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.....»»
Understanding how the "heart" of the plant works may lead to protection from pathogens
Plants, like humans, need to move sugar and other nutrients around their bodies to power their growth. But unlike humans, they do not have a heart to pump these vital nutrients. Instead, they use an amazing molecular pump mechanism that scientists ha.....»»
Reading chemicals inside the brain with an aptamer/microelectronic fiber combination
A research group has developed a neural device that detects specific neurotransmitters in the brain with high sensitivity and selectivity by combining multifunctional fibers and DNA molecular probes. Details of the research were published in the jour.....»»
Canine mother baseline metabolites measured
The Clinic for Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universitaet Berlin in Germany, has investigated the intensive molecular changes that take place during dog pregnancy......»»
First experimental evidence showing correlation between molecular fluctuation and ligand binding
Researchers at Kanazawa University report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences high-speed atomic force microscopy experiments that show how ligands associated with stimulating and suppressing activation of the TRPV1 protein increase.....»»
Evolutionary cell biology study shows how energy production can be optimized to ensure rapid growth without respiration
In a paper published today, researchers from the Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics and The Crick use an evolutionary cell biology approach in two related fission yeasts, one that acquires energy by respiration and one that doesn't, to fi.....»»
Researchers discover that various species share a similar mechanism of molecular response to nanoparticles
Researchers at FHAIVE (Finnish Hub for Development and Validation of Integrated Approaches), Tampere University, have discovered a new response mechanism specific to exposure to nanoparticles that is common to multiple species......»»
Researchers discover an alternative to ATP for string-shaped motors in cells
Cells have a fascinating feature to neatly organize their interior by using tiny protein machines called molecular motors that generate directed movements. Most of them use a common type of fuel, a kind of chemical energy, called ATP to operate......»»
Scientists revive Stone Age molecules
Breakthroughs in ancient genome reconstruction and biotechnology are now revealing the rich molecular secrets of Paleolithic microorganisms. In a new study published in Science, a transdisciplinary team of researchers led by the Leibniz Institute for.....»»
Exploring how the hallucinogenic substance in psilocybin mushrooms works on the molecular level
Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic compound found in about 200 mushroom species, including the liberty cap (Psilocybe semilanceata). For millennia, our ancestors have known and used this substance, and in recent years, it has received renewed interest fr.....»»
Microbot toys demonstrate how biological machines move
By connecting small self-propelling toys in a chain, researchers at the UvA Institute of Physics have found the key to studying the movement of microscopic organisms and molecular motors inside our cells......»»
New biocomputing method uses enzymes as catalysts for DNA-based molecular computing
From early detection and internal treatment of diseases to futuristic applications like augmenting human memory, biological computing, or biocomputing, has the potential to revolutionize medicine and computers......»»
Scientists find molecule responsible for the bright white coloring of Pacific cleaner shrimp
An international team of molecular chemists, physicists and nanomolecular scientists has found the molecule responsible for the bright, white-colored stripes sported by the Pacific cleaner shrimp. The study is published in Nature Photonics. Diederik.....»»
Math unlocks molecular interactions that open window to how life evolved
A "window to evolution" has opened after mathematicians uncovered the universal explanatory framework for how molecules interact with one another to adapt to new and variable conditions while maintaining tight control over key survival properties......»»
Unraveling the mechanism of green emission peaks in single polyfluorene chains
Molecular aggregates are clusters of small molecules held together by relatively weak forces believed to be originating from electronic interactions between the molecules. Owing to their exceptional photophysical properties, molecular aggregates find.....»»
Study reveals ERK activity is a molecular switch between scarring and tissue regeneration
Why do some animals regenerate lost tissues after injury while others don't? Researchers from the lab of Kerstin Bartscherer (Osnabrück University and formerly Hubrecht Institute) and Ashley Seifert (University of Kentucky) studied spiny mice, which.....»»
A highly precise terahertz molecular clock
In recent years, many physicists worldwide have introduced atomic clocks, systems to measure the passing of time that are based on quantum states of atoms. These clocks can have numerous valuable applications, for instance in the development of satel.....»»
Researchers reveal an ancient mechanism for wound repair
It's a dangerous world out there. From bacteria and viruses to accidents and injuries, threats surround us all the time. And nothing protects us more steadfastly than our skin. The barrier between inside and out, the body's largest organ is also its.....»»
A general theory to realize bilayer stacking ferroelectricity
Two-dimensional (2D) ferroelectrics, planar materials that have a spontaneous and reversible electric polarization, are extremely rare and yet could be extremely advantageous for the development of new nanoelectronics. Due to their ferroelectric prop.....»»
Scientists realize light-driven programmable colloidal self-assembly
Prof. Peng Chenhui's team from the School of Physics, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), realized the collective transfer and reconfigurable self-assembly of colloidal particles by combining the light-driven molecular motors with l.....»»
Reinforcement learning: From board games to protein design
Scientists have successfully applied reinforcement learning to a challenge in molecular biology. The team of researchers developed powerful new protein design software adapted from a strategy proven adept at board games like Chess and Go. In one expe.....»»