Chemists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) have made a breakthrough in understanding the crystal structure of a crucial component of the monensin enzyme. This discovery has led to the unlocking of the enzyme’s reaction activity mechanism. The research, published in Nature Communications, was a collaborative effort between UIUC and The University of Texas
The notion of devastating mass extinctions that decimated Earth’s ecosystems millions of years ago has captivated both the general public and scientific community for decades. In 1982, Jack Sepkoski and David Raup made a breakthrough with their publication that identified the “Big Five” extinction events in the planet’s geological history. Among these, the end-Permian event
Defects in semiconducting materials like diamonds have long been regarded as a nuisance, disrupting the perfect arrangement of atoms. However, scientists have recently discovered that these defects can actually be harnessed as quantum sensors. This is because some defects contain electrons with a spin, or angular momentum, which can store and process information. In a
The bubonic plague, an ancient disease that plagued humanity for centuries, may seem like a relic of the past. However, the reality is far from reassuring. Despite its historical context, the bacterium responsible for this deadly infection, Yersinia pestis, continues to thrive and cause thousands of human infections worldwide every year. This may come as
NASA scientists have recently begun their analysis of fragments brought back from the Bennu asteroid, and early findings suggest that the material it contains originated from an ancient ocean world. The presence of phosphate crust on the asteroid serves as the basis for this assumption. Interestingly, the mineral composition of the calcium and magnesium-rich phosphate
In the realm of science fiction, the concept of possessing X-ray vision has captivated the imagination of many. The ability to see through solid objects and delve into the mysteries hidden within is a fantasy that has long eluded humanity. However, scientists have devised a groundbreaking method to bypass this physical barrier and peer into
Elon Musk, the renowned entrepreneur behind companies like Tesla and SpaceX, has been facing legal challenges regarding his $55.8 billion pay package as CEO of Tesla. Following a recent ruling in a Delaware court that struck down the package, Musk’s brain implant company, Neuralink, has decided to move its legal corporate home from Delaware to
Obesity has become a global epidemic over the past few decades, leading to numerous health complications such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. While the detrimental effects of obesity are well-known, the underlying mechanisms that contribute to its development and progression remain elusive. Researchers from the University of California conducted a study on mice to
Fertilization, the process by which a sperm penetrates an egg, marks a pivotal moment of transformation. In a matter of minutes, chemical changes occur within the egg’s membrane and outer coat, preventing additional sperm from entering. The intricate details of this molecular interaction have long remained a mystery. However, a recent study conducted by researchers
The production of hydrogen (H2) using solar energy or other renewable energy sources has the potential to be a sustainable and environmentally friendly method. However, most photoelectrochemical water splitting systems developed so far have been inefficient, unstable, or difficult to implement on a large-scale. In a recent study published in Nature Energy, researchers at Ulsan
Living and working on the Moon comes with a multitude of challenges. One of the most critical requirements for successful lunar missions is power. Without a reliable source of energy, the prospects of long-term exploration and scientific endeavors on the lunar surface would be bleak. Recognizing the importance of power systems, NASA has initiated the
Quantum physicists and engineers have been working tirelessly over the past few decades to develop new and reliable quantum communication systems. These systems have the potential to serve as a testbed for evaluating and advancing communication protocols. Recently, researchers at the University of Chicago introduced a groundbreaking quantum communication testbed with remote superconducting nodes. In