Mimicking a molecule found in poppies
A Rice University undergraduate student's grit and talent paid off in a big way when she introduced the first synthesis of a rare and potentially potent molecule drawn from poppies. .....»»
Regulator proteins or symphonies of genes: Statistical modeling points way toward unified theory for DNA folding
At more than 2 meters long, the human DNA molecule uses intricate folding patterns to fit into cells while locally unfolding to express genes. Such phenomena, however, are difficult to measure in experiments, and theoretical frameworks explaining the.....»»
Molecule-mediated surface reconstruction enables giant upconversion luminescence enhancement
National University of Singapore researchers have developed a synthetic method to enhance upconversion luminescence in protein-sized lanthanide-doped nanocrystals by surface reconstruction through molecule coordination. This innovation prevents surfa.....»»
The microbial molecule that turns plants into zombies
A newly discovered manipulation mechanism used by parasitic bacteria to slow down plant aging, may offer new ways to protect disease-threatened food crops......»»
Hard single-molecule magnets: Tetranuclear rare earth metal complexes with giant spin
Magnets formed from a single molecule are of particular interest in data storage, since the ability to store a bit on every molecule could vastly increase the storage capacity of computers. Researchers have now developed a new molecular system with a.....»»
Under the scanner: Scientists unravel the inner workings of DNA repair enzymes
DNA is the instruction manual for every living organism, guiding the development and functioning of all biological processes. In essence, it is a molecule with a double helix structure with each unit of a helix containing what are known as "DNA bases.....»»
Developing better nanopore technology
At the simplest of levels, nanopores are (nanometre-sized) holes in an insulating membrane. The hole allows ions to pass through the membrane when a voltage is applied, resulting in a measurable current. When a molecule passes through a nanopore it c.....»»
"Triangle singularity" is responsible for transformation in the particle zoo
An international study led by the University of Bonn has found evidence of a long-sought effect in accelerator data. The so-called "triangle singularity" describes how particles can change their identities by exchanging quarks, thereby mimicking a ne.....»»
Examining the intricacies of ozone removal by deciduous forests
Ozone plays a vital role in Earth's climate system. In the stratosphere, which begins about six miles (9.7 kilometers) off the ground, ozone protects the planet from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Lower in the atmosphere, however, the molecule is an.....»»
Identifying an elusive molecule key to combustion chemistry
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and Argonne National Laboratory have made the most direct observation of a key intermediate formed during the breakdown of hydrocarbons in combustion and the atmosphere. Published in Science, this evidenc.....»»
Calling through the "DNA wire"
Proteins can communicate through DNA, conducting a long-distance dialog that serves as a kind of genetic "switch," according to Weizmann Institute of Science researchers. They found that the binding of proteins to one site of a DNA molecule can physi.....»»
Illuminating tissue formation through flourescence
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a molecule that fluoresces where new tissue is forming in the body. Alongside helping to detect tumors, the molecule could play a significant role in research of wound healing disorders......»»
How chemical reactions compute
A single molecule contains a wealth of information. It includes not only the number of each kind of constituent atom, but also how they're arranged and how they attach to each other. And during chemical reactions, that information determines the outc.....»»
Mimicking brain functions with graphene-diamond junctions
The human brain holds the secret to our unique personalities. But did you know that it can also form the basis of highly efficient computing devices? Researchers from Nagoya University, Japan, recently showed how to do this, through graphene-diamond.....»»
Improving the observation of protein bonding
Researchers working with Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed a new method to observe how proteins, at the single-molecule level, bind with other molecules and more accurately pinpoint certain molecular behavior in complex physiological environmen.....»»
Researchers find fat burning molecule in mice
Linked to serious health problems including cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, obesity affects more than a third of adults in the United States. Presently, there are few safe and effective nonsurgical therapeutic interventions available to.....»»
A single-molecule laser nanospectroscopy technique with micro-electron volt energy resolution
When molecules are excited, they can give rise to a variety of energy conversion phenomena, such as light emission and photoelectric or photochemical conversion. To unlock new energy conversion functions in organic materials, researchers should be ab.....»»
Studying chromosomal rearrangements in yeast reveals potential avenue for cancer therapy
Researchers from Osaka University have found that the attachment of a ubiquitin molecule to a protein called PCNA at the lysine 107 position causes gross chromosomal rearrangements. This lysine is located where two PCNA molecules interact, and the ub.....»»
A small molecule induces readthrough of cystic fibrosis CFTR nonsense mutations
An experimental drug suggests that a 'path is clearly achievable' to treat currently untreatable cases of cystic fibrosis disease caused by nonsense mutations. This includes about 11 percent of cystic fibrosis patients, as well as patients with other.....»»
Repairing hearts with deadly spider venom: Study
A potentially life-saving treatment for heart attack victims has been discovered from a very unlikely source - the venom of one of the world's deadliest spiders. A drug candidate developed from a molecule found in the venom of the Fraser Island (K'ga.....»»
Melanoma of the eye: Preclinical tests show path toward treatment
A preclinical study offers hope for treatment of uveal melanoma, a rare and deadly cancer of the eye. A small molecule inhibitor has been identified that dampens the potent drivers of this tumor. In mouse models, the inhibitor strongly limited primar.....»»