The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc across the globe, leading to widespread sickness and multiple national lockdowns. While certain countries are starting to experience a decline in infection rates, cases still persist, emphasizing the need for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that sustain the virus within the body. Researchers at Kanazawa University have delved
Chemistry
In a breakthrough collaboration, two brothers who are scientists in unrelated fields have joined forces to address a chemical problem concerning the use of silicon in electronic devices. Dr. Tamim Darwish, leader of the National Deuteration Facility (NDF), proposed the idea of deuterating silicon to his brother, Dr. Nadim Darwish, a Senior Lecturer specializing in
For over 200 years, scientists have been grappling with a perplexing geology mystery known as the “Dolomite Problem.” Dolomite, a common mineral found in various geological formations, has been notoriously difficult to grow in laboratory settings under conditions believed to mimic its natural formation. However, a breakthrough study conducted by researchers from the University of
For over two centuries, scientists have grappled with the challenge of growing dolomite, a common mineral found in various geological formations. Dolomite is abundant in older rocks but remarkably absent in younger formations. However, a team of researchers from the University of Michigan and Hokkaido University in Japan has finally managed to grow dolomite in
The cost of cancer drugs is exorbitant, leaving patients burdened with immense financial strain. However, a group of groundbreaking chemists at UCLA, led by organic chemistry professor Ohyun Kwon, have created a solution that may revolutionize the pharmaceutical industry. By implementing a process known as “aminodealkenylation,” these researchers have discovered a cost-effective method for producing
Aspergillosis, caused by the fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus, poses a significant threat to the lives of over 300,000 individuals annually. To address this medical concern, investigators at the University of Kansas have made groundbreaking advancements in deciphering a cluster of genes responsible for the production of sartorypyrones, a chemical associated with Aspergillosis. Their findings, published
Alchemy, a practice that captivated minds for centuries, bestowed upon the world many unsolved mysteries. One such enigma was the production of purple smoke upon detonation of fulminating gold, the world’s first known high explosive. After centuries of speculation, scientists at the University of Bristol have finally provided an answer to this 400-year-old puzzle. In
The field of vaccine design and immunotherapy has been revolutionized by the discovery of small molecules called immunomodulators. These molecules have the potential to enhance immune response and create more effective vaccines and treatments for diseases like cancer. However, the challenge lies in identifying the right molecules from a vast chemical space consisting of an
Crystalline materials play a crucial role in various industries, ranging from semiconductors to pharmaceuticals. However, identifying the structure of crystalline materials can often be a complex and time-consuming task, especially when dealing with multiphase samples containing different types of crystals. In recent years, machine learning has emerged as a powerful tool for data analysis and
A team of pioneering researchers from the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) has made remarkable progress in the complex field of molecular chemistry. Their groundbreaking focus lies on azaarenes, a type of unique molecular puzzle pieces that hold great importance in various everyday products, ranging from eco-friendly agrochemicals to essential medicines. By
Spectroscopy, a scientific field that studies the interaction between light and matter, heavily relies on the understanding of absorption and fluorescence properties of molecules and materials. An absorption band signifies the range of wavelengths at which a material absorbs light, leading to the transition of electrons to higher energy states. Conversely, fluorescence bands correspond to
In a groundbreaking new study, chemists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have made significant strides in understanding the development of semiconductor materials that harness the power of chirality. Chirality, a non-superimposable mirror image, is a natural phenomenon that plays a crucial role in building complex structures. For example, the iconic double helix structure of
Chemical reactions play a critical role in drug development, and one atom that has gained a reputation as a “magic bullet” in this process is fluorine. Fluorine has the unique ability to increase a drug’s absorption and prolong its lifetime, making it a highly sought-after component in pharmaceuticals. However, traditional methods of incorporating fluorine into
The pharmaceutical industry heavily relies on the physical properties of pharmaceutical and functional materials to determine their performance. These properties, such as stability and solubility, are known to depend on factors like the solid-state form and environmental conditions. Late appearing, more stable forms can lead to the disappearance of polymorphs and potentially the withdrawal of
In today’s society, synthetic polymers play a critical role in various aspects of our lives, from the clothes we wear to the products we use. These materials are composed of long chains of monomers, and their molecular composition greatly influences their functionality and properties. However, until now, scientists have lacked an effective method for sequencing
