Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Physics: General Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Physicists find unusual waves in nickel-based magnet      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Perturbing electron spins in a magnet usually results in excitations called 'spin waves' that ripple through the magnet like waves moving across the surface of a pond that's been struck by a pebble. Physicists have now discovered dramatically different excitations called 'spin excitons' that can also 'ripple' through a nickel-based magnet as a coherent wave.

Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Thermodynamics
Published

Even as temperatures rise, this hydrogel material keeps absorbing moisture      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Engineers find the hydrogel polyethylene glycol (PEG) doubles its water absorption as temperatures climb from 25 to 50 C, and could be useful for passive cooling or water harvesting in warm climates.

Chemistry: Biochemistry Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Thermodynamics Energy: Alternative Fuels Engineering: Nanotechnology Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry Physics: General Physics: Optics
Published

Chemists propose ultrathin material for doubling solar cell efficiency      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers are studying radical new ways to improve solar power and provide more options for the industry to explore. Chemists are proposing to make solar cells using not silicon, but an abundantly available natural material called molybdenum disulfide. Using a creative combination of photoelectrochemical and spectroscopic techniques, the researchers conducted a series of experiments showing that extremely thin films of molybdenum disulfide display unprecedented charge carrier properties that could someday drastically improve solar technologies.

Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Engineering: Graphene Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: General Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Physicists discover transformable nano-scale electronic devices      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The nano-scale electronic parts in devices like smartphones are solid, static objects that once designed and built cannot transform into anything else. But physicists have reported the discovery of nano-scale devices that can transform into many different shapes and sizes even though they exist in solid states.

Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

Researchers uncover new differences in bacteria's sugar coat to aid pneumococcal vaccine development      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Many disease-causing bacteria like Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) are encased in a sugar layer called the capsular polysaccharide (CPS). This layer is often essential for infections. In a ground-breaking discovery, features of the CPS that help the bacteria to colonize the human respiratory tract were identified. The research showed that the structures of the CPS capsule and its types of linkages and combinations matter greatly in allowing the bacteria to better attach and survive on the lining of the upper and lower human respiratory tracts.

Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry
Published

Researchers successfully establish a strong mechanical bond of immiscible iron and magnesium      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Transport relies heavily on steel. But steel is heavy, and scientists are turning to alternatives to lessen the transportation industry's carbon emissions. Magnesium alloys are one such alternative. But developing bonding technology that bonds magnesium alloys with structural steels has been severely limited because magnesium and iron are immiscible. Now, a research group has established a dealloying bonding technology that obtains a strong mechanical bond between iron and magnesium.

Biology: Microbiology
Published

Female butterflies breed despite male shortage      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Female monarch butterflies have no trouble finding a mate -- even when a parasite kills most of the males, new research shows.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology
Published

New genetic target for male contraception identified      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Discovery of a gene in multiple mammalian species could pave the way for a highly effective, reversible and non-hormonal male contraceptive for humans and animals. Researchers identified expression of the gene, Arrdc5, in the testicular tissue of mice, pigs, cattle and humans. When they knocked out the gene in mice, it created infertility only in the males, impacting their sperm count, movement and shape.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular
Published

Molecular 'Superpower' of antibiotic-resistant bacteria      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A species of ordinary gut bacteria that we all carry flourishes when the intestinal flora is knocked out by a course of antibiotics. Since the bacteria is naturally resistant to many antibiotics, it causes problems, particularly in healthcare settings. A study now shows how two molecular mechanisms can work together make the bacterium extra resistant.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

Different cell types in the brain are affected by tick infection      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The dreaded tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus infects different types of brain cells in different parts of the brain, depending on whether the affected person's immune system is activated or not.

Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Microbiology Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

New discovery stops bacterial virus contamination      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new discovery could help stop bacteria being contaminated with viruses, reducing disruption and decreasing costs in industry and research.

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

How a virus causes chromosomal breakage, leading to cancer      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers describe how the Epstein-Barr virus exploits genomic weaknesses to cause cancer while reducing the body's ability to suppress it.

Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Microbiology Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Air pollution is not just a human problem -- it's also changing the gut of British bumblebees      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Human activity is contributing to pollution that is affecting our health. According to WHO estimates, atmospheric air pollution is estimated to cause 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide per year. Scientists and the public alike are well aware of how human activity and pollution is affecting our heath, but new research has identified how bumblebees may be caught in the crossfire.

Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Thermodynamics Energy: Alternative Fuels Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Gentle method allows for eco-friendly recycling of solar cells      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

By using a new method, precious metals can be efficiently recovered from thin-film solar cells. The method is also more environmentally friendly than previous methods of recycling and paves the way for more flexible and highly efficient solar cells.

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

Where did the first sugars come from?      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Origin-of-life chemists propose that glyoxylate could have been the original source of sugars on the 'prebiotic' Earth

Biology: General Chemistry: General Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Chemistry: Thermodynamics Environmental: General Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Chemists redesign biological PHAs, 'dream' biodegradable plastics      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

They've been called 'dream' plastics: polyhydroxyalkanoates, or PHAs. Already the basis of a fledgling industry, they're a class of polymers naturally created by living microorganisms, or synthetically produced from biorenewable feedstocks. They're biodegradable in the ambient environment, including oceans and soil.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Biology: Zoology
Published

Hairs that help fish feel -- and humans hear      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists are reporting a discovery about unexpected asymmetry on the hair cells of zebrafish that allow them to detect movement with greater sensitivity from the back than the front.