Self-assembled functionalized nanowires using multiple modified amyloid peptides
Researchers have successfully developed a new technique for efficiently creating functionalized nanowires for the first time ever. The group focused on the natural propensity of amyloid peptides, molecules which are thought to cause Alzheimer's disease, to self-assemble into nanowires in an aqueous solution and controlled this molecular property to achieve their feat.
Posted: May 21st, 2013
Read moreThe April issue of Nanotech Insights newsletter is now available
The April 2013 issue of Nanotech Insights, a quarterly newsletter dedicated to the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology, is now available from CKMNT.
Posted: May 21st, 2013
Read moreResearchers perform fastest measurements ever made of ion channel proteins
A team of researchers at Columbia Engineering has used miniaturized electronics to measure the activity of individual ion-channel proteins with temporal resolution as fine as one microsecond, producing the fastest recordings of single ion channels ever performed.
Posted: May 20th, 2013
Read moreIron-platinum alloys could be new-generation hard drives
UC Davis researchers have found a convenient way to make layered iron-platinum alloys and tailor their properties, a promising material for a potential new generation of data storage media.
Posted: May 20th, 2013
Read moreNon-wetting fabric drains sweat (w/video)
Waterproof fabrics that whisk away sweat could be the latest application of microfluidic technology developed by bioengineers at the University of California, Davis.
Posted: May 20th, 2013
Read moreInkjet-printed graphene opens the door to foldable electronics
Researchers develop method to print highly conductive, bendable layers of graphene.
Posted: May 20th, 2013
Read moreNew advance in nanotechnology gene sequencing technique
Researchers have used solid-state nanopores to differentiate single-stranded DNA molecules containing sequences of a single repeating base.
Posted: May 20th, 2013
Read moreNanoantennas improve infrared sensing
A team of University of Pennsylvania engineers has used a pattern of nanoantennas to develop a new way of turning infrared light into mechanical action, opening the door to more sensitive infrared cameras and more compact chemical-analysis techniques.
Posted: May 20th, 2013
Read moreAdvanced carbon nanocomposite materials for planes, trains and automobiles
New technique advances carbon-fiber composites.
Posted: May 20th, 2013
Read moreCompetition in the quantum world
Innsbruck physicists led by Rainer Blatt and Peter Zoller experimentally gained a deep insight into the nature of quantum mechanical phase transitions. They are the first scientists that simulated the competition between two rival dynamical processes at a novel type of transition between two quantum mechanical orders.
Posted: May 20th, 2013
Read moreKinks and curves at the nanoscale
New research shows 'perfect twin boundaries' are not so perfect
Posted: May 19th, 2013
Read moreEC-funded NanoSustain publishes four nanotechnology case studies
The EC-funded NanoSustain project has been developing new sustainable solutions through an investigation of the life-cycle of nanotechnology-based products, in particular the physical and chemical characteristics of materials, hazard and exposure aspects, and end-of-life disposal or recycling to determine the fate and impact of nanomaterials.
Posted: May 17th, 2013
Read moreNanoparticle delivers large protein complex to cancer cell nucleus
Drug developers have been using nanoparticles to encapsulate a wide range of molecules for delivery to tumors. Now, they can add a large protein complex to that list thanks to research from the laboratory of Yi Tang of the University of California at Los Angeles.
Posted: May 17th, 2013
Read moreProtein 'passport' helps nanoparticles get past immune system
The body's immune system exists to identify and destroy foreign objects, whether they are bacteria, viruses, flecks of dirt, or splinters. Unfortunately, nanoparticles designed to deliver drugs, and implanted devices, like pacemakers or artificial joints, are just as foreign and subject to the same response. Now, however, a team of researchers has identified a 'passport' for such therapeutic devices, enabling them to get past the body's security system.
Posted: May 17th, 2013
Read moreNanoparticle harnesses powerful radiation therapy for cancer
Researchers at the University of Missouri have demonstrated the ability to create a multi-layered harness nanoparticle that can safely encapsulate powerful alpha-emitting radioisotopes and target tumors. The resulting nanoparticles not only offer the possibility of delivering tumor-killing alpha emitters to tumors, but also sparing healthy tissue from radiation damage.
Posted: May 17th, 2013
Read moreMicroneedle-delivered nanoparticles boost anti-tumor vaccines
In the quest to develop anti-cancer vaccines that would stimulate the body to destroy tumors and keep them from recurring, researchers continually run into the same problem - the immune-stimulating proteins, known as antigens, are not interacting effectively with the key immune system cells that trigger long-lasting immune responses. Now, using a novel administration system and polymer nanoparticles, a team of investigators led by Adrien Kissenpfennig of Queen's University Belfast has shown that they can deliver anticancer antigens to dendritic cells and trigger an effective immune system response against melanoma tumors.
Posted: May 17th, 2013
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