Mechanism of cobalt–manganese catalysts deciphered
Conventional catalysts for hydrogen production via water electrolysis usually contain precious metals and are expensive. However, cheaper alternatives have been developed, for example cobalt–manganese catalysts. They have a high activity and are st.....»»
Scientists identify genetic mechanism responsible for plant leaf diversity
Plant leaves come in many different shapes, sizes and complexities. Some leaves are large and smooth, while others are smaller and serrated. Some leaves grow in single pieces while others form multiple leaflets. These variations in leaf structure pla.....»»
How a wayside weed builds up explosive force to hurl seeds
Hairy bittercress is one of those plants that hurl their seeds in all directions to spread them effectively. A research team has now discovered that to do this, the plant uses a previously unknown mechanism that makes the seed pods contract and snap.....»»
Discovery of a subset of human short introns that are spliced out by a novel mechanism
The well-known essential pre-mRNA splicing factor U2AF heterodimer (U2AF2–U2AF1) has been identified as mediating early splicing reactions in all introns of different lengths. However, Dr. Kazuhiro Fukumura in the Akila Mayeda lab at Fujita Health.....»»
Nutrients direct intestinal stem cell function and affect aging, finds study
Researchers at the University of Helsinki have discovered a new mechanism of action between the nutrient adaptation of intestinal stem cells and aging. The finding may make a difference when seeking ways to maintain the functional capacity of the agi.....»»
Scientists develop new molecular system made from abundant element manganese for photooxidation
Highly reducing or oxidizing photocatalysts are a fundamental challenge in photochemistry. Only a few transition metal complexes with Earth-abundant metal ions have so far advanced to excited state oxidants, including chromium, iron, and cobalt. All.....»»
Q&A: Research visualizes a precise mechanism for how cells sort their trash
For decades it has been an open question in the ubiquitin research field how proteins are labeled as being defective or unneeded. In a recent study Brenda Schulman, Director at the Max Planck Institute (MPI) of Biochemistry, and Gary Kleiger, Chair o.....»»
Guanine synthesis yields new insights into nitrogen"s role in nanocarbon catalysis
Recently, carbon-based catalysts—especially nitrogen-doped nanocarbons—have emerged as sustainable, reliable alternatives to the metal catalysts traditionally used to support chemical reactions......»»
A protective layer applied to gold nanoparticles can boost its resilience
For the first time, researchers including those at the University of Tokyo have discovered a way to improve the durability of gold catalysts by creating a protective layer of metal oxide clusters. The enhanced gold catalysts can withstand a greater r.....»»
Trio wins $700K Vesuvius Challenge grand prize for deciphering ancient scroll
The 2024 Challenge has also been announced, with a $100,000 grand prize. Enlarge / Text from one of the Herculaneum scrolls has been deciphered. Roughly 95 percent of the scroll remains to be read. (credit: Vesuvius Challenge).....»»
Preclinical study uncovers two proteins" crucial role in causing cancer cell growth
Scientists at City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, have discovered a new cellular mechanism that plays an important role in cancer cells' ability to cause disease. The study is published i.....»»
Team discovers mechanism that protects tissue after faulty gene expression
A study at the University of Cologne's CECAD Cluster of Excellence in Aging Research has identified a protein complex that is activated by defects in the spliceosome, the molecular scissors that process genetic information. Future research could lead.....»»
Strategies for enhancing the performance of nickel single-atom catalysts for the electroreduction of CO₂ to CO
Electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) is considered as an effective strategy for mitigating the energy crisis and the greenhouse effect. Among the multiple reduction products, CO is regarded as having the highest market value as it is a.....»»
A breath of fresh air in plasmonic catalysis: Black gold and solar light"s renaissance
Prof. Polshettiwar's group at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai has developed a novel "plasmonic reduction catalyst stable in air," defying the common instability of reduction catalysts in the presence of air. The catalyst merges.....»»
Researchers discover molecular mechanism that influences the symmetrical shape of the style
Humans are attracted to symmetry: in our buildings, our gardens, in our potential partners. For plants, the symmetrical shapes of organs are a matter of survival because the form directly impacts the function......»»
To stick or not to stick? Mixed sand columns illuminate design of better materials
Scientists from Tokyo Metropolitan University have been studying the strength and toughness of sand columns made of a mixture of sticky and non-sticky grains. They have uncovered the mechanism behind how the strength changes as grains are mixed in di.....»»
Scientists Just Discovered a New Type of Magnetism
In an atomically thin stack of semiconductors, a mechanism unseen in any natural substance causes electrons’ spins to align......»»
New simulation tool advances molecular modeling of biomolecular condensates
A University of Massachusetts Amherst team has made a major advance toward modeling and understanding how intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) undergo spontaneous phase separation, an important mechanism of subcellular organization that underlies.....»»
Marine biologist finds unexpected biodiversity on the ocean floor
Hydrothermal vents and manganese nodule fields in the deep oceans contain more biodiversity than expected, according to the thesis that NIOZ-marine biologist Coral Diaz-Recio Lorenzo will defend at Utrecht University on January 26......»»
Ancient "relaxant-inflammatory" mechanism gets sponges moving
Did you know that sponges can move? While not exactly the champions of underwater acrobatics, sponges exhibit coordinated movements—despite not having muscles or neurons......»»
Team unravels activation mechanism of a protein that combats bacteria
The human immune system is constantly fending off a wide range of invaders—a feat that requires a diverse array of cellular troops and molecular weaponry. Although a great deal is already known about immune defense cells and the strategies they emp.....»»