Atomic structure of a staphylococcal bacteriophage using cryo-electron microscopy
Cryo-electron microscopy by University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers has exposed the structure of a bacterial virus with unprecedented detail. This is the first structure of a virus able to infect Staphylococcus epidermidis, and high-resolutio.....»»
Novel light source enables better temporal resolution of UV-induced molecular dynamics
The Attosecond Science group at the Center for Free-Electron Laser Science has developed a novel light source capable of producing extremely short pulses for the investigation of UV-induced molecular dynamics with unprecedented temporal resolution. S.....»»
Re-analysis of Milky Way"s central supermassive black hole shows elongated structure
A research team led by Assistant Professor Makoto Miyoshi of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) has independently re-analyzed observation data of the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy obtained and publis.....»»
Super-resolution imaging of living tissues achieved by multi-confocal image scanning microscopy
There is a growing demand for non-invasive insights into the complex three-dimensional subcellular dynamics within living tissues at the frontier of biological research. Professor Xi Peng's group at Peking University has developed a novel imaging tec.....»»
Synthesis method improves catalytic activity by controlling the surface structure of metal particles
Fine-tuning the reactions that produce hydrogen (H2) for use as a clean fuel is an important endeavor to fight against climate change. Researchers at Tohoku University and the Tokyo University of Science have succeeded in improving the catalytic acti.....»»
Advancing drug delivery: New framework links lipid nanoparticle structure to immune response
A new framework bridges a gap in understanding RNA therapeutics by linking the structure of lipid nanoparticles to immune response. It can help scientists and engineers expand the use of RNA medicines beyond vaccines to other therapeutic applications.....»»
On the way to light-controlled medicine: Researchers elucidate the structure of specific photoreceptors
Researchers in biology and medicine have long dreamed of controlling the activities of cells without, for example, having to use chemicals. After all, in a structure as complex as an entire organism, unwanted side-effects can often arise......»»
Newly developed methodology breaks molecular symmetry to back one theory about life"s origin
The vast majority of organic molecules (based on a carbon structure) are not flat, but have a three-dimensional geometry. Various results can be obtained depending on the way the atoms are arranged inside each molecule. In some cases, a molecule and.....»»
X-ray spectroscopy study maps ultrafast charge delocalization in aqueous environments
The movement of electron density is a subject of interest for chemists worldwide, as substances interact through electrons. These processes are ultrafast and traditionally require time-resolved experiments at the attosecond level to study and describ.....»»
Specially designed transistors allow researchers to "hear" defects in a promising nanomaterial
An international research team led by NYU Tandon School of Engineering and KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) has pioneered a new technique to identify and characterize atomic-scale defects in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), a.....»»
Researchers synthesize carbon nanotubes with precise chirality
Researchers have achieved a significant breakthrough in the synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by developing a novel catalyst that allows for precise control over their atomic arrangement, known as chirality. This advancement paves the way for the.....»»
Turtle genome provides new clues on the evolution of vertebrates
Scientists from the UAB and Iowa State University have generated the genome assemblies of two hidden-neck turtles. The results, which revealed a new three-dimensional structure of the genome within the phylogenetic group of reptiles, birds and mammal.....»»
Apple strong passwords aren’t entirely random, but are cleverly designed
Whenever an Apple device generates a strong password for you, the structure of those secure passwords isn’t entirely random. Instead, Apple created rules specifically designed to make them easier to type if you ever have to do that manually, and.....»»
Fast super-resolved microscopy enables structured illumination and extended depth detection
Fluorescence microscopy is a powerful tool in biology, allowing researchers to visualize the intricate world of cells and tissues at a molecular level. While this technique has revolutionized our understanding of biological processes, imaging large a.....»»
Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer helps researchers determine shape of black hole corona
New findings using data from NASA's IXPE (Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer) mission offer unprecedented insight into the shape and nature of a structure important to black holes called a corona. The findings are published in The Astrophysical Journ.....»»
Cryo-electron microscopy sheds light on endothelin signaling mechanisms
Endothelin is a peptide hormone known for its vasoconstrictive effects. Researchers at University of Tsukuba used cryo-electron microscopy to examine the complex structure of the endothelin receptor and G protein, which are crucial for signal transdu.....»»
New technique enhances precision in measuring short-lived atomic nuclei
Researchers at the Heavy Ion Research Facility in Lanzhou (HIRFL-CSR) have introduced a technique, Tune-IMS, designed to improve the precision of isochronous mass spectrometry (IMS) in measuring short-lived atomic nuclei. The development offers refin.....»»
Leap Seconds May Be Abandoned by the World’s Timekeepers
We have been adding “leap seconds” to time kept by our atomic clocks, but soon we may have to subtract one. Are the tiny adjustments worth the bother?.....»»
Genome sequencing could unlock answers to yellow jacket behavior
The most recognizable yellow jacket at Georgia Tech is made of fabric and foam, but Professor Mike Goodisman and a team of researchers revealed a far more complex cellular structure by successfully sequencing the genome of two local species of yellow.....»»
The neutron lifetime problem—and its possible solution
Neutrons are among the basic building blocks of matter. As long as they are part of a stable atomic nucleus, they can stay there for arbitrary periods of time. However, the situation is different for free neutrons: They decay—after about 15 minutes.....»»
First coherent picture of an atomic nucleus made of quarks and gluons
The atomic nucleus is made up of protons and neutrons, particles that exist through the interaction of quarks bonded by gluons. It would seem, therefore, that it should not be difficult to reproduce all the properties of atomic nuclei hitherto observ.....»»