Lipid droplets as endogenous intracellular microlenses
With the demand in real-time monitoring of endoplasmic variations and rapid detection of extracellular signals, a great number of approaches to bioimaging have been developed. The past few decades have witnessed a dramatic progress in optical imaging.....»»
For the first time, DNA and proteins sensed by de novo-designed nanopore
Researchers in Japan have designed the first bottom-up designed peptides, comprising chains of amino acids, that can form artificial nanopores to identify and enable single molecule-sorting of genetic material in a lipid membrane......»»
How well do wet masks contain droplets? Study shows damp masks still stop respiratory droplet penetration
After studying the effectiveness of varying layers of masks in stopping respiratory droplets from escaping face masks, a team of international researchers has now turned their attention to modeling what happens to droplets when they come in contact w.....»»
Rainfall causes microplastic transport into the atmosphere
Oceans, lakes and rivers often contain a large number of microplastic particles on their surface. Impacting raindrops cause many droplets with an almost equally high concentration of microplastics to be thrown up into the air. When they evaporate in.....»»
New research illuminates the properties of protein-RNA droplets
Liquid droplets of protein and RNA have traits reminiscent of a childhood joy: Silly Putty......»»
Catching the fog as it rolls in for more fresh water
In the Namib desert—one of the driest places in the world—a tiny species of beetle climbs the dunes, leans its body toward the wind, and catches the only source of water it can: passing droplets of fog......»»
Tiny droplets offer glimpse of real life inside a living cell
The inside of a cell is a busy, crowded place—full of proteins and other molecules colliding as they swirl through the cytosol, the fluid that fills the cell. The interactions between these molecules drive the cell's activities. But when scientists.....»»
Invest in a good dehumidifier to fix high humidity levels in any room
Home and office spaces with high humidity levels are often times prone to mildew and mold proliferation. A musty odor, water droplets on windows, and wet wall patches — these are telltale signs of damp in the air. The ideal moisture content in an.....»»
Nanoscale self-assembling salt-crystal "origami" balls envelop liquids
Researchers have developed a technique whereby they can spontaneously encapsulate microscopic droplets of water and oil emulsion in a tiny sphere made of salt crystals—sort of like a minute, self-constructing origami soccer ball filled with liquid......»»
Condensation clue explains how plants sense changing autumnal temperature
As the weather cools in autumn, you may notice the process of condensation, with water droplets forming on windows......»»
Reaction-dependent coffee-ring-regulating method in spray-coating perovskite
When droplets containing non-volatile solutes dry on substrates, the fluid migrates outward via capillary force. Consequently, the solutes are carried to the periphery of the droplets and form "coffee rings" after drying. This is known as the coffee.....»»
Scientists discover how bacteria use liquid protein droplets to overcome stress
Scientists have revealed how bacteria make tiny liquid droplets from proteins to help them survive harsh environments and thus reduce their chances of being killed by antibiotics......»»
Researchers target tumors with intracellular precision
A non-toxic, bacteria-based system can detect when it is inside a cancer cell and then release its payload of therapeutic drugs directly into the cell. The work could lead to effective, targeted therapies for currently untreatable cancers, such as li.....»»
S-acylation enhances COVID-19 infection
Like many viruses, SARS-CoV-2 relies on lipid modifications carried by host enzymes to organize their membrane structure and coordinate the function of virulence proteins. Scientists at EPFL have discovered the enzymes that transfer fatty acids to on.....»»
To mask or not to mask: Study provides mechanism to test materials
In a study that used inorganic, physical and analytical chemistry to mimic respiratory droplets that can carry viruses, researchers demonstrated a mechanism that enables multiple mask materials to be protective. Led by Stony Brook University Professo.....»»
Scientists discover how bacteria use liquid protein droplets to overcome stress
Scientists have revealed how bacteria make tiny liquid droplets from proteins to help them survive harsh environments and thus reduce their chances of being killed by antibiotics......»»
Gene regulation: Silencing factor for endogenous retroviruses identified
Over time, many endogenous retrovirus (ERV) sequences have integrated into the human genome, and now play important roles in normal gene regulation......»»
How to program DNA robots to poke and prod cell membranes
Scientists have worked out how to best get DNA to communicate with membranes in our body, paving the way for the creation of 'mini biological computers' in droplets that have potential uses in biosensing and mRNA vaccines......»»
First evidence of microtubules" mechanosensitive behavior
Inside cells, microtubules not only serve as a component of the cytoskeleton (cell skeleton) but also play a role in intracellular transport. In intracellular transport, microtubules act as rails for motor proteins such as kinesin and dynein. Microtu.....»»
Research on levitating oil droplets may help reduce air pollution
Research using sound waves to suspend oil droplets has shown that the air pollution coming from the tiny droplets may be impacting larger areas of the environment......»»
Structure formation in mini-organs
The development of alveoli in organoids derived from mammary-gland tissue follows the same physical principles as the formation of discrete droplets in a water jet......»»