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

New bioengineered protein design shows promise in fighting COVID-19      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A recent scientific breakthrough has emerged from the work of researchers aiming to combat SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. The study focuses on the design and development of a novel protein capable of binding to the spike proteins found on the surface of the coronavirus. The goal behind this innovative approach is twofold: first, to identify and recognize the virus for diagnostic purposes, and second, to hinder its ability to infect human cells.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Engineering: Biometric
Published

New simpler and cost-effective forensics test helps identify touch DNA      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Research has found a less expensive and easier to use test to learn more about forensic touch DNA. This research has important implications for forensic investigations and being able to identify DNA from a primary contact -- someone who may have committed the crime -- as well as secondary DNA that was inadvertently and indirectly transferred through touch.

Geoscience: Earthquakes Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: General Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

What kinds of seismic signals did Swifties send at LA concert?      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Seattle may have experienced its own Swift Quake last July, but at an August 2023 concert Taylor Swift's fans in Los Angeles gave scientists a lot of shaking to ponder. After some debate, a research team concluded that it was likely the dancing and jumping motions of the audience at SoFi Stadium -- not the musical beats or reverberations of the sound system -- that generated the concert's distinct harmonic tremors.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Energy: Nuclear Mathematics: Modeling Physics: General Space: Cosmology Space: General
Published

AI for astrophysics: Algorithms help chart the origins of heavy elements      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The origin of heavy elements in our universe is theorized to be the result of neutron star collisions, which produce conditions hot and dense enough for free neutrons to merge with atomic nuclei and form new elements in a split-second window of time. Testing this theory and answering other astrophysical questions requires predictions for a vast range of masses of atomic nuclei. Scientists are using machine learning algorithms to successfully model the atomic masses of the entire nuclide chart -- the combination of all possible protons and neutrons that defines elements and their isotopes.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: Optics
Published

Water droplet spun by sound screens for colon cancer      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Mechanical engineers have devised a diagnostic platform that uses sound waves to spin an individual drop of water up to 6000 revolutions per minute. These speeds separate tiny biological particles within samples placed in a very light disc sitting on top of the spinning drop. The technique could allow new point-of-care applications ranging from precision bioassays to cancer diagnosis. The technique requires less time and sample volume while inflicting less damage to delicate exosomes.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Computer Science: General Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: General
Published

New AI technology enables 3D capture and editing of real-life objects      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Imagine performing a sweep around an object with your smartphone and getting a realistic, fully editable 3D model that you can view from any angle -- this is fast becoming reality, thanks to advances in AI. Researchers have unveiled new AI technology for doing exactly this. Soon, rather than merely taking 2D photos, everyday consumers will be able to take 3D captures of real-life objects and edit their shapes and appearance as they wish, just as easily as they would with regular 2D photos today.

Chemistry: Biochemistry
Published

Scientists develop ultra-thin semiconductor fibers that turn fabrics into wearable electronics      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have developed ultra-thin semiconductor fibers that can be woven into fabrics, turning them into smart wearable electronics.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Molecular Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry
Published

New computational strategy boosts the ability of drug designers to target proteins inside the membrane      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Hitting targets embedded within the cell membrane has long been difficult for drug developers due to the membrane's challenging biochemical properties. Now, chemists have demonstrated new custom-designed proteins that can efficiently reach these 'intramembrane' targets.

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

Staying in the loop: How superconductors are helping computers 'remember'      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

To advance neuromorphic computing, some researchers are looking at analog improvements -- advancing not just software, but hardware too. Research shows a promising new way to store and transmit information using disordered superconducting loops.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Physics: General
Published

Scientists reveal the first unconventional superconductor that can be found in mineral form in nature      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have identified the first unconventional superconductor with a chemical composition also found in nature.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Thermodynamics Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Molecular simulations of ammonia mixtures support search for renewable fuels      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Ammonia is an important molecule with many applications. The end product of the famed Haber-Bosch process, it is commonly synthesized to capture nitrogen for fertilizers, and is used for refrigeration, in cleaning products, and in the production of pharmaceuticals. Recently, this modest molecule has also attracted interest as a potential resource for addressing one of today's most pressing challenges -- the need for reliable and abundant renewable fuels.

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

A simple and robust experimental process for protein engineering      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A protein engineering method using simple, cost-effective experiments and machine learning models can predict which proteins will be effective for a given purpose, according to a new study.

Chemistry: Biochemistry
Published

A sprayable gel could make minimally invasive surgeries simpler and safer      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The new GastroShield gel can be sprayed through an endoscope after polyps are removed during colonoscopy, protecting the gut and helping prevent complications from weakened gastrointestinal tissues.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Organic Chemistry
Published

Scientists develop a rapid gene-editing screen to find effects of cancer mutations      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers found a way to screen cancer-linked gene mutations much more easily and quickly than existing approaches, using a variant of CRISPR genome-editing known as prime editing.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

GPS nanoparticle platform precisely delivers therapeutic payload to cancer cells      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A newly developed 'GPS nanoparticle' injected intravenously can home in on cancer cells to deliver a genetic punch to the protein implicated in tumor growth and spread, according to researchers. They tested their approach in human cell lines and in mice to effectively knock down a cancer-causing gene, reporting that the technique may potentially offer a more precise and effective treatment for notoriously hard-to-treat basal-like breast cancers.

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

Design rules and synthesis of quantum memory candidates      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

In the quest to develop quantum computers and networks, there are many components that are fundamentally different than those used today. Like a modern computer, each of these components has different constraints. However, it is currently unclear what materials can be used to construct those components for the transmission and storage of quantum information.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Physics: Optics
Published

Flexible artificial intelligence optoelectronic sensors towards health monitoring      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is known for its high energy consumption, especially in data-intensive tasks like health monitoring. To address this, researchers have developed a flexible paper-based sensor composed of nanocellulose and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles that operates like the human eyes and brain. The sensor is energy-efficient, responds to optical input in real-time, and is both flexible and easy to dispose of, making it ideal for health monitoring applications.

Chemistry: Biochemistry
Published

Wrist device that monitors activity could help provide early warning of Alzheimer's      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Monitoring daily activity patterns using a wrist-worn device may detect early warning signs of Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Biology: Zoology Chemistry: Biochemistry Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Natural history specimens have never been so accessible      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have painstakingly taken computed topography (CT) scans of more than 13,000 individual specimens to create 3D images of more than half of all the world's animal groups, including mammals, fishes, amphibians and reptiles.