All wound up: A reversible molecular whirligig
Over the last few decades, researchers have built minuscule molecular machines that rotate or shuttle other molecules. However, it's difficult to determine the mechanical work and forces that these tiny contraptions produce, which is important when u.....»»
Molecular properties are only weakly correlated, study finds
The number of molecules thought to exist is unfathomably large—somewhere between 1050 and 1060 (for comparison, there are only 1022 to 1024 stars in the observable universe). The chemical and pharmaceutical sciences have sought a comprehensive unde.....»»
Zero-waste synthesis of new supramolecular materials with remarkable mechanical properties
Researchers from Japan have unlocked the potential of tannic acid and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene oxide by using them to synthesize strong and smart supramolecular gels in a zero-waste process. These gels exhibit remarkable characteristi.....»»
Novel approach to engineered cells may enable molecular medical imaging
A tiny molecular structure that looks like a bubble may be able to significantly improve medical imaging, according to a Penn State research team. Called gas vesicles (GVs), these structures are naturally produced by certain microorganisms and are re.....»»
Ancient Roman “wow glass” has photonic crystal patina forged over centuries
Precise hierarchical molecular self-assembly formed so-called "Bragg stack" reflectors. Enlarge / Microscopic view of photonic crystals on the surface of ancient Roman glass. (credit: Giulia Guidetti) Nature is the ultim.....»»
Method to measure molecular distribution of MXene enables quality control in production process
Developed in 2011, MXene is a two-dimensional nanomaterial with alternating metal and carbon layers, which has high electrical conductivity and can be combined with various metal compounds, making it a material that can be utilized in various industr.....»»
Study estimates the energy costs of information processing in biological systems
The behaviors, physiology and existence of living organisms is supported by countless biological processes, which entail the communication between cells and other molecular components. These molecular components are known to transmit information to e.....»»
Researchers discover gravitational collapse and accretion flows in hub filament system G323.46-0.08
Hub-filament systems are ubiquitous in molecular clouds. Most dense clumps and cores are formed in filaments and play a key role in star formation process. Therefore, investigating hub-filament system is one of the best ways to understand high-mass s.....»»
New camera offers ultrafast imaging at a fraction of the normal cost
Capturing blur-free images of fast movements like falling water droplets or molecular interactions requires expensive ultrafast cameras that acquire millions of images per second. In a new paper, researchers report a camera that could offer a much le.....»»
Scientists reveal twisting-untwisting-retwisting cycle of nanohelices
Reversible nanohelix transformation is one of the most exquisite and important phenomena in nature. Nanomaterials rarely form helical crystals. Due to the irreversibility of the twisting forces studied so far, untwisting is more difficult than retwis.....»»
RNA modification: Mechanisms and therapeutic targets
RNA modifications are dynamic and reversible chemical modifications on substrate RNA that regulate mRNA stability, translation, and localization. This review is designed by Dr. Junhong Han and written by his postdoctoral researcher Dr. Lei Qiu and P.....»»
Novel molecular design for enhanced efficacy and safety in radiotheranostics
Radiotheranostics embodies the convergence of diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals into a unified platform. In cancer treatment, radiotheranostic procedures typically involve the use of antibodies that bind to proteins abundantly found on.....»»
Improving organic solar cell efficiency through molecular engineering
Polymer solar cells are lightweight, flexible solar panels that can be used for wearable devices. However, toxic halogenated processing solvents used during manufacturing of these solar cells have limited their widespread adoption......»»
Study reveals molecular mechanism underlying cross-membrane transport of plant hormone abscisic acid
Abscisic acid (ABA) is a key plant hormone produced in response to abiotic stress such as drought and salt. It is mainly synthesized in roots and vascular tissues and transported to specific sites to exert physiological functions. Several ABA transpo.....»»
Will it slip or will it grip: Scientists ask, "What is snail mucus?"
What is snail mucus? That was the question posed by researchers in a new study that examines the molecular composition of snail mucus. When analyzing the mucus of a common garden snail, they found it contained a complex collection of proteins, some i.....»»
Characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from ready-to-eat foods in China
The objective of a new study published in the journal Zoonoses was to determine the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, virulence profiles, and molecular characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) obtained from ready-to-e.....»»
AI "nose" predicts smells from molecular structures
In a major breakthrough, scientists have built a tool to predict the odor profile of a molecule, just based on its structure. It can identify molecules that look different but smell the same, as well as molecules that look very similar but smell tota.....»»
Q&A: The molecular recipe for building climate change-resistant plants
Plants are facing a critical challenge: Adapt to our rapidly changing climate or die. For some plants, that means adapting to hotter temperatures and less water. For others, it's about the availability of nutrients in changing soils......»»
Striking gold with molecular mystery solution for potential clean energy
Hydrogen spillover is exactly what it sounds like. Small metal nanoparticles anchored on a thermally stable oxide, like silica, comprise a major class of catalysts, which are substances used to accelerate chemical reactions without being consumed the.....»»
"Suicidal" mechanism discovered in ion channel receptors enables the sensing of heat and pain
The ability to accurately detect heat and pain is critical to human survival, but scientists have struggled to understand on a molecular level exactly how our bodies sense these potential risks......»»
Mapping the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein could provide insight into vaccine development
Although the COVID-19 pandemic was the first time most of humanity learned of the now infamous disease, the family of coronaviruses was first identified in the mid-1960s. In a new study, molecular biologist Steven Van Doren, a scientist in the Univer.....»»