This month in pictures
From patchwork liquid marbles, artificial nerve grafts, and giant perovskites, this gallery features a host of incredible images, bringing life to the research behind them.
Devin Swiner: “At the heart of what I do, I want my science to help people”
The up-and-coming analytical chemist talks social media, engaging the next generation of women in STEM, and her journey through a Ph.D.
Stem cell innovators model gene and drug effects on neurodevelopment
Stem cells are used to model early nervous system development to understand how it is affected by genetic mutations and certain drugs.
Seeking life on Mars: What you need to know about the Perseverance mission
The Perseverance rover will explore the Martian Jezero Crater and collect the first rock samples from the Red Planet.
“Seven minutes of terror”: The Perseverance rover’s descent to Mars
Before the Perseverance rover can begin its exploration of Mars, it must first stick the landing.
Research highlights
Researchers discover potential SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors
New active substances that can block the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus discovered in proof-of-concept study.
Fluorescent nanodiamonds successfully injected into living cells
Fluorescent nano-sized diamonds give a better glimpse inside cells.
A pain-free microneedle patch to help with weight loss
Minimally invasive delivery of capsaicin into adipose tissues under the skin shows promise for countering obesity.
Individualized brain cell grafts reverse Parkinson’s symptoms in monkeys
A new study provides hope for Parkinson’s disease, showing that neuron grafts using patients’ own cells have the potential to manage and even reverse symptoms.
...Shape-shifting 4D materials provide new opportunity for tissue engineering
A new hydrogel can incorporate high cell density constructs to better mimic the rearrangement of native tissue in bioengineering.
...Detailed study of leopard genome finds surprising levels of diversity
Leopards, it would seem, are the kings of flexibility and adaptability in the big cat kingdom — lazy human aphorisms be damned.
...Developing a new generation of quantum hard drives using 2D magnets
Using theoretical and experimental analysis, researchers aim to better understand the novel and intriguing magnetic properties of 2D materials for the next generation of information technologies.
Addressing ozone-depleting nitrous oxide pollution with metal complexes
Synthesis of a rare metal complex of nitrous oxide opens new vistas for the degradation of a potent greenhouse gas.
...Bioengineered muscle fibers help regrow damaged tissue
A new tissue regeneration strategy that employs direct cell reprogramming in combination with a new hybrid scaffold shows promise in proof-of-concept study.
...Conjugated polymer windows redirect light to solar cells
Luminescent solar concentrators based on a conjugated polymer redirect light from inside and out.
...Seeking life on Mars: What you need to know about the Perseverance mission
The Perseverance rover will explore the Martian Jezero Crater and collect the first rock samples from the Red Planet.
...“Seven minutes of terror”: The Perseverance rover’s descent to Mars
Before the Perseverance rover can begin its exploration of Mars, it must first stick the landing.
...Extracting information stored in 100,000 nuclear quantum bits
Researchers were able to detect a “needle” of highly fragile quantum information in a “haystack” of nuclei.
...How do you sample blood in a non-invasive way?
Graphene-based biosensors incorporated in arrays of microneedles are emerging as an alternative to hypodermic needles and could be the next generation of blood sampling devices.
...Biodegradable masks could help curb the rise in plastic waste
Moisture-resistant mask filters made from compostable and abundant materials could help curb plastic pollution as a result of the pandemic.
...Effects of increased weather variability on weed management
Researchers explore how the predicted increase in variable rainfall and higher temperatures will impact management of common weeds for corn production.
...Some gluten-free celiac patients still experience tissue inflammation
Using a more sophisticated analysis, researchers aim to set better baselines for clinical trials exploring therapeutics for patients with celiac disease.
...What’s so special about rivers that run dry?
As an increasing global population moves into areas where non-perennial rivers are common, we need to understand how human water needs impact when, where, and how much these rivers flow.
...Improving Li-ion battery performance using 3D printing
Increasing the mass of an electrode reduces power density due to the longer distance that ions and electrons must travel. Electrode designs need a rethink.
...Flickering shadows of the fine skeleton of a cell
A new method with unprecedented resolution allows researchers to visualize dynamic and elusive mechanisms that underpin essential biological processes, such as cell division.
...“Breast cancer-on-a-chip” helps researchers test immunotherapy drugs
A new microwell chip holds promise for screening immunotherapy drugs with the added bonus that it can include a patient’s own cells for optimized treatment planning.
...How do mutations help SARS-CoV-2 escape our antibodies?
A scientific detective story unearths how SARS-CoV-2 evolves new variants that evade antibodies.
...Dynamic 3D printing process features a light-driven twist
Light provides freedom to control each layer and improves precision and speed.
...Pioneers in Science: Katalin Karikó
Demoted from her tenure track position in the mid 90s, Katalin Karikó persisted with her research into RNA therapeut...
Pioneers in Science: Percy Julian
The world-renowned chemist and his struggle against a system of racial oppression.
...Pioneers in Science: Baruj Benacerraf
The Nobel Laureate whose research was crucial to understanding how the immune system works on the cellular level.
...Pioneers in Science: June Almeida
No formal scientific education, a single mother, author of 103 scientific papers, the first person to see a corona vi...
Pioneers in Science: Marie Daly
This Pioneers in Science celebrates Marie Daly, the first Black woman in America to receive a Ph.D. in chemistry.
...Pioneers in Science: John B. Goodenough
In honour of John B. Goodenough’s 98th birthday, we celebrate his life and career, which were shaped by some of...
Pioneers in Science: Hermann Staudinger
A century on from his groundbreaking paper on polymerization, Advanced Science News takes a look at the life and work...
Pioneers in Science: Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen
This edition of Pioneers in Science celebrates physicist Wilhelm Röntgen, winner of the 1901 Nobel Prize in Physics ...
Pioneers in Science: Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin
The stuff of stars: The remarkable contributions of Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin
...Pioneers in Science: Katherine Johnson
In honor of the UN’s International Day of Women in Science, this week we highlight Katherine Johnson, pioneerin...
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