https://phys.org/ en-us Phys.org internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Physics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine. As concerns rise about the effects of tiny plastic particles on human health, Flinders University researchers have led new research on whether nanoplastics can accumulate or cause damage in kidneys—our body's major blood filtering system. Their study, just published in the journal Cell Biology and Toxicology, calls for more investigations into the long-term risks, warning that high nanoplastics (NPs) particle "burden" could seriously compromise kidney cell health and function. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-kidney-cell-high-exposure-nanoplastics.html Bio & Medicine Tue, 03 Feb 2026 10:47:42 EST news689338022 Inserting, removing or swapping individual atoms from the core of a molecule is a long-standing challenge in chemistry. This process, called skeletal editing, can dramatically speed up drug discovery or be applied for upcycling of plastics. Consequently, the field is witnessing a surge of interest spanning from fundamental chemical research to applications in the pharmaceutical industry. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-molecular-surgery-deleting-atom-molecule.html Analytical Chemistry Thu, 22 Jan 2026 16:28:20 EST news688321681 Ozone that protects us from the sun's harmful UV rays, when in an indoor space, reacts with oils present on skin, wall paint, or even cooking oil to produce chemicals that negatively impact cardiovascular health. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-indoor-ozone-reaction-products-blood.html Environment Wed, 14 Jan 2026 10:20:02 EST news687606428 Organs often have fluid-filled spaces called lumens, which are crucial for organ function and serve as transport and delivery networks. Lumens in the pancreas form a complex ductal system, and its channels transport digestive enzymes to the small intestine. Understanding how this system forms in embryonic development is essential, both for normal organ formation and for diagnosing and treating pancreatic disorders. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-scientists-pancreas-channels-digestive-enzymes.html Cell & Microbiology Fri, 09 Jan 2026 13:08:26 EST news687186481 In 2001, chemists K. Barry Sharpless, Hartmuth C. Kolb, and M. G. Finn introduced click chemistry, a concept in which organic molecules can be rapidly and reliably joined to form more complex structures. They recognized that many natural compounds are assembled through efficient carbon–heteroatom (C–X) bond formation, particularly with nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, and they sought to replicate this in the laboratory. https://phys.org/news/2025-12-generation-drug-discovery-click-based.html Biochemistry Thu, 18 Dec 2025 11:39:31 EST news685280341 The 2025 Nobel Prize in chemistry was awarded to Richard Robson, Susumu Kitagawa and Omar Yaghi on Oct. 8, 2025, for the development of metal-organic frameworks, or MOFs, which are tunable crystal structures with extremely high porosity. These are a class of materials that have truly changed the way scientists design and think about matter, inspiring progress in various applications. https://phys.org/news/2025-10-metal-frameworks-nobel-tiny-sponge.html Materials Science Thu, 09 Oct 2025 10:13:05 EDT news679223582 Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have been hailed as next-generation materials for capturing water from air, powering dehumidifiers, and driving energy-efficient heat pumps. Built from lightweight and organic building blocks, these crystalline and highly porous materials are akin to molecular Lego sets: their geometry and chemistry can be tailored with precision. However, a significant issue remained: in humid air, COFs may collapse. https://phys.org/news/2025-09-molecular-rivets-porous-materials-collapsing.html Analytical Chemistry Tue, 23 Sep 2025 12:50:01 EDT news677846571 A research team at the Politecnico di Milano has developed an innovative single-atom catalyst capable of selectively adapting its chemical activity. This is a crucial step forward in sustainable chemistry and the design of more efficient and programmable industrial processes. https://phys.org/news/2025-07-scientists-programmable-atom-catalyst-chemical.html Materials Science Thu, 31 Jul 2025 15:56:14 EDT news673196171 Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are characterized by high porosity and structural versatility. They have enormous potential, for example, for applications in electronics. However, their low electrical conductivity has so far greatly restricted their adoption. https://phys.org/news/2025-06-metal-frameworks-metallic-pave-paths.html Nanophysics Tue, 24 Jun 2025 15:49:04 EDT news669998942 In a recent issue of the Journal of the American Chemical Society, the research group of Prof. Dr. Johannes Teichert (Chemnitz University of Technology, Organic Chemistry) discloses the results of a joint research effort together with research partners from the working group of Prof. Dr. Fabian Dielmann (University of Innsbruck, Inorganic Chemistry). https://phys.org/news/2025-05-highly-reactive-copper-catalyst-enables.html Biochemistry Mon, 12 May 2025 09:16:03 EDT news666260162 Researchers at University of Tsukuba have developed "tomoseqr"—a new software tool that enables easy estimation of the three-dimensional (3D) spatial distribution of gene expression. Tomoseqr is free to use and has been integrated into Bioconductor—a widely used international platform for life science software. This innovative tool will potentially help researchers identify key genes involved in organism development, disease mechanisms, and regenerative biology. The study is published in the journal PLOS ONE. https://phys.org/news/2025-03-user-friendly-software-enables-easy.html Biotechnology Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:04:58 EDT news662209495 Thioxanthones are fascinating organic compounds that have found their way into many industrial and everyday applications. In the printing industry, for example, they help inks dry faster when exposed to light thanks to their light-absorption properties, making the printing process quicker and more efficient. https://phys.org/news/2025-02-barriers-thioxanthone-synthesis-aryne-insertion.html Biochemistry Mon, 03 Feb 2025 10:53:04 EST news657802381 Oregon State University scientists have found a way to more than double the uptake ability of a chemical structure that can be used for scrubbing carbon dioxide from factory flues. https://phys.org/news/2024-12-chemical-carbon-capture-ability.html Analytical Chemistry Tue, 03 Dec 2024 15:34:03 EST news652462441 Chemists have synthesized a highly complex natural molecule through a new strategy of functionalizing normally inert carbon-hydrogen (C-H). The journal Science has published the breakthrough. Led by chemists at Emory University and Caltech, the work is the most dramatic example yet of a sequence of C-H functionalization reactions selectively transforming low-cost materials into complex building blocks of organic chemistry. https://phys.org/news/2024-11-chemists-showcase-power-pathbreaking-method.html Analytical Chemistry Fri, 08 Nov 2024 11:04:55 EST news650286288 Every living organism uses tiny quantities of metals to carry out biological functions, including breathing, transcribing DNA, turning food into energy, or any number of essential life processes. https://phys.org/news/2024-09-iron-life-primeval-metal-scientists.html Earth Sciences Mon, 09 Sep 2024 15:00:01 EDT news645092627 The distribution of outermost shell electrons, known as valence electrons, of organic molecules was experimentally observed for the first time by a team led by Nagoya University in Japan. As the interactions between atoms are governed by the valence electrons, their findings shine light on the fundamental nature of chemical bonds, with implications for pharmacy and chemical engineering. The results were published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. https://phys.org/news/2024-08-visualization-valence-electrons-reveals-fundamental.html Analytical Chemistry Wed, 21 Aug 2024 11:52:15 EDT news643459930 Nitrogen is an important and abundant element on Earth. In fact, nitrogen in the gas state is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere. This element is in our body as part of our DNA and in the center of hemoglobin. But nitrogen is also involved in our health. https://phys.org/news/2024-07-rethinking-reaction-mechanisms-drug-molecules.html Analytical Chemistry Mon, 01 Jul 2024 14:49:02 EDT news639064141 Researchers from the Würzburg Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI) deployed CRISPR interference for the first time for the functional characterization of the gut mutualist Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron. They identified a small ribonucleic acid (sRNA) that modulates the microorganisms' growth in the presence of bile. https://phys.org/news/2024-02-bacteroides-thetaiotaomicron-physiology-bile-stress.html Cell & Microbiology Tue, 06 Feb 2024 09:11:15 EST news626433070 Organic compounds in the field of chemistry range from simple hydrocarbons to complex molecules, with diverse functional groups added to the main carbon backbone. These functional groups impart distinct chemical properties to the compounds and participate in various chemical transformations, making them important precursors for the synthesis of more diverse compounds. Scientists have, therefore, actively engaged in creating molecules that feature novel and highly reactive functional groups. https://phys.org/news/2024-01-chemical-biology-approach-dibenzothiophene-oxides.html Biochemistry Mon, 29 Jan 2024 15:57:26 EST news625766244 A team from the University of Münster has introduced a strategy for converting carbon–nitrogen atom pairs in a frequently used ring-shaped compound into carbon–carbon atom pairs. The method has potential in the quest for active ingredients for new drugs, for example. The results are published in Nature Chemistry. https://phys.org/news/2024-01-chemical-synthesis-strategy-skeletal-pyridines.html Biochemistry Thu, 18 Jan 2024 10:24:58 EST news624795896 Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is a compound synthesized by marine phytoplankton for protection against the osmotic pressure of saline water. However, DMSP could also have a role in preventing freezing damage. https://phys.org/news/2024-01-reveals-freshwater-phytoplankton-lake-baikal.html Ecology Thu, 11 Jan 2024 10:46:03 EST news624192361 Tylophorine has diverse biological activities; however, the stability, solubility, and central nervous system toxicity have severely limited use of tylophorine. The gem-dimethyl group is an organic chemistry functional group that consists of two methyl groups bonded to the same carbon atom. This feature has gained significant attention in medicinal chemistry due to its unique properties and potential applications in drug design. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-powerful-tool-rapid-natural-product.html Biochemistry Tue, 31 Oct 2023 14:12:02 EDT news617980321 The research team of Seon-ki Hong, Professor at the Department of Physics and Chemistry of Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), has developed the Progressive Assembly on an Initiator-loaded Template (PAINT) technology that can locally fabricate multi-functional organic pigments at desired areas by copying natural melanin formation processes. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-scientists-melanin-formation-fabricate-multi-functional.html Biochemistry Tue, 31 Oct 2023 10:18:03 EDT news617966281 Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in daily products such as paints, adhesives, furniture, cosmetics, and deodorants make our lives easier. However, constant exposure can cause serious health problems such as respiratory illness, headaches, dermatitis, and cancer. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-technology-customized-air-purification-toxic.html Analytical Chemistry Thu, 12 Oct 2023 09:52:03 EDT news616323121 Although a plethora of carbon-based catalysts have been developed to promote oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in different electrochemical systems, the degradation process of those catalysts remains obscure to date. During certain steps of the ORR on a catalyst's surface in electrochemical systems, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is generated. https://phys.org/news/2023-09-teams-material-degradation-carbon-based-catalyst.html Analytical Chemistry Wed, 27 Sep 2023 14:20:03 EDT news615043201 A team of chemists from the University of Münster have developed a novel concept in which a mixture of molecules that behave like mirror images is converted to a single form using light as external energy source. The conversion has applications in the preparation of drugs. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-chemists-successfully-conversion-chiral-molecules.html Analytical Chemistry Thu, 24 Aug 2023 09:55:03 EDT news612089701 Scientists at the Texas A&M University Health Science Center (Texas A&M Health) have discovered that a nano-sized carbon material derived from the oxidation of carbon-rich sources could be used to treat Down syndrome and other disorders associated with high levels of hydrogen sulfide. https://phys.org/news/2023-07-nano-sized-carbon-material-syndrome.html Bio & Medicine Fri, 21 Jul 2023 11:41:26 EDT news609158483 When is having trillions of choices not enough? Apparently when making aptamers. https://phys.org/news/2023-07-aptamers.html Biochemistry Thu, 06 Jul 2023 11:46:16 EDT news607862772 In a new study, researchers from North Carolina State University detected elevated PFAS levels in the blood of pet dogs and horses from Gray's Creek, N.C.—including dogs that only drank bottled water. The work establishes horses as an important sentinel species and is a step toward investigating connections between PFAS exposure and liver and kidney function in dogs and horses. https://phys.org/news/2023-06-pfas-blood-dogs-horses-fayetteville.html Plants & Animals Wed, 21 Jun 2023 00:00:01 EDT news606497914 A team at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) has successfully engineered an albino strain of the hummingbird bobtail squid, Euprymna berryi. This advance, reported in Current Biology, has created a nearly transparent organism that offers scientists, for the first time, clear optical access for visualizing the nervous system in a living cephalopod. https://phys.org/news/2023-06-see-through-squid-scientists-cephalopod-nervous.html Biotechnology Tue, 20 Jun 2023 11:38:52 EDT news606479928