Returning Colour Into the Lives of Nuclear and E-waste: Increasing the Recycling Yield of Precious Metals With Picasso Pigment, Prussian Blue

Prussian Blue has been found to be a promising candidate in the search to find an efficient method to extract precious metals like gold and platinum-group metals from e-waste, producing up to 10-80 times more gold than the maximum yield from natural ores.

New Carbon Capture System with Record-Breaking Efficiency to Revolutionise Direct Air Capture

Newly discovered sorbent is 99 per cent efficient in absorbing low concentrations (400ppm) of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere at unprecedented rates.

Building Microfluidic Devices From a Single Polymer: New Fabrication Process Discovered

Structural colour printing technology has the potential to allow for the development of better point-of-care diagnostic tools and miniature microsensors.

Safer, Non-Radioactive Treatment for Viruses Undergoing Transmission Electron Microscopy

A new neutral, non-radioactive negative staining reagent for the high-resolution viewing of viruses using transmission electron microscopy has been discovered by researchers.

“Two-Faced” Miniproteins Protect Against Infection of Cells by SARS-CoV-2

Synthetic miniproteins that disable the entry of SARS-CoV-2 viruses into human cells have been developed, offering a potential alternative for enhanced protection from COVID-19.

Diving Deeper Into the Mind – Unprecedented Insights Into the Brain’s Immune System

For the first time, the development process and characteristics of a particular type of brain immune cell have been properly documented, allowing for their proper identification amongst other immune cells.

Simulating the Synergistic Interactions of Neurons and Synapses in Computing Devices

Researchers have managed to successfully emulate the synergistic interactions between neurons and synapses in neuromorphic circuits, pushing the frontiers of brain-like artificial intelligence.

Unlocking the Secret of the Spread of Inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) Is Key

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) secreted from sensory neuron-interneuron crosstalk acts as an inflammation enhancer and a neurotransmitter, and is mainly responsible for the spread of information from one affected area to another.

Key Enzyme Involved in Regulatory Mechanism for Satiety Identified as Possible Therapeutic Target for Obesity Management

Membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) has been found to play a key role in regulating satiety (also known as fullness). Researchers are currently investigating its potential as a therapeutic target for obesity management.

Potential Cancer Growth Retarding Biomolecule Discovered

Researchers have discovered a DNA derivative that inhibits a key enzyme associated with the worsening of the excessive growth of cancer cells, showing promise as an antiproliferative cancer treatment.

Understanding Gene Functions: From Algae to Plants

The discovery of the specific functions of different genes in alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, some of which are also present in plants, could allow for the advancement in technologies for engineering more climate-resilient plants or for enhancing biofuel production from algae.

Bacterial Enzyme “Juggles” Substrates, Catalysing Key Processes in Photosynthesis 20 Times Faster Than Plant Enzymes

The discovery of a bacterial enzyme that converts carbon dioxide into other carbon compounds 20 times faster than plant enzymes during photosynthesis opens up alternative approaches to designing artificial photosynthesis or carbon capture technology.

New Synthetic Enzyme That Breaks Down Rigid, Woody Lignin

The development of such an enzyme opens new avenues for exploration for the use of lignin as a renewable source of energy.

Nano-Sized Magnets Enclosed Within Bacteria Individually Characterised for the First Time

This discovery has the potential to enhance the development of hyperthermia cancer treatment, where the magnetic nanoparticles are steered and heated up by magnetic fields to locally destroy cancer cells.

Colour-Modified Mice Tissues Allow for Higher-Resolution Imaging

Researchers have developed a mouse model with colour-changing tissues that help to identify and eliminate background noise in photoacoustic imaging.