Researchers have developed an eco-friendly method to produce silver nanoparticles from the roots of Martynia annua, showing strong antioxidant and anti-diabetic potential while avoiding the toxic by-products of conventional synthesis. Silver nanoparticles are particularly popular in research because of their high surface area-to-volume ratio, which boosts their reactivity and biological performance. However, producing these tiny particles is energy-intensive, uses [...]

A Copenhagen team has unlocked a clever “backdoor” into studying rare quantum states once thought beyond reach. Scientists at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, have discovered a new approach for investigating rare quantum states that occur within superconducting vortices. These states were first proposed in the 1960s, but confirming their existence has [...]

A team of researchers has developed a novel water filtration system that combines nanotechnology with 3D printing, aiming to create a low-cost, sustainable solution for greywater treatment. As reported in Micro & Nano Letters, the study demonstrates this with a honeycomb-structured filter made from 3D-printed recycled nylon, coated with titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles. Nanomaterials such as TiO2 are often studied in water [...]

A new COVID variant is climbing the ranks in the U.S., becoming the third-most common strain of the summer. Variant XFG, colloquially known as "Stratus," was first detected in Southeast Asia in January but accounted for less than about 0% of cases in the United States until May. By late June, it was estimated [...]

Key Questions Answered Q: What did researchers discover about the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor? A: They mapped how it activates different brain signaling pathways, offering insight into how mood and emotion are regulated at the molecular level. Q: Why does this matter for antidepressants and antipsychotics? A: Understanding this receptor’s precise behavior can help design faster-acting [...]

Light can behave in very unexpected ways when you squeeze it into small spaces. In a paper in the journal Science, Mark Brongersma, a professor of materials science and engineering at Stanford University, and doctoral candidate Skyler Selvin describe the novel way they have used sound to manipulate [...]

A new study in the academic journal Machine Learning: Health discovers that ChatGPT can accelerate patient screening for clinical trials, showing promise in reducing delays and improving trial success rates. Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Centre used ChatGPT to assess whether patients were eligible to take part in clinical trials and were able to identify suitable candidates [...]

A new peer-reviewed article argues that grapes deserve a place among today’s top superfoods. A recent article published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry takes a closer look at the term “superfoods” and presents a compelling argument that fresh grapes deserve a top spot among them. The author, Dr. John M. [...]

Excessive levels of GABA released by astrocytes impair the brain’s ability to extinguish fear responses in PTSD, but a newly identified drug target offers promising hope for treatment. Many people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) continue to relive painful memories long after the actual threat is gone. Their brains seem unable to let go of [...]

To enable early diagnosis of acute illnesses and effective management of chronic conditions, point-of-care testing (POCT) technology—diagnostics conducted near the patient—is drawing global attention. The key to POCT lies in enzymes that recognize and react precisely with specific substances. However, traditional natural enzymes are expensive and unstable, and nanozymes (enzyme-mimicking catalysts) have suffered from [...]