Goodbye to green?
Wherever ecologists look, from tropical forests to tundra, ecosystems are being transformed by human land use and climate change. Researchers at the University of Bergen have found fossil evidence that the rate of vegetation change began to accelerate between 4.6 and 2.8 thousand years ago and the acceleration is only increasing.
Their analysis is detailed in Science: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/372/6544/860
#sciencenews #ecology
Wherever ecologists look, from tropical forests to tundra, ecosystems are being transformed by human land use and climate change. Researchers at the University of Bergen have found fossil evidence that the rate of vegetation change began to accelerate between 4.6 and 2.8 thousand years ago and the acceleration is only increasing.
Their analysis is detailed in Science: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/372/6544/860
#sciencenews #ecology
Science
Global acceleration in rates of vegetation change over the past 18,000 years
Although much is known about the rapid environmental changes that have occurred since the Industrial Revolution, the patterns of change over the preceding millennia have been only patchily understood. Using a global set of >1100 fossil pollen records, Mottl…
A new form of carbon.
Researchers at Aalto University have discovered a new carbon network made up of an ordered lattice of squares, hexagons, and octagons. The so-called biphenylene network has metallic properties at sizes where graphene is already a semiconductor.
The new material is characterized in Science: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/372/6544/852
Researchers at Aalto University have discovered a new carbon network made up of an ordered lattice of squares, hexagons, and octagons. The so-called biphenylene network has metallic properties at sizes where graphene is already a semiconductor.
The new material is characterized in Science: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/372/6544/852
Science
Biphenylene network: A nonbenzenoid carbon allotrope
Although graphene forms two-dimensional carbon sheets, other arrangements of carbon rings could also assemble as flat sheers. Fan et al. synthesized an ultraflat biphenylene carbon sheet consisting of sp2-hybridized carbon atoms forming four-, six-, and eight…
Controlled ionisation.
Ionization energy is one of the most important physicochemical parameters. Kazan Federal University physicists have described how the ionisation energy of atoms contained in photonic crystals can be tuned, allowing the synthesis of new compounds to be accessed.
The work has recently been published in Physics Letters A: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0375960121002711?via%3Dihub
#sciencenews #physics #science
Ionization energy is one of the most important physicochemical parameters. Kazan Federal University physicists have described how the ionisation energy of atoms contained in photonic crystals can be tuned, allowing the synthesis of new compounds to be accessed.
The work has recently been published in Physics Letters A: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0375960121002711?via%3Dihub
#sciencenews #physics #science
Sciencedirect
Quantum electrodynamics in photonic crystals and controllability of ionization energy of atoms
The periodic changes in the physical and chemical properties of the chemical elements are caused by the periodic change of the ionization energies, wh…
Stem cell tuning.
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have quantified how mesenchymal stem cells respond to the mechanical stiffness of their environments. Specific proteins can be localized in the cell nucleus depending on the stiffness. Their findings will help scientists control the state of stem cells in medical treatments.
Their work has been published in Analytical Sciences: https://doi.org/10.2116/analsci.20SCP02
#sciencenews #biology #genetics #medicine
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have quantified how mesenchymal stem cells respond to the mechanical stiffness of their environments. Specific proteins can be localized in the cell nucleus depending on the stiffness. Their findings will help scientists control the state of stem cells in medical treatments.
Their work has been published in Analytical Sciences: https://doi.org/10.2116/analsci.20SCP02
#sciencenews #biology #genetics #medicine
SpringerLink
Designing Elastic Modulus of Cell Culture Substrate to Regulate YAP and RUNX2 Localization for Controlling Differentiation of Human…
Analytical Sciences - To establish a guideline for the design of cell culture substrates to control human mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation, we quantitatively characterized the...
Safe to drink.
Micropollutants such as steroid hormones contaminate drinking water worldwide and pose a significant threat to human health. Scientists at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology have developed a new chemical process to remove hormones using photocatalysis to transform the pollutants into safe products.
The results can be viewed in Applied Catalysis B: Environmental: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S092633732100223X?via%3Dihub
#sciencenews #environment
Micropollutants such as steroid hormones contaminate drinking water worldwide and pose a significant threat to human health. Scientists at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology have developed a new chemical process to remove hormones using photocatalysis to transform the pollutants into safe products.
The results can be viewed in Applied Catalysis B: Environmental: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S092633732100223X?via%3Dihub
#sciencenews #environment
Sciencedirect
Photodegradation of steroid-hormone micropollutants in a flow-through membrane reactor coated with Pd(II)-porphyrin
The efficient degradation of steroid-hormone micropollutants is demonstrated in a single-pass, continuous operation of the photocatalytic membrane rea…
Light out of thin air.
Most commercial chemicals require catalysts to produce, which normally take the form of metal nanoparticles. A team at Vienna University of Technology have shown how the atomic scale surface structures of such catalysts can critically influence their reactive properties. They visualise the oxidation of hydrogen on a single rhodium nanoparticle in real time.
Their insights are published in Science: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/05/19/science.abf8107
#sciencenews #nano #physics
Most commercial chemicals require catalysts to produce, which normally take the form of metal nanoparticles. A team at Vienna University of Technology have shown how the atomic scale surface structures of such catalysts can critically influence their reactive properties. They visualise the oxidation of hydrogen on a single rhodium nanoparticle in real time.
Their insights are published in Science: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2021/05/19/science.abf8107
#sciencenews #nano #physics
Science
Resolving multifrequential oscillations and nanoscale interfacet communication in single-particle catalysis
In heterogeneous catalysis research, the reactivity of the individual nanofacets of single particle is typically not resolved. We applied in situ field electron microscopy (FEM) to the apex of a curved rhodium crystal (radius of 650 nanometers), providing…
Plastic to combat pollution.
Biodegradable plastics are better for the environment, but their rapid degradation means they can’t be recycled. Researchers from the University of Canterbury have developed a method to convert the plastics to a foam that can be reused for insulation or flotation devices.
Their method is described in the journal Physics of Fluids: https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/5.0050649
#sciencenews #environment #chemistry
Biodegradable plastics are better for the environment, but their rapid degradation means they can’t be recycled. Researchers from the University of Canterbury have developed a method to convert the plastics to a foam that can be reused for insulation or flotation devices.
Their method is described in the journal Physics of Fluids: https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/5.0050649
#sciencenews #environment #chemistry
AIP Publishing
Recycling and rheology of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) to make foams using supercritical fluid
Biodegradable plastics are thought to be the possible directions in managing plastic pollutions. Unfortunately, they are not recycled in most countries since they are designed to decompose even tho...
Recycling electric vehicle batteries.
University of Leicester researchers have developed an ultrasonic delamination technique to controllably separate the different metals used in lithium-ion batteries, improving the yield and purity of the recovered materials.
Their analysis is detailed in Green Chemistry: http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/D1GC01623G
#sciencenews #chemistry #environment
University of Leicester researchers have developed an ultrasonic delamination technique to controllably separate the different metals used in lithium-ion batteries, improving the yield and purity of the recovered materials.
Their analysis is detailed in Green Chemistry: http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/D1GC01623G
#sciencenews #chemistry #environment
pubs.rsc.org
Lithium ion battery recycling using high-intensity ultrasonication
Decarbonisation of energy will rely heavily, at least initially, on the use of lithium ion batteries for automotive transportation. The projected volumes of batteries necessitate the development of fast and efficient recycling protocols. Current methods are…
Down the nano-hole.
A sensing technique developed at the University of Cambridge has been used to reveal the fundamental physics governing the transport of DNA threads through nanopores. They assembled DNA molecules with ‘bumps’ at specific locations that could be used to track the passage of the molecule.
The study is published in Nature Physics: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41567-021-01268-2
#sciencenews #genetics #nano
A sensing technique developed at the University of Cambridge has been used to reveal the fundamental physics governing the transport of DNA threads through nanopores. They assembled DNA molecules with ‘bumps’ at specific locations that could be used to track the passage of the molecule.
The study is published in Nature Physics: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41567-021-01268-2
#sciencenews #genetics #nano
Nature Physics
Dynamics of driven polymer transport through a nanopore
Nature Physics - A study of the dynamics of polymer translocation through synthetic nanopores provides a direct observation of tension propagation—a non-equilibrium description of the...
Life beneath Antarctic ice.
Pioneering research at the University of Bristol has shown the erosion of ancient sediments found deep beneath Antarctic ice is a vital source of the nutrients and energy needed to sustain for subglacial microbial life. Their lab-based experiments replicated the conditions in Lake Whillans, 800m underneath Antarctica, where crushed sediments could release methane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen in substantial concentrations.
Learn about their insight in Communications Earth & Environment: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-021-00202-x?proof=t
#sciencenews #environment
Pioneering research at the University of Bristol has shown the erosion of ancient sediments found deep beneath Antarctic ice is a vital source of the nutrients and energy needed to sustain for subglacial microbial life. Their lab-based experiments replicated the conditions in Lake Whillans, 800m underneath Antarctica, where crushed sediments could release methane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen in substantial concentrations.
Learn about their insight in Communications Earth & Environment: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-021-00202-x?proof=t
#sciencenews #environment
Nature
Subglacial erosion has the potential to sustain microbial processes in Subglacial Lake Whillans, Antarctica
Communications Earth & Environment - The crushing and wetting of rocks by erosion under glaciers produces chemical compounds that could fuel microbial activity, as demonstrated by experiments...
The earthworm in a new light.
By combining novel imaging techniques, a team of researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology has imaged the exciting variety of chemical interactions that take place inside the earthworm. Their chemo-histo-tomography method combines chemical imaging of the metabolites using mass spectrometry with micro-computed X-ray tomography of the microanatomy of the animal.
The work has recently been published in PNAS: http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2023773118
#sciencenews #microscopy #biology #microbiology
By combining novel imaging techniques, a team of researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology has imaged the exciting variety of chemical interactions that take place inside the earthworm. Their chemo-histo-tomography method combines chemical imaging of the metabolites using mass spectrometry with micro-computed X-ray tomography of the microanatomy of the animal.
The work has recently been published in PNAS: http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2023773118
#sciencenews #microscopy #biology #microbiology
PNAS
Connecting structure and function from organisms to molecules in small-animal symbioses through chemo-histo-tomography
Metabolites mediate the establishment and persistence of most interkingdom symbioses. Still, to pinpoint the metabolites each partner displays upon interaction remains the biggest challenge in studying multiorganismal assemblages. Addressing this challenge…
Visualizing atomic-scale structures with the optical force.
Researchers from Osaka University have achieved the first ever sub-nanometre resolution in photoinduced atomic force microscopy. They eliminated noise sources to map out the forces acting on quantum dots in 3D with a precision never previously achieved.
Their work has been published in Nature Communications: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-24136-2
#sciencenews #microscopy #quantum
Researchers from Osaka University have achieved the first ever sub-nanometre resolution in photoinduced atomic force microscopy. They eliminated noise sources to map out the forces acting on quantum dots in 3D with a precision never previously achieved.
Their work has been published in Nature Communications: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-24136-2
#sciencenews #microscopy #quantum
Nature
Optical force mapping at the single-nanometre scale
Nature Communications - Direct visualisation of 3D vector distributions of photoinduced fields can shed light on the optical and mechanical behaviour of different materials. Here, the authors...
A mouse in a Petri dish.
University of Virginia biologists have grown the most sophisticated in-vitro mammal model known from stem cells. The tiny mouse embryo has a heart that beats, and its muscles, blood vessels, gut, and nervous system are beginning to develop. The model will aid understanding of mammalian development to help grow new tissues and organs for transplants.
Their latest results are published in Nature Communications: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-23653-4
#sciencenews #biology #embriology
University of Virginia biologists have grown the most sophisticated in-vitro mammal model known from stem cells. The tiny mouse embryo has a heart that beats, and its muscles, blood vessels, gut, and nervous system are beginning to develop. The model will aid understanding of mammalian development to help grow new tissues and organs for transplants.
Their latest results are published in Nature Communications: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-23653-4
#sciencenews #biology #embriology
Nature Communications
Construction of a mammalian embryo model from stem cells organized by a morphogen signalling centre
Following instruction by a morphogen secreting centre, aggregates of mouse embryonic stem cells develop into embryo-like structures organized around an axial mesoderm, which show extensive...
On the brink of chaos.
Scientists at the University of Sydney and Japan's National Institute for Material Science have discovered that an artificial network of nanowires can be tuned to respond in a brain-like way to electrical stimuli. By keeping the network of nanowires in a chaotic, brain-like state optimized its performance.
Their insights are published in Nature Communications: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-24260-z
#sciencenews #nano #AI
Scientists at the University of Sydney and Japan's National Institute for Material Science have discovered that an artificial network of nanowires can be tuned to respond in a brain-like way to electrical stimuli. By keeping the network of nanowires in a chaotic, brain-like state optimized its performance.
Their insights are published in Nature Communications: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-24260-z
#sciencenews #nano #AI
Nature Communications
Avalanches and edge-of-chaos learning in neuromorphic nanowire networks
Neuromorphic nanowire networks are found to exhibit neural-like dynamics, including phase transitions and avalanche criticality. Hochstetter and Kuncic et al. show that the dynamical state at the...
Quantum random numbers.
Most random numbers aren’t truly random. However, using quantum computers can achieve levels of randomness only limited by the basic laws of quantum physics. Researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China have built the fastest known real-time quantum random number generator by combining state-of-the-art photonic integration with advanced post-processing technologies.
Their machine is described in Applied Physics Letters: https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/5.0056027
#sciencenews #Quantum #photonic
Most random numbers aren’t truly random. However, using quantum computers can achieve levels of randomness only limited by the basic laws of quantum physics. Researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China have built the fastest known real-time quantum random number generator by combining state-of-the-art photonic integration with advanced post-processing technologies.
Their machine is described in Applied Physics Letters: https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/5.0056027
#sciencenews #Quantum #photonic
AIP Publishing
18.8 Gbps real-time quantum random number generator with a photonic integrated chip
Quantum random number generators (QRNGs) can produce true random numbers. Yet, the two most important QRNG parameters highly desired for practical applications, i.e., speed and size, have to be com...
Environmental brain effects.
A stimulating environment helps to keep the hippocampus young through molecular mechanisms affecting gene regulation. Studies in mice by the German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases provide clues as to why an active, varied lifestyle can help preserve mental acuity in old age.
Their insights are described in Nature Communications: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-23993-1
#sciencenews #environment #biology
A stimulating environment helps to keep the hippocampus young through molecular mechanisms affecting gene regulation. Studies in mice by the German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases provide clues as to why an active, varied lifestyle can help preserve mental acuity in old age.
Their insights are described in Nature Communications: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-23993-1
#sciencenews #environment #biology
Nature
Environmental enrichment preserves a young DNA methylation landscape in the aged mouse hippocampus
Nature Communications - Decline of brain function during aging is associated with epigenetic changes, including DNA methylation. Here the authors provide evidence that environmental enrichment...
Viruses fighting cancer.
Researchers at the Luxembourg Institute of Health have developed a cancer-destroying virus that binds to laminins on the surface of cancer cells to gain entry to the cell before ultimately killing it. The viruses hold significant potential for deployment in targeted cancer therapies.
The work has recently been published in Nature Communications: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-24034-7
#sciencenews #medicine #health
Researchers at the Luxembourg Institute of Health have developed a cancer-destroying virus that binds to laminins on the surface of cancer cells to gain entry to the cell before ultimately killing it. The viruses hold significant potential for deployment in targeted cancer therapies.
The work has recently been published in Nature Communications: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-24034-7
#sciencenews #medicine #health
Nature
Oncolytic H-1 parvovirus binds to sialic acid on laminins for cell attachment and entry
Nature Communications - Rat H-1 parvovirus (H-1PV) is in clinical development for oncolytic therapy. Here, Kulkarni et al. identify LAMC1 as a modulator of H-1PV cell attachment and entry and find...
Fighting Alzheimer’s.
Researchers from the University of Barcelona are working to develop new compounds that can bind to specific receptors in the brain linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Their studies in mice improved the cognitive deficit and the biomarkers related to the disease.
Their work has been published in the European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0223523421003895?via%3Dihub
#sciencenews #biology #neuroscience
Researchers from the University of Barcelona are working to develop new compounds that can bind to specific receptors in the brain linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Their studies in mice improved the cognitive deficit and the biomarkers related to the disease.
Their work has been published in the European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0223523421003895?via%3Dihub
#sciencenews #biology #neuroscience
Sciencedirect
Benzofuranyl-2-imidazoles as imidazoline I2 receptor ligands for Alzheimer's disease
Recent findings unveil the pharmacological modulation of imidazoline I2 receptors (I2-IR) as a novel strategy to face unmet medical neurodegenerative …
Kirigami cameras.
University of Houston researchers have developed a kirigami-inspired camera with a curvy, adaptable imaging sensor that could improve image quality in endoscopes, night-vision goggles, artificial compound eyes and fish-eye cameras.
Learn about their system in Nature Electronics: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41928-021-00600-1
#sciencenews #sensors #physics #optics
University of Houston researchers have developed a kirigami-inspired camera with a curvy, adaptable imaging sensor that could improve image quality in endoscopes, night-vision goggles, artificial compound eyes and fish-eye cameras.
Learn about their system in Nature Electronics: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41928-021-00600-1
#sciencenews #sensors #physics #optics
Nature Electronics
Curvy, shape-adaptive imagers based on printed optoelectronic pixels with a kirigami design
Curvy and shape-adaptive imagers with high pixel fill factors and tunable focusing power can be created by transferring an array of ultrathin silicon optoelectronic pixels with a kirigami design...
Vision in mice.
Mouse vision was thought to be different to that of humans because humans have a region of the retina specialized for fine details called the 'fovea' whereas mice do not. However, researchers from the Netherlands Institute of Neuroscience have shown that the visual cortex of mice in fact contains a region of enhanced visual sensitivity - the 'focea'. This makes mice a better model for human vision than previously predicted.
The results can be read in Nature Communications: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-24311-5
#sciencenews #biology #neuroscience
Mouse vision was thought to be different to that of humans because humans have a region of the retina specialized for fine details called the 'fovea' whereas mice do not. However, researchers from the Netherlands Institute of Neuroscience have shown that the visual cortex of mice in fact contains a region of enhanced visual sensitivity - the 'focea'. This makes mice a better model for human vision than previously predicted.
The results can be read in Nature Communications: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-24311-5
#sciencenews #biology #neuroscience
Nature Communications
Mouse visual cortex contains a region of enhanced spatial resolution
Nature Communications - The representation of space in mouse visual cortex was considered to be relatively uniform. The authors show that mice have improved visual resolution in a cortical region...
Synthesising cancer treatments.
Rice University chemists have developed a simplified method for the facile synthesis of halichondrin B and related compounds. This important molecule has potent anti-tumour properties of great interest to medical research.
Their insights are published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society: http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jacs.1c05270
#sciencenews #chemistry #cancer
Rice University chemists have developed a simplified method for the facile synthesis of halichondrin B and related compounds. This important molecule has potent anti-tumour properties of great interest to medical research.
Their insights are published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society: http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jacs.1c05270
#sciencenews #chemistry #cancer
ACS Publications
A Reverse Approach to the Total Synthesis of Halichondrin B
A new strategy is described for the total synthesis of halichondrin B featuring reversal of the sequential construction of a number of its cyclic ethers from the classical approach by instead forming C–O bonds first followed by C–C bond formation. Employing…