Sponges, not just their microbes, make biologically potent compounds
Soft and immobile, sea sponges may appear inert, but these simple animals are rich with chemistry. From them, scientists have uncovered plenty of biologically active compounds, some of which have gone on to become medications. All of these small mole.....»»
Unlocking glucosinolates" potential: Enhancing nutrition and stress tolerance in Brassica crops
A research team has reviewed the potential of glucosinolates, compounds found in Brassicaceae plants like cabbage and broccoli, to enhance stress tolerance and provide health benefits through their hydrolysis products......»»
Unlocking the aroma secrets of Qujiao 5 chili peppers: A comprehensive VOC analysis
A research team has identified 1,558 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the "Qujiao 5" chili pepper cultivar var, highlighting Pyrazine, 2-methoxy-3-(2-methylpropyl)- and 2-Nonenal, (E)- as key flavor compounds in chili fruit......»»
NASA Mars rover captures rock that could hold fossilized microbes
NASA's Perseverance Mars rover has made what could be its most astonishing discovery to date: possible signs of ancient life on the Red Planet......»»
Scientists publish first experimental evidence for new groups of methane-producing organisms
A team of scientists from Montana State University has provided the first experimental evidence that two new groups of microbes thriving in thermal features in Yellowstone National Park produce methane—a discovery that could one day contribute to t.....»»
Trees reveal climate surprise: Microbes living in bark remove methane from the atmosphere
Tree bark surfaces play an important role in removing methane gas from the atmosphere, according to a study published 24 July in Nature......»»
Examining progress on volatile organic compound pollution control via the catalytic method
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), with toxicity and irritability, could cause atmospheric environmental problems such as haze and photochemical smog, seriously threatening the ecological environment and human health. The primary source of VOCs is hu.....»»
New car smell reaches toxic levels on hot days, researchers find
A study of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by new cars on hot summer days finds concerning levels of formaldehyde and other aldehydes......»»
New technique streamlines synthesis of heavy element compounds
Molecular compounds with heavy elements, like americium, curium and others can now be synthesized in a streamlined and efficient way thanks to a new technique developed by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) researchers......»»
Decomposing "refrigerants," a potent greenhouse gas, using industrial waste
A research team has developed a technology to decompose refrigerants, a greenhouse gas 1,300 times more potent than carbon dioxide, using challenging-to-handle industrial waste......»»
Studies find China-based emissions of three potent climate-warming greenhouse gases have spiked in past decade
When it comes to heating up the planet, not all greenhouse gases are created equal. They vary widely in their global warming potential (GWP), a measure of how much infrared thermal radiation a greenhouse gas would absorb over a given time frame once.....»»
Bubbling with benefits: Hydrogen nanobubbles boost tomato antioxidants
Tomatoes are a key source of antioxidants, crucial for human health as they help combat oxidative stress. Traditional irrigation methods often fail to significantly enhance these beneficial compounds in crops. Hydrogen, known for its unique antioxida.....»»
Microbes found to destroy certain "forever chemicals" by cleaving stubborn fluorine-to-carbon bonds
A UC Riverside environmental engineering team has discovered specific bacterial species that can destroy certain kinds of "forever chemicals," a step further toward low-cost treatments of contaminated drinking water sources......»»
Organic compounds show promise as cheaper alternatives to metal photocatalysts
Organic compounds that can be sustainably and affordably mass-produced show promise as replacements for expensive metal photocatalysts, according to a new report published July 17......»»
Chemists develop modular approach for creating important class of pharmaceutical compounds
Chemists at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed a modular approach to create 1,2-arylheteroaryl ethanes, a class of compounds important for drug discovery and pharmaceutical development, using fundamental feedstock chemicals suc.....»»
"Alien invasion": Researchers identify which exotic animals may soon hitchhike into Australia
Australia is renowned for its native flora and fauna, but did you know the continent is also home to about 3,000 "alien" species of animals, plants, fungi and microbes?.....»»
Ancient microbes offer clues to how complex life evolved
A new study published in Science Advances reveals a surprising twist in the evolutionary history of complex life. Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have discovered that a single-celled organism, a close relative of animals, harbors the r.....»»
New tool can predict bitterness in foods without prior knowledge of their chemical structures
BitterMasS, a novel tool utilizing mass spectrometry, promises advancements in predicting bitterness in compounds. Developed through interdisciplinary collaboration, it offers enhanced precision and efficiency compared to traditional methods, with wi.....»»
Research team develops light-activated compounds to treat neuropathic pain
Light can be used to activate drugs in specific parts of the body through photopharmacology. This innovative approach involves modifying the chemical structure of a drug by adding a light-activated molecular switch, such as azobenzene. This allows th.....»»
How to make an old antibiotic 100 times more potent
Nathaniel Martin, Professor of biological chemistry, wondered what would happen if you took an antibiotic that has been known for 70 years and tried to improve it with the latest tools of modern chemistry. Turns out it can become up to a hundred time.....»»
First set of rational design principles for chaotropic membrane transporters
The challenge of internalizing impermeable molecules into cells persists in drug development, particularly concerning water-soluble bioactive compounds that cannot diffuse across the cell membrane. To overcome this problem, various artificial transpo.....»»