The human brain—along with every other brain for that matter—evolved with gravity as an anchor. What happens when you remove it?
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Scientists use relay synthesis to create key building blocks of reserve antibiotic to combat resistance
Chemists from Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg have achieved an important research success in the fight against resistant bacteria. The team led by scientist Professor Dr. Dieter Schinzer from the Institute of Chemistry has succeeded in producing key building blocks of the naturally occurring substance Neosorangicin A in the laboratory for the first time. This means it is now possible to develop Neosorangicin A in a targeted manner as a promising reserve antibiotic candidate to combat antibiotic resistance in the future.
To artificially produce the naturally occurring substance, the scientists used what is known as relay synthesis—instead of immediately creating the entire complex molecule, they first synthesized the critical sections, which served as staging points en route to the complete substance. The research success lies not only in the components produced but also in proof of the development process. The results have just been published in the journal Chemistry—A European Journal.
4D force patterning enables spatial control of angiogenesis
When the engineers used gene editing to suppress the PIEZO1 gene, the cells became “deaf” to the physical tugging. Even when the magnets vigorously exercised the gel, the blood vessels barely sprouted at all. This proved that physical force directly activates this cellular gatekeeper, signaling the vessel that it’s time to grow and branch out.
Engineering organized microvascular networks remains a critical challenge in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. While biochemical approaches for patterning angiogenesis via growth factor delivery have shown promise, their inability to pattern sustained growth factors with spatiotemporal control limits effectiveness. Here, we demonstrate that dynamically patterned mechanical forces enable precise spatiotemporal control over angiogenic sprouting. We developed a magnetically actuated human vessel-on-a-chip platform that integrates a perfusable endothelialized microchannel within a collagen matrix and allows noninvasive and tunable mechanical stimulation across three spatial dimensions and time (4D). Using an automated 3-axis actuator, we systematically investigated how strain magnitude, frequency, and direction modulate endothelial cell behavior and vessel morphogenesis.
New super strong glue grips non-stick surfaces and wipes away easily
In a research lab at the University of Tokyo, scientists have developed a new kind of glue. It’s incredibly strong and highly stretchable, yet it washes away completely with a little alcohol.
Materials scientists have long been on the hunt for a strong glue that is also easily removable. The reason is that when it comes to adhesive strength and flexibility, there is often a trade-off. Although strong glues have an incredible grip, they are often brittle and difficult to remove without leaving residue. Weak glues, on the other hand, are easy to remove, but they aren’t strong enough for demanding jobs.
This new glue is so strong that it can even bond to nonstick surfaces like Teflon, but all it takes is a little washing with ethanol to completely remove it without leaving any residue.