Chemistry

A group of counterfeiters was recently caught producing fake luxury jewelry items by pouring molten metal into molds produced from the original jewelry. In a similar way, a template scaffold can produce an endless amount of molecular crystals of any shape or form. Researchers at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) have used this

A new study conducted by researchers at Stanford University, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the University of Maryland, and Colorado State University has found a previously unknown reason why foods cooked at high temperatures, such as red meat and deep-fried foods, elevate the risk of cancer. The research discovered that the DNA

Polymers have become indispensable in our daily lives, from clothing to electronic devices, but their inability to decompose easily has led to long-term environmental challenges. The development of sustainable polymers with a more sustainable life cycle is crucial to help address this environmental crisis. However, the development of biodegradable polymers remains limited by current biodegradation

A new method has been developed to map the optical absorption of molecules in the electric field of an ultrashort terahertz pulse, which helps determine the strength and dynamics of electric interactions. Molecules in water and other polar media are subject to strong electric forces that originate from their liquid environment. At ambient temperature, this

A group of scientists and engineers, including researchers from The University of Texas at Austin, have developed a new class of materials that can absorb low energy light and turn it into higher energy light. The group achieved this through combining ultra-small silicon nanoparticles and organic molecules, closely related to those used in OLED TVs.

Urban populations face critical issues of food waste and food-borne diseases, which contribute to greenhouse emissions and environmental costs. Food spoilage remains the primary cause of such waste. Therefore, it is essential to improve the processing, transportation, and preservation of food in line with current technological advancements. Unfortunately, present monitoring processes are inefficient, expensive, and

Scientists from Radboud University have created synthetic molecules that mimic the behavior of real organic molecules. A team of researchers led by Alex Khajetoorians and Daniel Wegner have developed the ability to simulate the behavior of real molecules by using artificial molecules. This breakthrough allows properties of molecules to be tweaked in ways that were

The activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is responsible for relaying molecular signals in the body, which affects various bodily processes. It is estimated that around one-third of existing drugs work by controlling the activation of this protein. However, drugs that activate multiple signaling pathways rather than a specific target pathway can lead to adverse

As summer approaches, people all across America are getting ready to fire up their grills and cook everything from hot dogs to steaks. However, millions of Americans with seafood allergies cannot eat shrimp, a delicacy that many people enjoy during this season. However, researchers have developed a new method that could change that. The Journal

Chemists at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) in collaboration with K. Barry Sharpless, a two-time Nobel laureate, have developed a new chemical transformation they call phosphorus fluoride exchange (PFEx). The new technique snaps together chemical building blocks to form new molecules, leading to a vast array of complex molecules that can be explored. This

Researchers at the University of Helsinki and from the United States have found a new small molecule that can inhibit cells from producing cytokine proteins that promote inflammation. Cytokines are responsible for the onset of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. By inhibiting a target protein called Sec61, the researchers were able to alleviate arthritis symptoms

In 1923, Fritz Pregl was awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry for his contributions to quantitative microanalysis, which became a crucial tool to determine the elements present in a sample or compound. This technique has been widely adopted in the field of chemistry to determine the identity and purity of a chemical. However, the long-accepted

Quantum mechanics is a complex field that is difficult to visualize. However, researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have developed a new illustration technique that displays quantum features in an easy-to-read diagram called a coherence map. Using this technique, the researchers were able to study the quantum mechanisms that underlay photosynthesis, the process by

Studying radioactive materials is a challenging task due to the potential health risks associated with them, as well as their high costs. Some radioisotopes can cost more than $10,000 per microgram, making them difficult to study in detail. Furthermore, some radioisotopes cannot be produced in sufficient quantities, adding to the difficulties of studying them. However,

A team of biochemical engineers from the University of California, Irvine, has developed a finite state machine (FSM) using microfluidic valves and a pneumatic circuit to create a lab-on-a-chip. The goal of automating many chemical processes currently done by hand has been sought after by mechanical and biochemical engineers for several years. By automating these