Chemistry

Vitamin B6 is a crucial nutrient for brain metabolism, as highlighted by researchers from Würzburg University Medicine. Studies have shown that a deficiency in vitamin B6 can have detrimental effects on brain performance, leading to impaired memory, learning abilities, and even mood disorders. Individuals with low levels of vitamin B6 may be at a higher

High-entropy alloys have been gaining attention in the scientific community for their potential to withstand extreme environments, such as those in nuclear fusion reactors and hypersonic flights. These alloys, made up of complex combinations of multiple metals, are designed to achieve specific properties like strength, toughness, and resistance to corrosion. One such alloy, the Cantor

California’s transition to renewable fuels presents a challenge in the form of storing power for the electric grid. The fluctuating nature of solar and wind power, which drops at night and declines in winter, poses a hurdle in maintaining a consistent energy supply. As a result, the state heavily relies on natural gas to balance

Hydrogen (H2) has long been recognized as a promising fuel for reducing greenhouse gases, particularly when produced through the splitting of water molecules (H2O) using renewable energy sources. Despite the apparent simplicity of this process, the chemistry behind breaking water into hydrogen and oxygen is extraordinarily complex. This complexity arises from the need for catalysts

It’s a common woe many of us face – split ends. We all have those days where our hair just doesn’t cooperate, but what exactly causes this hair damage? The team at Trinity College Dublin, led by Professor David Taylor, has taken on the challenge of investigating this knotty problem. While Prof. Taylor is no

Halogen bonds play a crucial role in directing sequential dynamics in multi-functional crystals, offering insights into ultrafast-response times for optical storage. These intermolecular interactions are formed between a halogen atom and another atom with high electron density, influencing crystal engineering and the study of photoinduced structural deformations. A team of researchers led by Assistant Professor

A groundbreaking technology has emerged to revolutionize the production of green hydrogen by addressing the limitations of current catalyst electrodes. Led by a team of researchers from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering at UNIST, along with collaborators from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

The process of converting methane into methanol is currently energy and resource-intensive, relying heavily on rare and expensive transition or noble metals. While catalyst systems for direct oxidation of methane to methanol have been developed in the past decade, most of them have been using these costly metals. A recent study by a group of

In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers at the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science have unlocked the potential of MOF-525, a material with the ability to extract valuable resources from captured carbon dioxide. This breakthrough has far-reaching implications for addressing the issue of greenhouse gas emissions and has the potential to revolutionize the

Auxetic materials are a category of materials that defy common sense by becoming wider and fatter when stretched and thinner when compressed. These materials have unique properties that make them perfect for a variety of applications, from sneaker insoles to bomb-resilient buildings. Despite their potential, auxetic products have been slow to enter the market. Researchers

In a groundbreaking study published in Science, Prof. Bozhi Tian’s lab has developed a prototype for what they call “living bioelectronics.” This innovative technology combines living cells, gel, and electronics to create devices that can seamlessly integrate with living tissue. The team’s patches, composed of sensors, bacterial cells, and a starch-gelatin mix, have shown promising

The field of chemical reactions is constantly evolving, with researchers at UC Santa Barbara pushing the boundaries by harnessing the power of light. In a groundbreaking study published in Nature, chemistry professor Yang Yang and his team from the University of Pittsburgh unveiled a novel approach using photobiocatalysis to synthesize non-canonical amino acids. These amino

Protein structure prediction has long been a significant focus for researchers seeking to understand the complexities of human health and disease. The way in which proteins fold into unique structures plays a crucial role in determining their functions and interactions within the body. Traditional computational approaches have been instrumental in this field, but limitations exist

Proteins are vital molecules in the functioning of cells, carrying out various processes essential for life. To perform their functions accurately, proteins must have the correct three-dimensional structure. Recently, the HUN-REN-ELTE Protein Modeling Research Group introduced a groundbreaking method in Nature Communications called LoCoHD (Local Composition Hellinger Distance), which allows for the comparison of protein

The biorefining industry has long grappled with the challenge of commercializing lignin, a bio-based compound abundant in wood biomass. Chemists from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have introduced an innovative approach to harness lignin condensation for the efficient utilization of lignocellulose. This novel method, which was published