Study shows how gene action may lead to diabetes prevention, cure

Chemistry / Biochemistry

created 8 hours ago | popularity 4 / 5 (4) | comments 2

A gene commonly studied by cancer researchers has been linked to the metabolic inflammation that leads to diabetes.


Researchers identify a scaffold regulating protein disposal

Chemistry / Biochemistry

created 13 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

How does a cell manage to identify and degrade the diverse types of defective proteins and thus protect the body against serious diseases? The researchers Sabine C. Horn, Professor Thomas Sommer, Professor Udo Heinemann and ...


Entropy alone creates complex crystals from simple shapes, study shows

Entropy alone creates complex crystals from simple shapes, study shows

Chemistry / Materials Science

created Dec 09, 2009 | popularity 4.9 / 5 (21) | comments 2

(PhysOrg.com) -- In a study that elevates the role of entropy in creating order, research led by the University of Michigan shows that certain pyramid shapes can spontaneously organize into complex quasicrystals.


Synthetic protein mimics structure, function of metalloprotein in nature

Synthetic protein mimics structure, function of metalloprotein in nature

Chemistry / Biochemistry

created Dec 10, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 1

Scientists have designed a synthetic protein that is both a structural model and a functional model of a native protein, nitric-oxide reductase.


MSU research may lead to new ways to control honeybee parasite

New research may lead to new ways to control honeybee parasite

Chemistry / Biochemistry

created Dec 08, 2009 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (4) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Ground-breaking discoveries by Michigan State University researchers could help protect honeybees from deadly parasites that have devastated commercial colonies.


violin

Secret behind the composition of the varnish on Stradivari violins revealed

Chemistry / Analytical Chemistry

created Dec 04, 2009 | popularity 4.7 / 5 (23) | comments 3

(PhysOrg.com) -- Antonio Stradivari is the most famous instrument maker of all time. He was especially famous for his violins, which he produced in Cremona from about 1665 until his death in 1737. In particular, ...


One Can Act Without Group Support; Even in the Bacterial World

One Can Act Without Group Support; Even in the Bacterial World

Chemistry / Biochemistry

created Dec 08, 2009 | popularity 4.7 / 5 (3) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- A single bacterium can act alone, performing the same kinds of actions that a group normally does. The behavior of that bacterium can be manipulated at the cellular level. That’s the intriguing ...


Parasite evades death by promoting host cell survival

Parasite evades death by promoting host cell survival

Chemistry / Biochemistry

created Dec 08, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Researchers have discovered how the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas' disease, prolongs its survival in infected cells. A protein on the parasite activates the enzyme Akt, which blocks cell ...


New platinum compound shows promise in tumor cells

New platinum compound shows promise in tumor cells

Chemistry / Biochemistry

created Dec 07, 2009 | popularity 4.8 / 5 (6) | comments 1

(PhysOrg.com) -- MIT chemists have developed a new platinum compound that is as powerful as the commonly used anticancer drug cisplatin but better able to destroy tumor cells.


Researchers develop cheap, easy 'kitchen chemistry' to perform formerly complex synthesis

Chemistry / Analytical Chemistry

created Dec 04, 2009 | popularity 4.6 / 5 (12) | comments 0

A team at The Scripps Research Institute has made major strides in solving a problem that has been plaguing chemists for many years: how best to break carbon-hydrogen bonds and then to create new bonds to join molecules together. ...


Snowflake chemistry could give clues about ozone depletion

Snowflake chemistry could give clues about ozone depletion

Chemistry / Analytical Chemistry

created Dec 07, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

There is more to the snowflake than its ability to delight schoolchildren and snarl traffic.


Older dental fillings contain form of mercury unlikely to be toxic

Older dental fillings contain form of mercury unlikely to be toxic

Chemistry / Biochemistry

created Dec 09, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

A new study on the surface chemistry of silver-colored, mercury-based dental fillings suggests that the surface forms of mercury may be less toxic than previously thought. It appears online in ACS' journal ...


Researchers restore some function to cells from cystic fibrosis patients

Chemistry / Biochemistry

created Dec 06, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

In an encouraging new development, a team led by Scripps Research Institute scientists has restored partial function to lung cells collected from patients with cystic fibrosis. While there is still much work to be done before ...


Innovation puts next-generation solar cells on the horizon

Chemistry / Materials Science

created Dec 01, 2009 | popularity 4.3 / 5 (30) | comments 12

In a world first, a Monash University-led international research team has developed an innovative way to boost the output of the next generation of solar cells.


Undergrad researchers lay groundwork for drug addiction remedy

Chemistry / Biochemistry

created Dec 08, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Sarah Steele and Langtian "Ren" Yuan were both self-admittedly inexperienced Duke freshmen in the spring of 2006. But then they followed helpful directions of an assistant chemistry professor, added their own patience and ...