Chemistry

Scientists from the University of Tokyo, in collaboration with other researchers, have developed a groundbreaking imaging method called RESORT that allows for unprecedented observation of living systems. Published in the journal Science Advances, this innovative approach combines features from two leading imaging techniques to analyze biological samples in greater detail. Throughout history, humans have utilized … Read more

Chemists have long been challenged by the task of controlling chemical reactions to create new products. The ability to manipulate reactions has far-reaching implications for various industries, such as reducing waste in construction material manufacturing or enhancing catalyst production for faster reactions. In the realm of polariton chemistry, which combines the tools of chemistry and … Read more

The transportation of large biomolecules across cell membranes poses a significant challenge. To overcome this hurdle and effectively deliver hydrophilic substances like pharmaceuticals into cells, researchers from the University of Santiago de Compostela’s Center for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials (CiQUS) collaborated with a team from the Universidade Nova de Lisboa (NOVA) to … Read more

Researchers at the University of Regensburg (UR) in collaboration with the Zelinisky Institute in Moscow have made a breakthrough in the field of cross-coupling reactions. These reactions involve joining two fragments together and are widely used in organic molecule synthesis for various applications, including drug development and materials science. However, finding the optimal reaction conditions … Read more

Researchers from the Technical University of Munich’s Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology have conducted a comprehensive analysis of the aroma found in walnut kernels, unraveling the underlying code of its scent. In a groundbreaking discovery, they have determined that the distinct aroma of walnuts is formed through the intricate interplay of two odorants, which … Read more

The latest findings published in the journal Nature have shed light on the intricate process of photosynthesis, where organisms harness the energy from light to sustain life. This groundbreaking study, released on June 14, reveals that photosynthesis is remarkably sensitive, capable of responding to even the tiniest unit of light—the photon. This discovery solidifies our … Read more

Stimuli-responsive fluorescent hydrogels (FHs) are highly promising for information encryption and anti-counterfeiting applications, offering enhanced security levels through vibrant visual displays. However, the development of environment-friendly, low-cost, and scalable methods for producing stimuli-responsive FHs remains a challenge. Curcumin, a natural and sustainable material, has garnered attention for its therapeutic potential in combating conditions such as … Read more

A group of chemists from multiple universities, led by the University of California, Berkeley, is aiming to revolutionize the capabilities of cell-based manufacturing. While synthetic biologists have already made significant progress in using microbes to produce various chemicals, this research enterprise seeks to reprogram the cell’s ribosomes, the molecular machines responsible for protein synthesis, to … Read more

A team of researchers from MIT, led by Professor Bradley D. Olsen, has made significant progress in addressing the environmental challenges posed by polymers through the development of a comprehensive biodegradation data set. The team’s findings were recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). The research aims to expand the … Read more

Molecules immersed in water and other polar media experience powerful electric forces originating from their liquid environment. These forces arise due to the rapid structural fluctuations occurring at ambient temperature. A novel technique has been developed to analyze the optical absorption of molecules within the electric field of an extremely brief terahertz pulse. This method … Read more

Prof. Zheng Meiling and her team from the Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have made significant advancements in the field of hydrogel materials. Hydrogels are known for their exceptional biocompatibility, and they are extensively used in various applications such as artificial blood vessels, biomaterial microdevices, tissue adhesives, … Read more

Food waste and food-borne diseases pose significant challenges for urban populations today, resulting in high greenhouse gas emissions and substantial economic and environmental costs. To address these issues, it is crucial to improve food processing, transportation, and preservation methods by leveraging advancements in technology. Current monitoring processes rely on expensive chromatographic devices and laboratory settings, … Read more

Researchers from the University of Tokyo have made a significant discovery regarding G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which play a crucial role in relaying molecular signals in our bodies. GPCRs are involved in about one-third of existing drugs, but their activation can lead to adverse side effects by activating multiple signaling pathways. To address this issue, … Read more

Tiny metal particle catalysts play a crucial role in various technological applications, ranging from fuel cells to the production of synthetic fuels for energy storage. However, understanding the intricate details and interactions that govern catalyst behavior can be challenging. Even when preparing two catalysts with identical compositions, they can exhibit minute differences, leading to distinct … Read more

High entropy oxides (HEOs) have shown promise for catalysis and energy storage applications, but improving their performance has been challenging due to the difficulty in regulating their physical-chemical properties. While some strategies, like introducing noble metals, have enhanced HEO properties effectively, they have not led to commercial or industrial applications. Recently, a research team led … Read more

Professor John Moses from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) believes that diversity is crucial for discovery in chemistry. The wider range of molecules scientists have access to, the greater the likelihood of finding something valuable. Moses and his team have made a significant breakthrough in their lab, enabling them to rapidly assemble a vast variety … Read more

In a groundbreaking paper published in Nature, scientists have challenged the long-held belief that the properties of solid biological materials are solely determined by their atomic and molecular composition. Instead, they argue that the character of many biological materials is shaped by the water that permeates them. The authors introduce a new class of matter … Read more

With the arrival of summer, numerous individuals will be igniting their grills to savor a variety of foods, ranging from hot dogs to steaks. Unfortunately, individuals with seafood allergies often miss out on the opportunity to enjoy shrimp. However, an intriguing method highlighted in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry could potentially change that. … Read more

A recent study led by researchers at the University of Virginia challenges the conventional understanding of associative polymers, a class of materials known for their unique self-healing and flow properties. The study, published in the journal Physical Review Letters, has significant implications for various applications of these materials, including recyclable plastics, human tissue engineering, and … Read more

Scientists have made significant progress in developing catalysts to convert the greenhouse gas methane into a less harmful substance. Their findings, published in the journal Science, shed light on how carbon-hydrogen bonds break and the mechanism behind catalysts in this process. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is increasingly being released into the atmosphere through livestock … Read more