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Light-controlled bioassays could diagnose diseases more easily and cost effectively

These OptoAssays allow for the bidirectional, light-induced movement of biomolecules and the reading of test results without the need for additional mechanical washing steps.

An OptoAssay uses a sender and a receiver area, which are brought into contact by adding the test reagent. In the sender area, there is a special protein that reacts to light. This protein can either bind or release specific molecules, depending on the type of light it captures.

When an LED emits at a wavelength of 660 nanometers, the molecules bind to the protein. Upon switching to far-red light with a wavelength of 740 nanometers, the molecules detach from the protein. In the receiver area, there are antibodies specifically designed to recognize and capture the target protein in the test reagent.

From branches to loops: The physics of transport networks in nature

An international team of researchers described how loops, crucial for the stability of such networks, occur in transport networks found in nature. The researchers observed that when one branch of the network reaches the system’s boundary, the interactions between the branches change drastically. Previously repelling branches begin to attract each other, leading to the sudden formation of loops.

Smashing heavy ions together could produce the world’s strongest electric fields

Lab experiments around the globe that are gearing up to recreate the mysterious phase of matter found in the early universe could also produce the world’s strongest electromagnetic fields, according to a theoretical analysis by a RIKEN physicist and two colleagues. This unanticipated bonus could enable physicists to investigate entirely new phenomena.

Exploiting quantum squeezing to enhance precision of measurements in systems with multiple factors

“The research aims to better understand how quantum squeezing can be used in more complicated measurement situations involving the estimation of multiple phases,” said Le. “By figuring out how to achieve the highest level of precision, we can pave the way for new technological breakthroughs in quantum sensing and imaging.”

The study looked at a situation where a three-dimensional magnetic field interacts with an ensemble of identical two-level quantum systems. In ideal cases, the precision of the measurements can be as accurate as theoretically possible. However, earlier research has struggled to explain how this works, especially in real-world situations where only one direction achieves full quantum entanglement.

This research will have broad implications. By making quantum measurements more precise for multiple phases, it could significantly advance various technologies. For example, quantum imaging could produce sharper images, quantum radar could detect objects more accurately, and could become even more precise, improving GPS and other time-sensitive technologies.

Inverse-design method enhances performance and reliability of on-chip spectrometers

In a study published in Engineering, researchers from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Zhejiang University have unveiled a pioneering approach to designing on-chip computational spectrometers, heralding a new era of high-performance and reliable integrated spectrometers. This innovative inverse-design methodology offers a dramatic leap forward in spectrometer technology, addressing longstanding challenges in performance and reproducibility.

CRISPR CREME: An AI Treat to Enable Virtual Genomic Experiments

Koo and his team tested CREME on another AI-powered DNN genome analysis tool called Enformer. They wanted to know how Enformer’s algorithm makes predictions about the genome. Koo says questions like that are central to his work.

“We have these big, powerful models,” Koo said. “They’re quite compelling at taking DNA sequences and predicting gene expression. But we don’t really have any good ways of trying to understand what these models are learning. Presumably, they’re making accurate predictions because they’ve learned a lot of the rules about gene regulation, but we don’t actually know what their predictions are based off of.”

With CREME, Koo’s team uncovered a series of genetic rules that Enformer learned while analyzing the genome. That insight may one day prove invaluable for drug discovery. The investigators stated, “CREME provides a powerful toolkit for translating the predictions of genomic DNNs into mechanistic insights of gene regulation … Applying CREME to Enformer, a state-of-the-art DNN, we identify cis-regulatory elements that enhance or silence gene expression and characterize their complex interactions.” Koo added, “Understanding the rules of gene regulation gives you more options for tuning gene expression levels in precise and predictable ways.”