Of all the exciting topics in the field of material and biochemical research, one of the hottest by far is unraveling the mysteries of spider silk.
Materials Science
Nov 30, 2020
0
23
Nylon, rubber, silicone, Teflon, PVC—these are all examples of man-made polymers—long chains of repeated molecular units that we call monomers. While polymers also exist in nature (think wool, silk, or even hair), the ...
Materials Science
Nov 24, 2020
1
77
When it comes to complex life—that of the multicellular variety—cell death can be just as important as survival. It allows organisms to clean house and prevent the proliferation of damaged cells that could compromise ...
Cell & Microbiology
Nov 13, 2020
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69
As organisms develop, mechanical forces exert pressure on their cells, and scientists have long wondered how cells keep their shape—and therefore remain healthy—through the process.
Cell & Microbiology
Oct 16, 2020
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71
The vast majority of bacteria in the world live on surfaces by forming structures called biofilms. These communities host thousands to millions of bacteria of different types, and are so biologically complex and active that ...
Cell & Microbiology
Oct 8, 2020
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14
Researchers in the Institute of Industrial Science at The University of Tokyo studied a new method for creating semisolid colloidal systems with less internal mechanical stress by delaying network formation. This work may ...
Soft Matter
Oct 8, 2020
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19
Scientists have challenged a popular theory behind the evolution of similar traits in island lizards, in a study published recently in eLife.
Plants & Animals
Sep 29, 2020
0
81
New light is being shed on a little-known role of Y chromosome genes, specific to males, that could explain why men suffer differently than women from various diseases, including COVID-19.
Cell & Microbiology
Sep 25, 2020
2
954
It has been known for many decades that synthetic polymers subjected to mechanical stress generate mechanoradicals by rupture of chemical bonds. But could those harmful and highly reactive radicals also form in our tissues ...
Biotechnology
May 8, 2020
0
121
Researchers at the Institute of Industrial Science, part of The University of Tokyo, and Yokohama City University have introduced novel color-changing organic crystals that spontaneously return to their original shape and ...
Materials Science
May 1, 2020
0
73
