Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General
Published

Plant-based materials give 'life' to tiny soft robots      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A team of researchers has created smart, advanced materials that will be the building blocks for a future generation of soft medical microrobots. These tiny robots have the potential to conduct medical procedures, such as biopsy, and cell and tissue transport, in a minimally invasive fashion.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Evolutionary Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry
Published

Researchers develop DANGER analysis tool for the safer design of gene editing      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A team of researchers has developed a software tool that provides a way for the safer design of genome editing in all organisms with a transcriptome. For about a decade, researchers have used the CRISPR technology for genome editing. However, there are some challenges in the use of CRISPR. The new analysis system overcomes these challenges and allows researchers to perform safer on- and off-target assessments without a reference genome. It holds the potential for applications in medicine, agriculture, and biological research.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Computer Science: General Engineering: Nanotechnology Mathematics: Modeling Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General
Published

International team develops novel DNA nano engine      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

An international team of scientists has recently developed a novel type of nano engine made of DNA. It is driven by a clever mechanism and can perform pulsing movements. The researchers are now planning to fit it with a coupling and install it as a drive in complex nano machines.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Molecular Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Computer Science: General Mathematics: Modeling
Published

Physical theory improves protein folding prediction      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Proteins are important molecules that perform a variety of functions essential to life. To function properly, many proteins must fold into specific structures. However, the way proteins fold into specific structures is still largely unknown. Researchers have developed a novel physical theory that can accurately predict how proteins fold. Their model can predict things previous models cannot. Improved knowledge of protein folding could offer huge benefits to medical research, as well as to various industrial processes.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Energy: Batteries Physics: General Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

A miniature magnetic resonance imager made of diamond      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The development of tumors begins with miniscule changes within the body's cells; ion diffusion at the smallest scales is decisive in the performance of batteries. Until now the resolution of conventional imaging methods has not been high enough to represent these processes in detail. A research team has now developed diamond quantum sensors which can be used to improve resolution in magnetic imaging.

Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

Robotic prosthetic ankles improve 'natural' movement, stability      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Robotic prosthetic ankles that are controlled by nerve impulses allow amputees to move more 'naturally,' improving their stability, according to a new study.

Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General
Published

Choosing exoskeleton settings like a radio station      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Taking inspiration from music streaming services, a team of engineers has designed the simplest way for users to program their own exoskeleton assistance settings.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry
Published

Using computer algorithms to find molecular adaptations to improve COVID-19 drugs      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new study focuses on using computer algorithms to generate adaptations to molecules in compounds for existing and potential medications that can improve those molecules' ability to bind to the main protease, a protein-based enzyme that breaks down complex proteins, in SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Art with DNA -- Digitally creating 16 million colors by chemistry      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The DNA double helix is composed of two DNA molecules whose sequences are complementary to each other. The stability of the duplex can be fine-tuned in the lab by controlling the amount and location of imperfect complementary sequences. Fluorescent markers bound to one of the matching DNA strands make the duplex visible, and fluorescence intensity increases with increasing duplex stability. Now, researchers have succeeded in creating fluorescent duplexes that can generate any of 16 million colors -- a work that surpasses the previous 256 colors limitation. This very large palette can be used to 'paint' with DNA and to accurately reproduce any digital image on a miniature 2D surface with 24-bit color depth.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry
Published

Novel hydrogel finds new aptamers, or 'chemical antibodies,' in days      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new method uses a hydrogel -- a polymer network that holds its shape and can expand when it takes in a large amount of water -- to retain 'high-affinity,' or well-fitting, aptamers while the rest of the aptamer candidates leave the gel in 60 hours.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Environmental: General Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Researchers develop organic nanozymes suitable for agricultural use      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Nanozymes are synthetic materials that mimic the properties of natural enzymes for applications in biomedicine and chemical engineering. They are generally considered too toxic and expensive for use in agriculture and food science. Now, researchers have developed a nanozyme that is organic, non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and cost effective.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

Forensic evidence can survive underwater for weeks      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Forensic fibers can survive underwater for much longer than previously thought -- which could help criminal investigators uncover vital evidence. New research has found that fiber evidence can survive on fabrics underwater for several weeks.

Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry
Published

Novel catalyst for green production of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have developed an innovative catalyst that achieves a significantly lower carbon footprint, paving the way for greener chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing processes. 

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Energy: Technology
Published

An electrical switch to control chemical reactions      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New pharmaceuticals, cleaner fuels, biodegradable plastics: in order to meet society's needs, chemists have to develop new synthesis methods to obtain new products that do not exist in their natural state. A research group has discovered how to use an external electric field to control and accelerate a chemical reaction, like a 'switch'. This work could have a considerable impact on the development of new molecules, enabling not only more environmentally friendly synthesis, but also very simple external control of a chemical reaction.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

New cyber algorithm shuts down malicious robotic attack      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have designed an algorithm that can intercept a man-in-the-middle (MitM) cyberattack on an unmanned military robot and shut it down in seconds. The algorithm, tested in real time, achieved a 99% success rate.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Engineering: Robotics Research Physics: General Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Unifying matter, energy and consciousness      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Understanding the interplay between consciousness, energy and matter could bring important insights to our fundamental understanding of reality.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Computer Science: General Mathematics: Modeling
Published

Researchers create a neural network for genomics -- one that explains how it achieves accurate predictions      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A team of computer scientists has created a neural network that can explain how it reaches its predictions. The work reveals what accounts for the functionality of neural networks--the engines that drive artificial intelligence and machine learning--thereby illuminating a process that has largely been concealed from users.   

Chemistry: General Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Energy: Fossil Fuels Environmental: General Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Discovery made about Fischer Tropsch process could help improve fuel production      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A fundamental discovery about the Fischer Tropsch process, a catalytic reaction used in industry to convert coal, natural gas or biomass to liquid fuels, could someday allow for more efficient fuel production. Researchers discovered previously unknown self-sustained oscillations in the Fischer Tropsch process. They found that unlike many catalytic reactions which have one steady state, this reaction periodically moves back and forth from a high to a low activity state. The discovery means that these well-controlled oscillatory states might be used in the future to control the reaction rate and the yields of desired products.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology Offbeat: General
Published

The medicine of the future could be artificial life forms      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Imagine a life form that doesn't resemble any of the organisms found on the tree of life. One that has its own unique control system, and that a doctor would want to send into your body. It sounds like a science fiction movie, but according to nanoscientists, it can—and should—happen in the future.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General
Published

Could future AI crave a favorite food?      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Can artificial intelligence (AI) get hungry? Develop a taste for certain foods? Not yet, but a team of researchers is developing a novel electronic tongue that mimics how taste influences what we eat based on both needs and wants, providing a possible blueprint for AI that processes information more like a human being.