360 articles from WEDNESDAY 10.2.2021

Life on Mars? Escaping water vapour offers new clues

Researchers detected water emanating high up in thin atmosphere of red planet while Tianwen-1 probe entered orbit on WednesdayResearchers have observed water vapour escaping high up in the thin atmosphere of Mars, offering tantalising new clues as to whether the red planet could have once hosted life.The traces of ancient valleys and river channels suggest liquid water once flowed across the...

Novel protein could reverse severe muscle wasting in disease, aging and trauma

Muscle stem cells drive the tissue's growth and repair after such injuries. But growing these cells in the lab and using them to therapeutically replace damaged muscle has been frustratingly difficult. Researchers have discovered a factor that triggers these muscle stem cells to proliferate and heal. In a mouse model of severe muscle damage, injections of this naturally occurring protein led to...

Earliest signs of an immune response found in developing embryos

Researchers reveal that newly formed embryos clear dying cells to maximize their chances of survival. It is the earliest display of an innate immune response found in vertebrate animals to date. The findings may aid future efforts to understand why some embryos fail to form in the earliest stages of development, and lead to new clinical efforts in treating infertility or early miscarriages.

Discovery of a new law of phase separation

Researchers show that the dynamics of spontaneous phase separations forming network structures can be controlled by the slow dynamics in the networks formed. This work may lead to cheaper and more powerful rechargeable batteries.

Using nature's strategies in the development of new drugs

Dimerization of the human neuropeptides oxytocin and vasopressin can produce new types of bioactive molecules. Such new constructs provide several opportunities to optimize the efficacy of these neuropeptides for therapeutic application. The researchers were inspired for this approach from naturally occurring dimers.

Metabolism: Light shed on structure of huge enzyme complex

A new method has enabled the natural structure of particularly large and complex enzymes to be revealed. Scientists have investigated a multi-enzyme complex that plays an essential role in metabolism and have discovered that it functions differently than previously thought. This will help scientists better understand certain diseases.

Study reveals platinum's role in clean fuel conversion

Scientists have uncovered dynamic, atomic-level details of how an important platinum-based catalyst works in the water gas shift reaction. The experiments provide definitive evidence that only certain platinum atoms play an important role in the chemical conversion, and could therefore guide the design of catalysts that use less of this precious metal.

Origami powered by light

Some human-made materials can mimic plants' slow but steady reaction to light energy, usually triggered by lasers or focused ambient light. New research has discovered a way to speed up this effect enough that its performance can compete against electrical and pneumatic systems.

Nanoparticle gel unites oil and water in manufacturing-friendly approach

Oil and water may not mix, but adding the right nanoparticles to the recipe can convert these two immiscible fluids into an exotic gel with uses ranging from batteries to water filters to tint-changing smart windows. A new approach to creating this unusual class of soft materials could carry them out of the laboratory and into the marketplace.