Concrete is a big deal in construction. It is super strong and lasts a long time. But it has a weakness: it isn't great at handling pressure. This limits how it can be used in buildings. To fix this, scientists have been adding tiny particles called carbon nanoparticles to concrete. These particles
Scientists have been working hard to understand how complex biomolecules change shape. These shape-shifting molecules are crucial for many biological processes. One big challenge is finding the easiest paths these molecules take to change from one shape to another. These paths are called low free en
Batteries are getting a makeover. Scientists are diving deep into the world of polymer electrolytes (PEs) to boost the performance of solid-state batteries. These PEs are like the superhighways for ions, the tiny charged particles that make batteries work. The big question is, how do these highways
Potatoes rely on sugar transporters (STs) to move sugars around, which is super important for their growth. These STs can move sugars either by just letting them flow or by actively pushing them along. In potatoes, STs are the key players in moving sugars and building up sugar reserves. Sci
Molecular dynamics simulations have always been a key tool for scientists. These simulations help us understand how molecules behave and interact. Enter MBX, a software that has been around for about ten years. It uses advanced techniques to make these simulations more accurate. MBX stands out beca
Styrene monooxygenases are special enzymes that can tell the difference between left and right-handed molecules. These are known as enantiomers. They are part of a bigger family called Group E flavoprotein monooxygenases, or GEMs. These enzymes are great at making one enantiomer more than the other
Ever heard of Gymnostachyum febrifugum? This plant, found in the Western Ghats of India, has been used in traditional medicine for ages. Scientists wanted to figure out how it might help fight breast cancer. They started by looking at the chemicals in the plant's roots using a technique called GC-MS
Plants use something called Light-Harvesting Complex II (LHCII) to efficiently capture light for photosynthesis. Scientists have been trying to understand how LHCII does this so well. They use quantum chemistry, molecular dynamics, and statistical mechanics to study the pigment molecules in LHCII. I
You’ve probably heard that microplastics (MPs) are bad for the environment, but did you know they also help antibiotics move around in groundwater? This happens because MPs can carry antibiotics like oxytetracycline (OTC) as they journey through soil and surface water. According to research, this me
Imagine tiny calcium ions causing a big stir in our cell membranes. These ions are vital for many biological processes, but their effect on lipid bilayers, especially when they're not evenly distributed, is still a mystery. Scientists used a fancy model to simulate how calcium ions affect membranes
