Researchers used X-rays to observe the dynamics of glassy colloids subjected to varying shear forces. Characterizing this property should allow scientists to tune the dynamic behavior of many complex fluids, with real-world applications such as reducing the energy cost for mixing materials, as well as improved braking devices and body armor.

Scientists have computationally designed protein inhibitors that may prevent COVID-19-related cytokine storm. Their research suggests that computational design has the power to create entirely new proteins that function as viable therapeutics against the cytokine storm associated with COVID-19. 

Our widespread use of natural antibiotics has led to the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria and an urgent need to develop some new molecular weapons of our own. New research provides important new information that will facilitate the design of new enzymes to make novel antibiotics that can overcome antibiotic resistance.

Characterizing polaron behavior is important to scientists because they can play an important role in solid-state phenomena. Scientists probed flakes of tellurene with thicknesses of less than 20 nanometers, using a technique called extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy.

98% of the potassium ions in our body are inside our cells. Neurons use this gradient to generate electric currents by allowing potassium to rapidly flow down the gradient, causing, in turn, a voltage pulse to travel along their membranes. Researchers have used electric-field-stimulated time resolved X-ray crystallography (EFX) to capture potassium ions hopping down the channel’s electrochemical gradient in real time.