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.....»»
Scientists reveal molecular structure of bacterial gas vesicles
Similar in function to ballast tanks in submarines or fish bladders, many water-based bacteria use gas vesicles to regulate their floatability. In a new publication in Cell, scientists from the Departments of Bionanoscience and Imaging Physics now de.....»»
Purification of DNA nanostructures from hydrophobic aggregates
Researchers in Japan have developed a new method for purifying cholesterol-modified DNA nanostructures that could be used to functionalize molecular robot bodies (lipid vesicles). The study was a collaboration between Yusuke Sato of Kyushu Institute.....»»
Detecting molecular vibration information faster and better by "stretching" time
Infrared spectroscopy is a noninvasive tool used to identify unknown samples and known chemical substances. It is based on how different molecules interact with infrared light. You may have seen this tool at airports, where they screen for illicit dr.....»»
How does RNA know where to go in the city of the cell? Using cellular ZIP codes and postal carrier routes
Before 2020, when my friends and acquaintances asked me what I study as a molecular biologist, their eyes would inevitably glaze over as soon as I said "RNA." Now, as the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the power and promise of this molecule to the world.....»»
Molecular atlas of spider silk production could help bring unparalleled material to market
Researchers from Southwest University in China have constructed the entire chromosomal-scale genome assembly and complete spidroin gene set of the golden orb-weaving spider, Trichonephila clavata, known for its especially strong, golden-colored webs......»»
Using light to connect molecules
Molecular clusters are aggregates of molecules that are held together non-covalently, by relatively weak forces. When these clusters are excited, normally one would expect the cluster to simply break apart. However, a fascinating question is whether.....»»
New testing approach diagnoses COVID-19 with near-perfect accuracy
By inspecting the body's immune response at a molecular level, a research team has developed a new way to test patients for COVID-19. Their method can potentially catch infections a matter of hours after exposure—far earlier than current COVID-19 t.....»»
A new 3D-printed molecular model to teach students about nucleobase pairing
Molecular models are a tried-and-tested tool for teaching chemistry to students of all ages. By enabling users to visualize the three-dimensional structure of a molecule and how its atoms are arranged, they can accelerate the learning process for ess.....»»
Nanosatellite shows the way to RNA medicine of the future
The RNA molecule is commonly recognized as messenger between DNA and protein, but it can also be folded into intricate molecular machines. An example of a naturally occurring RNA machine is the ribosome, that functions as a protein factory in all cel.....»»
As COVID vaccine patent dispute drags on, Moderna forks over $400M to NIH
Moderna called the sum a "catch-up payment" for borrowing a molecular technique. Enlarge (credit: DeFodi Images ) Vaccine maker Moderna has forked over $400 million to the National Institutes of Health for using a molec.....»»
Locking and unlocking molecular structures on demand
Researchers at Kanazawa University report in Angewandte Chemie International Edition how the formation and deformation speed of interlocked molecular structures called rotaxanes can be tuned—a discovery that may lead to an enhanced functionality of.....»»
Hydrophobic molecular sieve developed for humidity-resistant hydrogen sulfide sensor
A research team led by Prof. Meng Gang from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has used polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) in the research of high performance humidity resistant hydrogen sulfide (H2S) sensors, paving.....»»
A 5-minute PCR, faster than self-diagnosis kits
PCR technology is a molecular diagnostics technology that detects target nucleic acids by amplifying the DNA amount. It has brought marked progress in the life sciences field since its development in 1984......»»
Researchers reveal molecular mechanism of crown ether microsolvation effect on gas-phase native-like protein structure
A research group led by Prof. Wang Fangjun from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), in collaboration with Prof. Shun Feng from Southwest Jiaotong University, has revealed the molecular mechanism o.....»»
Accelerating molecular diffusion by constructing hierarchical Murray zeolites for maximized catalytic activity
Introducing interconnected mesopores and macropores into microporous zeolites with the rationalized pore size at each level is an effective strategy to suppress the diffusion limitations, but remains highly challenging due to the lack of rational des.....»»
To reverse aging in stem cells, NANOG gene "rewires" metabolic networks
Recent lab studies have shown that aging is a reversible process, an advancement that has prompted scientists to seek ways to stop the functional decline of cells and tissues, as well as restore their regenerative capacity......»»
Scientists observe high-speed star formation
Gas clouds in the Cygnus X Region, a region where stars form, are composed of a dense core of molecular hydrogen (H2) and an atomic shell. These ensembles of clouds interact with each other dynamically in order to quickly form new stars. That is the.....»»
Uber Eats driver steals more than $2000 of Apple gear from purchaser
A customer who ordered an iPhone 14 Pro Max and Apple Watch Ultra through Apple has wound up empty-handed and left footing a $2098 bill.On Wednesday, Reddit user isolatedparanoia posted their experience with Apple's same-day delivery service on the r.....»»
Examining how bacteria manipulates the immune response to spread unnoticed
Bacterial toxins have always been seen as dangerous molecules—but may also act as negotiators between bacteria and the host immune response to enable long-term infection. Anna Bergonzini, at the Department of Molecular Biology at Umeå University,.....»»
"Tadpole" molecular cloud appears to be playing around black hole
A peculiar cloud of gas, nicknamed the Tadpole due to its shape, appears to be revolving around a space devoid of any bright objects. This suggests that the Tadpole is orbiting a dark object, most likely a black hole 100,000 times more massive than t.....»»