New model helps define optimal temperature and pressure to forge nanoscale diamonds

Nanodiamonds, bits of crystalline carbon hundreds of thousands of times smaller than a grain of sand, have intriguing surface and chemical properties with potential applications in medicine, optoelectronics and quantum computing. To forge these nanoscopic gemstones, researchers expose organic explosive molecules to powerful detonations in a controlled environment. These explosive forces, however, make it difficult to study the nanodiamond formation process, even under laboratory conditions.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2018-10-optimal-temperature-pressure-forge-nanoscale.html

Purdue drug discovery aims to find better drug 'fits,' avoid medication tragedies like thalidomide

When a medication doesn't "fit" the body quite right, the results can be devastating. Such is the case for thalidomide, which was prescribed in the 1950s and 1960s as a sedative or hypnotic, even for pregnant women.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2018-10-purdue-drug-discovery-aims-medication.html

Researchers announce the discovery of an atomic electronic simulator

Targeting applications like neural networks for machine learning, a new discovery out of the University of Alberta and Quantum Silicon Inc. in Edmonton, Canada is paving the way for atomic ultra-efficient electronics, the need for which is increasingly critical in our data-driven society. The key to unlocking untold potential for the greenest electronics? Creating bespoke atomic patterns to in turn control electrons.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2018-10-discovery-atomic-electronic-simulator.html

Scientists create synthetic prototissue capable of synchronised beating

The discovery, published in Nature Materials, is the first chemically programmed approach to producing an artificial tissue. The findings, which could have major health applications in the future, could see chemically programmed synthetic tissue being used to support failing living tissues and to cure specific diseases.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2018-10-scientists-synthetic-prototissue-capable-synchronised.html

Parasites from medieval latrines unlock secrets of human history

A radical new approach combining archaeology, genetics and microscopy can reveal long-forgotten secrets of human diet, sanitation and movement from studying parasites in ancient poo, according to new Oxford University research.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2018-10-parasites-medieval-latrines-secrets-human.html

Applying auto industry's fuel-efficiency standards to agriculture could net billions

Adopting benchmarks similar to the fuel-efficiency standards used by the auto industry in the production of fertilizer could yield $5-8 billion in economic benefits for the U.S. corn sector alone, researchers have concluded in a new analysis.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2018-10-flexible-fertilizer-pollution-billions.html

Study shows what happens when ultrafast laser pulses, not heat, cause a material to change phase

The way that ordinary materials undergo a phase change, such as melting or freezing, has been studied in great detail. Now, a team of researchers has observed that when they trigger a phase change by using intense pulses of laser light, instead of by changing the temperature, the process occurs very differently.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2018-10-ultrafast-laser-pulses-material-phase.html

Attacking RNA with small-molecule drugs

Yale researchers have developed a way to target RNA with small-molecule drugs, creating a new method for tapping into a vast number of biological mechanisms critical to metabolism and gene expression.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2018-10-rna-small-molecule-drugs.html

Diversity is key to sustainability for local chicken farming in Africa

Adopting a more local and flexible approach to sustainable development could be key to boosting the productivity of small-scale chicken farms in Africa, a new study reports.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2018-10-diversity-key-sustainability-local-chicken.html

Study finds potential benefits of wildlife-livestock coexistence in East Africa

A study of 3,588 square kilometers of privately owned land in central Kenya offers evidence that humans and their livestock can, in the right circumstances, share territory with zebras, giraffes, elephants and other wild mammals—to the benefit of all.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2018-10-potential-benefits-wildlife-livestock-coexistence-east.html

Source: https://phys.org/