An exciting and exotic approach to minimizing error in quantum computation re-purposes a known code to achieve what many researchers thought was impossible. Quantum computers promise to revolutionize our computing abilities, which…
No evidence of benefit from chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine in COVID-19 patients
A study that analyzed data from nearly 15 000 patients with COVID-19 receiving four combinations of chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, and antibiotics indicates the drug regimen may be doing more harm than good. A…
Over-crowding particles drives their motion
Using an asymmetric sawtooth-shaped potential, researchers achieve transport of tiny molecules driven by particle crowding. In order to create sophisticated biomedical chips, sensors, chemical assays, and small electromagnetic devices, such as computer…
Lighting the path for cells: Growing neurons in 3D patterns
Researchers use “a guiding light” to direct the 3D growth of nerve tissue with a high degree of precision. A revolution in regenerative medicine is unfolding with light being used to control…
Twin antibodies show neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2
Scientists identify a cocktail of antibodies from a recovered COVID-19 patient’s blood sample that helped neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 virus in mice. The search for a vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 virus is taking…
Why do some COVID-19 patients lose their sense of smell?
A new study explores how SARS-CoV-2 damages cells in the nasal cavity, altering infected individuals’ sense of smell. Last month doctors and researchers reported empirical findings that strongly support the theory that…
Understanding the mysteries of giant viruses
New imaging technique sheds light on the mysterious life cycle of giant viruses. In 1992, the first known giant virus, Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus (APMV), was discovered by microbiologist Timothy Robotham in a…
Timing of immune response to COVID-19 may contribute to disease severity
The interaction between the innate and the adaptive immune responses to COVID-19 may be impacting disease progression, and the answer might be to suppress them. According to a recent study published in…
Lead-free material shows promise in eco-friendly solar cells
Relatively inexpensive compound could perform safely and effectively in solar cells Organic–inorganic halide perovskites are an emerging class of materials that have shown great promise in a number of electronic and photovolataic…
Replacing toxins with water in the green production of plastics
Researchers use hot water and pressure to circumvent the need to use toxic chemicals in the production of organic plastics. Sustainability and efforts to curb the impending climate crisis must aim to…