Samples returned to Earth from the asteroid Ryugu revealed that the building blocks of life formed 4.6 billion years ago in the extreme cold of space, followed by reaction with water. The dark, coal-like organic matter in the carbonaceous asteroid could have contributed to the formation of habitable planetary environments. Read more »
ALSNews Vol. 448
May 31, 2023
Plant Enzyme Builds Polymers That Fortify Cell Walls
With data obtained at the ALS, researchers gained insight into how an enzyme orchestrates the synthesis of a pectin polymer that imparts strength and flexibility to plant cell walls. The work could lead to improved biofuel production and guide the design of polymers with tailored functionalities for industrial or biomedical applications. Read more »
In Fruit-Fly Gut, Bacterial Niche Gets Remodeled for New Arrivals
Researchers found that fruit flies have a specialized niche in their digestive tracts that selects, maintains, and controls bacteria that benefit the fly. Colonization by one type of bacteria physically remodels the niche, promoting secondary colonization by unrelated bacteria. The results will help dissect the mechanisms of host-microbe symbiosis. Read more »
Synergistic Effect Could Boost Production of Green Hydrogen
Researchers developed a composite material of earth-abundant elements that catalyzes the production of green hydrogen much more effectively than similar homogeneous compounds. The composite could potentially be used for efficient hydrogen generation without the need for rare and precious metals like platinum. Read more »
Doug Bashaw, Electronics Engineering Technical Supervisor
As the leader of the Social Activities Task Force, Doug Bashaw helps make the ALS a more fun place to work. Find out how he went from a gunner’s mate in the U.S. Navy to the electronics team here, making the ALS a safer place to work, too. Read more »
New Option for Preferred Name in ALSHub
Users and staff may now list their preferred name in addition to their legal name when registering in ALSHub. The preferred name will display on the ALSHub Dashboard, proposal, scheduler, ESAF, and in User Office Communications. Read more »
Deadline Extended for 2023 User Meeting Awards
Help us recognize members of the ALS community by submitting nominations for the Shirley Award, the Halbach Award, and the Renner Award. Deadline: June 16 Read more »
Three SCGSR Awardees to Conduct Research at the ALS (May 2023)
The Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program will provide Alaina Hartnett (Harvard University), Mostafa Nassr (UT Austin), and Sreevishnu Oruganti (UIUC) with supplemental awards to conduct research at the ALS in areas that address scientific challenges central to the Office of Science mission. Read more »
Winter 2023 Shutdown
The winter 2023 shutdown was relatively short. It started just after the holiday shutdown, and user operations resumed on February 16, delivering on the ALS commitment to minimize shutdown length as much as possible. Read more »
ALS in the News (May 2023)
-
-
-
- Catalyst chemistry could turn emissions into green fuels
- To become brighter, synchrotron light sources must first go dark
- A pectin-synthesizing enzyme may help trees weather storms. Could it be key to more sustainable bioproducts?
- Strings of magnetic energy shown to flex, wiggle, and reconnect
- The National Academy of Sciences elects two Berkeley Lab researchers
- Researchers capture elusive missing step in the final act of photosynthesis
-
-