Chemical trick activates antibiotic directly at the pathogen
Colistin is a last-resort antibiotic that is usually only used for severe infections with resistant bacteria. This is due to its severe kidney-damaging side effects, which occur in about 30% of treated patients. A research team at the Helmholtz Cente.....»»
Researchers resolve old mystery of how phages disarm pathogenic bacteria
Bacterial infections pose significant challenges to agriculture and medicine, especially as cases of antibiotic-resistant bacteria continue to rise. In response, scientists at Texas A&M AgriLife Research are elucidating the ways that bacteria-infecti.....»»
Oxidant pollutant ozone removes mating barriers between fly species, study finds
Insect pheromones are odor molecules used for chemical communication within a species. Sex pheromones play a crucial role in the mating of many insects. Species-specific odors attract males and females of the same species. At the same time, they main.....»»
Novel UV broadband spectrometer improves air pollutant analysis
Sunlight has a major influence on chemical processes. Its high-energy UV radiation in particular is strongly absorbed by all materials and triggers photochemical reactions of the substances present in the air. A well-known example is the formation of.....»»
The science of static shock jolted into the 21st century
Shuffling across the carpet to zap a friend may be the oldest trick in the book, but on a deep level that prank still mystifies scientists, even after thousands of years of study......»»
New strategy for assessing the applicability of reactions
Chemists often develop and optimize new chemical reactions using so-called model systems, i.e., simple, easily accessible substrates. They then use up to around 100 other substrates as examples to show that the reaction works. This demonstration of v.....»»
EPA seeks to cut “Cancer Alley” pollutants
Chemical plants will have to monitor how much is escaping and stop leaks. Enlarge / An oil refinery in Louisiana. Facilities such as this have led to a proliferation of petrochemical plants in the area. (credit: Art Wager).....»»
When an antibiotic fails: Scientists are using AI to target "sleeper" bacteria
Since the 1970s, modern antibiotic discovery has been experiencing a lull. Now the World Health Organization has declared the antimicrobial resistance crisis as one of the top 10 global public health threats......»»
Research unveils biochemical defenses against chemical warfare
In the clandestine world of biochemical warfare, researchers are continuously seeking innovative strategies to counteract lethal agents. Researchers led by Jin Kim Montclare, Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, have.....»»
The science of smell is fragrant with submolecules
A chemical that we smell may be a composite of multiple smell-making pieces. Enlarge (credit: Design Cells) When we catch a whiff of perfume or indulge in a scented candle, we are smelling much more than Floral Fantasy o.....»»
Chemical reactions can scramble quantum information as well as black holes
If you were to throw a message in a bottle into a black hole, all of the information in it, down to the quantum level, would become completely scrambled. Because in black holes this scrambling happens as quickly and thoroughly as quantum mechanics al.....»»
Two sex pheromone receptors for sexual communication found in the American cockroach
Sex pheromones are vital in facilitating the chemical communication that underpins insect courtship and mating behavior. Among female American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana), two key volatile sex pheromone components, periplanone-A (PA) and peri.....»»
Scientists harness chemical dynamics for complex problem solving
At the intersection of chemistry and computation, researchers from the University of Glasgow have developed a hybrid digital-chemical probabilistic computational system based on the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction which can be used for solving com.....»»
Computational chemistry needs to be sustainable too, say researchers
A diverse group of computational chemists is encouraging the research community to embrace a sustainable software ecosystem. That's the message behind a perspective article published in the Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation. The authors disc.....»»
Team develops portable swept-source Raman spectrometer for chemical and biomedical applications
In 1928, Indian physicist Sir C. V. Raman and his colleague K. S. Krishnan discovered that when light interacts with matter, parts of the scattered light undergo changes in energy due to interaction with molecular vibrations, resulting in what is kno.....»»
Study describes zinc oxide nanoparticle strategy for inactivation of multidrug-resistant bacteria
An article published in the Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering describes a possible strategy for promoting selective inhibition of multidrug-resistant bacteria, which are increasingly abundant owing to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics.....»»
Human risk is the top cyber threat for IT teams
After another year rife with cybercrime, IT and cyber leaders are confronted with a new reality. AI and deepfakes can trick even the most well-trained employee, and executing a strong cyber defense is more important than ever. In this Help Net Securi.....»»
New antibiotic class effective against multidrug-resistant bacteria discovered
Scientists at Uppsala University have discovered a new class of antibiotics with potent activity against multi-drug resistant bacteria, and have shown that it cures bloodstream infections in mice. The new antibiotic class is described in an article i.....»»
Archaeologists illuminate ancient culinary practices using chemical biomarkers
Ceramic pots endure the corrosive effects of thousands of years, and organic remains preserved inside the pores can shed light on the culture, values, diets, and daily life of societies. This research is achieved with the help of biomarkers......»»
Engineers "symphonize" cleaner ammonia production
Among the many chemicals we use every day, ammonia is one of the worst for the atmosphere. The nitrogen-based chemical used in fertilizer, dyes, explosives and many other products ranks second only to cement in terms of carbon emissions, due to the h.....»»
Romania center explores world"s most powerful laser
"Ready? Signal sent!" In the control room of a research center in Romania, engineer Antonia Toma activates the world's most powerful laser, which promises revolutionary advances in everything from the health sector to space......»»