Symbiotic Nitrogen-Fixing Microbe Evolves into Organelle April 25, 2024 - Researchers found that a symbiont capable of fixing nitrogen (turning it into a biologically usable form) has evolved into an organelle—an intrinsic part of the algae cells that host it. The discovery is of great interest for understanding organelle genesis and for efforts to engineer agricultural plants with built-in nitrogen-fixing capabilities. Read more »
Room-Temperature 2D Magnet: Electronic-Structure Insights March 25, 2024 - Researchers found that small changes in how electron spins interact with each other can make a big difference in the magnetic transition temperatures of 2D magnets. Understanding such factors can help create better magnetic materials for information storage, sensors, medical imaging, and energy-efficient computing. Read more »
Clarifying the FLASH Effect for Cancer Radiation Therapy March 25, 2024 - To clarify the underlying mechanisms of the FLASH effect, in which the delivery of ultrafast, high-intensity doses of radiation to tumors counterintuitively reduces damage to surrounding healthy cells, researchers directly compared the oxidative effects of conventional and FLASH techniques using x-ray footprinting at the ALS. Read more »
Case Study of Aerosol Particles Influenced by Wildfire March 23, 2024 - Researchers studied atmospheric aerosols influenced by wildfires in the Pacific Northwest. They examined the connection between particle size, chemical composition, and phase state, in particles collected during the day and at night. The information is important for modeling the effects of wildfire smoke on atmospheric properties. Read more »
Big Twist Leads to Tunable Energy Gaps in a Bilayer Stack March 20, 2024 - Researchers found that twisting 2D layers at atypically large angles opens up potentially useful energy gaps in the material’s band structure. The results suggest a new way to tune materials for optoelectronic applications and provides a platform for exploring novel “moiré” phenomena beyond those observed at small twist angles. Read more »
Bifurcation of High- and Low-Energy Electrons in Microbial Metabolism February 26, 2024 - A class of chemical reaction found only in biology, electron bifurcation channels two electrons from one donor to two separate acceptors, with one electron elevated in energy at the expense of lowering the energy of the second. Researchers used the ALS to study this process in a microbial protein involved in this bioenergetic pathway. Read more »
The Effects of Diabetes on Spinal-Column Biomechanics February 26, 2024 - Researchers found that type 2 diabetes induces earlier onset of plastic (nonrecoverable) deformation in intervertebral discs by impairing the biomechanical behavior of collagen. A greater understanding of the underlying causes of tissue failure in diabetes—a growing problem worldwide—is important in helping to prevent and treat symptoms. Read more »
Probing Active-Site Chemical States in a Co-Based Catalyst February 26, 2024 - Researchers identified the dominant chemical state of active sites in a cobalt-based catalyst using resonant photoemission spectroscopy under realistic conditions. The work will help scientists develop more-efficient catalysts for removing noxious carbon monoxide gas from exhaust streams generated by the burning of fossil fuels. Read more »
Tracking the Breakdown of Cellulose at the Micron Scale February 23, 2024 - A time-resolved study using infrared spectromicroscopy in a carefully controlled environment revealed why enzymes get bogged down when trying to break up cellulose from plants. The work sheds new light on the challenge of extracting the sugars locked up in plants for use in making petroleum-free fuels, chemicals, and medicines. Read more »
How Processing Affects Structure in Composite Nanotube Yarns January 29, 2024 - Using the ALS, researchers found quantitative correlations between processing parameters and the structure of ultrafine, polymer-reinforced carbon-nanotube fibers. The work will facilitate the production of high-strength materials, including those needed for positioning target capsules for fusion research at the National Ignition Facility. Read more »