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Stanford researchers have introduced a software tool that accelerates and enhances the analysis of single atom catalysts, offering profound implications for the development of more efficient catalysts.

Catalysts play an essential role in everyday life, from helping bread rise to converting raw materials into fuels more efficiently. Now, researchers at SLAC have developed a faster method to advance the discovery of an exciting new type of catalyst known as single atom catalysts.

The role of catalysts in modern chemistry.

A research team from Yokohama National University has developed a novel approach to investigate how the orientation and behavior of electrons in titanium affect its physical properties. Their findings, published in Communications Physics on December 18, 2024, offer valuable insights that could lead to the creation of more advanced and efficient titanium alloys.

Titanium is highly prized for its exceptional resistance to chemical corrosion, lightweight nature, and impressive strength-to-weight ratio. Its biocompatibility makes it an ideal material for medical applications such as implants, prosthetics, and artificial bones, while its strength and durability make it indispensable in aerospace engineering and precision manufacturing.

A study in Nature Human Behaviour characterizes protein signatures in the blood associated with social isolation and loneliness, demonstrating how these link social isolation and loneliness to an increased risk of disease and mortality.

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Shen et al. characterize protein signatures in the blood associated with social isolation and loneliness, demonstrating how these link social isolation and loneliness to an increased risk of disease and mortality.

The brain’s response to emotional words is guided by neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, shaping how we interpret language. Surprising new research shows even the thalamus is involved, bridging emotion and cognition.


Summary: Researchers have uncovered how neurotransmitters in the brain respond to the emotional content of language, shedding light on the intersection of emotion, cognition, and communication. Using advanced techniques, the team simultaneously measured dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine release in patients during exposure to emotionally charged words.

They found distinct patterns of neurotransmitter activity across brain regions like the thalamus and anterior cingulate cortex, challenging assumptions about their roles in emotional and linguistic processing.

Fuel-cell technology is set to take a step forward as chemists have created a triple-headed metallic nanoparticle, FePtAu, which generates higher current per unit of mass than any other nanoparticle catalyst tested. In tests, researchers from Brown University found that the FePtAu catalyst reached 2809.9 mA/mg Pt and after 13 hours has a mass activity of 2600mA/mg Pt, or 93 percent of its original performance value.

Advances in fuel-cell technology have been stymied by the inadequacy of metals studied as catalysts. The drawback to platinum, other than cost, is that it absorbs carbon monoxide in reactions involving fuel cells powered by organic materials like formic acid.

Any substance that when dissolved in water, gives a pH less than 7.0, or donates a hydrogen ion.