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.....»»
Optimizing molecular photoswitches for solar energy harvesting
Molecular photoswitches that can both convert and store energy could be used to make solar energy harvesting more efficient. A team of researchers has used a quantum computing method to find a particularly efficient molecular structure for this purpo.....»»
Scientists unravel symbiotic secrets of prokaryotic community living in host amoeba
In a new study, researchers from the Faculty of Science of Charles University, in collaboration with researchers from Max-Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology and European Molecular Biology Laboratory from Heidelberg, have delved into the in.....»»
Research explores first defense against devastating ToCSV tomato virus at a molecular genetics level
How tomato plants defend themselves against a devastating 'young' Southern African virus has now been investigated at a molecular genetics level for the first time by researchers at the University of Johannesburg (UJ)......»»
New experimental research measures the speed of molecular charge migration for the first time
To discover how light interacts with molecules, the first step is to follow electron dynamics, which evolve at the attosecond timescale. The dynamics of this first step have been called charge migration (CM). CM plays a fundamental role in chemical r.....»»
Learning from viruses: Molecular fibers can help to introduce genetic material into cells
Pathogenic viruses that enter the human body can dock onto cells with their tentacle-like extensions, whereupon the cell takes up the viruses. This process, which is already known and occurs in diseases such as HIV, can also be used for therapeutic a.....»»
Deciphering the molecular dynamics of complex proteins
Which structures do complex proteins adopt in solution? Konstanz biophysicists answer this question using the example of ubiquitin dimers as well as a new combination of high-resolution NMR spectroscopy and sophisticated computer simulations......»»
Advancements in sustainable chitosan-based nanocomposites for wound dressings
Deepak Verma from Chulalongkorn University and his international team of researchers are exploring ways to enhance chitosan using techniques like adding photosensitizers, dendrimers, and chemical modifications. They also surveyed the use of chitosan.....»»
Researchers discover mechanism by which cancer cells survive replication stress
Researchers from Karolinska Institutet have discovered a new molecular mechanism by which cancer cells safeguard themselves from oncogene-induced replication stress and propose a strategy to deactivate this protective mechanism. The study is publishe.....»»
Sugars affect brain "plasticity," helping with learning, memory, recovery
Can you recognize someone you haven't seen in years, but forget what you had for breakfast yesterday? Our brains constantly rearrange their circuitry to remember familiar faces or learn new skills, but the molecular basis of this process isn't well u.....»»
Decoding how molecules "talk" to each other to develop new nanotechnologies
Two molecular languages at the origin of life have been successfully recreated and mathematically validated, thanks to pioneering work by Canadian scientists at Université de Montréal......»»
Uncovering the local atomic structure of zeolite using optimum bright-field scanning transmission electron microscopy
Zeolites have unique porous atomic structures and are useful as catalysts, ion exchangers and molecular sieves. It is difficult to directly observe the local atomic structures of the material via electron microscopy due to low electron irradiation re.....»»
Study identifies characteristics specific to human brains
Researchers led by a team at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified cellular and molecular features of the brain that set modern humans apart from their closest primate relatives and ancient human ancestors. The findings, published in Nature,.....»»
Bringing ultrafast physics to structural biology reveals the dance of molecular "coherence" in unprecedented clarity
How molecules change when they react to stimuli such as light is fundamental in biology, for example during photosynthesis. Scientists have been working to unravel the workings of these changes in several fields, and by combining two of these, resear.....»»
Scientists invent new resorbable biomaterials for implantable medical devices
What if we had tiny devices in our bodies that could constantly monitor damaged arteries, accelerate bone regeneration and wound healing, or facilitate drug delivery for cancer treatment? This could open up remarkable opportunities for the treatment.....»»
Mazda refines North American marketing approach
Mazda remains with ad giant WPP, but has wound down the holding company’s Mazda-dedicated Garage Team unit as the automaker hires more outside shops......»»
Experiments identify important new role of chemical compounds in plant development
Researchers who manipulate lignin, a molecular fiber that allows plants to grow tall and transport water, unexpectedly discovered its synthesis has more far-reaching effects on plant development than previously suspected......»»
Discovering nanomachines within living organisms: Cytochromes P450 unleashed as living soft robots
A new study reveals an important discovery in the realm of nanomachines within living systems. Prof. Sason Shaik from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Dr. Kshatresh Dutta Dubey from Shiv Nadar University, conducted molecular-dynamics simulation.....»»
Chemists need to consider the effects of chemistry beyond the lab to combat environmental crises, say researchers
In a comment in Nature Reviews Chemistry, Ph.D. student Hannah Flerlage and associate professor Chris Slootweg of the University of Amsterdam's Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences argue that modern day chemists need to broaden their horizons.....»»
Biological origami at molecular level: Cytosolic interactome protects against protein unfolding
Human cells are protecting their proteins from unfolding and aggregating. That's what biophysicist Alireza Mashaghi and his team discovered after seven years of in-depth research into the folding mechanisms of proteins. With an unprecedented approach.....»»
Scientists conduct molecular analyses of ticks from southern China
Tick-borne pathogens have become emerging global health threats in humans and animals. The objective of a new study published in Zoonoses was to investigate Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Babesia, and Borrelia in ticks in southern China......»»