Menu

Blog

Page 1497

Feb 16, 2024

Nanomaterial with potential to tackle multiple global challenges could be developed without risk to human health

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, health, nanotechnology

A revolutionary nanomaterial with huge potential to tackle multiple global challenges could be developed further without acute risk to human health, research suggests. The study is published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.

Carefully controlled inhalation of a specific type of graphene—the world’s thinnest, super strong and super —has no short-term adverse effects on lung or cardiovascular function, the study shows. The first controlled exposure clinical trial in people was carried out using thin, ultra-pure graphene oxide—a water-compatible form of the material.

Researchers say further work is needed to find out whether higher doses of this graphene oxide material or other forms of graphene would have a different effect. The team is also keen to establish whether longer exposure to the material, which is thousands of times thinner than a human hair, would carry additional health risks.

Feb 16, 2024

Nanobot uses a DNA clutch to engage its engine

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, nanotechnology, robotics/AI

A tiny robot with a clutch that mimics similar mechanisms found in microorganisms could be used to trigger the internal workings of a cell.

By Alex Wilkins

Feb 16, 2024

Titanium-based metamaterial unlocks strength beyond nature

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, materials

A groundbreaking titanium metamaterial with unparalleled strength and versatility could revolutionize manufacturing and high-speed aviation.

A lightweight, high-strength titanium material has been engineered that could lead to stronger medical devices and innovative vehicle and spacecraft designs. The research team used a common titanium alloy, Ti-6Al-4V, to construct the “metamaterial”, a term used to describe an artificial material that possesses unique properties not observed in nature — meta means “beyond” in Greek.

Many such intricate and surprisingly strong structures do exist in nature, like that of the Victoria water lily. Native to South America, this gigantic floating leaf is strong enough to support an adult owing to the unique lattice structure of it veins.

Feb 16, 2024

Important molecular pathway for control of aging discovered

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, life extension

One of the ways cells in different kinds of tissue communicate is by exchanging RNA molecules. In experiments with roundworms of the species Caenorhabditis elegans, researchers at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Brazil found that when this communication pathway is dysregulated, the organism’s lifespan is shortened.

An article on the study is published in the journal Gene. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the aging process and associated diseases.

“Previous research showed that some types of RNA can be transferred from one cell to another, mediating intertissue communication, of the kind that occurs with proteins and metabolites, for example. This is considered a mechanism for signaling between organs or neighboring cells. It’s part [of the physiopathology] of several diseases and of the organism’s normal functioning,” said Marcelo Mori, corresponding author of the article and a professor at the Institute of Biology (IB-UNICAMP).

Feb 16, 2024

Interaction between two common oral bacteria creates chemical compound responsible for bad breath

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, chemistry, food

In a study published last month in mSystems, researchers from Osaka University revealed that the interaction between two common types of oral bacteria leads to the production of a chemical compound that is a major cause of smelly breath.

Bad breath is caused by that are produced when bacteria in the mouth digest substances like blood and food particles. One of the smelliest of these compounds is methyl mercaptan (CH3SH), which is produced by microbes that live around the teeth and on the surface of the tongue. However, little is known about which specific bacterial species are involved in this process.

“Most previous studies investigating CH3SH-producing oral bacteria have used isolated enzymes or relatively small culture volumes,” explains lead author of the study Takeshi Hara. “In this study, we aimed to create a more realistic environment in which to investigate CH3SH production by major .”

Feb 16, 2024

A new design for quantum computers

Posted by in categories: computing, encryption, finance, quantum physics

Creating a quantum computer powerful enough to tackle problems we cannot solve with current computers remains a big challenge for quantum physicists. A well-functioning quantum simulator—a specific type of quantum computer—could lead to new discoveries about how the world works at the smallest scales.

Quantum scientist Natalia Chepiga from Delft University of Technology has developed a guide on how to upgrade these machines so that they can simulate even more complex quantum systems. The study is now published in Physical Review Letters.

“Creating useful quantum computers and is one of the most important and debated topics in quantum science today, with the potential to revolutionize society,” says researcher Natalia Chepiga. Quantum simulators are a type of quantum computer. Chepiga explains, “Quantum simulators are meant to address open problems of quantum physics to push our understanding of nature further. Quantum computers will have wide applications in various areas of social life, for example, in finances, encryption, and data storage.”

Feb 16, 2024

Study shows how proteins guide electrons to the right place

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, chemistry, solar power

Cells need energy to function. Researchers at the University of Gothenburg can now explain how energy is guided in the cell by small atomic movements to reach its destination in the protein. Imitating these structural changes of the proteins could lead to more efficient solar cells in the future.

The sun’s rays are the basis for all the energy that creates life on Earth. Photosynthesis in plants is a prime example, where solar energy is needed for the plant to grow. Special proteins absorb the sun’s rays, and the energy is transported as electrons inside the protein, in a process called . In a new study, researchers show how proteins deform to create efficient transport routes for the charges.

“We studied a protein, photolyase, in the fruit fly, whose function is to repair damaged DNA. The DNA repair is powered by solar energy, which is transported in the form of electrons along a chain of four tryptophans (amino acids). The interesting discovery is that the surrounding protein structure was reshaped in a very specific way to guide the electrons along the chain,” explains Sebastian Westenhoff, Professor of Biophysical Chemistry.

Feb 16, 2024

A unifying theory explains seemingly contradictory biases in perceptual estimation

Posted by in category: neuroscience

Despite a long history of studying perceptual biases in neuroscience, many of the biases remain difficult to explain and even appear to be contradictory. The authors propose a unifying theory that sheds new light on such puzzling perceptual biases.

Feb 16, 2024

Study: Gold nanocrystals may reverse Parkinson’s neurological deficit

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, neuroscience

Gold nanocrystals have shown promise in reversing neurological deficits in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease (PD).


Gold nanocrystals show promise to reverse neurological deficits in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease (PD).

In the clinical trials, this nanomedicine exhibited the ability to solve energy-related disorders in patients’ brains.

Continue reading “Study: Gold nanocrystals may reverse Parkinson’s neurological deficit” »

Feb 16, 2024

Ford moves to more affordable EVs as it welcomes partners to take on low-cost Chinese rivals

Posted by in category: futurism

Ford is open to partnering with the competition on affordable EVS to get a leg up on Chinese EV makers. Jim Farley, Ford’s CEO, said if you cannot compete with the Chinese, “then 20% to 30%” of your revenue is at risk.

Speaking at a Wolfe Research conference Wednesday, Farley explained, “As the CEO of a company that had trouble competing with the Japanese and the South Koreans, we have to fix this problem.”

Ford’s leader explained that the company “decided pretty quickly to bet on smaller EV platform.” He said since the middle of 2023, “We have assumed that we have to basically sell an EV at a hybrid premium. There is no more money for customers than that.”