Tag Archives: molecules

Comet 3I/ATLAS from Beyond the Solar System Contains Essential Life-Creating Molecules

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Comet 3I/ATLAS is the third known visitor from beyond our solar system

International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/Shadow the Scientist; J. Miller & M. Rodriguez (International Gemini Observatory/NSF NOIRLab), T.A. Rector (University of Alaska Anchorage/NSF NOIRLab), M. Zamani (NSF NOIRLab)

The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS releases carbon-rich compounds at a higher rate than most comets in the solar system, including methanol. This compound plays a crucial role in prebiotic chemistry and is not commonly found in other interstellar objects.

Having made only three known visits to our solar system, 3I/ATLAS stands apart from comets found in our galactic neighborhood. While approaching the Sun, it developed a crust of water vapor and gas, containing significantly more carbon dioxide than typically found in Solar System comets. Additionally, the comet’s light appeared unusually red, hinting at atypical surface chemistry, and it began emitting gas well before reaching the Sun. This could indicate that it has not approached another star in hundreds of millions of years, or possibly since leaving its home system.

Recently, Martin Cordiner and a team using the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile discovered that 3I/ATLAS generates significant amounts of hydrogen cyanide gas, as well as even larger quantities of gaseous methanol. “Hydrogen cyanide and methanol are usually found in trace amounts and aren’t dominant components in our comets,” explained Cordiner. “However, they appear to be notably abundant in this alien comet.”

Cordiner’s research team observed that the hydrogen cyanide comes from near the comet’s core, producing around a quarter to half a kilogram per second. Methanol was also found in the core, indicating large quantities are produced even within the comet’s coma, which is the extensive trail of dust and gas extending miles away from the comet itself.

Methanol is emitted at approximately 40 kilograms per second, significantly more than hydrogen cyanide, which represents about 8 percent of the total vapor released (compared to roughly 2 percent from typical solar system comets). The different locations of these two molecules suggest that the comet’s core may not be uniform, which could provide insights into how comets are formed, according to Cordiner.

Cordiner noted that, while methanol is a relatively straightforward carbon-based compound, it plays an essential role in forming more complex molecules critical for life. Its production appears to be high when chemical reactions producing these larger molecules occur. “Chemically, it seems unlikely that we can progress toward highly complex substances without generating methanol,” Cordiner said.

Josep Trigo-Rodriguez and colleagues from Spain’s Institute of Space Sciences suggested that comets with substantial iron and metals are likely to produce considerable methanol as well. The presence of liquid water heated by the Sun could permeate the comet’s core and engage in chemical reactions with its iron, resulting in methanol production. Thus, discovering methanol in the coma might indicate a metal-rich composition of the comet, he adds.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

RNA Molecules Discovered in 39,000-Year-Old Woolly Mammoth Tissue

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Researchers have successfully extracted and sequenced ancient RNA from the tissues of 10 woolly mammoths preserved in permafrost. One of these specimens is estimated to be 39,000 years old, making it the oldest ancient RNA sequence recorded to date.

Marmol Sanchez et al. Ancient RNA sequences identified in late Pleistocene woolly mammoth tissue. Image credit: Marmol Sanchez et al., doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2025.10.025.

Investigating prehistoric genes and their activation is crucial for understanding the biology and evolution of extinct species.

For years, scientists have been piecing together the mammoth genome and their evolutionary history through DNA analysis.

However, RNA, which indicates active genes, has remained elusive until now.

“With RNA, we can provide direct evidence of which genes are ‘turned on’ and gain insights into the final moments of mammoths that lived during the last Ice Age,” stated Dr. Emilio Marmol, a researcher at the Globe Institute.

“This kind of information cannot be obtained from DNA alone.”

In this study, Dr. Marmol and colleagues analyzed permafrost-preserved tissue from 10 late Pleistocene woolly mammoths discovered in northeastern Siberia, spanning from the central Indigirka region to the Oyogos Yar coast and the New Siberian Islands.

“We accessed exceptionally well-preserved mammoth tissue excavated from the Siberian permafrost, expecting it to contain RNA molecules that had remained frozen over millennia,” Marmol mentioned.

“We have pushed the limits of DNA recovery for over a million years,” said Professor Rav Dalen from Stockholm University and the Center for Paleogenetics.

“Now we aimed to determine if RNA sequencing could go further back than prior research.”

Researchers successfully identified tissue-specific gene expression patterns in the muscular remains of Yuka, a 39,000-year-old juvenile mammoth.

There are over 20,000 protein-coding genes in the mammoth genome, but not all are actively expressed.

The detected RNA molecules relate to proteins crucial for muscle contraction and metabolic regulation under stress.

Researchers also discovered several RNA molecules that regulate gene activity in mammoth muscle samples.

“We found non-protein-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs, which were among our most intriguing discoveries,” Dr. Mark Friedlander from Stockholm University’s Wenner-Gren Institute remarked.

“The muscle-specific microRNAs identified in mammoth tissue provide concrete evidence of gene regulation occurring in real-time in ancient eras. This is a groundbreaking achievement.”

The identified microRNAs also enabled the authors to confirm their findings originated from mammoths.

“We found a rare mutation in a specific microRNA, providing evidence that it is of mammoth origin,” noted Dr. Bastian Flom from the Norwegian Arctic University Museum.

“We also uncovered novel genes solely based on RNA evidence, a feat not attempted before at such ancient sites.”

“RNA molecules can endure for much longer than previously assumed.”

“Our findings demonstrate that RNA can survive much longer than previously thought,” Professor Dalen added.

“This allows us to not only explore which genes are ‘turned on’ in various extinct creatures but also to sequence RNA viruses like influenza and coronaviruses that are preserved in Ice Age remains.”

These findings were published in the Journal of Cell on November 14, 2025.

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Emilio Marmol-Sanchez et al. Ancient RNA expression profiles from extinct woolly mammoths. Cell published online on November 14, 2025. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2025.10.025

Source: www.sci.news

Cassini Discovers Organic Molecules in Newly Released Ice Grains from Enceladus’ Ocean

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Enceladus, Saturn’s moon, constantly emits ice grains and gas plumes from its subterranean seas through fissures near the Antarctic region. A research team from the University of Stuttgart and the University of Berlin Fly utilized data from NASA’s Cassini spacecraft to chemically analyze newly emitted particles originating from Enceladus’ ocean. They successfully identified intermediates of organic molecules that may have biological significance (including aliphatic and (hetero)cyclic esters/alkenes, ethers/ethyl, and tentatively, nitrogen and oxygen-containing compounds), marking the first discovery of such compounds among ice particles in extraterrestrial oceans.

Artist’s impression of NASA’s Cassini spacecraft navigating through the plumes erupting from Enceladus’ Antarctic region. These plumes resemble geysers and release a mix of water vapor, ice grains, salt, methane, and various organic molecules. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.

Enceladus has a diameter of approximately 500 km, and its surface is covered by ice shells that are about 25-30 km thick on average.

Cassini made the first revelation of a hidden ocean beneath Enceladus’ surface back in 2005.

A current emerges from a fissure near the moon’s Antarctic, sending ice grains into space.

Some ice particles, smaller than grains of sand, settle on the moon’s surface, while others escape, forming a ring that orbits Enceladus around Saturn.

“Cassini consistently detected samples from Enceladus while passing through Saturn’s E ring,” noted Nozail Kawaja, a researcher at the Free University of Berlin and the lead author of the study.

“Many organic molecules have already been identified within these ice grains, including precursors to amino acids.”

The ice grains in the ring may be hundreds of years old and could have undergone changes due to strong cosmic radiation.

Scientists aimed to analyze the recently released grains to enhance their understanding of the dynamics within Enceladus’ seas.

Fortunately, they already had the relevant data. In 2008, Cassini flew directly through the ice sprays. The released primitive particles were emitted just minutes before they interacted with the spacecraft’s Cosmic Dust Analyzer (CDA) at speeds of approximately 18 km/sec. These represented not only the most recent ice grains Cassini has detected but also the fastest.

“Ice grains encompass not just frozen water, but also other molecules containing organic matter,” Dr. Kawaja stated.

“Lower impact speeds can break the ice, leading to signals from water molecule clusters that may obscure signals from certain organic molecules.”

“However, when ice grains strike the CDA at high speeds, the water molecules do not cluster, allowing previously hidden signals to emerge.”

Years of data from previous flybys were necessary to interpret this information.

This time, the authors successfully identified the molecules contained in the freshly released ice grains.

The analysis showed that certain organic molecules known to be present in the E rings were also found in the fresh ice grains, affirming their formation within Enceladus’ seas.

Furthermore, they discovered a completely new molecule that had never before been observed in Enceladus’ ice grains.

Chemical analyses revealed that the newly detected molecular fragments consisted of aliphatic, (hetero)cyclic esters/alkenes, ethers/ethyl, and potentially nitrogen and oxygen-containing compounds.

On Earth, these same compounds participate in a series of chemical reactions that ultimately yield more complex molecules essential for life.

“Numerous pathways from the organic molecules detected in Cassini’s data to potentially biologically relevant compounds exist, enhancing the possibility of habitability on the moon,” Dr. Kawaja mentioned.

“We have more data currently under review, so we anticipate further discoveries soon.”

“The molecules we identified in the newly released materials indicate that the complex organic molecules Cassini detected within Saturn’s E ring are not merely a result of prolonged exposure to space; they are readily found within Enceladus’ ocean,” added co-author Dr. Frank Postberg, also from the Free University of Berlin.

For more details, refer to the study featured in this month’s edition of Natural Astronomy.

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N. Kawaja et al. Detection of organic compounds in newly released ice grains from the Enceladus ocean. Nat Astron Published online on October 1, 2025. doi: 10.1038/s41550-025-02655-y

Source: www.sci.news

Planetary Scientists Challenge Marine Origin of Organic Molecules in Enceladus’ Plumes

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The magnetosphere of Saturn is filled with trapped plasma and energy-charged particles that consistently bombard the surface of Enceladus. This plasma mainly consists of charged particles, including water group ions created from high-energy electrons interacting with materials from the plumes. Instruments on NASA’s Cassini spacecraft reveal that on Saturn’s inner icy moons, such as Mimas and Tethys, cold plasma irradiation results in darker reflection spectra and produces blue-tinted features on their surfaces. In contrast, the consequences of plasma bombardment on Enceladus remain largely unexplored and challenging to assess.

Saturn’s Moon Enceladus and Plume. Image credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI/Kevin M. Gill.

“The discovery of complex organic molecules in Enceladus’s environment is crucial for evaluating lunar habitability, indicating that radiation-driven chemistry on the surface and within plumes can yield these molecules.”

The Enceladus plume was first identified in 2005 by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft.

These plumes emerge from a long fracture known as the “Tiger Stripes” located in Enceladus’s Antarctic region.

Originating from a subsurface ocean, the water’s energy to create plumes and heat the ocean arises from gravitational tidal forces exerted by the massive Saturn, which deforms Enceladus’s interior.

Cassini flew through the plume, “sampling” the molecules present, which were found to be rich in salts and a variety of organic compounds.

These findings have captivated astrobiologists since organic compounds found dissolved in underground oceans could lead to prebiotic molecules, the building blocks of life.

However, new insights suggest that radiation from Saturn’s powerful magnetosphere could also contribute to the formation of these organic compounds on Enceladus’s icy surface, prompting questions about their astrobiological significance.

In their research, Dr. Richards and colleagues replicated the ice composition on the surface and along the striped walls of Enceladus’s tiger.

This ice comprises water, carbon dioxide, methane, and ammonia, which were cooled to -200 degrees Celsius.

The researchers then bombarded the ice with ions to mimic the radiation environment surrounding Enceladus.

The interaction of ions with ice components generated various molecular species, including carbon monoxide, cyanate, and ammonium.

It also produced precursor molecules for amino acids, which could support metabolic reactions, aid in cell repair, and facilitate the formation of proteins that transport nutrients in living organisms.

Some of these compounds have been previously identified on Enceladus’s surface, while others were detected in feathers.

“Molecules deemed prebiotic do not necessarily originate from subterranean oceans but can instead form in situ via radiation exposure,” noted Dr. Richards.

“This does not dismiss the potential for the Enceladus seas to be habitable, but it emphasizes the need for caution when interpreting the plume’s composition.”

“Distinguishing between ocean-derived organic matter and molecules formed through radiation interactions with the surface and tiger stripes is extremely complex.”

“Additional data from future missions will be essential, including proposals for the Enceladus mission currently under review as part of the ESA’s Navigation 2050 recommendations for the science program.”

The team’s survey results were announced earlier this month during the EPSC-DPS2025 Joint Meeting in Helsinki, Finland.

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Grace Richards et al. 2025. Water group ion irradiation studies of Enceladus surface analogues. EPSC Abstract 18:EPSC-DPS2025-264; doi:10.5194/epsc-dps2025-264

Source: www.sci.news

AI Discovers Novel Molecules with Potential Antibacterial Properties in Archaea

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Antibiotic resistance poses a significant challenge to humanity, emphasizing the urgent need for new antibiotics. While the majority of antibiotics are derived from fungi and bacteria, Archaea presents largely untapped sources for discovering new antibiotics. In a recent study, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania employed deep learning techniques to investigate paleozoans. By analyzing the proteomes of 233 archaeal species, we discovered 12,623 potential antibacterial compounds.

Torres et al. Synthesized 80 alkierins, 93% of which showed antibacterial activity in vitro against Acinetobacter baumannii, E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus spp. Image credits: Torres et al, doi: 10.1038/s41564-025-02061-0.

“Previous attempts to discover new antibiotics have mainly focused on fungi, bacteria, and animals,” stated Dr. Cesar de la Fuente, a researcher at the University of Pennsylvania.

“Historically, we have leveraged AI models to identify antibiotic candidates across various sources, from the DNA of extinct organisms to the compounds found in animal venom.”

“We are now applying these methodologies to a new dataset: hundreds of proteins from ancient microorganisms.”

“There are undoubtedly other life forms waiting to be investigated.”

In contrast to bacteria and eukaryotes (which include plants, animals, and fungi), Archaea represents a distinct branch on the evolutionary tree.

While they may resemble bacteria under a microscope, archaeal organisms differ fundamentally in their genetics, cell membranes, and biochemistry.

These unique features enable them to thrive in some of Earth’s most extreme environments, such as heated seabed vents and scalding hot springs like Yellowstone National Park.

Archaea typically flourish in isolation from other organisms, and their biology has evolved in unprecedented ways, with limited evolutionary pressure, exposure to toxic substances, and extreme temperatures.

This presents a promising, yet largely uncharted, source for novel molecular tools, including compounds that may act like antibiotics but function differently than existing treatments.

“Our interest in archaeal organisms stems from their biochemical adaptations to extreme environments,” remarked Dr. Marcelo Torres from the University of Pennsylvania.

“We hypothesized that having survived billions of years under such conditions, they might possess unique strategies to fend off microbial rivals.”

To uncover antibiotic compounds within Archaea, the researchers utilized artificial intelligence.

They adapted an upgraded version of APEX, an AI tool initially designed to identify antibiotic candidates from ancient biological sources, including proteins from long-extinct animals like woolly mammoths.

With thousands of peptides (short amino acid chains) known for their antimicrobial properties, the AI can predict the likelihood that a given amino acid sequence will exhibit similar effects.

By re-calibrating APEX 1.1 to incorporate data from thousands of additional peptides and pathogenic bacteria, the scientists established tools to forecast which peptides in Archaea might inhibit bacterial proliferation.

Upon scanning 233 archaeal species, over 12,000 potential antibiotic candidates were identified.

The authors labeled these molecular compounds, and chemical analysis indicated they differ from known antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), notably in their charge distribution.

The team subsequently selected 80 archaeal compounds for further testing against live bacteria.

“Finding new antibiotic molecules individually feels like searching for needles in a haystack,” commented Famping Wang, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Pennsylvania.

“AI accelerates the search by pinpointing the location of the needle.”

Antibiotics can function through various mechanisms. Some disrupt bacterial membranes, while others inhibit protein synthesis within the organism.

Notably, the researchers found that unlike many known AMPs that target the outer defenses of bacteria, Alcaeasen operates by disrupting internal electrical signals that are vital for cell survival.

Tests on drug-resistant bacteria revealed that 93% of the 80 alkadeins exhibited antibacterial activity against at least one bacterial strain.

The team chose three alkaiersins to evaluate in animal models.

Four days following a single dose, all three alkaiersins halted the spread of drug-resistant bacteria commonly acquired in hospitals.

One of these compounds exhibited activity on par with polymyxin B, an antibiotic often used as a last resort against drug-resistant infections.

“This study underscores the vast potential for discovering new antibiotics within Archaea,” stated Dr. De La Fuente.

“As the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria rises, exploring unconventional sources for new antibiotics is essential.”

A paper detailing the results was published today in Nature Microbiology.

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MDT Torres et al. Deep learning reveals antibiotics in the archaeal proteome. Nat Microbiol. Published online on August 12, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41564-025-02061-0

Source: www.sci.news

Imaging Molecules’ Minute Quantum Jitter with Unmatched Clarity

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Accelerator tunnels at the European XFEL, where atomic motion is meticulously studied.

Xfel/Heiner Mueller-Elsner

In a groundbreaking achievement, a highly advanced X-ray laser has successfully unveiled the slight atomic movements of molecules that are typically expected to remain stationary.

Quantum physics thrives on uncertainty. Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle prevents scientists from simultaneously and accurately determining a particle’s position and momentum, indicating that quantum particles can never be fully at rest. Instead, atoms are perpetually in motion, albeit minuscule.

Nonetheless, measuring this subtle Heisenberg wiggle is challenging in complex molecules where atoms exhibit various motion patterns. Recently, Till Janke from the XFEL facility, along with his team, successfully captured this phenomenon using molecules composed of 11 atoms, including carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and iodine.

“This was my first experiment utilizing an extraordinary tool,” Janke remarked. The pivotal device was the “laser beast,” which bombarded molecules with intense bursts of X-rays. Although the pulse duration was only a quarter of a second, it was a million times brighter than conventional medical X-rays.

Each X-ray pulse stripped electrons from the molecule, causing the atoms to become positively charged and repel explosively from each other. By analyzing the aftermath of these explosions, scientists were able to reconstruct quantum variations of atoms in detail at their lowest energy states.

The team discovered that Heisenberg’s wiggle appears to follow a synchronized pattern in the movements of specific atoms. While this wasn’t unexpected based on the molecular structure, the researchers were astonished by the precision of their measurements, as noted by team member Ludger Inhester at German electronic synchrotrons.

Next, the researchers aim to explore how quantum fluctuations influence molecular behavior during chemical reactions. They also intend to adapt their methodology to study electron movements.

“We are exploring ways to expand our findings to larger systems. There are numerous avenues for future research,” shared team member Rebecca Bol from European XFEL.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Research Shows Accurate Age Predictions Can Be Made with Just 50 DNA Molecules

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Researchers at Hebrew University leveraged a deep learning network to analyze DNA methylation patterns, achieving a time series age (defined as postnatal time) with median accuracy for individuals under 50 years, ranging from 1.36 to 1.7 years. result This work will be published in the journal Cell Report.

Utilizing ultra-depth sequences from over 300 blood samples of healthy individuals, the research indicates that age-dependent methylation changes happen in a probabilistic or coordinated block-like fashion across clusters of CPG sites. Image credit: Ochana et al., doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2025.115958.

“We observe that our DNA leaves measurable marks over time,” commented Professor Tommy Kaplan from Hebrew University.

“Our model interprets these marks with remarkable precision.”

“The essence lies in how our DNA evolves through a process known as methylation – the chemical tagging of DNA by methyl groups (CH)3.

“By focusing on two vital regions of the human genome, our team successfully decoded these changes at the level of individual molecules, employing deep learning to generate accurate age estimations.”

In this research, Professor Kaplan and his team examined blood samples from over 300 healthy subjects and analyzed data from a decade-long study of the Jerusalem Perinatal Study.

The model developed by the team showed consistent performance across various factors, including smoking, weight, gender, and diverse indicators of biological aging.

In addition to potential medical applications, this technique could transform forensic science by enabling experts to estimate the age of suspects based on DNA traces.

“This provides us with a new perspective on cellular aging,” stated Yuval Dor, a professor at Hebrew University.

“It’s a striking example of the intersection between biology and artificial intelligence.”

Researchers found new patterns in DNA alterations over time, suggesting that cells encode both mature and tuned bursts, akin to biological clocks.

“It’s not solely about knowing your age,” explained Professor Ruth Shemmer of Hebrew University.

“It’s about comprehending how cells and molecules keep track of time.”

“This research could redefine our approach to health, aging, and identity,” added the scientist.

“From assisting physicians in treatment based on an individual’s biological timeline to equipping forensic investigators with advanced tools for crime-solving, the capability to decipher age from DNA paves the way for groundbreaking advancements in science, medicine, and law.”

“Moreover, it enhances our understanding of the aging process and brings us closer to unraveling our body’s internal clock.”

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Bracha-Lea Ochana et al. Time is encoded by changes in methylation at clustered CPG sites. Cell Report Published online on July 14th, 2025. doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2025.115958

Source: www.sci.news

Discovery of Glowing Dark Clouds and Molecules Near Earth

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Stars and planets arise from swirling clouds of cosmic gas and dust, primarily composed of hydrogen and other molecular elements. On Monday, astronomers announced the discovery of the closest known cloud to Earth, a vast, crescent-shaped region teeming with potential for star formation.

This cloud, located approximately 300 light-years from our solar system, has been named after EOS, the Greek goddess of dawn. It is the first molecular cloud identified through hydrogen fluorescence, according to Blakeley Burkhart, an astrophysicist at Rutgers University.

“If you observe these clouds in the sky, they’re enormous,” Dr. Burkhart stated. The findings were published in conjunction with a colleague in the Nature Astronomy Journal. She also remarked, “It literally glows in the darkness.”

Investigating clouds like EO, especially regarding their hydrogen content, could reshape astronomers’ understanding of the galactic material available for planet and star formation. This research also provides insights into the rates of formation and destruction of the materials that fuel these processes.

“For the first time, we are observing this hidden reservoir of hydrogen that can create stars,” explained Thavisha Dharmawardena, an astronomer at New York University and co-author of the study. Following the discovery of EOS, astronomers expressed a desire to identify more hydrogen-rich clouds.

Molecular hydrogen, which consists of two hydrogen atoms, is the universe’s most abundant substance. This stellar nursery contains it abundantly. However, detecting these molecules from the ground is challenging because they emit light at wavelengths easily absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere.

In contrast, carbon monoxide—composed of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom—is simpler to detect. It emits light at longer wavelengths, making it accessible for observation with radio telescopes commonly used to identify star-forming clouds.

EOS eluded detection for a long time due to its unexpected nature and low carbon monoxide levels.

Dr. Burkhart identified the cloud while analyzing data from approximately 20 years earlier from the Far-Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (FIMS), an instrument aboard a Korean satellite. She found molecular hydrogen signatures in areas where she believed no molecular cloud existed and collaborated with Dr. Dharmawardena for deeper investigation.

“At this stage, I was familiar with nearly every molecular cloud by name,” Dr. Dharmawardena noted. “I had no awareness of this particular structure; I couldn’t comprehend it.”

Dr. Dharmawardena confirmed the discovery against the 3D map of interstellar dust in our galaxy, which was developed using data from the now-retired Gaia Space Telescope. “EOS was distinctly outlined and visible,” she commented. “It’s a stunning structure.”

John Black, an astronomer at Sweden’s Chalmers Institute of Technology, lauded the methods used to unveil EOS, though he was not part of the research team.

“It’s remarkable to witness molecular hydrogen firsthand and trace the outline of this cloud,” Dr. Black remarked. He added that, compared to carbon monoxide, hydrogen reveals the “authentic shape and size” of EOS.

Utilizing molecular hydrogen data, astronomers estimated the mass of EO to be about 3,400 times that of our Sun, significantly exceeding the carbon monoxide-based estimate of 20 solar masses.

Dr. Burkhart suggested that similar carbon monoxide measurements may underrepresent the mass of other molecular clouds. She emphasized the significance of this finding in stellar formation, as larger clouds can spawn larger stars.

In a follow-up study, EOS, which remains unreviewed, revealed that the cloud has not produced a star previously. However, the future potential for star formation remains uncertain.

Dr. Burkhart collaborated with a team of astronomers to conceptualize a NASA spacecraft named EOS, which inspired the cloud’s name. This proposed space telescope aims to map molecular hydrogen content in clouds across the galaxy, including its namesake.

Such a mission could enhance our understanding of the potential for more concealed clouds and known stellar clouds to contribute to star and planet formation.

“I genuinely don’t know how stars and planets come into being,” Dr. Burkhart admitted. “By observing molecular hydrogen firsthand, we can gain insights into how the birthplaces of stars form and how they ultimately fade away.”

Source: www.nytimes.com

Astounding Discovery: Curiosity Detects Long-Chain Carbon Molecules in Martian Mudstones

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Sample analysis of Mars Instrument on NASA’s Curiosity Rover detected decane, anteca and dodecane molecules in Gale Crater samples.

This graphic shows the long chain organic molecules, decane, undercane, dodecane, and rover of curiosity from NASA. Image credit: NASA/Dan Gallagher.

“The main scientific goal of Curiosity is to quantitatively assess the possibility of Mars’ habitability in the past or present,” says Dr. Caroline Freissinet, researcher at Atmosphères ET Observation Spatiales at CNRS and Laboratoire.

“Sample analysis in the MARS (SAM) instrument suite on a rover is dedicated to this task by employing inventory of organic and inorganic compounds present on the surface of Mars as potential chemical biosignatures and investigating the nature of the conservation.”

Using SAM instruments, researchers analyzed molecules released from excavated mudstone samples called Cumberlands, collected in Yellowknife Bay, the geological layer of Gale Crater.

They were able to detect three long chain alkanes: decane (c)10htwenty two), unedecane (c11htwenty four), and dodecan (c12h26).

“These long carbon chains, which contain up to 12 consecutive carbon atoms, can exhibit similar characteristics to the fatty acids produced on Earth through biological activity,” the researchers said.

Dodecane represents the highest molecular mass organic molecule ever identified on the surface of Mars.

“Detection of long-chain alkanes shows various causes of organic matter and storage mechanisms in Cumberland samples,” the scientists said.

“Clays and sulfate minerals are expected to play an important role in this long-term storage.”

According to the author, the source of Mars’ long-chain alkanes remains uncertain.

“Laboratory experiments support sources from the saturated forms of linear chains, primary carboxylic acids, i.e. decano acids, dodecano acids, and tridecano acids, for decane, undecano and dodecano acids, respectively,” they said.

“Abiotic processes can form these acids, but are considered to be a universal product of biochemistry, on the ground and perhaps Mars.”

“The origin and distribution of these molecules therefore has great interest in searching for potential biosignatures on Mars.”

Survey results It will be displayed in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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Caroline Freecinet et al. 2025. Long chain alkanes are preserved in the mudstones of Mars. pnas 122 (13): e2420580122; doi: 10.1073/pnas.2420580122

Source: www.sci.news

Bakeromene: Chemists Synthesize Barium-Containing Organometallic Molecules

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Organometallic molecules are made up of metal ions surrounded by a carbon-based framework. They are relatively common in early actinide elements such as uranium, but are little known in later actinides. Scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) are currently preparing an organometallic complex from 0.3 milligrams of bacherium 249.

The purple/blue solution in this vial contains Barcheromene crystals. Image credit: Alyssa Gaiser/Berkeley Lab.

Barcrium, one of the 15 actinides in the F block of the periodic table, was discovered in 1949 by pioneering nuclear chemist Glenn Sieborg.

However, this heavy element is very radioactive and not easy to study. And only very small quantities of the products produced globally each year are produced.

Dr. Stephen Minasian, a scientist at the Berkeley Institute, said:

“This finding provides a new understanding of how burcrium and other actinides behave towards their periodic table peers.”

“A small number of facilities around the world can protect both compounds and workers while managing the risk of highly radioactive materials that react vigorously with oxygen and moisture in the air,” added Professor Poly Arnold, a chemist at the University of California, Berkeley and director of the Chemistry Sciences at Berkeley Lab.

At Berkeley Lab’s Heavy Element Research Laboratory, researchers designed a new glovebox that uses highly radioactive isotopes to allow for lethargic synths.

They then performed single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments with just 0.3 milligrams of Vercrium-249.

The results showed a symmetrical structure with a barcrium atoms sandwiched between two 8-membered carbon rings.

Scientists have named the new molecular Bacheromene because its structure is similar to a uranium organometallic complex called Uranosene.

An unexpected discovery revealed that electronic structure calculations revealed that the bacherium atom at the center of the Balkeracene structure has a quadruple oxidation state (positive charge of +4) stabilized by the barkerium carbon bond.

“The traditional understanding of the periodic table suggests that bacherium behaves like lanthanide terbium,” Dr. Minasian said.

“But Barcrium ions are much happier in the +4 oxidation state than the other F-block ions we expected to be the most similar,” Professor Arnold added.

“A more accurate model showing how actinide behavior changes are needed across the periodic table to solve problems related to long-term nuclear waste storage and repair.”

“This clear portrait of actinides like the barklium provides a new lens for the behavior of these fascinating elements,” says Dr. Rebecca Abelgel, a researcher at Berkeley Lab and the University of California, Berkeley.

a paper The explanation of this study was published in the journal Science.

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Dominic R. Russo et al. 2025. Barcrium carbon bonds in quadruple Berkeromene. Science 387 (6737): 974-978; doi: 10.1126/science.adr3346

Source: www.sci.news

At room temperature, metal-free organic molecules demonstrate strong phosphorescence

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A metal-free organic 3-bromo-2-thienyl diketone exhibits fast and efficient room-temperature phosphorescence with high color purity under a variety of conditions, according to a new study led by chemists at Osaka University.

Artist's impression of fast phosphorescence. A beam of blue light enters the molecule, producing a thick yellow pillar, illustrating the acceleration of phosphorescence due to the mixing of singlet states. Image courtesy of YAP Co Ltd.

“Phosphorescence is a valuable optical feature used in applications such as OLEDs and cancer diagnostics,” said chemist Yosuke Tani of Osaka University and his colleagues.

“Until now, achieving highly efficient phosphorescence without using rare metals such as iridium or platinum has been a major challenge.”

“Phosphorescence, which occurs when a molecule goes from a high-energy state to a low-energy state, often competes with non-radiative processes where the molecule loses energy as heat,” the researchers added.

“This competition can slow down phosphorescence and make it less efficient.”

“Previous studies have shown that incorporating certain structural elements into organic molecules could make them phosphoresce faster, but these efforts have not matched the speed and efficiency of rare-metal-based materials.”

“Our breakthrough with thienyl diketones represents a major advance in this field.”

Dr. Tani and his co-authors were able to observe efficient narrowband room-temperature phosphorescence from 3-bromo-2-thienyl diketone in solution, amorphous polymer matrices, and crystalline solids.

“We discovered these molecules by chance and initially didn't understand why they performed so well,” Dr. Tani said.

“But as the research progressed, the pieces started to come together and we began to understand more.”

“Our work has led to a clearer understanding of the mechanisms behind the molecule's performance than any other organic phosphorescent material to date.”

“Still, we believe there is much more to explore and are excited about the potential applications.”

“This work provides new design guidelines for developing rare-metal-free organic phosphorescent materials, which have the potential to surpass and replace these materials in a variety of applications,” the authors conclude.

“The results of this research are expected to lead to major advances in areas such as OLEDs, lighting and medical diagnostics.”

This discovery paper In the journal Chemical Sciences.

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Yosuke Tani othersFast and efficient narrowband room-temperature phosphorescence from metal-free 1,2-diketones: rational design and mechanism. Chemical SciencesPublished online June 3, 2024; doi: 10.1039/D4SC02841D

Source: www.sci.news

ALMA discovers over 100 different molecules in a nearby starburst galaxy

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Astronomers using the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) have detected more than 100 molecular species at the center of starburst galaxy NGC 253. This is far more than anything previously observed in galaxies outside the Milky Way.

Artist's impression of the center of starburst galaxy NGC 253. Image credit: NRAO/AUI/NSF.

In the Universe, some galaxies form stars much faster than our Milky Way. These galaxies are called starburst galaxies.

Exactly how such extremely prolific star formation occurs and how it ends is still a mystery.

The probability of star formation is determined by the properties of the raw material from which stars are formed, such as molecular gas, which is a gaseous substance made up of various molecules.

For example, stars form in dense regions within molecular clouds where gravity can work more effectively.

Some time after a star has been actively forming, explosions from existing or dead stars can energize the surrounding material and prevent future star formation.

These physical processes affect the galaxy's chemistry and imprint signatures on the strength of the signals from its molecules.

Because each molecule emits light at a specific frequency, observations over a wide frequency range can analyze its physical properties and provide insight into the mechanism of starbursts.

It was observed by Dr. Nanase Harada of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan as part of the ALMA Comprehensive High-Resolution Extragalactic Molecular Inventory (ALCHEMI). NGC253 a starburst galaxy located 11.5 million light-years away in the constellation Corina.

They were able to detect more than 100 molecular species in the galaxy's central molecular belt.

This chemical raw material is most abundantly found outside the Milky Way, and includes molecules such as ethanol and the phosphorus-containing species PN, which were first detected beyond the Milky Way.

First, astronomers found that the dense molecular gas likely fuels active star formation in this galaxy.

Each molecule emits at multiple frequencies, and its relative and absolute signal strength varies with density and temperature.

Analysis of numerous signals from several molecular species revealed that the amount of dense gas at the center of NGC 253 is more than 10 times greater than the amount of gas at the center of the Milky Way. This could explain why NGC 253 forms about 30 stars. With the same amount of molecular gas, you can get many times more efficiency.

One mechanism by which molecular clouds compress and become denser is through collisions between them.

At the center of NGC 253, cloud collisions occur where gas streams and stars intersect, creating shock waves that travel at supersonic speeds.

These shock waves vaporize molecules such as methanol and HNCO and freeze them onto ice dust particles.

Once the molecules evaporate as a gas, they can be observed with radio telescopes such as ALMA.

Certain molecules also track ongoing star formation. It is known that complex organic molecules exist in abundance around young stars.

Schematic image of the center of NGC 253. Spectra from the ALCHEMI survey are shown where different tracer species are enriched.Image credits: ALMA / ESO / National Astronomical Observatory of Japan / NRAO / Harada other.

The study suggests that in NGC 253, active star formation creates a hot, dense environment similar to that found around individual protostars in the Milky Way.

The amount of complex organic molecules at the center of NGC 253 is similar to that found around galactic protostars.

In addition to the physical conditions that can promote star formation, the study also uncovered harsh environments left behind by previous generations of stars that could slow the formation of future stars.

When a massive star dies, a massive explosion known as a supernova occurs, releasing energetic particles called cosmic rays.

Molecular composition of NGC 253 revealed by enhancement of species such as H3○+ and HOC+ Molecules in this region are stripped of some of their electrons by cosmic rays at least 1,000 times faster than molecules near the solar system.

This suggests that there is a significant energy input from the supernova, making it difficult for the gas to condense and form a star.

Finally, the ALCHEMI survey provided an atlas of 44 molecular species, double the number obtained in previous studies outside the Milky Way.

By applying machine learning techniques to this atlas, the researchers were able to identify which molecules can most effectively track the star formation story described above from beginning to end.

As explained above with some examples, certain molecular species track phenomena such as shock waves and dense gas that can help star formation.

Young star-forming regions are rich in chemicals, including complex organic molecules.

On the other hand, the developed starbursts show an enhancement of cyanogen radicals, which indicate an energy output in the form of ultraviolet photons from massive stars, which could also hinder future star formation.

“Finding these tracers may help plan future observations to take advantage of the broadband sensitivity improvements expected over this decade as part of the ALMA 2030 development roadmap. “Simultaneous observation of molecular transitions will become more manageable,” the scientists said.

Their paper will appear in Astrophysical Journal Appendix Series.

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Nanase Harada other. 2024. ALCHEMI Atlas: Principal component analysis reveals starburst evolution of NGC 253. APJS 271, 38; doi: 10.3847/1538-4365/ad1937

Source: www.sci.news

Molecules sensitive to light may enhance efficiency of carbon capture

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This direct air recovery system can extract carbon dioxide from the air and reuse it later, but it requires a lot of energy.

Orjan Ellingvorg / Alamy

Photosensitive molecules called photoacids have the potential to make the process of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere more energy efficient. Researchers are currently devising ways to make photoacids more practical.

This can be particularly beneficial for direct air capture (DAC) systems, which blow air over carbon-trapping materials called adsorbents. Existing systems require large amounts of energy to separate pure CO2 from the adsorbent for storage or use elsewhere. This is a major barrier to using DAC to remove billions of tons of CO2 from the atmosphere each year. “Every step I take is hitting a wall,” he says. Anna de Vries At ETH Zurich, Switzerland. “Direct air recovery companies everywhere are struggling and trying to create the most efficient process.”

Adding photoacid to the adsorbent may be effective. When exposed to light, each photoacid molecule changes shape and releases protons, making the solution more acidic. This “pH swing” releases CO2 from the adsorbent and photoacid mixture. When the light is turned off again, the photoacid and pH of the solution return to normal, allowing the adsorbent to absorb CO2 again. This cycle can then be repeated.

Typically, heat or pressure is used to release CO2, but using sunlight or lamps could potentially reduce the energy needed for this step, with the aim of halving the energy requirements of DACs. de Vries says. However, photoacids tend to be unstable and are not very soluble in water, which limits their efficiency in releasing CO2.

De Vries and colleagues added various solvents to the photoacid solution; found the mix This increases the solubility of the photoacid and extends its lifetime from just a few hours to nearly a month.

In another approach, Ubinduni Premadasa Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee and colleagues found Another photoacid, which can remain responsive to light for longer and produce more acid, allows CO2 to be released from solution more efficiently.

greg match Researchers at the University of Newcastle in the UK say these are an “elegant and innovative” solution. But larger systems can face challenges, such as loss of solvent through evaporation in the air, he says.

Although these researchers focused on capturing CO2 from the atmosphere, the first large-scale tests on photoacids may be conducted in water. A Washington state startup called Banyu Carbon uses photoacids to separate CO2 from seawater and plans to install a system capable of removing one tonne of CO2 per year in 2024.

In this system, when photoacids are exposed to light, the resulting acidity is temporarily transferred to seawater, and CO2 absorbed from the atmosphere is released from seawater. alex gagnonAccording to the company's co-founders, this reduces the energy needed to separate the CO2 and eliminates the need to power fans.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

New Low Temperature Record Set by Large Molecules

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Vacuum chamber that cools four-atom molecules to near absolute zero

Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics

The four-atom molecule is the largest uncooled molecule to just 100 billionths of a degree below absolute zero.

Techniques researchers use to cool individual atoms, such as applying lasers or magnetic forces to them, have little effect on molecules. This is especially true for molecules made up of many atoms. Because to be very cold, the molecules must be very still. The more moving parts a molecule has, the more opportunities it has to move and heat up.

“There's a joke that we study molecules not because they're easy, but because they're difficult,” he says. Luo Xinyu at the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics in Germany. He and his colleagues were able to make a four-atom molecule even cooler than before.

They started with thousands of molecules made up of one sodium atom and one potassium atom, trapped them in an airless chamber, and cooled them, or made them very still, with magnetic forces and bursts of light.of lowest possible temperature 0 Kelvin, or absolute zero; these molecules were only 97 billionths of a billionth of a degree Kelvin.

To turn these diatomic molecules into tetraatomic molecules, the researchers needed to combine them in pairs without warming them up. They used microwave fields to “glue” the molecules together, based on the following theoretical calculations. Tao Xi and Suey Chinese Academy of Sciences. “I didn't really know if I could put these molecules together, but Tao's team did the calculations and he said to me, 'This is possible, give it a try.'” says Luo.

Their attempt was successful. The researchers created about 1,100 molecules, each containing two potassium atoms and two sodium atoms, at a temperature of 134 billionths of a billionth of a kelvin. This is the largest molecule ever to reach this cryogenic temperature.

“One of the reasons we make molecules ultracold in the first place is so we can have more control over them, and this is a big step forward in that sense,” he says. john bourne At the University of Colorado Boulder. This new experiment is important not only because the molecules are at unprecedented temperatures, but also because at the coldest temperatures molecules can enter known quantum states and be forced into other states or processes. accuratelyhe says.

Luo says the atoms in these molecules are not “glued” to each other as strongly as the atoms in molecules at room temperature. But making them is a necessary step in studying complex chemical reactions, which are easier to observe when they are very cold and slow.

Next question is Is there something else, perhaps an even larger molecule? Using similar microwave technology, it could be made from similarly frigid materials at extremely low temperatures, he said. sebastian will At Columbia University in New York. “I think we are looking at exciting new opportunities in quantum chemistry!” he says.

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  • chemistry /
  • quantum physics

Source: www.newscientist.com

Study reveals new organizational structure of water molecules on the surface of salt water

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The distribution of ions at the air-water interface plays a decisive role in many natural processes. Some studies suggest that large ions tend to exhibit interfacial activity, suggesting that the ions sit above the water surface, thereby inducing an electric field that determines the interfacial water structure. But new research by chemists at the University of Cambridge and the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research casts doubt on this view. Their results show that ions in typical electrolyte solutions are actually located in subsurface regions and that such interfaces stratify into two characteristic aqueous layers.

Littman other. They show that the ions and water molecules at the surface of most aqueous salt solutions, known as electrolyte solutions, are organized in a completely different way than previously understood.Image credit: Littmann other., doi: 10.1038/s41557-023-01416-6.

Many important reactions related to climate and environmental processes occur where water molecules come into contact with air.

For example, ocean water evaporation plays an important role in atmospheric chemistry and climate science.

Understanding these responses is critical to efforts to reduce human impact on the planet.

The distribution of ions at the air-water interface can influence atmospheric processes. However, accurately understanding the microscopic reactions at these important interfaces has been hotly debated.

Dr. Yair Littman of the University of Cambridge and his colleagues set out to study how water molecules are affected by the distribution of ions at the very point where air and water meet.

Traditionally, this has been done with a technique called oscillatory sum frequency generation (VSFG).

Using this laser irradiation technique, it is possible to directly measure molecular vibrations at these key interfaces.

However, while the strength of the signal can be measured, this technique does not measure whether the signal is positive or negative, which has previously made the results difficult to interpret. Furthermore, using only experimental data can lead to ambiguous results.

The authors overcame these challenges by utilizing a more sophisticated form of VSFG, called heterodyne detection (HD)-VSFG, to study different electrolyte solutions.

We then developed sophisticated computer models to simulate the interface in various scenarios.

The combined results showed that both positively charged ions, called cations, and negatively charged ions, called anions, are depleted from the water-air interface.

The cations and anions of simple electrolytes orient water molecules both upward and downward.

This is a reversal of the textbook model that teaches that ions form an electric double layer, orienting water molecules in only one direction.

“Our study shows that the surface of a simple electrolyte solution has a different ion distribution than previously thought, and that the ion-rich subsurface determines the composition of the interface. .At the top you have a few layers of pure water, then you have the ions, the “dense layer,'' and finally the bulk salt solution,'' Dr. Littman said.

“Our paper shows that combining high-level HD-VSFG with simulation is a valuable tool that contributes to the molecular-level understanding of liquid interfaces,” said Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research researchers said Dr. Kuo-Yang Chiang. .

“These kinds of interfaces exist everywhere on Earth, and studying them not only helps our fundamental understanding, but can also lead to the development of better devices and technologies.” said Professor Misha Bonn, also of the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research.

“We are applying these same methods to study solid/liquid interfaces, which could have applications in batteries and energy storage.”

of study It was published in the magazine natural chemistry.

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Y. Littman other. Surface stratification determines the structure of interfacial water in simple electrolyte solutions. nut.chemistry, published online on January 15, 2024. doi: 10.1038/s41557-023-01416-6

Source: www.sci.news

Chemists at MIT create vibrant organic molecules through synthesis

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Researchers at MIT have made a groundbreaking development in the stability of acene, a molecule with potential for use in semiconductors and light-emitting diodes. This advancement has opened up possibilities for acene to emit light in a range of colors, leading to its potential use in solar cells and energy-efficient screens. Known as organic light-emitting diodes and promising for use in solar cells, acenes consist of chains of fused carbon-containing rings with unique optoelectronic properties.

However, the stability of acene has been challenging, as the length of the molecule determines the color of light it emits, and longer acenes tend to be less stable and therefore not widely used in light-emitting applications. Researchers at MIT have devised a new approach to address this issue, making the molecules more stable in order to synthesize acenes of various lengths and build molecules that emit red, orange, yellow, green, or blue light. This innovative approach allowed them to create acenes with positive charges that possess increased stability and unique electronic properties, making them suitable for a wide range of applications.

The new, stable acenes, doped with boron and nitrogen, can now emit light in different colors depending on their length and the type of chemical group attached to the carbodicarbene. This is a significant development, as traditional acene molecules tend to emit only blue light, while the ability to emit red light is vital for many applications, including biological processes such as imaging. The new acenes also exhibit stability in both air and water, a noteworthy feature that opens up possibilities for medical applications.

Furthermore, researchers are exploring the potential of acenes in various derivative forms and incorporating them into technologies such as solar cells and light-emitting diodes for use in screens. By combining creative research with non-traditional paradigms, the research holds promising implications for the development of air- and photostable luminescent materials and compact energy harvesting devices. This innovative work was supported by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation and the National Science Foundation’s Major Research Instrumentation Program.

Source: scitechdaily.com