Lab mimics molecule found in poppies
An undergraduate leads the discovery of a way to synthesize a rare molecule drawn from poppies. The molecule could become a building block for painkillers and other drugs......»»
The birth of a subnanometer-sized soccer ball
Ever since the existence of molecules was proven and molecular reactions were predicted, humans have wanted to visually observe how such events proceed. Such observations of single-molecule reactions are highly important for the fundamental understan.....»»
Swiss farmers contributed to the domestication of the opium poppy
Fields of opium poppies once bloomed where the Zurich Opera House underground garage now stands. Through a new analysis of archaeological seeds, researchers at the University of Basel have been able to bolster the hypothesis that prehistoric farmers.....»»
Kohn Pedersen Fox creates "gateway" Bundang Doosan Tower as portal to Seoul
A skyscraper in the form of a doorway by architect Kohn Pedersen Fox that mimics a historic city gate has completed in Seoul. Read more A skyscraper in the form of a doorway by architect Kohn Pedersen Fox that mimics a historic city gate has.....»»
Hydrogen peroxide-producing drug boosts cancer-killing effect of radiotherapy
A small drug molecule that appears to protect normal tissue from the damaging effects of radiation, may simultaneously be able to boost the cancer-killing effect of radiation therapy, according to a new study......»»
Low levels of a simple sugar -- A new biomarker for severe MS?
Researchers have discovered a sugar molecule whose levels are reduced in the blood of patients with particularly severe multiple sclerosis. Their discovery could pave the way for a new therapeutic approach......»»
Artificial color-changing material that mimics chameleon skin can detect seafood freshness
Scientists have designed an artificial color-changing material that mimics chameleon skin, with luminogens (molecules that make crystals glow) organized into different core and shell hydrogel layers instead of one uniform matrix. The findings demonst.....»»
Restricting growth, spread of head and neck cancers
Researchers have discovered a key molecule that allows cancer stem cells to bypass the body's natural immune defenses, spurring the growth and spread of head and neck squamous cell cancers. Their study, conducted in mice, also demonstrates that inhib.....»»
DNA-inspired "supercoiling" fibers could make powerful artificial muscles for robots
The double helix of DNA is one of the most iconic symbols in science. By imitating the structure of this complex genetic molecule we have found a way to make artificial muscle fibers far more powerful than those found in nature, with potential applic.....»»
Engineering single-molecule fluorescence with asymmetric nano-antennas
NIR fluorescence has shown great potential in bioscience, but low quantum-yield has largely impeded research on most NIR fluorophores. Here, scientists in China use asymmetric plasmonic nano-antennas to drastically enhance an NIR dye's single-molecul.....»»
Synthetic gelatin-like material mimics lobster underbelly"s stretch and strength
A lobster's underbelly is lined with a thin, translucent membrane that is both stretchy and surprisingly tough. This marine under-armor, as MIT engineers reported in 2019, is made from the toughest known hydrogel in nature, which also happens to be h.....»»
Inspired by nature, the research to develop a new load-bearing material
Engineers have developed a new material that mimics human cartilage—the body's shock absorbing and lubrication system, and it could herald the development of a new generation of lightweight bearings......»»
Researchers create long-sought zigzag-edged carbon nanobelts
NUS chemists have developed a strategy for the atomically precise synthesis of fully conjugated zigzag-edged carbon nanobelts (CNBs). The obtained molecule, known as octabenzo[12]cyclacene, is acknowledged as one of the first fully characterized synt.....»»
New catalyst for lower carbon dioxide emissions
If the CO2 content of the atmosphere is not to increase any further, carbon dioxide must be converted into something else. However, as CO2 is a very stable molecule, this can only be done with the help of special catalysts. The main problem with such.....»»
Fan-made Sonic game for PS5 was created inside another game
What makes this iteration of Sonic Adventure so special is the fact it was created inside another game. That’s right, YouTube user OpyGam3r built everything seen here in Dreams, the sprawling sandbox title from British developer Media Molecule. Foo.....»»
DNA structure itself is involved in genome regulation
The (when stretched) two-meter-long DNA molecule in each human cell is continuously being unpacked and packed again to enable the expression of genetic information. When genes must be accessed for transcription, the DNA double helix unwinds and the s.....»»
When FRETing over cancer biomarkers won"t work, focus on blinking instead
Fluorescence spectroscopy is indispensable in biomedical diagnostics. One can think of turning on fluorescence as turning on a flashlight in a dark room. A diagnostic assay can be designed to label, for example, a specific molecule of DNA with a fluo.....»»
A novel light-spin interface with europium(III) molecule advances development of quantum computers
Light can be used to operate quantum information processing systems, e.g. quantum computers, quickly and efficiently. Researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and Chimie ParisTech/CNRS have now significantly advanced the development of.....»»
What is mRNA? What you should know about the key ingredient in some COVID-19 vaccines
One surprising star of the coronavirus pandemic response has been the molecule called mRNA. It's the key ingredient in the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. But mRNA itself is not a new invention from the lab. It evolved billions of years ago and.....»»
Molecule could beat antibiotic-resistant infections
By using their knowledge of how bacteria co-exist and compete with one another in nature, Western University researchers have discovered a compound that can inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, a deadly bacterium that can cause pneumonia and.....»»
Glass nanopore pulls DNA like spaghetti through a needle
DNA sequencing has become so common, few realize how hard it is to even extract a single molecule of DNA from a biological sample......»»