The field of biocatalysis has made significant strides in optimizing natural enzyme functions for synthetic chemistry. However, UC Santa Barbara researchers, led by chemistry professor Yang Yang, are pushing the boundaries even further by delving into completely new enzymatic reactions that have never been seen before in either chemistry or biology. While most research in
In a groundbreaking study published in Advanced Science, a research group managed to achieve a remarkable giant magneto-superelasticity of 5% in a single crystal composed of Ni34Co8Cu8Mn36Ga14. This achievement opens up new possibilities in the field of material science by introducing arrays of ordered dislocations to shape preferentially oriented martensitic variants during a magnetically induced
In a recent study published in Materials Today Energy, a team of researchers successfully developed a 4-Amino-TEMPO derivative with photocatalytic properties. This derivative has been used to enhance the performance of fiber-shaped dye-sensitized solar cells (FDSSCs) and fiber-shaped organic light-emitting diodes (FOLEDs). The research team, led by Professor Chul-jin Ahn’s team at Changwon National University,
Urbanization in Africa is rapidly increasing, with no signs of slowing down. The urban population in the continent has more than doubled since the early 2000s, reaching over 600 million in 2020. If current growth trends continue, it is projected to double again by 2050. The rate of urban area expansion in Africa has outpaced
Robots are becoming increasingly prevalent in various environments, from home settings to industrial workplaces. In order to effectively carry out tasks in these diverse spaces, robots must possess the ability to grasp and manipulate a wide range of objects. To achieve this, developers have been exploring machine learning-based models to enhance robot manipulation skills. While
When we experience flow, we become completely absorbed in an activity, reaching a state of heightened concentration. This phenomenon, existing between boredom and stress, allows us to feel highly effective and in control, while losing track of time. Flow has been regarded as a positive experience with potential benefits for mental health. Origins of Flow
Japanese researchers have made a groundbreaking achievement by building the world’s first wooden satellite. This tiny cuboid craft, measuring 10 centimeters on each side, is the result of collaboration between scientists at Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry. The wooden material used in this experimental satellite is expected to burn up completely upon re-entry into the
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to significantly impact the peace and security landscape in South-East Asia. However, various systemic issues and gender biases present in widely used AI systems pose a substantial obstacle to the positive use of AI in this context. Research conducted by UN Women and the United Nations University Institute in
Proteins are essential components of living organisms, acting as molecular machines that carry out various processes vital for cell function. The three-dimensional structure of a protein plays a crucial role in its functionality, and analyzing these structures has become increasingly important in the field of protein research. In a recent study published in Nature Communications,
The fight against climate change often centers around farmland, where competing interests of food production and sustainable energy clash. Various strategies have been proposed to mitigate the impact of agriculture on the environment, including the use of marginal lands for energy crops. A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison sheds light
Protein structure prediction has long been a crucial area of research in understanding how diseases spread and develop, ultimately leading to the development of effective therapies. Recent findings published in the Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation by a team of researchers from Cleveland Clinic and IBM have shed light on the potential of quantum
The Salton Sea, once a thriving body of water formed in 1905, is now facing challenges due to reduced water flow and exposure of its lakebed. This has led to an increase in dust particles being stirred up by desert winds, resulting in higher air pollution levels in nearby communities. A recent research paper in
The biorefining industry has long struggled with the challenge of commercializing lignin, a bio-based compound abundant in wood biomass. It has been said that “You can make anything from lignin, except money.” However, a recent study by chemists from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has introduced an
Quantum computing has long been hailed as the future of technology, promising the ability to solve complex problems in a fraction of the time it would take traditional computers. One of the key challenges in achieving this potential lies in the creation and control of qubits, the building blocks of quantum computers. Researchers at MIT
In a groundbreaking study published in Nature Materials, researchers have unveiled a new oxide material, Ca3Co3O8, that challenges traditional understandings of material properties. By manipulating correlated oxides with atomic precision, the team has achieved a remarkable combination of ferromagnetism, polar distortion, and metallicity in a single material, sparking widespread scientific interest in the field of