Chemistry

Water is a fascinating substance with many unique properties that make it stand out from other liquids. One of the most interesting aspects of water is the behavior of its molecules at the interface with air. A recent study published in Nature Communications by RIKEN scientists sheds light on how water molecules at the surface

Chemistry has always been a field that thrives on innovation and discovery. Recently, a team of chemists at the University of Bremen in Germany has made a groundbreaking development in the world of nitrenes. Nitrenes are typically known for their fast reactions, lasting only nanoseconds, which has limited their use in commercial applications. However, this

Somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) are a critical family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that play a vital role in regulating hormone secretion and inhibiting tumor growth. Specifically, SSTR5, among its five subtypes, is highly expressed in the pituitary gland, governing the release of important hormones such as adrenocorticotropic hormone, prolactin, and growth hormone. This makes SSTR5

In a groundbreaking research collaboration between the University of Leiden in the Netherlands and the John Innes Centre in the UK, a new approach to antibiotic discovery has been unveiled. The project focused on repurposing existing drugs for their potential as antibiotics, leading to the identification of a highly promising candidate with a unique mechanism

Shooting a movie in the lab is no simple task, especially when the actors are molecules engaged in complex reactions invisible to the naked eye. Professor Emiliano Cortés, an expert in Experimental Physics and Energy Conversion at LMU, compares the challenge to capturing tiny lava flows during a volcanic eruption with just a smartphone camera

The challenges posed by cryogenic damage in organ preservation have long been a significant barrier to advancements in transplantation and medical treatments. The formation of ice crystals during freezing can compromise cellular structures, leading to irreversible damage and organ failure. This issue significantly impacts the potential success of organ preservation, affecting thousands of people worldwide

Tungsten pentaboride, also known as WB5-x, has been the focus of a recent study led by Professor Alexander Kvashnin from Skoltech’s Energy Transition Center. This substance is gaining attention for its potential use as a catalyst or co-catalyst in various applications such as industrial exhaust gas cleaning, precious metal mining, and hydrogen production through photocatalysis.

The process of breaking down esters to produce alcohols and other chemicals has traditionally been costly both financially and environmentally. Conventional methods require excess amounts of highly reactive and difficult to handle metal reductants, making the process inefficient and unsustainable in the long run. Researchers at the National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS) in Japan

Chemists at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have made a breakthrough in the field of chemical synthesis by developing hexavalent photocatalytic covalent organic frameworks (COFs). These frameworks have the potential to mimic natural photosynthesis to produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a vital industrial chemical. The Need for Innovation Traditionally, the production of H2O2 has been

Vitamin B6 plays a crucial role in brain metabolism, affecting memory, learning abilities, and mood. Research has shown that a low level of vitamin B6 is associated with various mental illnesses, including depression and cognitive decline in older individuals. While the importance of vitamin B6 in mental health has been recognized for decades, there is

Stainless steel has long been valued for its durability, rust resistance, and even cooking properties when subjected to heat. The metal chromium, a key component of stainless steel, reacts with oxygen in the air to create a protective layer that shields the steel underneath from environmental damage. This unique characteristic has made stainless steel a

As California transitions rapidly to renewable fuels, it faces the challenge of storing power for the electric grid. Solar power drops at night and declines in winter, while wind power fluctuates. This reliance on natural gas to balance the highs and lows of renewable power highlights the need for new technologies in energy storage. The

The development of hydrogen (H2) as a fuel source is a promising solution for reducing greenhouse gases. One of the key challenges in utilizing hydrogen as a fuel is the production of this element through the splitting of water molecules. The process of breaking water into hydrogen and oxygen is complex and requires catalysts to

Hair damage is a common issue that many people face, with split ends being a particularly frustrating problem. Despite its prevalence, the science behind hair damage, especially split ends, has long been poorly understood. However, a team at Trinity College Dublin, led by Professor David Taylor, is taking steps to unravel this knotty problem. By

The study of halogen bonds has revealed how these interactions can be harnessed to control sequential dynamics in multifunctional crystals, leading to advancements in ultrafast-response times for multilevel optical storage. Halogen bonds, characterized by the attraction between a halogen atom and another electron-rich entity, play a significant role in crystal engineering and the development of