Bacterial influencers — rhizosphere microbiome mediates root metabolite exudation

Gatersleben, 07.02.2020 Roots are plant organs, that typically absorb water and minerals from soil. It is lesser known that roots also secrete metabolites, so-called root exudates, which impact the properties of soil directly around the root. This thin layer of…

Novel techniques for mining patented gene therapies offer promising treatment options

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The global gene therapy market is expected to reach $13 billion by 2024 as new treatment options target cancers and other diseases. Now, a team of scientists from Purdue University and other research institutions around the…

OU researchers awarded NASA grant to study emerging disease threats, including the new coronavirus

NORMAN, OKLA. – An interdisciplinary team of researchers at the University of Oklahoma has been awarded a $730,000 grant from NASA to better understand emerging infectious disease threats in the region of Central Asia, including the 2019 novel coronavirus that…

Silver sawtooth creates valley-coherent light for nanophotonics

Scientists at the University of Groningen used a silver sawtooth nanoslit array to produce valley-coherent photoluminescence in two-dimensional tungsten disulfide flakes at room temperature. Until now, this could only be achieved at very low temperatures. Coherent light can be used…

Developing DNA extraction technology to combat illegal timber trade

Eli Vlaisavljevich, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering and mechanics in Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering, has received a $1 million grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to develop new technology for rapid extraction of DNA from timber and plant…

Russian scientists propose a technology reducing the cost of high-efficiency solar cells

St. Petersburg scientists have proposed a technology for manufacturing high-efficiency solar cells based on A3B5 semiconductors integrated on a silicon substrate, which may increase the efficiency of the existing photovoltaic converters by 1.5 times.

Using neutrons and X-rays to analyze the aging of lithium batteries

Lithium batteries are found everywhere: They power smart phones, laptops, and electric bicycles and cars by storing energy in a very small space. This compact design is usually achieved by winding the thin sandwich of battery electrodes into a cylindrical…

New details on how a viral protein puts the brakes on virus replication

An interdisciplinary team of researchers at Colorado State University has used computational chemistry, biochemistry and virology to uncover new information on how viruses such as West Nile, dengue and Zika replicate. Based on their research, the team said these viruses…