Tag Archives: chemical

Triple Increase in Forever Chemical TFA Linked to Ozone-Safe Refrigerants

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Trifluoroacetic acid in surface water

Trifluoroacetic Acid Detected in Surface Water

Silicon Quantum Computing

Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a harmful “forever chemical,” has increased more than threefold in our environment in the past two decades due to the use of refrigerants that harm the ozone layer.

The annual deposition of TFA from the atmosphere rose from 6,800 tons in 2000 to 21,800 tons in 2022. While this level is below certain safety limits, detailed studies on TFA’s impact on human health are limited, and its environmental accumulation is expected to grow.

TFA was linked to serious deformities in rabbit fetuses during one study. The European Union has flagged TFA as hazardous to aquatic ecosystems and is evaluating its impact on human reproductive health.

“It is alarming that we are introducing so many chemicals into our environment with largely unknown repercussions, and many of these effects are irreversible,” states Lucy Hart, a researcher from Lancaster University in the UK.

Both humans and wildlife encounter TFA through contaminated soil and surface water, from which it eventually contaminates ocean ecosystems and marine sediments over decades or centuries.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), once prevalent in refrigerators, aerosol propellants, and fire extinguishers, were banned in 1989 after they were found to deplete the ozone layer. Most CFCs have now been replaced with hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which react with atmospheric particles to produce TFA.

HFCs are currently being phased out, often substituted with hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) that degrade to TFA at a significantly faster rate. For example, HFO-1234yf produces ten times more TFA than the phased-out HFCs used previously in hundreds of millions of vehicles. Additionally, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and industrial processes contribute to TFA levels.

Ice core samples from northern Canada and Svalbard indicate rising TFA concentrations since the 1970s. Hart and her team evaluated TFA production and global deposition based on extensive atmospheric studies of nine CFC replacements, observing a 3.5-fold rise worldwide.

Focusing solely on HFCs, known to linger in the atmosphere for many years, indicates that this rate could potentially double by 2050. Preliminary findings suggest that HFO-1234yf could enhance TFA production by more than 20 times by 2050.

The global community must avoid reverting to CFCs and should continue to eliminate HFCs, which significantly contribute to climate change. However, alternatives to these compounds require thorough evaluation, emphasizes Lucy Carpenter from York University, UK.

Ammonia is already utilized in various food storage facilities and industrial applications and could be adapted for domestic refrigeration and air conditioning. Carbon dioxide also serves as a viable natural refrigerant.

“It is critical to explore better alternatives to HFO-1234yf,” Carpenter notes. “TFA is on the rise and it’s now pervasive in various consumer products and environments.”

A 2020 study found alarming levels of TFA present in the blood samples of 90% of individuals in China, which has emerged as a hotspot for TFA due to industrial emissions and its warm, humid climate.

The EU is proposing a permanent ban on TFA, foreseeing that concentrations in freshwater may reach toxic levels. However, it faced criticism for leaning towards chemical companies to contest this anticipated rise in TFA levels.

Recent findings serve as a clarion call for increased research into HFOs and their substitutes to prevent the cycle of introducing chemicals with unintended consequences, emphasizes Hart. Unlike HFCs, HFOs decompose rapidly, providing more immediate control over emissions. “Halting these emissions will lead to an immediate stop in TFA production,” she states.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Enhancing Lithium-Ion Battery Longevity Through Chemical Modifications

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Lithium-ion battery technology

Lithium-ion Batteries: A Path to Extended Lifespan

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Recent studies suggest that the lifespan of lithium-ion batteries can be extended using standard, cost-effective chemicals.

Lithium-ion batteries feature a porous separator sandwiched between a negative electrode and a positive electrode, immersed in an electrolyte that facilitates the movement of lithium ions during charging and discharging.

At the negative electrode, the electrolyte decomposes to create a thin protective coating that enhances battery stability and longevity.

Wang Chunsheng explains that forming a similar protective layer on the cathode has traditionally been challenging due to differing electrical conditions, which create a reactive environment that causes conventional electrolytes to break down before a stable coating can form, according to researchers from the University of Maryland.

Wang and his team utilized a straightforward reaction from organic chemistry to tackle this issue. This reaction enhances the electrolyte’s electron acceptance, inducing a controlled decomposition process that forms a stable protective coating on the cathode.

“By meticulously controlling the molecular decomposition of the electrolyte, we can precisely dictate the protective layer that forms on the cathode,” states Zhang Xiyue, a postdoctoral researcher in Wang’s group.

This flexibility in chemical reactions allows the resulting cathode-electrolyte layer to be tailored for enhanced protection, which could either provide strong shielding or design for faster electrochemical reactions, optimizing batteries for maximum power or extended life.

“If we can guarantee the formation of the cathode-electrolyte layer, it represents a significant advancement toward achieving longer battery cycles,” asserts Michel Armand from the CIC energiGUNE research center in Spain. Given that Wang and his colleagues modified the battery design using established chemical techniques, this new battery should be both safe and easy to manufacture, according to Armand.

While it remains uncertain exactly how much this innovative approach can extend the lifespan of lithium-ion batteries, further clarity is anticipated as the technology develops.

“This is a relatively simple modification to existing battery technology,” Wang notes. “After thorough safety and long-cycle testing, this approach could indeed reach consumers.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Chemical Computers: Mastering Pattern Recognition and Multitasking

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Molecules can be utilized for computational tasks

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Chemical computers composed of enzyme networks can carry out a range of functions, including temperature measurement and substance identification, all while avoiding the need for reconstruction after each use. This adaptability resembles biological systems more than traditional digital circuits, indicating a potential merger of computing and biological processes.

In nature, living organisms contain molecular systems that continuously integrate chemical and physical signals. For instance, cells detect nutrients, hormones, and temperature variations, adjusting to survive. Researchers have attempted to create analogs of this biological flexibility for years, including efforts to form logic gates with DNA; however, most artificial systems fall short due to their simplicity, inflexibility, or scalability challenges.

In a novel approach, researcher Wilhelm Huck from Radboud University in the Netherlands focused on allowing enzymes to interact autonomously rather than scripting every chemical step, leading to complex behaviors capable of recognizing chemical patterns.

The research team developed a system utilizing seven distinct enzymes embedded in tiny hydrogel beads found in small tubes. A liquid is introduced to these tubes, injecting short amino acid chains called peptides, which function as the “inputs” for the computer. As the peptides travel through the enzymes, each enzyme endeavours to cleave the peptide at designated sites along its length. When one cleavage occurs, it alters the peptide’s structure and the available cleavage sites, thereby affecting the actions of other enzymes.

This interdependence of reactions means that enzymes form a dynamic chemical network continually evolving, yielding unique patterns for the system to analyze. “Enzymes serve as the hardware while peptides act as the software. We address novel challenges based on the input provided,” noted Lee Dongyang from Caltech, who was not part of the study.

For instance, temperature influences the reaction rates of the enzymes. Elevated temperatures can accelerate certain enzymes faster than others, modifying the output’s mixture of peptide fragments. By employing machine learning algorithms to analyze these fragments, the researchers were able to correlate fragment patterns with specific temperatures.

Different chemical reactions can take place over various timescales, giving these systems a type of “memory” for previous inputs, enabling them to identify patterns over time. For example, they can distinguish between rapid and slow light pulses, allowing for both reactive and adaptive processing of changes in input.

The outcome is a versatile, dynamic chemical computer that interprets signals akin to a living organism rather than a static chemical circuit. “The same network undertook multiple roles seamlessly, including chemical categorization, temperature sensing with an average error margin of around 1.3°C from 25°C to 55°C, pH classification, and even responding to light pulse periodicity,” Li indicated.

The researchers were astonished by the effectiveness of the compact computer, with Huck expressing hopes for future advancements that might convert optical and electrical signals directly into chemical reactions, mimicking the behavior of living cells. “We started with just six or seven enzymes and six peptides,” he remarked. “Just imagine the possibilities with 100 enzymes.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Patience Reveals Potential Chemical Signatures of Ancient Martian Microbes

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NASA’s diligent rover has been investigating and sampling igneous fields and sedimentary rocks within the Ezero Crater, providing insights into the geological processes and intriguing characteristics of early Mars, while also searching for potential biological signatures. Upon entering Neretvavalis, on the western edge of Jezero Crater, the rover examined the distinct mudstone and con rock outcrops of the Bright Angel formation. A new paper published in the journal Nature details extensive geological, petrological, and geochemical studies of these rocks.

The impression of this artist shows how Mars looked about 4 billion years ago. Image credit: M. Kornmesser/ESO.

“Upon the rover’s arrival at the Bright Angel formation and while analyzing the local rocks’ composition, our team was notably surprised by their distinctiveness compared to previous findings,” stated Dr. Michael Tice, a geoscientist and astrobiologist at Texas A&M University.

“These findings offer evidence of chemical cycling that organisms on Earth can utilize to harness energy.”

“As we delved deeper, we observed phenomena that could easily be attributed to early Martian life, yet remain challenging to rationalize purely through geological processes.”

“Living organisms conduct chemistry that is naturally prevalent, provided there’s sufficient time and suitable conditions.”

“To optimize our understanding, the chemistry leading to these rocks necessitates either elevated temperatures or biological involvement, and we find no signs of high temperatures here.”

“Nonetheless, these results warrant experimentation and eventually lab studies of the samples collected to completely rule out non-biological explanations.”

The Bright Angel layer comprises mudstone (fine-grained sedimentary rocks composed of silt and clay) and water-laid sedimentary rocks featuring layered beds indicative of a lively environment with flowing rivers and stagnant water.

Employing various instruments from Perseverance, such as Sherloc and PIXL spectrometers, scientists identified organic molecules and small mineral arrangements likely formed through chemical processes related to redox reactions and electron transfers. On Earth, these processes are frequently driven by biological activities.

The most notable characteristics include small nodules and “reaction fronts” – referred to as “poppy seeds” and “leopard spots” by the rover team – consisting of iron phosphate (likely vivianite) and iron sulfide (probably greygeite).

These minerals typically arise in cold, water-laden settings and are frequently associated with microbial metabolism.

“The structural arrangement suggests that they formed through the redox cycling of iron and sulfur along with associated minerals,” Dr. Tice commented.

“On Earth, such formations often occur in sediments where microorganisms consume organic material and ‘breathe’ rust and sulfate. “

“Their existence on Mars provokes an intriguing question: Could a similar process have occurred there?”

The artist’s concept depicts the perseverance of NASA’s Mars Rover on the surface of the red planet. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.

The Sherloc instrument identified a Raman spectral feature known as the G-band, indicating the presence of organic carbon, in certain Bright Angel rocks.

The most substantial signal originated from a location called Apollo Temple, which exhibited high concentrations of both Vivianite and Greygeite.

“The concurrent presence of this organic matter and redox-sensitive minerals is quite compelling,” Dr. Tice noted.

“This implies that organic molecules might have facilitated the chemical reactions responsible for forming these minerals.”

“It’s crucial to recognize that ‘organic’ doesn’t invariably imply life creation.”

“This suggests the presence of numerous carbon-carbon bonds.”

“Alternative processes can yield organic compounds without biological involvement. The organic compounds identified here could have been synthesized either by or as a result of biological activity.”

“If they originated from an organism, decomposition through chemical reactions, radiation, or heat would have been required to yield the G-band we observe today.”

This research outlines two potential scenarios: Firstly, these reactions might be abiotic (driven by geochemical mechanisms) while microorganisms, similar to those on Earth, could have influenced these reactions.

Interestingly, although some features of the nodules and reaction fronts can be produced by non-biological reactions between organic matter and iron, established geochemical processes that can generate sulfur-related features tend to require relatively high temperatures.

“Every observation we’ve made regarding these rocks indicates that they haven’t been subjected to heat capable of producing leopard spots and poppy seeds,” Dr. Tice remarked.

“If that’s accurate, we must genuinely contemplate the possibility that such formations were created by bacteria-like life forms existing in the Martian lake sediments over 300 million years ago.”

Views of Perseverance path through Neretva Vallis and the formation of Bright Angels. Image credit: Hurowitz et al., doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09413-0.

The research team underscores that while the evidence is not definitive proof of past life, the findings align with NASA’s criteria for potential biosignatures. This characteristic paves the way for further inquiries to ascertain the biological or non-biological origins.

Perseverance has collected core samples from a Bright Angel layer named Sapphire Canyon, which are currently housed in sealed tubes onboard the rover.

This sample is prioritized for future return to Earth in a prospective mission.

“Once we return this sample to Earth, we can investigate it using far more sensitive instruments than those we can deploy on Mars,” Dr. Tice explained.

“We could analyze the isotopic composition of organic materials, fine mineralogy, and conduct searches for microfossils if they exist.”

“More tests can also help determine the maximum temperatures these rocks were subjected to, and whether high-temperature geochemical processes are the most plausible explanations for any potential biological signatures.”

“The similarities between processes on Mars and Earth are indeed remarkable. However, there’s one crucial distinction.”

“It’s fascinating to note that life employs some of the same processes on both planets around the same epochs.”

“We observe signs of microorganisms in Earth’s rocks of similar ages where iron and sulfur interact with organic matter in comparable ways, but we don’t encounter the exact features seen in Mars’ ancient stones.”

Due to tectonic activities, the majority of Earth’s rocks have been altered significantly, making it unique and spectacular to witness this phenomenon on another planet.”

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Ja Hurowitz et al. 2025. Redox-driven minerals and organic associations at Jezero Crater, Mars. Nature 645, 332-340; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09413-0

This article is based on a press release provided by Texas A&M University.

Source: www.sci.news

Dwarf Planet Ceres Might Have Hosted a Lasting Source of Chemical Energy to Support Habitability

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While there is no conclusive evidence of microorganisms on Ceres, recent research bolsters the theory that this dwarf planet may have once harbored conditions conducive to single-cell life.

An illustration of Ceres’ interior, highlighting the movement of water and gas from the rocky core to the saltwater reservoir. Carbon dioxide and methane are chemical energy carriers beneath Ceres’ surface. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.

Previous scientific data from NASA’s Dawn Mission indicated that bright reflective areas on Ceres’ surface were formed from salt left behind by liquid that seeped from below ground.

A subsequent 2020 analysis identified that this liquid originated from a vast reservoir of subsurface brine.

Additional studies found organic materials in the form of carbon molecules on Ceres. While this alone doesn’t confirm the existence of microbial life, it is a crucial component.

Water and carbon molecules are two fundamental aspects of the habitability puzzle for this distant world.

The latest findings suggest that ancient chemical energy on Ceres could have supported the survival of microorganisms.

This does not imply that Ceres currently hosts life, but if it did, “food” sources are likely to have been available.

In a new study led by Dr. Sam Courville from Arizona State University and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a thermal and chemical model was developed to simulate the temperature and composition within Ceres over time.

They discovered that approximately 2.5 billion years ago, Ceres’ underground oceans possibly maintained a stable supply of warm water with dissolved gases emanating from metamorphic rocks in the rocky core.

The heat originated from the decay of radioactive elements within the planet’s rocky interior, a process typical in our solar system.

“On Earth, when hot water from deep underground interacts with ocean water, it frequently creates a fertility hotspot for microorganisms, releasing a wealth of chemical energy,” stated Dr. Courville.

“Therefore, if Ceres’ oceans experienced hydrothermal activity in the past, it would align well with our findings.”

As it stands, Ceres is not likely to be habitable today, being cooler and having less ice and water than it once did.

At present, the heat from radioactive decay in Ceres is inadequate to prevent water from freezing, resulting in highly concentrated saltwater.

The timeframe during which Ceres was likely habitable ranges from 5 billion to 2 billion years ago, coinciding with when its rocky core peaked in temperature.

This is when warm liquid water would have been introduced into Ceres’ groundwater.

Dwarf planets generally lack the benefit of ongoing internal heating due to tidal interactions with larger planets, unlike Enceladus and Europa, moons of Saturn and Jupiter, respectively.

Thus, the highest potential for a habitable Ceres existed in its past.

“Since then, Ceres’ oceans are likely to be cold, concentrated saltwater with minimal energy sources, making current habitability unlikely,” the authors concluded.

A paper detailing these findings was published today in the journal Advances in Science.

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Samuel W. Courville et al. 2025. Core metamorphosis controls the dynamic habitability of the medium-sized marine world – the case of Ceres. Advances in Science 11 (34); doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adt3283

Source: www.sci.news

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome May Be Inherited Through Chemical Modifications of DNA

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Illustration of enlarged ovaries in an individual with polycystic ovary syndrome

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Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) may be transmitted through families via chemical markers that modify DNA structure, implying that medications that adjust these markers in embryos could potentially prevent the disorder.

Individuals with PCOS usually display at least two of the following three key traits: elevated levels of male hormones like testosterone, irregular menstrual cycles, and the presence of immature eggs that resemble cysts in the ovaries.

While this condition frequently runs in families, its inheritance pattern remains unclear. “Around 25-30 genetic mutations are associated with PCOS, but they only account for a minor part of the hereditary aspects,” explains Elisabet Stener-Victorin from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden.

Research on mice indicates that variations in epigenetic marks (chemical tags that regulate gene activity without changing DNA sequences) may also be influential. As eggs develop, most of these marks are believed to be erased, but some may persist as a possible means of inheritance.

To investigate this in relation to human PCOS, Qianshu Zhu from China’s Chungin Medical University and colleagues conducted an analysis of the epigenetic markers in eggs and embryos donated 3 days prior, revealing data from 133 and 95 PCOS donors respectively. “No one has truly explored this with human samples,” states Stener-Victorin.

The study revealed a correlation between PCOS donation and altered patterns in three epigenetic marks in eggs and embryos. Two of these marks contribute to silencing genes and helping to package them within cells, resulting in a tighter DNA coil around a protein called histone, rendering the genetic code less accessible for RNA transcription, a crucial step in protein synthesis. Meanwhile, the third type of mark activates genes by loosening the DNA coil.

Together, the epigenetic modifications related to PCOS could potentially affect the metabolic processes of eggs and embryos, thereby elevating the chances of passing on PCOS to the next generation. Nevertheless, more research is essential to understand how these changes influence PCOS symptoms in offspring, both in mice and humans, as noted by Stener-Victorin. “At this stage, I recognize these marks differ, and that doesn’t inherently mean they are harmful,” she remarks.

Additional experiments suggest that the researchers may employ medications to reverse epigenetic alterations, potentially mitigating the risk of PCOS. “If we observe that modifying these histone marks changes the next-generation characteristics of PCOS, it could present a critical prevention target,” Zhu stated in a press release. Furthermore, the team posits that clinicians might utilize PCOS-related epigenetic markers to choose the healthiest embryos during in vitro fertilization procedures.

Zhu presented these findings at the European Breeding Association’s Annual Meeting held in Paris on July 1st.

topics:

  • Epigenetics/
  • Women’s health

Source: www.newscientist.com

Trump is being asked by the chemical industry for an exemption from pollution restrictions

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President Trump is being asked by two chemical industry groups to grant a complete exemption to free factories from new restrictions on dangerous air pollution.

The Biden administration’s new rules will require chemical plastics to monitor and reduce the emission of toxic pollutants like ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing ingredient used in antifreezes and plastics.

The American Chemical Council and the American Fuel & Petrochemical Makers are seeking a temporary presidential exemption for all polluters in response to these rules.

The Environmental Defense Fund obtained a letter dated March 31, which stated that the new requirement imposed a significantly more expensive burden on member companies with an infeasible timeline.

The groups have written to the Environmental Protection Agency administrator expressing concerns that some of the new rules could cost businesses over $50 billion.

The EPA recently allowed businesses to apply for exemptions from clean air rules by sending emails to agents, citing the Clean Air Act’s provision for temporary exemptions in cases where necessary technology is unavailable or for national security reasons.

During Trump’s administration, the EPA rolled back many of the same rules, allowing businesses to be temporarily exempt from compliance.

A White House spokeswoman stated that Trump’s commitment was to unleash America’s energy, protect national security, and ensure environmental control.

The Biden-era regulations aimed to address the disproportionate environmental hazards faced by communities near chemical plants, particularly low-income, black, or Latino areas experiencing rising rates of asthma, cancer, and other health issues.

Updated regulations governing emissions from chemical plants considered cumulative effects on communities near major chemical hubs, requiring companies to strengthen controls and processes to limit chemical emissions.

Fence line monitoring and other measures are needed to ensure compliance, especially concerning ethylene oxide, which is used in various products such as batteries for electric vehicles and medical device sterilization.

The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers CEO criticized Biden-era rules as illegal and technically unachievable, posing risks to US manufacturing operations.

Environmental advocates expressed concerns that the Trump administration’s actions were allowing businesses to avoid complying with reasonable restrictions on toxic air pollution.

The move aligns with the administration’s efforts to prioritize cost reduction for businesses and promote energy control rather than environmental protection.

Last month, the administration halted a federal lawsuit against a chemical manufacturer accused of releasing carcinogenic substances from plants in Louisiana.

Source: www.nytimes.com

The Fallacy of Depression: Exploring the Complexities Beyond Just Chemical Imbalances

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The prevailing belief regarding the cause of depression in the brain is centered around some form of chemical imbalance. Pharmaceutical companies often claim in their marketing that antidepressants work by addressing this imbalance. This notion was also embraced by mental health activists aiming to demonstrate that depression isn’t uniform across all individuals, but rather has a “real” biological root.

While many antidepressants do impact various chemical levels in the brain, particularly neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, and glutamic acid, most experts now acknowledge that attributing depression to chemical imbalances is an oversimplified view.

The absence of a standard for defining the “correct” levels further complicates this theory. A significant review of literature published in 2023 has even asserted that there is insufficient evidence supporting a biochemical foundation for depression. While this review generated controversy, some critics argue it’s a far-reaching claim.

Other aspects of brain function also seem to influence a person’s susceptibility to depression and its onset. For instance, overactivation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has been implicated in this condition. The HPA axis is a network of brain regions responsible for regulating responses to stress.

Several studies have indicated a complex relationship between biochemistry and depression. – Credit: Mary Long

Individuals with depression often exhibit an overactive HPA axis, potentially stemming from early life stress, and show elevated cortisol levels. Dysfunction in the HPA axis can also disrupt levels of other mood-related brain chemicals like serotonin.

Additionally, signs of dysfunction in the brain’s immune system are linked to depression. People with depression tend to have increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines in both the body and brain, with neuroinflammation posing a risk factor for depression.

There is evidence suggesting that stressful experiences can trigger this immune dysfunction, contributing to a higher risk of developing depression.

It’s evident that there isn’t a single cause of depression in the brain, but rather a complex interplay of factors. One plausible framework is the idea that depression results from a lack of neuroplasticity. Chronic stress and trauma seem to diminish the brain’s adaptability, leading to a negative bias in memory and thought processes.

Factors like altered brain chemicals, an overactive HPA axis, and neuroinflammation can all contribute to this inflexible state. Various treatments such as antidepressants, brain stimulation, therapy, and exercise can enhance neuroplasticity by promoting new neuron growth and better communication between pleasure and reward centers in the brain.

This article addresses the query “What actually causes brain depression?” from Chloe Reynolds in Bath.

Please send your questions via email to questions@sciencefocus.comor connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (please include your name and location).

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Electronic tongue accurately identifies chemical makeup of alcoholic beverages

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Molecular tests can be used to assess the quality of drinks

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Beverage manufacturers and consumers may soon have access to small, portable kits not unlike coronavirus tests to check the quality and safety of alcoholic beverages.

The device is called an “artificial tongue” because it can detect additives, toxins, and sweetness in drinks with just a few drops.

Shuo Fan Researchers at China’s Nanjing University say this first-generation new technology cannot yet test for date rape drugs or detect methanol contamination in spiked drinks. A recent incident occurred in Laos in which six backpackers were killed.In future versions,

Current methods for analyzing alcoholic beverages, such as liquid chromatography, require expensive and cumbersome laboratory equipment and require specialized technicians to manipulate and analyze the samples.

The artificial tongue relies on biological nanopore technology. It uses modified organisms, such as bacteria, that have tiny holes, or pores, in their cell membranes that are just a few nanometers in diameter. By charging the membrane with an electrical charge, small molecules of the substance being tested can be drawn into the pores and passed through them.

When these molecules pass through the nanopore, they generate unique electrical signatures that can be analyzed to identify the chemicals present in the sample. Nanopores have already revolutionized DNA sequencing, allowing genetic material to be tested almost instantly using easily portable equipment.

Huang and colleagues used nanopores made in bacteria, called micropores, that have already been introduced for DNA sequencing. Smegmatis bacterium.

The device uses artificial intelligence to identify molecules that pass through the nanopores, such as fragrance compounds and additives, Huang said. “The sensor tells you right away what type of alcoholic beverage it is,” he says. “It can provide a quantitative standard of the product and also easily identify counterfeit alcoholic beverage products.”

Nanopore detectors require only a power source to operate, he says. “This nanopore sensing assay can be performed at home, in the office, or on the street as easily as a COVID-19 test,” Huang said. “You just add a drop of alcoholic beverage to the sensor and wait for the results. The machine learning algorithm does the rest of the work.”

topic:

  • biotechnology /
  • Eating and drinking

Source: www.newscientist.com

Half of all fruits and vegetables are now contaminated with the “forever chemical” – what are the implications?

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The presence of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), commonly known as “forever chemicals,” has been reported in various locations, including more than half of fruit and vegetable samples tested in the UK. This has led to increasing calls for the ban of pesticides containing these chemicals. But what are the health risks associated with consuming fruits and vegetables containing PFAS?

Understanding “Forever Chemicals”

PFAS are not a single chemical but a group of over 10,000 compounds with strong carbon and fluorine bonds. Examples include PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS. These chemicals are used in the production of textiles, food packaging, nonstick surfaces, and pesticides due to their stability against heat, oil, and water. However, their poor biodegradability allows them to persist in the environment and human bodies for extended periods.

The Health Risks of PFAS

Ongoing research suggests that high exposure to certain PFAS compounds may lead to health issues such as increased cholesterol levels, thyroid and liver function impairment, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and a higher risk of certain cancers. While some governments have imposed restrictions on PFAS use, complete bans are rare as risks vary based on factors like exposure levels and individual health characteristics.

It’s essential to note that not all PFAS chemicals pose the same health risks, and exposure to high doses is typically required to observe harmful effects. Monitoring of PFAS levels in food is critical, with most samples in the UK containing PFAS below legal limits.

Reducing Risk and Ensuring Safety

Eating a diverse diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and grains can help reduce PFAS absorption and accumulation in the body. Washing produce thoroughly and peeling where necessary can also lower pesticide residue intake. While organic farming may reduce the presence of detectable residues, PFAS can still be found in organic produce due to environmental contamination.

Choosing locally grown, seasonal foods can further limit pesticide exposure and promote sustainable farming practices. It’s crucial to continue researching PFAS and other potentially harmful chemicals while also exploring safe and efficient methods for food production to sustain global food needs.

It’s important to approach food safety with caution, avoiding unnecessary fear or sweeping generalizations. While risks exist, proper awareness and informed choices can help mitigate potential health hazards associated with PFAS and other chemicals.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

The Origins of Life: Key Chemical Reactions May Have Begun in Hot, Cracked Rocks

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Some amino acids can become concentrated when traveling through cracks in hot rocks.

Sebastian Kauritzky / Alamy

Chemical reactions key to the origin of life on Earth may have occurred as molecules moved along a temperature gradient within a network of cracks in thin rocks deep underground.

Such networks are thought to have been common on early Earth and may have provided a kind of natural laboratory in which many of the building blocks of life were concentrated and separated from other organic molecules.

“It’s very difficult to get a more general environment where you can do these cleansing and intermediate steps,” he says. Christophe Mast at Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich, Germany.

He and his colleagues created a heat flow chamber the size of a playing card to model how mixtures of organic molecules behave in cracks in such rocks.

The researchers heated one side of the 170-micrometer-thick chamber to 25°C (77°F) and the other side to 40°C (104°F), allowing molecules to move in a process called thermophoresis. This created a temperature gradient that How sensitive a molecule is to this process depends on its size and charge and how it interacts with the fluid in which it is dissolved.

During an 18-hour experiment in a heat flow chamber, we found that different molecules were concentrated in different parts of the chamber depending on their sensitivity to thermophoresis. Among these molecules are many amino acids and A, T, G, and C nucleobases, which are important building blocks of DNA. This effect was further magnified by creating a network of three interconnected chambers, with one side of the chamber network at 25°C and the other side at 40°C. Additional chambers further concentrated the compounds concentrated in the first chamber.

Mathematical simulations with 20 interconnected chambers (which may closely resemble the complexity of natural crack systems) find that the enrichment of different molecules can be further amplified Did. In one chamber, the amino acid glycine reached a concentration approximately 3000 times higher than that of another amino acid, isoleucine, even though they entered the network at the same concentration.

The researchers also demonstrated that this enrichment process can cause reactions that would otherwise be extremely difficult. They showed that glycine molecules can bind to each other when the concentration of a molecule that catalyzes the reaction called trimetaphosphoric acid (TMP) increases. Mast said TMP is an interesting molecule to concentrate because it was rare on early Earth. “Since [the chambers] Since they are all randomly connected, all kinds of reaction conditions can be implemented. ”

“It’s very interesting that within the crack there are regions with different proportions of compounds,” he says. evan sprite from Radboud University in the Netherlands was not involved in the study. “This enhancement allows us to create even more versatility from very simple building blocks.”

But enrichment in rock fractures is still far from a viable scenario for the origin of life, he says. “Ultimately, they still need to come together to form something resembling a cell or protocell.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The distinctive chemical makeup of adolescent perspiration includes hints of musk and urine aromas

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Body odor usually worsens around puberty

Carlos Barquero/Alamy

Teens appear to produce chemicals in their sweat that cause body odor, such as urine, musk, and sandalwood. Awareness of these chemicals may lead to more effective odor control measures, such as more effective deodorants.

Because the chemical compounds in sweat are volatile, they easily turn into gases that are perceived as odor. Hormonal changes that occur during puberty are associated with increased body odor.

helen ruth Researchers at Germany’s Friedrich-Alexander University studied how body odor changes from childhood to adolescence.

The team recruited 18 children up to the age of three and 18 adolescents between the ages of 14 and 18. They all washed themselves with unscented gel before bed and had cotton pads sewn to the sides of their clothes.

The researchers then extracted the compounds absorbed by the pads and identified them using a technique called mass spectrometry. They then used a process called gas chromatography and trained evaluators to detect the odorous chemicals. “The human nose is used as a detector,” Roos says.

Overall, the body odor-causing chemicals in the two groups were similar, but the chemicals collected from the teens contained higher levels of some carboxylic acids, and the judges described it as “cheap”, “musty” and “earthy”.

The researchers also identified two steroids unique to the teens’ samples, which smelled of “urine and musk” and “sandalwood and musk,” respectively. Chemical differences between teen body odor and toddler body odor may be why toddlers are generally considered to have more pleasant smells, the researchers write.

Ruth says further research into the scents we produce at different ages could help scientists develop more effective odor control measures.

but andreas natsch Swiss fragrance maker Givaudan notes that the study only assessed overnight body odor. “In adults, more pungent odors occur when they are under mental or physical stress,” he says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The transformation of seedlings into super plants through a rare chemical scent

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plants by exposing them to certain chemicals at seed can affect subsequent growth. Researchers found that treating seeds with ethylene gas improved both growth and stress tolerance. This finding includes enhanced photosynthesis. Carbohydrate production in plants has the potential to be a breakthrough in improving crop yields and resilience to environmental stressors. Like other living things, plants can be stressed. Usually the conditions are as follows heat and drought. That can lead to stress, and when stressed, the plant may not grow as much or produce less. This can be a problem for farmers, so many scientists have tried genetically modified plants to make it more elastic. However, plants modified to obtain higher crop yields are low stress tolerance. This is because they put more energy into growing than protecting them from stress. Similarly, as plants improve their ability to withstand stress, production often decreases because they spend more energy protecting than growing. This brainteaser makes it possible It is difficult to improve crop yields. I was studying How the plant hormone ethylene regulates plant growth and stress responses. In Research to be published in July 2023, my lab made an unexpected and provocative observation. We found that when seeds that are normally underground germinate in the dark, adding ethylene improves both growth and stress tolerance. Ethylene is a plant hormone Because plants cannot move around, they cannot avoid stressful environmental conditions such as heat or drought. They receive various signals from their environment, such as light and temperature, which shape their growth, development, and how they respond to stressful situations. As part of this regulation, plants make various hormones They are part of a regulatory network that allows them to adapt to environmental conditions. Ethylene was first discovered as a gaseous plant hormone over 100 years ago. Since then, research has shown that all land plants studied produce ethylene. In addition to controlling growth and responding to stress, they are also involved in other processes, such as turning leaves in autumn and promoting fruit ripening. Ethylene as a way to “prime” plants My lab focuses on how plants and bacteria sense ethylene and how ethylene interacts with other hormonal pathways to regulate plant development. While conducting this research, my group accidental discovery. We were experimenting with germinating seeds in a dark room. Seed germination is a critical period in a plant’s life when seeds transition from dormancy to seedlings under favorable conditions. In this experiment, Seeds exposed to ethylene gas Continue this for a few days to see what effect it has. The ethylene was then removed. Normally, the experiment should end here. However, after collecting data on these seedlings, we transferred them to lightweight carts. This is not something we normally do, but we wanted to grow the plants to adulthood so we could have seeds for future experiments. After a few days of placing the seedlings under light, some lab members made the unexpected and surprising observation that the plants briefly gassed with ethylene. it was much bigger. These plants had larger leaves and longer and more complex root systems than plants not exposed to ethylene. These plants continued to grow at a faster rate throughout their lives. The plant on the left was not primed with ethylene, while the plant on the right was primed with ethylene. Both plants are the same age. Credit: Binder Lab, University of Tennessee, Knoxville My colleagues and I wanted to know if plants are diverse seed Exposure to ethylene during seed germination showed growth stimulation. We discovered it the answer is yes. We tested the effects of short-term ethylene treatment on germinating tomato, cucumber, wheat, and arugula seeds, all of which grew significantly. However, what made this observation unusual and exciting is that short ethylene treatments also Increased tolerance to various stresses salinity stress, high temperature, hypoxic conditions, etc. The long-term effects of short-term exposure to a stimulus on growth and stress tolerance are often referred to as priming effects. This can be thought of as pump priming priming allows the pump to start easier and faster. There are studies that investigated how plants grow after priming at different ages and developmental stages. but Seed priming Methods using various chemicals and stress are probably the most studied because they are easy to implement and, if successful, can be…

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New approach uncovers the complete chemical complexity of quantum decoherence

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Rochester researchers have reported a strategy for understanding how molecules in completely chemically complex solvents lose their quantum coherence. This discovery opens the door to rational tuning of quantum coherence through chemical design and functionalization.

Credit: Annie Ostau de Lafon

This discovery can be used to design molecules with custom quantum coherence properties, laying the chemical basis for new quantum technologies.

In quantum mechanics, particles can exist in multiple states at the same time, which defies the logic of everyday experience. This property, known as quantum superposition, is the basis for new quantum technologies that promise to transform computing, communications, and sensing. However, quantum superposition faces a serious challenge: quantum decoherence. During this process, interaction with the surrounding environment disrupts the delicate superposition of quantum states.

Quantum decoherence challenges

To unlock the power of chemistry and build complex molecular architectures for practical quantum applications, scientists need to understand and control quantum decoherence so they can engineer molecules with specific quantum coherence properties. must be. To do so, we need to know how to rationally modify the chemical structure of molecules to modulate or alleviate quantum decoherence. To do this, scientists need to know the “spectral density,” a quantity that summarizes the speed at which the environment moves and the strength of its interactions with the quantum system.

A breakthrough in spectral density measurement

Until now, quantifying this spectral density in a way that accurately reflects molecular complexity has remained difficult in theory and experiment. However, a team of scientists has developed a way to extract the spectral density of molecules in a solvent using a simple resonance Raman experiment, a method that fully captures the complexity of the chemical environment.

A team led by Ignacio Franco, an associate professor of chemistry and physics at the University of Rochester, published their findings in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Relationship between molecular structure and quantum decoherence

Using the extracted spectral density, we can not only understand how quickly decoherence occurs, but also determine which parts of the chemical environment are primarily responsible for decoherence. As a result, scientists can now map decoherence pathways and link molecular structure to quantum decoherence.

“Chemistry is built on the idea that molecular structure determines the chemical and physical properties of matter. This principle guides the modern design of molecules for medical, agricultural, and energy applications.” Using our strategy, we can finally begin to develop chemical design principles for emerging quantum technologies,” said Ignacio Gustin, a chemistry graduate student at the University of Rochester and lead author of the study.

Resonant Raman experiments: an important tool

The breakthrough came when the team realized that resonance Raman experiments provided all the information needed to study decoherence in its full chemical complexity. Although such experiments are routinely used to study photophysics and photochemistry, their usefulness for quantum decoherence had not been evaluated. The key insight was shared by David McCamant, an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Rochester and an expert in Raman spectroscopy, and Jang Woo Kim, currently on the faculty at Chonnam National University in South Korea and an expert in quantum decoherence. This became clear from the discussion. He was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Rochester.

Case study: Thymine decoherence

The researchers used their method to show for the first time how the superposition of electrons in thymine, one of the building blocks of humans, occurs. DNA, it takes only 30 femtoseconds (one femtosecond is one billionth of a billionth of a second) after absorbing ultraviolet light. They found that some vibrations within the molecule were dominant in the early stages of the decoherence process, while the solvent was dominant in the later stages. Furthermore, they found that chemical modifications to thymine significantly altered the decoherence rate, with hydrogen bonding interactions near the thymine ring resulting in more rapid decoherence.

Future implications and applications

Ultimately, the team’s research paves the way to understanding the chemical principles governing quantum decoherence. “We are excited to use this strategy to finally understand quantum decoherence in molecules of full chemical complexity and use it to develop molecules with robust coherence properties.” Franco said.

Reference: “Mapping the intramolecular electron decoherence pathway” by Ignacio Gustin, Chan Woo Kim, David W. McCamant, and Ignacio Franco, November 28, 2023. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2309987120

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