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Researchers have successfully developed a supramolecular fluorophore nanocomposite fabrication technology using nanomaterials and constructed a sustainable solar organic biohydrogen production system.

The research team used the good nanosurface adsorption properties of tannic acid-based metal-polyphenol polymers to control the self-assembly and optical properties of fluorescent dyes while also identifying the photoexcitation and electron transfer mechanisms. Based on these findings, he implemented a solar-based biohydrogen production system using bacteria with hydrogenase enzymes.

The findings are published in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition. The joint research was led by Professor Hyojung Cha at the Department of Hydrogen and Renewable Energy, Kyungpook National University and Professor Chiyoung Park at the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology.

Year 2016 Shape changing gold nanoparticles face_with_colon_three

Gold nanoclusters are important nanomaterials but their structural assignment can be challenging if single crystals can’t be grown. Here, the authors use pair distribution function analysis of X-ray powder diffraction data for Au144(SR)60nanoclusters, and show that they exhibit polymorphism.

Chaperones are molecular machines that help proteins in the cell fold into their proper shape. Among them, UNC45 plays a critical role in muscle health by ensuring the proper function of myosin, a key protein essential for muscle movement. UNC45 manages this by directing damaged myosin to degradation pathways while guiding correctly folded myosin toward assembly. Researchers from Tim Clausen’s lab at the IMP have uncovered the mechanisms behind this process, providing new insights into how disruptions in myosin quality control can lead to serious muscle disorders. Their findings have been published in Nature Communications.

Muscle movement relies on the interaction between two key proteins: actin and myosin. These proteins slide past each other to generate the force needed for movement. For this process to work efficiently, actin and myosin must be precisely organized within the sarcomere, the basic structural and functional unit of muscle cells. This arrangement is crucial for maintaining muscle health, particularly during exercise, periods of stress, and as the body ages.

To ensure proteins achieve their correct shape, cells use specialized molecular assistants called chaperones. These chaperones act as caretakers, helping proteins fold and assemble correctly. For myosin, which makes up about 16% of the total protein in muscle cells, proper structure is especially important. One critical chaperone for this task is UNC45, found in all eukaryotic organisms. Identified through genetic studies, UNC45 plays a vital role in shaping myosin and preserving the integrity of the sarcomere. The importance of UNC45 is evident in severe muscle disorders, known as myopathies, which can result from mutations in the UNC45 gene.

Nagoya University researchers have pioneered a surfactant-based method to create amorphous nanosheets, enabling production from previously inaccessible materials like aluminum and rhodium oxides.

Researchers at Nagoya University in Japan have addressed a significant challenge in nanosheet technology. Their innovative approach employs surfactants to produce amorphous nanosheets from various materials, including difficult-to-synthesize ultra-thin amorphous metal oxides such as aluminum and rhodium. This breakthrough, published in Nature Communications, sets the stage for future advances in the application of these nanosheets such as those used within fuel cells.

The upcoming generation of nanotechnology requires components that are just a few nanometers thick (one billionth of a meter). These ultrathin layers, which are essential for improving functionality, are known as nanosheets.

Advancements in deep-tech solutions addressing global healthcare challenges.

The landscape of healthcare is undergoing a radical transformation fueled by deep-tech innovations that tackle some of the most pressing global health challenges. Deep-tech, a term that encompasses technologies grounded in scientific research and engineering advancements, is reshaping diagnostics, treatment modalities, and healthcare delivery systems on a global scale. With increasing demands for accessible, efficient, and equitable healthcare, deep-tech solutions—such as artificial intelligence (AI), advanced robotics, nanotechnology, biotechnology, and quantum computing—are playing pivotal roles in reshaping modern medicine.

This article explores the advancements in deep-tech solutions that are addressing global healthcare challenges and provides insight into how these technologies are likely to shape the future of medicine, impacting medical professionals, patients, and healthcare systems worldwide.

Nanotechnology is poised to transform neurological disorder treatments by overcoming the blood-brain barrier, enabling effective medication delivery for conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s. This innovative approach also shows promise in dermatology and cancer treatment, enhancing drug absorption and targeting, while minimizing side effects. Experts at AIIMS highlighted ongoing research and potential breakthroughs expected in the next few years.

It’s no secret: when we savour a delicious piece of fish or a platter of seafood, we’re not just consuming valuable omega-3s and vitamin D. Alongside these benefits come less appetising elements – countless micro– and nano-plastics.

These plastic particles, measuring less than 5 millimetres, enter our oceans through human waste and penetrate the food chain. According to an Ifremer study, around 24,400 billion microplastics are floating on the ocean’s surface.

These particles are found in all marine organisms – from microalgae to fish, which occupy higher levels of the food chain. This phenomenon not only threatens marine ecosystems but also raises concerns about potential risks to human health.

Australian researchers have created building blocks out of DNA to construct a series of nano-scale objects and shapes, from a rod and a square to an infinitesimally small dinosaur.

The approach turns DNA into a modular material for building nanostructures – thousands of times narrower than a human hair. Developed by researchers from the University of Sydney Nano Institute and published in the journal Science Robotics, it suggests exciting possibilities for future use of nanobot technology.