Newswise Top Picks: Science Research

The ATP Link: Enhancing Fruit Quality and Shelf Life Postharvest

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 09:10:42 EST

A recent study sheds light on the essential role of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in preventing postharvest chilling injury (PCI) in fruits, a widespread issue that compromises fruit quality and shortens shelf life. The research investigates ATP's activation, its interaction with cellular mechanisms, and its contribution to alleviating PCI. By exploring the various metabolic pathways involved in ATP supply, the study offers new insights into maintaining membrane fluidity and integrity during low-temperature storage, presenting fresh possibilities for reducing food waste and extending

The Skinov'e: Innovative Skincare Derived from Hom Thong Pathum Banana Peel Extract - Chula's Research Turning Acne Care into a Breeze

Chulalongkorn University — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 08:55:24 EST

From fertilizer to secret beauty formula, a research team from the Halal Science Center, Chulalongkorn University, has discovered that the peels of Pathum Thani's Hom Thong Pathum bananas contain substances that reduce inflammation from acne and restore skin moisture. This has led to the development of "anti-acne film-forming solution" skincare products, providing consumers with more natural product options and a sustainable way to add value to agricultural waste."

Unlocking the Potential of Solanaceae: Biotechnology for Food Security

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 08:45:33 EST

A recent perspective unveils the potential of using virus-based biotechnologies to improve the performance and diversity of Solanaceae crops, which are essential to global food security. By combining advanced knowledge of Solanaceae domestication and the plant virosphere, the research proposes using engineered viruses for precise trait breeding to fast-track crop improvement, aiming to enhance food security and nutrition--particularly by revitalizing lesser-known edible species within the Solanaceae family.

Houttuynia Cordata: The Genome Behind the Medicinal Miracle Plant

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 08:45:27 EST

A recent study has unlocked the genetic secrets of Houttuynia cordata, an Asian herb renowned for its distinctive aroma and medicinal properties. This pioneering research unveils the plant's genetic makeup, shedding light on its evolutionary history and the complex processes behind the production of alkaloids, compounds vital to its therapeutic effects. By decoding the genome of H. cordata, scientists have laid the foundation for advancing its medicinal applications, potentially leading to breakthroughs in herbal medicine and pharmacology.

Tomato Yellow Mystery Solved: Discovery of YFT3 Gene's Role in Fruit Pigmentation

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 08:45:11 EST

A recent study has uncovered the genetic basis behind the color of tomato fruits, focusing on the role of the YFT3 gene in carotenoid biosynthesis. This research offers vital insights into how mutations in the YFT3 gene can drastically reduce enzymatic activity, leading to lower carotenoid levels and resulting in yellow-colored fruits. These findings not only deepen our understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind pigment production in tomatoes but also offer potential strategies to enhance both the nutritional value and visual appeal of this staple crop.

Medicinal Plant Biology Successfully Indexed in Web of Science: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI)

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 03:00:12 EST

It is our great pleasure to announce that Medicinal Plant Biology has been included in Web of Science: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI).

Stor4Build Heats Up Thermal Energy Storage Solutions for Buildings, Grid

Oak Ridge National Laboratory — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 17:35:45 EST

Throughout the United States, more than 100 million buildings tap into electrical energy to keep heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration units functioning. HVAC systems cause most of the peak load demand on the electric grid; one way to alleviate the grid burden is to develop new storage options for heating and cooling.

Automation of Nuclear Chemistry Processes Leads to More Efficient Production of Astatine for Cancer Therapy

Department of Energy, Office of Science — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 14:45:26 EST

Astatine-211 (At-211) is a promising alpha emitting radioisotope for cancer therapy, but its short 7.2-hour half-life means that it must be handled quickly to minimize losses due to radioactive decay. In this research, scientists designed and tested an automated device for producing At-211 that improves production time and efficiency. The device also minimizes the dose of radioactivity to production staff and reduces the time needed to prepare samples for shipment.

Enabling Breakthroughs and Building Foundations: The Office of Science's 2024 Year-in-Review

Department of Energy, Office of Science — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 14:40:26 EST

At the Department of Energy's Office of Science, 2024 brought big accomplishments enabled by decades of work as well as advances that are establishing the foundations for future research. From Nobel Prizes to a new exascale computer, the DOE's Office of Science is leading the way.

Nondestructive Microwave Radar Finds Moisture Hiding Inside a Building's Walls

Oak Ridge National Laboratory — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 14:25:23 EST

Researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory are using microwave radar reflection to nondestructively detect and measure the moisture content of materials within walls without removing drywall or cladding. This also expedites moisture identification and enables mold growth to be treated in the early stages.

Decoding Pigeonpea: Ancient Landrace Yields Insights for Modern Agriculture

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 09:20:50 EST

A recent study has uncovered the genetic foundations of seed weight in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan), a tropical legume prized for its nutritional value and resilience. The research introduces a high-quality chromosome-scale reference genome for the ancient pigeonpea landrace 'D30', marking a transformative step in genomics-assisted breeding. This breakthrough provides a powerful genetic resource, allowing scientists to pinpoint key genes responsible for stress tolerance and seed development, with the potential to revolutionize strategies for improving this essential crop.

Green Manufacturing: The Impact of Industrial Robots on Export Emissions

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 06:20:42 EST

A new study explores the intersection of industrial automation and environmental sustainability, focusing on the role of industrial robots in reducing the carbon intensity of manufacturing exports. The research demonstrates that robots can significantly lower CO2 emissions in the manufacturing process. However, the study also uncovers a complex U-shaped relationship, where emissions initially drop but then plateau, highlighting the need for careful integration of robotics into manufacturing systems. These findings provide critical insights for industries seeking to minimize their environmental footprint while maintaining high productivity.

Argonne Physicist Receives Feynman Prize for Excellence in Nanotechnology Experimentation

Argonne National Laboratory — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 22:00:21 EST

The Foresight Institute is recognizing Argonne Physicist Saw Wai Hla with the 2024 Feynman Prize for his research on molecular machines and motors, atomically precise rotation of rare-earth complexes and analysis of a single atom with X-rays.

Former Berkeley Lab Director Paul Alivisatos Receives the Enrico Fermi Presidential Award

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 21:20:04 EST

Paul Alivisatos, a world-renowned chemist and president of the University of Chicago who served as director of the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) from 2009 to 2016, has been named one of this year's winners of the Enrico Fermi Presidential Award.

New Study Highlights the Correlation Between Live Corals and Fishing Yields

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 08:30:43 EST

Research led by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution predicts lower fishing yields as corals struggle to survive

This Prototype Sunscreen Protects Your Skin and Cools You Off, Too

American Chemical Society (ACS) — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 08:00:31 EST

A new sunscreen formula, described in ACS' Nano Letters, protects against both UV light and heat from the sun using radiative cooling. The prototype sunblock kept human skin up to 11 degrees Fahrenheit (6 degrees Celsius) cooler than bare skin, or around 6 F (3 C) cooler than existing sunscreens.

Springing Simulations Forward with Quantum Computing

Department of Energy, Office of Science — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 19:40:10 EST

Quantum computers have the potential to solve some problems much more efficiently than conventional computers. Researchers have now created a quantum computer algorithm for simulating coupled oscillators, systems of coupled masses and springs that are important for describing many real-world physical systems. The new algorithm results in exponentially faster simulation of coupled oscillators than ordinary algorithms.

Hey! Where's My Qubit?

Sandia National Laboratories — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 09:30:19 EST

Sandia National Laboratories and the University of New Mexico have for the first time demonstrated a practical way to detect atom loss in neutral atom quantum computers.

Bio-Electrochemical Cell Producing Hydrogen from Microorganisms in Waste: Pathway to Large-Scale Implementation Unveiled

National Research Council of Science and Technology — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 09:00:22 EST

Dr. Jwa Eunjin and her research team at the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) have achieved a significant breakthrough in clean energy technology.

Recent Progress in Conductive Hydrogel and Their Applications

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 07:30:39 EST

Researchers have conducted a systematic review of conductive hydrogels, examining their electrical and mechanical properties in relation to different types of conductive fillers. They also highlighted recent advancements in applications such as wearable sensors and electrical stimulation, while outlining future directions and strategies for hydrogel-based electronics in health monitoring and therapeutic applications.

Inverse Crack-Tip Element for Health Assessment of Pre-cracked Structures

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 05:45:10 EST

A recent study introduced a novel in-plane inverse crack-tip element that aims to transform structural health monitoring (SHM) in structures with preexisting cracks.

Earth's Pulse Monitored: A Review Highlights Remote Sensing Time Series Progress

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 05:45:04 EST

As urbanization accelerates and environmental dynamics shift, the need for accurate and timely terrestrial monitoring has never been more urgent. A review has introduced a novel approach to remote sensing time series analysis, integrating multi-source data to enable near real-time monitoring.

Paris Declaration Calls for Data-Driven Forensics to Spearhead the Fight Against Fake Science

Digital Science and Research Solutions Ltd — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 05:00:00 EST

Supporters of research integrity have signed the Paris Declaration, calling for data-driven forensics to spearhead the fight against fake science.

Fermilab Expecting 95-Ton Coldbox Delivery

Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 20:15:16 EST

The coldbox, a vital piece of Fermilab's new linear accelerator, is on a two-month voyage from France to its new home in Batavia, Illinois. It will be at the heart of the cryogenic system for the lab's upgraded accelerator complex.

Jefferson Lab Devotes $3 Million to Testing New Ideas

Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 11:00:21 EST

Jefferson Lab announces its newest slate of projects to receive Laboratory Directed Research & Development (LDRD) program funding for 2025. In its 12th year, the LDRD program will split $3 million among 13 different projects.