Phytoplankton, small photosynthetic organisms found in the ocean, have a vital role in the global carbon cycle and can influence Earth’s climate. A recent study has shed light on how variations in the physiology of phytoplankton, specifically regarding nutrient uptake, can impact the chemical composition of the ocean and even the atmosphere. This suggests that
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about immense scientific efforts to understand the SARS-CoV-2 virus and develop effective treatment strategies. Among the 29 proteins encoded by the virus’s genome, the ion channel called E has emerged as a particularly intriguing target for research. This ion channel plays a crucial role in inducing an inflammatory response in
In order to meet the growing needs of society, chemists are constantly striving to develop new synthesis methods to obtain products that do not naturally exist. Organic synthesis, the creation of complex organic compounds from simpler reagents, is essential for the production of drugs, polymers, agrochemicals, pigments, and fragrances. However, controlling and optimizing these successive
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter (MPSD) in Hamburg, Germany, have made significant progress in manipulating the properties of quantum materials using tailored laser drives. In particular, their recent experiment focused on creating a metastable, superconducting-like state in K₃C₆₀ using laser light. This breakthrough could have significant implications
Metal halide perovskites have emerged as promising materials for developing photovoltaic technology due to their advantageous optoelectronic properties. Recent studies have demonstrated metal halide perovskite-based solar cells (PSCs) with power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) above 25.8%, rivaling some solar technologies on the market today. However, the existing fabrication processes for these solar cells are far from
The 2015 flooding of the Sagavanirktok River in northern Alaska not only caused immediate impacts such as the closure of the Dalton Highway but also had long-term effects on ground subsidence in the region. Assistant professor Simon Zwieback, along with a team of scientists from the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, conducted a study
The concept of swallowing an artificial life form to analyze or remove diseases sounds like something straight out of a science fiction movie. However, researchers from the University of Southern Denmark and Kent State University in the US are exploring the potential of specially-designed hybrid molecules of DNA and protein to create these artificial life
A groundbreaking scientific achievement has been made by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission, as researchers have confirmed that a sample collected from the 4.5-billion-year-old asteroid Bennu contains a significant amount of water and carbon. This remarkable finding adds further support to the prevailing theory that life on Earth may have originated from extraterrestrial sources. These findings were
Scientists have recently unveiled a groundbreaking development in optical chip technology. This innovative optical chip possesses the ability to self-configure and perform various functions without the need for complex manual adjustments. Led by Jianji Dong, a research team from China’s Huazhong University of Science and Technology has successfully created a chip that has the potential
In recent years, there have been significant advancements in neuroscience and brain-inspired artificial intelligence that have opened up new possibilities in understanding intelligence. One such innovation is the Digital Twin Brain, a platform developed by a research team led by Tianzi Jiang at the Institute of Automation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The Digital
The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident, and there is growing consensus among scientists that our planet is likely to pass the 1.5°C warming threshold. In fact, research suggests that global warming may temporarily exceed the 2°C threshold due to unexpected levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. This phenomenon, known as a
In recent years, there has been growing concern about the environmental impact of the fine chemical and pharmaceutical industries. These sectors have been identified as major sources of air and water pollution, contributing significantly to the carbon footprint and water contamination. With the pharmaceutical industry’s carbon emissions surpassing those of the automotive industry, it is