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Chemists at the University of Münster have developed a method for the hydroamidation of double bonds Nitrogen atoms are essential building blocks in many important chemical structures. Nitrogen-containing organic molecules are indispensable for various applications in such fields as medicine, agriculture and materials science.

Long-standing problem solved: Researchers discover that misfolding prevents efficient utilisation of so-called split inteins as 'protein glue' Proteins are the building blocks of life. They consist of folded peptide chains, which in turn are made up of a series of amino acids. From stabilising cell structure to catalysing chemical reactions, proteins have many functions.

Publication by the University of Bonn warns of misunderstandings in handling predictive algorithms Researchers from chemistry, biology, and medicine are increasingly turning to AI models to develop new hypotheses. However, it is often unclear on which basis the algorithms come to their conclusions and to what extent they can be generalized.

With artificial photosynthesis, mankind could utilise solar energy to bind carbon dioxide and produce hydrogen. Würzburg chemists have taken this one step further. Photosynthesis is a marvellous process: plants use it to produce sugar molecules and oxygen from the simple starting materials carbon dioxide and water.

Researchers from the University of Würzburg are opening up new horizons in chemistry: They present the world's first triple bond between the atoms boron and carbon. Boron, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen: these four elements can form chemical triple bonds with each other due to their similar electronic properties.

Research team gains new insights into the sense of hearing   Hearing begins with the stretching of elastic molecular "springs" that open ion channels in the sensory hair cells of the ear. For decades, researchers have known that these gating springs must exist, but they could not find them. A team from the Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging (MBExC) in Göttingen has now discovered just such a spring for the first time.

Bonn researchers clarify how energy regulates the spatial arrangement and quantity of molecules in nerve cells Nerve cells have amazing strategies to save energy and still perform the most important of their tasks. Researchers from the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the University of Bonn as well as the University Medical Center Göttingen found that the neuronal energy conservation program determines the location and number of messenger RNA (mRNA) and proteins, and differs depending on the length, longevity and other properties of the respective molecule.

Japanese-German research team synthesises thiophene-fused nanobelts / Analysis reveals structure and behaviour of the molecules In the search for useful materials, it is worth taking a closer look at the smallest structures: materials in the nanoscale sometimes have unique properties, for example in terms of electrical conductivity.

Physicists analyse glass formation for photonic switches At the Institute of Materials Physics at the University of Münster, researchers investigate materials that can transform their internal structure very rapidly, thereby significantly changing their optical properties. This behaviour is useful, for example, when processing information using photonic waveguides.

Based on their observations, the biologists proposed a model detailing the mechanisms of systemic immune signalling in plants: Triggered by a pathogen, initially a third kinase inside the infected cell triggers the generation of extracellular reactive oxygen species in the cell, which would then diffuse to the surface of neighbouring cells.

A recent study provides new insights into chemical bonding in the chemical element antimony and could therefore have a lasting impact on materials research. The collaboration between scientists from Leipzig University, RWTH Aachen University and the DESY synchrotron in Hamburg combined experimental measurements with theoretical calculations.

Researchers at Leipzig University have developed a new process for reversing the polarity of chemical compounds, also known as umpolung, for the precise synthesis of pharmaceuticals. This innovative method, developed by a team of scientists led by Professor Christoph Schneider at the Institute of Organic Chemistry, provides a solution-oriented approach to a long-standing challenge in organic and medicinal chemistry," says Till Friedmann, lead author of It has just been published in the prestigious Journal of the American Chemical Society.

Study reveals: Chemical research reports often contain inaccurate measurement data AI-powered data analysis tools have the potential to significantly improve the quality of scientific publications. A new study by Professor Mathias Christmann, a chemistry professor at Freie Universität Berlin, has uncovered shortcomings in chemical publications.

Quantum chemical calculations by HU enable the development of new porous materials distinct by a high adsorption capacity for CO2. Climate experts agree: To tackle the climate crisis, we will not only need to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions but also directly filter the harmful gas from air and exhaust gases.

Würzburg chemists have for the first time created a defect in graphene that allows ions to pass through. As they report in 'Nature', this could lead to new applications in water filtration or sensor technology. Graphene is an extremely thin, flexible and resistant material made of pure carbon. It forms layers that consist of virtually a single layer of carbon atoms.

Real-time observation of certain biochemical processes in blood vessels from mice has revealed a previously unknown similarity between atherosclerosis, also known as vascular calcification, and bone growth. A research team led by Professor Robert Feil at the University of Tübingen's Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry discovered that a molecular signaling pathway that plays an important role in bone growth can slow down the development of atherosclerosis in blood vessels.

Researchers led by chemist Claudia Höbartner have now uncovered the 3D structure of the RNA enzyme SAMURI. Their study provides insights into the development of ribozymes and the evolution of catalytically active RNA. RNA molecules are an integral part of the human body: In cells, they ensure the transfer of genetic information and regulate the activity of genes.

Two-dimensional materials such as graphene are not only ultrathin, but also extremely sensitive. Researchers have therefore been trying for years to develop highly sensitive biosensors that utilise this property. Graphene-based field-effect transistors, for example, could register the tiniest changes in the electronic properties caused by the molecules when they interact with this atomically thin layer.

New study on the toxicity of hydrocarbons The international maritime shipping industry contributes to air pollution, particularly in coastal areas and port cities. The 'International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships' regulates, among other things, air pollution from shipping and sets limits for the sulphur content in fuels.

News from Atmospheric aerosol particles are essential for the formation of clouds and precipitation, thereby influencing the Earth's energy budget, water cycle, and climate. However, the origin of aerosol particles in pristine air over the Amazon rainforest during the wet season is poorly understood.