Chemical engineers have invented a solar-powered artificial leaf, built on a novel electrode which is transparent and porous, capable of harvesting water from the air for conversion into hydrogen fuel. The semiconductor-based technology is scalable and easy to prepare.
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Common fatty acid contributes to temperature and pain sensitivity in psoriasis plaques
A common fatty acid found in the Western diet breaks down into compounds that contribute to increased temperature and pain -- but not itch -- sensitivity in psoriatic lesions.
Scientists develop a cool new method of refrigeration
Researchers have developed a new kind of heating and cooling method that they have named the ionocaloric refrigeration cycle. They hope the technique will someday help phase out refrigerants that contribute to global warming and provide safe, efficient cooling and heating for homes.
New role of small RNAs in Salmonella infections uncovered
In a new paper, researchers have investigated the role of small RNAs that help Salmonella express their virulence genes.
Zebrafish testing identifies a gene potentially at the root of domestication
Researchers have shown that zebrafish can provide genetic baz1b clues to the evolution of social behaviors in humans and domesticated species.
Fewer moths, more flies
In the far north of the planet, climate change is clearly noticeable. A new study now shows that in parallel there have been dramatic changes in pollinating insects. Researchers have discovered that the network of plants and their pollinators there has changed considerably since the end of the 19th century....
New method precisely locates gene activity and proteins across tissues
A new method can illuminate the identities and activities of cells throughout an organ or a tumor at unprecedented resolution, according to a new study.
Self-assembling proteins can store cellular ‘memories’
Engineers have devised a way to induce cells to inscribe the history of cellular events in a long protein structure that can be imaged using a light microscope.
Modelling the collective movement of bacteria
A new paper presents a mathematical model for the motion of bacteria that includes cell division and death, the basic ingredients of the cell cycle.
Alveolar macrophages help CD8+ T cells go (anti-)viral
Researchers have found that antigen-specific killer T cells (CD8+ T cells) rapidly expand in the lungs when primed by antigen-presenting lung-resident alveolar macrophages (AMs). This interaction helps protect against viral infection and could form the basis for developing 'cell transplant'-type vaccines in the future.