The disinfectant powder is stirred in bacteria-contaminated water (upper left). The mixture is exposed to sunlight, which rapidly kills all the bacteria (upper right). A magnet collects the metallic powder after disinfection (lower right). The powder is then reloaded into another beaker of contaminated water, and the disinfection process is repeated (lower left). (Image credit: TongContinue reading “Nano Sanitizer…”
Category Archives: Biology
Mice, Men, and Nanoparticles…
Graphical abstract. Credit: Nanomaterials (2023). DOI: 10.3390/nano13081404 Topics: Biology, Environment, Nanomaterials, Nanotechnology Among the biggest environmental problems of our time, micro- and nanoplastic particles (MNPs) can enter the body in various ways, including through food. And now, for the first time, research conducted at MedUni Vienna has shown how these minute particles manage to breach the blood-brainContinue reading “Mice, Men, and Nanoparticles…”
LNPs…
Cancer cells are one of the main targets for expanded mRNA-LNP use. Credit: Iliescu Catalin / Alamy Topics: Biology, Biotechnology, Cancer, COVID-19, Nanotechnology Note: This is an advertisement on Nature Portfolio discussing that there may be a silver lining in the pandemic we’ve all experienced. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) transport small molecules into the body. TheContinue reading “LNPs…”
Like Mushrooms for Plastics…
Credit: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Topics: Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering A research group from VTT Technical Research Center of Finland has unlocked the secret behind the extraordinary mechanical properties and ultra-light weight of certain fungi. The complex architectural design of mushrooms could be mimicked and used to create new materialsContinue reading “Like Mushrooms for Plastics…”
Wonderful…
Image Source: MedPage Today Topics: Biology, Biotechnology, Civilization, COVID-19, DNA, Epidemiology Currently authorized bivalent COVID-19 boosters demonstrated similar protection against symptomatic illness from the XBB/XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariants as from BA.5-related subvariants, according to a CDC study. From December 2022 to January 2023, the bivalent boosters’ vaccine effectiveness (VE) against symptomatic infection was a similar 48%Continue reading “Wonderful…”
Life Detector…
An Orbitrap cell. Credit: Ricardo Arevalo Topics: Astrobiology, Astronautics, Biology, Laser, NASA, Planetary Science, Space Exploration As space missions delve deeper into the outer solar system, the need for more compact, resource-conserving, and accurate analytical tools have become increasingly critical—especially as the hunt for extraterrestrial life and habitable planets or moons continues. A University ofContinue reading “Life Detector…”
Permafrost Zombies…
Topics: Biology, Biosecurity, Climate Change Thirteen viruses from tens of thousands of years ago have been recovered and reactivated, according to a preprint paper published in BioRxiv. These threats had been idling in the Siberian tundra for approximately 30,000 to 50,000 years before being brought back. Thanks to climate change, the thawing of the frozen terrain could revive anContinue reading “Permafrost Zombies…”
The Apogee of Evil…
Credit: Erik English. Topics: Biology, Biosecurity, Civilization, COVID-19, Democracy, Existentialism Weaponizing a pathogen sounds like something out of an archetype Bond villain, minus the wrapped-up plot twists by the time the credits roll, and the obligatory fawning of a stereotypical bikinied woman over the intrepid MI-6 spy. Real life doesn’t conclude so cleanly. Before everyContinue reading “The Apogee of Evil…”
Syncing Fireflies…
Topics: Biology, Biomimetics, Biotechnology, Computer Modeling, Mathematics In Japanese folk traditions, they symbolize departing souls or silent, ardent love. Some Indigenous cultures in the Peruvian Andes view them as the eyes of ghosts. And across various Western cultures, fireflies, glow-worms, and other bioluminescent beetles have been linked to a dazzling and at times contradictory arrayContinue reading “Syncing Fireflies…”
Cellulose Shoes…
Topics: Additive Manufacturing, Biology, Biotechnology, Environment, Genetics, Nanotechnology For Hermes, the Greek god of speed, these bacterial sneakers would have been just the ticket. Modern Synthesis co-founders Jen Keane, CEO, and Ben Reeve, CTO, are now setting out to make them available to mere mortals, raising a $4.1 million investment to scale up production. Keane, a graduateContinue reading “Cellulose Shoes…”
Physics and Nano 