations of single molecules to determine protein interact...
The University of Utah will receive a cryo-electron microscope, enabling precise imaging of life's building blocks at an atom-by-atom scale. The instrument will help researchers study protein complexes and understand biological processes.
Researchers developed a custom-built microscope to study living nerve synapses, resolving events in the synapse with high precision. They found that the active zone is more like a rain shower than a single jet, with about 10 locations reused too often and a limit to how quickly these sites can be reused.
A four-year research project published in Science offers a direct visual proof of the synaptic homeostasis hypothesis, which suggests that sleep is essential for brain plasticity and learning. The study found that synapses in mice brains shrink by nearly 20% during sleep, creating room for growth and learning the next day.
The study provides the first visual evidence of a physical link by which genes can receive mechanical cues from their microenvironment. The images show thread-like cytofilaments reaching into and traversing a human breast cell's chromatin-packed nucleus, revealing a direct connection to the nucleus.
A special section in the Neurophotonics journal presents research in super-resolution microscopy, revealing new techniques to study neural structure and function. The findings have significant implications for understanding neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Feldspar's unique surface defects enable ice crystals to grow, a discovery that sheds light on precipitation formation in clouds. The research found that microscopic edges and cracks on feldspar crystallites serve as active sites for ice nucleation.
Rice chemist Christy Landes and her team have created a new microscopy technique called super temporal resolution microscopy (STReM), which captures images of molecules at a frame rate 20 times faster than typical lab cameras. This enhancement allows researchers to study fast processes without needing more expensive cameras, extracting...
Researchers from Lomonosov Moscow State University have discovered the mechanisms of DNA packaging in the cell nucleus, which has implications for epigenetic control of gene expression. The study reveals that chromatin structures maintain high levels of packing and flexibility despite traditional notions.
Scientists have developed multicolor electron microscopy, enabling up to three colors (green, red, yellow) to be used in an image. The new method has potential applications in biology, distinguishing cellular compartments and tracking proteins.
A study by University of Plymouth found that washing clothes can release hundreds of thousands of tiny synthetic particles into the environment. The research suggests that laundry could be a significant source of microplastics in wastewater, with potential harmful effects on aquatic life.
A team of Japanese researchers has elucidated the structure of the bacterial flagellar motor protein MotA from a hot spring bacterium. The study reveals that MotA forms a tetramer complex with a unique shape differing from previous predictions, and can exist independently of another transmembrane protein MotB.
Researchers capture images of smallest human protein, STRA6, responsible for transporting vitamin A into cells. The study reveals unusual features and potential protection mechanism against excessive vitamin A.
Designing new materials requires collaboration between theory, synthesis, and characterization. Researchers at Penn State used subatomic microscopy to study strain-induced ferroelectricity in a layered oxide, which could lead to new classes of materials with useful properties.