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Showing posts from July, 2024

Krypton panopticon: trapped atoms form one-dimensional gas

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  Scientists looking for a new way to observe atoms have turned to the inert noble gas, krypton. Chemists were able to imprison krypton atoms inside a carbon nanotube, forcing the atoms to form a one-dimensional gas, so that they can film them with electron microscopes. Why create this krypton panopticon? Because it’s very difficult to see atoms – and, therefore, to study them. In gases, atoms zip around at speeds of 400 metres per second, making them tricky to nail down. Plus, at a few tenths of a nanometre in size, atoms are much smaller than wavelengths of light, making traditional microscopy useless for examining them. Researchers need instead to use electron microscopes, which use beams of electrons instead of light. “As far as we know, this is the first time that chains of noble gas atoms have been imaged directly, leading to the creation of a one-dimensional gas in a solid material,” says krypton captor Professor Paul Brown, director of the Nanoscale and Microscale Research...

Researchers capture first snapshot of dissolved chemicals from coral reefs

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  Coral reefs are hotspots of biodiversity and are amazingly productive with a vast number of organisms interacting simultaneously. Hundreds of molecules that are made by important members of the coral reef community were recently discovered by a team of scientists. Together, the compounds—modified amino acids, vitamins and steroids—comprise the “smell” or “taste” of corals and algae in a tropical reef, and will help scientists understand both the food web dynamics and the chemical ecology of these ecosystems. The study, led by researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and the NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. It provides the first snapshot of the diversity of dissolved chemicals floating among coral reefs and a window into the interactions among organisms that scientists are just beginning to understand. Although coral and seaweeds (limu) ...

New electrolysis cells make hydrogen production cheaper, more sustainable

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  Achemical process that utilizes electrical energy to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction called electrolysis has been closely studied recently to advance sustainable energy solutions. Now, scientists at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) have undertaken a study to fabricate and test a new type of ceramic electrolysis cells with nickel-gadolinium-doped ceria (Ni-GDC) fuel electrodes. This is in an ambition to convert green electricity from wind turbines and solar cells into sustainable fuels like hydrogen, methanol, and ammonia. Affordable, sustainable electrolysis enable green fuel production The team of researchers has discovered a new affordable and more sustainable long-lasting approach to enable the production of carbon-negative fuels such as hydrogen, methanol, and ammonia when met with the limitations of renewable sources. The research demonstrated that the Ni-GDC fuel electrodes maintain their performance even after 1,000 hours of testing, showing only slight...

The largest photovoltaic power plant ever seen: 3 million solar panels in the desert, with this in the middle

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  A country has just made an unprecedented decision in the midst of its ecological transition, with a photovoltaic park that experts are already calling “the largest on Earth”. They have installed 3 million solar panels and have placed a “colossus” in the middle that can be seen from space. Do you know where it is and what it is capable of? We tell you all about the project that has scientists halfway around the world on tenterhooks and that could take the lead from China and its 3D printed photovoltaic cells as newspapers. This is the largest-ever photovoltaic power plant: This country wants to “squeeze” the Sun Kalyon Karapinar Solar Power Plant situated in Karapinar, Konya, Türkiye has pride of place as the biggest solar power plant on earth. It stands today as a symbol of Türkiye’s determination on the path to renewable energy sources with its installed capacity of 1,350 MW, giving an idea of the potential of such a plant. The Kalyon Karapinar Solar Power Plant features sever...

Garlic proves potent in reducing blood sugar and cholesterol, study reveals

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  Background Chronic non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, cancers, and diabetes, cause 41 million deaths annually. Glucose and lipids are crucial for energy, and their dysregulation can lead to atherosclerosis, diabetes, and fatty liver disease. Dyslipidemia, with high total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), is a major cardiovascular risk factor. Current treatments for metabolic diseases focus on symptom relief and have side effects. Garlic, rich in compounds like allicin, shows potential in regulating glucose and lipids. Further research is needed to understand its mechanisms , optimal dosage, and long-term effects. About the study In the present study, four databases- Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched up to February 2024 using terms related to garlic, glucose, and lipid metabolism. Additional...

Innovative blood test boosts accuracy of lung cancer screening

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  Introduction Lung cancer is a major death cause, and yearly screening is crucial. However, chest LDCT has low adoption due to patient barriers like inadequate awareness, radiation concerns, and limited availability. Other challenges include poor smoking history recording, a lack of defined practices, and specialist follow-up. A blood-based lung malignancy screening test, like the fragmentome technique, could increase screening rates by analyzing specific chromatin configurations in peripheral blood. About the study In the present DELFI-L101 study, researchers developed a hematological test using machine learning to analyze DNA fragmentomes and identify individuals at risk of lung cancer. Individuals testing positive would undergo LDCT. Beginning March 2021, the researchers enrolled 958 individuals aged 50–80 with ≥20 pack-years of smoking across 47 United States (US) facilities. Eligibility features resembled the LDCT screening criteria of the 2015 National Health Interview Surve...

Emerging nanomaterials-based biosensor for detecting SARS-CoV-2

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  The RNA virus can be detected through real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) techniques; a major drawback of this technique is the longer time required for detection. Recently, many aspects of the RT-PCR technique have been modified to make it highly specific towards the SARS-CoV-2 virus—by determining its specific targets. Nevertheless, there lies an immediate necessity for new, rapid and economical methods for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. Biosensors have added advantages for identifying RNA-viruses by utilizing aptamer-conjugated nanoparticles, Au-Ag-based nanoparticles, CRISPR-Cas9 based paper strip and surface plasmon resonance electrochemical biosensors and shows promise in serving as a portable tool for diagnosing SARS-CoV-2. A new review published in the Materials Letters aimed to highlight the different smart and emerging nanomaterials used to detect SARS-CoV-2. The present article also discussed current diagnostic strategies, biomarkers and future perspectives of s...

Microplastics found in human blood: potential cardiovascular threat

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Background Microplastics are synthetic plastic particles that can be found ubiquitously across multiple environments, including air, water, soil, and the food chain. Primary microplastics are produced intentionally for commercial use, which subsequently undergo a natural breakdown process (weathering) to generate secondary microplastics. Recent evidence indicates the presence of microplastics in a variety of human tissues and organs, including lungs, colon, liver, placenta, breast milk, vein, and testis. Microplastics could enter the bloodstream primarily through inhalation and ingestion. The size and shape of microplastics are the major determinants of their potential health hazards, including inflammation, oxidative stress, barrier disruption, genetic instability, reproductive complications, developmental and endocrine disorders, blood clot formation, and cardiovascular complications. In this study, scientists have explored the types of microplastic polymers present in human blood a...

Nanomaterials in Cancer Therapy: Advancing Ferroptosis Induction

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  Ferroptosis, a form of iron-dependent cell death, has emerged as a promising avenue for cancer therapy due to its ability to selectively target cancer cells while sparing normal cells. Understanding the relationship between ferroptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and lipid metabolism is crucial. Nanomaterials offer precision and efficiency in delivering therapeutic agents to induce ferroptosis in cancer cells. Studies Highlighted in this Review Numerous studies have explored the potential of nanomaterials in inducing ferroptosis in cancer cells, showcasing remarkable advancements in cancer therapy. One notable study focused on the development of gold nanoparticles loaded with specific microRNAs (miRNAs) to target and induce ferroptosis in breast cancer cells. The miRNAs encapsulated within the gold nanoparticles were designed to downregulate key anti-ferroptotic proteins, thereby sensitizing the cancer cells to ferroptosis induction. This approach demonstrated enhanced cytoto...

The Role of Nanotechnology in Biomedical Wearable Sensors

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The use of flexible wearable sensors to track health markers such as heart rate and respiration rate has significantly increased. Nanotechnology plays a crucial role in this advancement. Modern wearable sensors equipped with nanomaterials and nano-additives are more efficient, sensitive, and accurate than conventional healthcare sensing mechanisms.1 The incorporation of nanotechnology has improved performance, leading to early diagnosis of many diseases. Nanotechnology Innovations in Health Monitoring Sensors Nanomaterials significantly enhance biomedical sensors by providing high sensitivity and selectivity, which is crucial for detecting biological and vital signs. These materials can be engineered to exhibit optimized characteristics at the nanoscale, enabling the creation of portable, lightweight wearable devices. Their compatibility with the human body enhances integration, particularly in real-time health and diagnostic applications.2 Common methods for creating wearable nanoma...

How solid-state batteries degrade

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Solid-state batteries have several advantages: they can store more energy and are safer than batteries with liquid electrolytes. However, they do not last as long and their capacity decreases with each charge cycle. But it doesn't have to stay that way: Researchers are already on the trail of the causes. In the journal ACS Energy Letters, a team from HZB and Justus-Liebig-Universität, Giessen, presents a new method for precisely monitoring electrochemical reactions during the operation of a solid-state battery using photoelectron spectroscopy at BESSY II. The results help to improve battery materials and design. Solid-state batteries use a solid ion conductor between the battery electrodes instead of a liquid electrolyte, which allows lithium to be transported during charging and discharging. This has advantages including increased safety during operation and generally higher capacity. However, the lifetime of solid-state batteries is still very limited. This is because decompos...

First In Vivo Study Explores Insights Gained from MRI of Brain Cell Water

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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides visual insight into different parts of the body for the identification, diagnosis, and monitoring of disease. Some research, however, is using MRI to see the molecular makeup of the brain, particularly to identify changes in the brain tissue. These insights may offer additional information about the progression of certain aging-related brain diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. The MRI technique readily differentiates and can assist in characterizing large cell assemblies from surrounding tissue, such as in the central nervous system of vertebrates where neuronal cell bodies are typically assembled as either nuclei or cellular layers. Differentiation of large cell assemblies by MRI is made possible due to the exhibition of T1 and T2 relaxation times in intracellular water protons. These are often smaller than bulk water protons found in the extracellular space while larger than intra- and extracellularly located water protons that form an ...