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Categories: Biology: Developmental, Physics: Optics
Published Combined microscopy technique catches light-driven polymers in the act
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have used tip-scan high-speed atomic force microscopy combined with an optical microscope to observe light-induced deformation of azo-polymer films. The process could be followed in real time, and the film patterns were found to change with the polarization of the light source. The observations will contribute to the use of azo-polymers in applications such as optical data storage, and the approach is expected to be useful across materials science and physical chemistry.
Published Research sheds light on new strategy to treat infertility
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source New research describes the science behind a promising technique to treat infertility by turning a skin cell into an egg that is capable of producing viable embryos. The technique could be used by women of advanced maternal age or for those who are unable to produce viable eggs due to previous treatment for cancer or other causes. It also raises the possibility of men in same-sex relationships having children who are genetically related to both parents.
Published New study discovers how altered protein folding drives multicellular evolution
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have discovered a mechanism steering the evolution of multicellular life. They identified how altered protein folding drives multicellular evolution.
Published Mutation solves a century-old mystery in meiosis
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A team deciphers complicated mechanism underlying genetic diversity.
Published Tiny wireless light bulbs for biomedical applications
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source The combination of OLEDs and acoustic antennas creates a light source that could be used for minimally invasive treatment methods.
Published Researchers develop artificial building blocks of life
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source For the first time, scientists have developed artificial nucleotides, the building blocks of DNA, with several additional properties in the laboratory.
Published Vitamin A may play a central role in stem cell biology and wound repair
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Retinoic acid, the active state of Vitamin A, appears to regulate how stem cells enter and exit a transient state central to their role in wound repair.
Published How does a virus hijack insect sperm to control disease vectors and pests?
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A widespread bacteria called Wolbachia and a virus that it carries can cause sterility in male insects by hijacking their sperm, preventing them from fertilizing eggs of females that do not have the same combination of bacteria and virus. A new study has uncovered how this microbial combination manipulates sperm, which could lead to refined techniques to control populations of agricultural pests and insects that carry diseases like Zika and dengue to humans.
Published The Malaria parasite generates genetic diversity using an evolutionary 'copy-paste' tactic
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source All modern Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite in humans, are descendants of one initial infection and so are very closely related, with relatively limited genetic differences. A long-standing mystery in the field has revolved around a very few locations in the P. falciparum genome where there are 'spikes' of mutations -- far more than anywhere else. Researchers have identified two genes in which these unusual mutation spikes result from DNA being copied and pasted from one gene to another.
Published Cracking epigenetic inheritance: Biologists discovered the secrets of how gene traits are passed on
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A research team has recently made a significant breakthrough in understanding how the DNA copying machine helps pass on epigenetic information to maintain gene traits at each cell division. Understanding how this coupled mechanism could lead to new treatments for cancer and other epigenetic diseases by targeting specific changes in gene activity.
Published Powerless mechanoluminescent touchscreen underwater
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Scientists have developed an optical display based on mechano-optical mechanisms.
Published Making quantum bits fly
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Physicists are developing a method that could enable the stable exchange of information in quantum computers. In the leading role: photons that make quantum bits 'fly'.
Published Universal tool for tracking cell-to-cell interactions
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source An updated method for directly observing physical interactions between cells, could allow scientists to one day map every possible cell interaction.
Published Synthetic gene helps explain the mysteries of transcription across species
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source 'Random DNA' is naturally active in the one-celled fungi yeast, while such DNA is turned off as its natural state in mammalian cells, despite their having a common ancestor a billion years ago and the same basic molecular machinery, a new study finds.
Published Compact chips advance precision timing for communications, navigation and other applications
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Precision timing and synchronization are crucial for navigation, communication and radar systems. Scientists have built compact chips capable of converting light into microwaves, which could improve these systems. This technology shrinks a tabletop system into a chip-sized format, reducing power usage and making it more applicable for use in everyday devices.
Published Decoding the language of epigenetic modifications
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Epigenetic changes play important roles in cancer, metabolic and aging-related diseases, but also during loss of resilience as they cause the genetic material to be incorrectly interpreted in affected cells. A major study now provides important new insights into how complex epigenetic modification signatures regulate the genome. This study will pave the way for new treatments of diseases caused by faulty epigenetic machineries.
Published Aluminum nanoparticles make tunable green catalysts
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A nanotechnology pioneer has uncovered a transformative approach to harnessing the catalytic power of aluminum nanoparticles by annealing them in various gas atmospheres at high temperatures.
Published Using light to precisely control single-molecule devices
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers flip the switch at the nanoscale by applying light to induce bonding for single-molecule device switching.
Published Lab-grown liver organoid to speed up turtle research, making useful traits easier to harness
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers developed protocols for growing organoids that mimic a turtle liver, the first organoids developed for a turtle and only the second for any reptile. The discovery will aid deeper study of turtle genetics, including the cause of traits with potential medical applications for humans such as the ability to survive weeks without oxygen.
Published New method measures the 3D position of individual atoms
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Since more than a decade it has been possible for physicists to accurately measure the location of individual atoms to a precision of smaller than one thousandth of a millimeter using a special type of microscope. However, this method has so far only provided the x and y coordinates. Information on the vertical position of the atom -- i.e., the distance between the atom and the microscope objective -- is lacking. A new method has now been developed that can determine all three spatial coordinates of an atom with one single image.