The new study employed a rational design approach for the discovery of novel lipids that can be incorporated into lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for systemic delivery of RNAi therapeutics. This new research complements the combinatorial chemistry-based approach recently described by Alnylam scientists.
EcoloCap Solutions Introduces its Lithium X Battery Ahead of Schedule
EcoloCap Solutions Inc. today announced that it has delivered its first Lithium X batteries to Halo Renewable Energy of Seattle, WA months ahead of the original schedule.
Catalytic dimers of gold atoms make ethylene from methane
Scientists have found a process by which methane can be selectively converted into ethylene at low pressures and temperatures. Free gold dimers catalyze the reaction.
RUSNANO Invests in Project for Nanostructured Magnesium Hydroxide with Modified Surface
RUSNANO will take an equity interest in the company to be established for an investment project that will produce nanostructured magnesium hydroxide with modified surface.
Polieren von Waferscheiben im Nanometer Bereich
Eine kritische Prozesstechnologie bei der Chipherstellung ist das Chemisch-Mechanische Polieren, bei dem Strukturunebenheiten im Bereich von Nanometern auf den Siliziumscheiben zwischen verschiedenen Produktionsschritten immer wieder eingeebnet werden.
New ISO Standard for Laser Diffraction ‘Much Improves Method Development Advice’ Says Malvern
As a global leader in the field of laser diffraction, Malvern Instruments has welcomed the release of ISO13320:2009, a new standard for this key particle sizing technique.
Quantum dot based siRNA approach selectively inhibits brain cancer cells
Oncogenes are genes that are associated with the development of cancer - when mutated or expressed at high levels, they can help turn a normal cell into a tumor cell. Promising new chemotherapeutic strategies have therefore focused on suppressing oncogenes. One such approach is based on RNA interference (RNAi), a technique wherein small double-stranded RNA molecules can sequence-specifically inhibit the expression of targeted oncogenes. The idea here is that with the help of small interfering RNA (siRNA), key oncogenes that modulate signaling pathways and thereby regulate the behavior of malignant tumor cells can be manipulated. To harness the full potential of this approach, the prime requirements are to deliver the siRNA molecules with high selectivity and efficiency into tumor cells and to monitor both siRNA delivery and the resulting knockdown effects at the single-cell level.
Copper-free click chemistry used in mice
For the first time, the widely used molecular synthesis technique known as click chemistry has been safely applied to a living organism.
Oerlikon Solar Showcases Leading Thin Film PV Technology
Oerlikon Solar today announced it will be presenting its technology at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi. Oerlikon Solar leads the thin film silicon solar equipment sector with nearly half a gigawatt of production equipment ramped globally and more than 1 million panels produced by its customers to date.
Researchers make artificial DNA with a nanowire inside
Researchers have produced an artificial DNA with a razor-thin 'wire' inside, demonstrating in the process that the natural structure is preserved.
Georgia Institute of Technology Orders AIXTRON 4-Inch Black Magic Tool
AIXTRON AG today announced a new order for a Black Magic CNT (carbon nanotube) deposition system from Georgia Tech Research Institute.
New visible light nanoparticle photocatalyst kills bacteria, even after light turned off
In the battle against bacteria, researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a powerful new weapon - an enhanced photocatalytic disinfection process that uses visible light to destroy harmful bacteria and viruses, even in the dark.
Sort Of Bring Your Old Car Into the 21st Century With Brando’s Bluetooth Steering Wheel MP3 Player [Carelectronics]
Brando's new Steering Wheel Bluetooth MP3/FM Car Kit is a wacky little device that hangs on your steering wheel, giving you all sorts of different features probably done better by a nice in-dash stereo kit.
First, there's a Bluetooth speakerphone for hands free driving, including an ugly little Bluetooth headset. There's also a built-in MP3 player that reads files off microSD cards and transmits audio to your stereo via an FM transmitter.
The phonebook holds 600 numbers, the battery is rechargeable, and this thing seems like a crappy substitute for any number of better gadgets. But hey, for $48 it's probably one of the cheapest ways to get all of these features into a beater you don't feel like upgrading with a nice in-dash stereo. [Brando via CrunchGear]
Apple Boot Camp 3.1 Update Includes Windows 7 Support [Boot Camp]
It's a little behind schedule, but Mac users can now run Windows 7 natively after today's Boot Camp update. Boot Camp 3.1 supports both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate. Multiple OS enthusiasts, rejoice!
The software update also adds Magic Mouse and Apple wireless keyboard support and fixes up some trackpad issues. Pretty good day's work! And if you're at all confused or intimidated about Boot Camp, our handy survival guide should get you through in one piece. [AppleInsider]
New Nanoparticles Act Like Burrs to Target & Latch Onto Damaged Cells | 80beats
We’ve brought you stories of lab-created blood cells able to simulate red blood cells in humans, or to act like platelets in rodents and stop bleeding. Now, in a study soon to be published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, comes a new, even smaller creation for our bloodstreams: A nanoparticle that could target and latch onto only the damaged cells in arteries around the heart to deliver drugs there.
The MIT researchers, led by Robert Langer, have developed other nanoparticles to target cancer; this new particle they call a “nanoburr,” named for those seeds covered in bristles or hooks that latch onto animals passing by. Its nanoburrs are coated with proteins which can only stick to a structure in the blood vessel wall called the “basement membrane.” This is only exposed when the wall is damaged, so only damaged sections of blood vessel are targeted [BBC News]. Then the particle can slowly release the drug stored inside.
Each particle is just 60 nanometres across – 60 billionths of a metre – and consists of three layers. The inner core contains the drug in question bound to a long-chained molecule, or polymer. A middle layer made of fatty material separates this core from the outer coating of a polymer that protects the particle as it travels in the blood stream [The Independent]. Medical researchers covet this kind of targeted drug delivery not only because it could make treatment more effective, but also because it lowers the risk of exposing other parts of the body to potentially toxic treatments.
While the nanoburrs in this case were designed to target damaged or hardened arteries and release drugs to combat atherosclerosis, Langer says the idea could be adapted to target any condition that deteriorates cell walls in a similar way, as some cancers and inflammatory diseases do. As usual, however, medical use in patients remains many years away.
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Image: MIT
HTC Apparently Abandons Tablet PC Plans For Now [Tablet]
The rumored HTC + Google Chrome OS tablet might have to wait, based on HTC's sales and marketing director claiming that the company will kill that off and focus on Android smartphones instead.
This doesn't mean that an HTC tablet is dead forever; I bet the company is just waiting for both Apple's tablet and Chrome OS to prove themselves first before sinking their development money into a completely new field. [Channel News via Electronista]
Could a Deep-Sea Snail’s Shell Inspire Next-Gen Body-Armor? | 80beats
The next generation of bulletproof vests and military armor could well be inspired by a deep-sea snail, say scientists.
A team led by materials scientist Christine Ortiz of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology investigated the iron-rich shell of the “scaly foot” mollusk, whose triple-layered shell gives it one of the strongest exoskeletons seen in nature. The researchers believe that copying its microstructure could help in the development of armor for soldiers, tanks, and helicopters. Their work was published (pdf) this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Scientists were first drawn to this snail in 2003 when they discovered it living in a relatively harsh environment on the floor of the Indian Ocean. It lives near hydrothermal vents that spew hot water–thereby exposing it to fluctuations in temperature as well as high acidity. It also faces attacks from predators like crabs and other snail species. But unlike other snail species, this snail survives because of its thick shell and the different properties of each of its three layers.
The outer layer of the snail’s shell is composed of iron sulphides. The scaly-foot snail is the only known animal species that uses iron sulphides as part of its structure. The middle layer is organic and much thicker than the other two. The researchers compare it to the thin protein coating, called the periostracum, seen on the shells of other snail species. The inner layer is composed of aragonite, a calcium mineral found in mollusk shells and corals [CBC]. The design of the shell apparently allows it to deflect attacks by crabs that pick up snails in their claws and squeeze them, sometimes for days at a time, in an attempt to crack their shells.
Using a device called an indenter, the researchers applied a force to the shell using a diamond tip. They discovered that the outer shell is designed to crack in a way that absorbs energy. Cracks spread only by fanning out around the iron sulphide particles. This “microcracking” not only absorbs energy, it also ensures that larger cracks do not form. What’s more, the particles of iron sulphide may blunt and deform intruding claws [The Times of India]. Meanwhile, the thick inner layer seems to absorb the mechanical energy exerted by either an indenter or a crab claw, and may also dissipate heat.
Coating armor in iron based nanoparticles that dissipate the energy of a blow by generating microcracks is “largely unexplored in synthetic systems” and particularly promising, said Ortiz. She said helmets, motorbikes, and even Arctic oil pipelines that are buffeted by icebergs could benefit from this study. Ortiz and her team are now looking at a host of natural exoskeletons to study protective design principles, including chitons, urchins, beetles, and armored fish.
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Image: Dr. Anders Warén, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
The Space Bar: A Glimmer Of Hope For Cleaning Up Your Desktop Clutter [Peripherals]
Based on what I have seen in the past, there probably isn't much hope for the major slobs among you, but for the rest of us, the Space Bar might help free up some desktop space.
The Space Bar is basically an aluminum platform with six USB ports that you can use to stow a keyboard, elevate your monitor and the like. In fact, the concept is so simple, I'm still debating whether or not it would actually make a difference or just add yet another useless bit of clutter to your workspace. I'll let you decide if it's worth spending $42 on. [Quirky]
One Third Of U.S. 11-Year-Olds Have Cellphones [Charts]
More kids are getting mobile phones: Last year, more than 35% of U.S. children ages 10-11 had cellphones, almost double the amount in 2005, according to Mediamark data, via eMarketer. And more than 5% of 6-7-year-olds had cellphones last year.
Takeaway: The audience for kids-focused mobile content, apps, and advertising is growing rapidly.
White Stripe on Hewlett Packard LCD Monitor (At Least It's Not BSOD)
I have a HP DV8000 laptop (8040us specifically I believe) with a 17" screen. About a month ago I took it out of the laptop case and started it up, I noticed a White stripe about 1 inch wide about 2 inches from the right side of the screen which ran vertically the entire length of the monitor. In thi