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IMAGE: The front ribbon of the Z-RNA Double-Helix points upwards to the left. In A-RNA and in Watson-Crick B-DNA the foremost ribbon points upwards to the right. Left handed Z-RNA. view more
Credit: Alan Herbert
In a paper published in the May 13th, 2021 issue of
PLOS Genetics, a Z-RNA nanoswitch that regulates interferon immune responses is described. The switch, less than 5 nanometer in length, is based on sequences, called flipons, that change outcomes by altering their three dimensional conformation. The Z-RNA nanoswitch flips from the shorter right-handed A-RNA helix ( on ) to the longer left-handed Z-RNA helix ( off ). The flip ends immune responses against self RNAs, but not against viruses. Surprisingly, the Z-RNA nanoswitch sequence is encoded by junk DNA . The Z-RNA nanoswitch is used by some cancers to silence anti-tumor immune responses. In other cases, a malfunction of the Z-RNA nanoswitch causes inflammatory disease.
Credit: Lancaster University
Lancaster scientists have demonstrated that other physicists recent discovery of the field effect in superconductors is nothing but hot electrons after all.
A team of scientists in the Lancaster Physics Department have found new and compelling evidence that the observation of the field effect in superconducting metals by another group can be explained by a simple mechanism involving the injection of the electrons, without the need for novel physics.
Dr Sergey Kafanov, who initiated this experiment, said: Our results unambiguously refute the claim of the electrostatic field effect claimed by the other group. This gets us back on the ground and helps maintain the health of the discipline.
Credit: Xiao Tian Yan et al., doi 10.1117/1.AP.3.2.025001
Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) are highly localized surface waves on the interface between metal and dielectric in the optical frequency band. SSPs do not naturally exist in the microwave and terahertz frequencies, so spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPPs) are necessary for operations in those lower frequency bands.
Like optical SPPs, microwave SSPPs exhibit highly localized electromagnetic fields, subwavelength resolution, and extraordinary field confinement. Therefore, SSPP transmission lines (TLs) have been proposed as novel types of microwaveguides that offer new solutions for miniaturization, signal integrity, and low crosstalk in compact circuits for use in wireless communications and wearable electronics.
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A Johns Hopkins University-led team has created an inexpensive portable device and cellphone app to diagnose gonorrhea in less than 15 minutes and determine if a particular strain will respond to frontline antibiotics.
The invention improves on traditional testing in hospital laboratories and clinics, which typically takes up to a week to deliver results time during which patients can unknowingly spread their infections. The team s results appear today in
Science Translational Medicine. Our portable, inexpensive testing platform has the potential to change the game when it comes to diagnosing and enabling rapid treatment of sexually transmitted infections, said team leader Tza-Huei Wang, a professor of mechanical engineering and core researcher at the Institute for NanoBioTechnology at Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering. It ensures that patients are diagnosed on the spot, and treatment can begin immediately, improving clinical outcomes. This will be especi
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IMAGE: The team that created the 2D-electrolytes was led by Prof Antonio Castro Neto (right), Director of CA2DM. With him is Ms Mariana Costa (left), the first author of the ground-breaking. view more
Credit: National University of Singapore
Intelligent materials, the latest revolution in the field of materials science, can adapt their properties depending on changes in their surroundings. They can be used in everything from self-healing mobile phone screens, to shape-shifting aeroplane wings, and targeted drug delivery. Delivering drugs to a specific target inside the body using intelligent materials is particularly important for diseases like cancer, as the smart material only releases the drug payload when it detects the presence of a cancer cell, leaving the healthy cells unharmed.