Chemistry: Biochemistry
Published

CRISPR and single-cell sequencing pinpoint causal genetic variants for traits and diseases      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A major challenge in human genetics is understanding which parts of the genome drive specific traits or contribute to disease risk. This challenge is even greater for genetic variants found in the 98% of the genome that does not encode proteins. A new approach combines genetic association studies, gene editing, and single-cell sequencing to address these challenges and discover causal variants and genetic mechanisms for blood cell traits.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Computer Science: Quantum Computers Physics: General Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Researchers develop manual for engineering spin dynamics in nanomagnets      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

An international team of researchers has developed a comprehensive manual for engineering spin dynamics in nanomagnets -- an important step toward advancing spintronic and quantum-information technologies.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry
Published

Researchers use generative AI to design novel proteins      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have developed an artificial intelligence system that can create proteins not found in nature using generative diffusion, the same technology behind popular image-creation platforms such as DALL-E and Midjourney.

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

The future of data storage lies in DNA microcapsules      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Storing data in DNA sounds like science fiction, yet it lies in the near future. Experts expect the first DNA data center to be up and running within five to ten years. Data won't be stored as zeros and ones in a hard drive but in the base pairs that make up DNA: AT and CG. Such a data center would take the form of a lab, many times smaller than the ones today.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Botany Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Physics: General
Published

Scientists find link between photosynthesis and 'fifth state of matter'      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new study has found links at the atomic level between photosynthesis and exciton condensates -- a strange state of physics that allows energy to flow frictionlessly through a material. The finding is scientifically intriguing and may suggest new ways to think about designing electronics, the authors said.

Chemistry: Biochemistry
Published

High-throughput experiments might ensure a better diagnosis of hereditary diseases      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

All human beings are genetically very similar, sharing approx. 99.9% of the DNA code. The remaining 0.1% explains the natural differences between people, including our predisposition to hereditary diseases. Although sequencing of our genetic material is becoming a routine diagnostic analysis, it is unfortunately far from simple to determine whether specific small differences in our DNA affect our risk of developing disease. The usefulness of DNA sequencing is therefore often limited to the few cases where it is already known if a gene variant increases the risk of disease.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Organic Chemistry
Published

Single-molecule valve: Breakthrough in nanoscale control      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A research group has succeeded in regulating the flow of single molecules in solution by opening and closing the nanovalve mounted on the nanofluidic device by applying external pressure. The research group fabricated a device with a ribbon-like, thin, soft glass sheet on the top, and at the bottom a hard glass substrate having nanochannels and nanovalve seats. By applying external pressure to the soft glass sheet to open and close the valve, they succeeded in directly manipulating and controlling the flow of individual molecules in solution. They also observed an effect of fluorescence signal amplification when single fluorescent molecules are confined in the tiny nanospace inside the valve. The effect can be ascribed to the nanoconfinement, which suppresses the random motion of the molecules.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Energy: Technology Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: General
Published

'Gluing' soft materials without glue      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

If you're a fan of arts and crafts, you're likely familiar with the messy, sticky, frustration-inducing nature of liquid glues. But researchers now have a brand-new way to weld squishy stuff together without the need for glue at all. They've demonstrated a universal, 'electroadhesion' technique that can adhere soft materials to each other just by running electricity through them.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Computer Science: General Energy: Technology Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Engineers tap into good vibrations to power the Internet of Things      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

In a world hungry for clean energy, engineers have created a new material that converts the simple mechanical vibrations all around us into electricity to power sensors in everything from pacemakers to spacecraft.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Chemistry: Biochemistry
Published

New RNA-seq, metabolomics protocol offers more efficient extraction that maintains data integrity      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have developed a new extraction protocol for RNA-seq and metabolomic analysis, offering a more complete picture of cellular activity than either technique on its own. The protocol employs a streamlined extraction from a single sample, which reduces variation, improves efficiency, preserves data fidelity and maximizes use of precious biospecimens.

Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Wearable ultrasound patch provide non-invasive deep tissue monitoring      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Engineers have developed a stretchable ultrasonic array capable of serial, non-invasive, three-dimensional imaging of tissues as deep as four centimeters below the surface of human skin, at a spatial resolution of 0.5 millimeters. This new method provides a non-invasive, longer-term alternative to current methods, with improved penetration depth.

Chemistry: Biochemistry
Published

'Raw' data show AI signals mirror how the brain listens and learns      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New research shows that artificial intelligence (AI) systems can process signals in a way that is remarkably similar to how the brain interprets speech, a finding scientists say might help explain the black box of how AI systems operate.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Energy: Technology Engineering: Nanotechnology Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General
Published

Self-folding origami machines powered by chemical reaction      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have harnessed chemical reactions to make microscale origami machines self-fold -- freeing them from the liquids in which they usually function, so they can operate in dry environments and at room temperature.

Biology: Biochemistry Chemistry: Biochemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Toys demonstrate how biological machines move      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

By connecting small self-propelling toys in a chain, researchers have found the key to studying the movement of microscopic organisms and molecular motors inside our cells.

Computer Science: General Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

Sensor enables high-fidelity input from everyday objects, human body      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Couches, tables, sleeves and more can turn into a high-fidelity input device for computers using a new sensing system.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry
Published

Better understanding soft material behavior      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The mechanics behind the collapse of soft materials structure have befuddled researchers for decades. In a new study, researchers uncover a metric that finally correlates microscopic-level processes with what is seen at the macroscopic level.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Molecular Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Energy: Technology Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Previously unknown intercellular electricity may power biology      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have discovered that the electrical fields and activity that exist through a cell's membrane also exist within and around another type of cellular structure called biological condensates. Like oil droplets floating in water, these structures exist because of differences in density. Their foundational discovery could change the way researchers think about biological chemistry. It could also provide a clue as to how the first life on Earth harnessed the energy needed to arise.

Chemistry: Biochemistry
Published

Deep-learning system explores materials' interiors from the outside      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A machine-learning method detects internal structures, voids, and cracks inside a material, based on data about the material's surface.