Digging into the molecules of fossilized dinosaur eggshells
Dinosaurs roamed the Earth more than 65 million years ago, and paleontologists and amateur fossil hunters are still unearthing traces of them today. The minerals in fossilized eggs and shell fragments provide snapshots into these creatures' early liv.....»»
A new wavelength of scientific exploration with single-photon detectors
From the minuscule bindings of molecules to the far reaches of space, we're exploring the universe around us by catching sight of the smallest particles of light......»»
Physicists develop novel concept for detecting chiral molecules
In contrast to conventional mirrors, light can be reflected on surfaces known as metasurfaces without changing its polarization. This phenomenon has now been proven by physicists at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and the Ma.....»»
Scientists pinpoint growth of brain"s cerebellum as key to evolution of bird flight
Evolutionary biologists at Johns Hopkins Medicine report they have combined PET scans of modern pigeons along with studies of dinosaur fossils to help answer an enduring question in biology: How did the brains of birds evolve to enable them to fly?.....»»
Chemical biology: A novel approach to synthesize dibenzothiophene s-oxides
Organic compounds in the field of chemistry range from simple hydrocarbons to complex molecules, with diverse functional groups added to the main carbon backbone. These functional groups impart distinct chemical properties to the compounds and partic.....»»
Understanding nutrient cycling between algae and bacteria could lead to increased biofuel production
The interactions between algae and bacteria are essential to the primary productivity of Earth's oceans and surface waters. Bacteria can increase the productivity of algae by producing key factors, such as vitamins, iron-chelating molecules, and grow.....»»
Enzyme for biocatalysis uses solvent as a substrate
A large number of applications in the chemical industry rely on the molecules NADH or NADPH as fuel. A team led by Professor Dirk Tischler, head of the Microbial Biotechnology working group at Ruhr University Bochum, used a biocatalyst to study their.....»»
New design improves water decontamination via plasma jet
Plasma is an ionized gas—that is, a gas containing electrons, ions, atoms, molecules, radicals, and photons. It is often called the fourth state of matter, and surprisingly, it permeates everything. Plasmas, which are artificially generated by tran.....»»
Research unveils how plants control the production of reactive oxygen species
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive molecules containing oxygen. These compounds, which are normal byproducts of biological processes in all living organisms such as aerobic respiration as well as photosynthesis, are highly toxic. In mo.....»»
Study offers new insights into understanding and controlling tunneling dynamics in complex molecules
Tunneling is one of most fundamental processes in quantum mechanics, where the wave packet could traverse a classically insurmountable energy barrier with a certain probability......»»
Cells" electric fields keep nanoparticles at bay, scientists confirm
The humble membranes that enclose our cells have a surprising superpower: They can push away nano-sized molecules that happen to approach them. A team including scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has figured out w.....»»
Innovative membrane platform enables analysis "down to a handful of gas atoms"
Northwestern University researchers have developed a novel method to host gas molecules as they are being analyzed in real time, using honeycomb structures found in nature as inspiration for an ultra-thin ceramic membrane they incorporated to encase.....»»
"Magic trap" preserves quantum coherence in ultracold molecules longer than expected
Quantum technologies bring the promise of faster computing, enhanced drug development and new sensing applications. However, quantum behaviors are difficult to study experimentally since most systems can only sustain quantum effects for a short time......»»
Researchers develop a low-cost catalyst for green hydrogen production
Electrolysis is a process that uses electricity to create hydrogen and oxygen molecules from water. The use of proton exchange membrane (PEM) and renewable energy for water electrolysis is widely regarded as a sustainable method for hydrogen producti.....»»
Researchers address formulation, manufacturing challenges in obesity, diabetes drugs
Medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro are composed of molecules called acylated peptides that are designed to circulate in the body and regulate insulin production. This enables adults with type 2 diabetes to take a weekly injection instead of mon.....»»
Enigmatic Dinosaur Skull Sparks Debate over Tyrannosaur Evolution
A dinosaur skull first discovered in the 1980s was originally catalogued as a T. rex. Now some scientists argue it represents a new species of tyrannosaur and could shed light on where the massive animals originated.....»»
Shape-shifting protein study could advance new drug development
Proteins do the heavy lifting of performing biochemical functions in our bodies by binding to metabolites or other proteins to complete tasks. To do this successfully, protein molecules often shape-shift to allow specific binding interactions that ar.....»»
Researchers report successful synthesis of specific chiral molecules using rearrangements of simple hydrocarbons
In nature, organic molecules are either left- or right-handed, but synthesizing molecules with a specific "handedness" in a lab is hard to do. Make a drug or enzyme with the wrong "handedness," and it just won't work. Now chemists at the University o.....»»
Researchers discover how atmospheric feldspar dust contributes to cloud formation
Feldspar is a ubiquitous mineral and makes up about half of the Earth's crust. In the Earth's atmosphere, feldspars play a surprisingly important role. Fine powder carried by air influences cloud formation. Water molecules adhere better to feldspar d.....»»
Looking at the sides of molecules: Lateral force microscopy reveals previously unseen hydrogen atoms
Researchers at the University of Regensburg and the Graz University of Technology have shown that hydrogen atoms at the sides of molecules lying on a surface can directly be seen. The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academ.....»»
Chemists develop new approach to inserting single carbon atoms into rings
Molecules with a central ring system play an important role in the search for active ingredients for new pharmaceutical products—and it is important that the rings should have the correct size if the desired product is to be manufactured as efficie.....»»