It’s possible that I shall make an ass of myself. But in that case one can always get out of it with a little dialectic. I have, of course, so worded my proposition as to be right either way (K.Marx, Letter to F.Engels on the Indian Mutiny)
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Remember ebola?
Zooming in on the structure of the still lethal virus
Kyoto, Japan -- Six years before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, an Ebola outbreak in West Africa had people fearing the possibility of a global outbreak. This was the first time many had ever heard of the virus, but since it was first identified in 1976, there have actually been more than 20 serious Ebola incidents. Thankfully, none of them had the global reach of the coronavirus.
Ebola has not been eradicated, however. This deadly virus, which causes severe hemorrhagic fever in humans and has a fatality rate of about 50%, is still at large and could thus still cause a major outbreak, unless further research finds an effective solution.
A major challenge lies in the virus' structure and regulatory mechanisms, which have remained largely unclear. In particular, scientists have long struggled to fully understand its nucleocapsid, the protein shell that plays an important role in genome replication and transcription.
This motivated a team of researchers at Kyoto University to capture the first high-resolution structure of the detailed nucleocapsid using single-particle cryo-electron microscopy, visualizing molecular structures at near-atomic resolution by rapidly freezing study samples.
"Using cryo-electron microscopy, we were able to view the nucleocapsid structure at 4.6 angstrom resolution for the first time," says corresponding author Takeshi Noda. One angstrom, or Å, is equal to one hundred-millionth of a centimeter.
This visualization allowed the researchers to observe the sophisticated interactions between the nucleocapsid's structural components, particularly between NP, a nucleoprotein, and VP24, a viral protein. Both are essential for nucleocapsid assembly, the regulation of RNA synthesis, and intracellular transport.
When observing the spiral shape of the NP-RNA complex at the center of the nucleocapsid, the researchers noticed an unexpected pattern with two VP24 molecules binding to two NP molecules in different arrangements.
Subsequent analysis revealed the specific molecular interactions that govern these processes. Notably, VP24 plays a dual role: while one VP24 interacts with an NP molecule to inhibit viral RNA synthesis, another attaches to an adjacent NP to regulate nucleocapsid assembly and transport, demonstrating how the nucleocapsid can dynamically switch between genome replication and virion packaging.
"Our first high-resolution structure of the Ebola virus nucleocapsid provides detailed insights into the interactions within the nucleocapsid complex," continues Noda, "unveiling the relationship between molecular interactions and functional regulation."
These insights are crucial for the development of targeted antiviral therapies, which could focus on disrupting the assembly or functions of the nucleocapsid. Furthermore, with continued effort and collaboration, these findings may contribute to improving global preparedness for future outbreaks.
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The paper "Structural basis for Ebola virus nucleocapsid assembly and function regulated by VP24" appeared on 10 March 2025 in Nature Communications, with doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-57236-4
Kyoto University is one of Japan and Asia's premier research institutions, founded in 1897 and responsible for producing numerous Nobel laureates and winners of other prestigious international prizes. A broad curriculum across the arts and sciences at undergraduate and graduate levels complements several research centers, facilities, and offices around Japan and the world. For more information, please see: http://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en
SAN DIEGO, March 26, 2025 — On the shelves of makeup counters and drugstores sits an array of foundations in various olive, ivory and fair shades. But for people with darker skin tones, finding the right foundation shade can be a challenge. Dark foundations on the market often fall flat, appearing gray-like once applied on the skin. But now, researchers report a blue cosmetic color additive that gives these foundations the warmth and depth they currently lack.
Gabriella Baki, associate professor of pharmaceutics and director of the cosmetic science and formulation design undergraduate program at the University of Toledo, will present her team’s results at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS). ACS Spring 2025 is being held March 23-27; it features about 12,000 presentations on a range of science topics.
“On the market and for the history of cosmetics, foundations have been created with three colorants — red, yellow and black iron oxide,” says Raihaanah Zaahirah Safee, a former student in Baki’s lab and current graduate student at the University of Toledo.
However, using high concentrations of black iron oxide for darker foundations results in an unappealing gray and ashy look on the skin. White pigments used to lighten foundations, including zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, can also contribute to this phenomenon.
To expand the color range of foundations, some cosmetic companies have experimented with adding blue pigments. After learning about a blue pigment called ultramarine blue from a podcast, another student in Baki’s lab approached her about studying the pigment. “If you think about traditional color theory practices in relation to the art world, red, yellow and blue are used in combination with black and white,” says Zaahirah Safee. “We built our research around this idea.”
Previously, Zaahirah Safee and colleagues assessed the effects of the blue pigment on foundation color in loose powders. The team first developed a formulation for the foundation base, then an 11-pigment range for darker and lighter skin tones. The shade range was created by varying the black and blue pigment ratios and the type of white pigment used.
Three techniques were used to analyze the powder foundations: a spectrophotometer measured color differences; foundation swatches were pressed down on Leneta paper, black-and-white paper used to evaluate color on a solid background; and finally, the foundations were swatched on human participants’ skin through a consumer study approved by the University of Toledo’s Institutional Review Board.
“We realized that you can use ultramarine blue solely to create a deeper skin tone foundation, but you do need a little bit of black to create your intended value,” says Zaahirah Safee. Ultramarine blue reduced gray cast, while zinc oxide reduced white cast and created warmer, redder hues in an ultramarine blue base.
Next, Karissa Richards, another student researcher in the Baki lab, evaluated the effects of ultramarine blue in stick foundations. This formulation proved trickier, given that extra variables like liquid moisturizers and skin-softeners called emollients were introduced into the foundation mixture. With stick foundations, “we wet the pigments with the emollients,” says Richards. “Upon developing the formulation, we noticed a lot of issues with the color not being uniform throughout the formulation, once we poured it into the mold to set the stick.”
After figuring out the correct formulation, the team used the same pigment ratios as the loose powders for the new sticks. Then Richards analyzed the new products using the same three techniques. She measured similar color trends in the stick foundations as the loose powders.
The next project for Baki’s group is to study ultramarine blue in liquid foundations. She says this is the hardest of all foundation formulas to develop because the ingredients include water and oil, which don’t mix well with each other. However, liquid foundation is most used by consumers.
Baki says there aren’t any plans to commercialize their foundations, given the formulations are so simple. The loose powder and stick foundations are like “a backbone, they have everything they need and nothing extra.” Her ultimate hope is for chemists and manufacturers to see this team’s research and give ultramarine blue a try in commercial products.
Zaahirah Safee says this work is personally important to her. “Within my introduction into the world of makeup, I came across a lot of hurdles. Foundations wouldn’t show up on me as they would show up on other models,” she says. As an aspiring cosmetic chemist, she hopes to introduce these new ideas at the formulation table. “Changes can be made.”
The researchers report no external funding for this work.
A Headline Science YouTube Short about this topic will be posted on Wednesday, March 26. Reporters can access the video during the embargo period, and once the embargo is lifted the same URL will allow the public to access the content. Visit the ACS Spring 2025 program to learn more about this presentation, “Effect of ultramarine blue on the color of powder and stick foundations” and other science presentations.
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The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1876 and chartered by the U.S. Congress. ACS is committed to improving all lives through the transforming power of chemistry. Its mission is to advance scientific knowledge, empower a global community and champion scientific integrity, and its vision is a world built on science. The Society is a global leader in promoting excellence in science education and providing access to chemistry-related information and research through its multiple research solutions, peer-reviewed journals, scientific conferences, e-books and weekly news periodical Chemical & Engineering News. ACS journals are among the most cited, most trusted and most read within the scientific literature; however, ACS itself does not conduct chemical research. As a leader in scientific information solutions, its CAS division partners with global innovators to accelerate breakthroughs by curating, connecting and analyzing the world’s scientific knowledge. ACS’ main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.
Note to journalists: Please report that this research was presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society. ACS does not conduct research, but publishes and publicizes peer-reviewed scientific studies.
Title Effect of ultramarine blue on the color of powder and stick foundations
Abstract Makeup foundations for all skin colors traditionally contain FDA-approved red, yellow, and black iron oxide, mixed with white pigments, either titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. To create darker shades for skin of color consumers, darker foundations contain a larger amount of black iron oxide, which can lead to a displeasing gray cast on the skin. While this is not a concern in lighter foundations due to the lower pigment load, the range of colors and undertones could be expanded in light foundations.
We evaluated the effect of another FDA-approved cosmetic color additive, ultramarine blue, as a substitute for black iron oxide in loose powder and stick foundations. Twenty loose powder foundations and eighteen stick foundations were formulated, including both darker and lighter shades.
Products’ color was evaluated objectively with a spectrophotometer (Konika Minolta CM5), and visually on Lenata paper in the form of press-downs and disks and on human skin in a small consumer study.
Visual evaluation and L*a*b* values indicated that the effect of ultramarine blue was detectable in both foundation groups. Ultramarine blue created tones that were redder in hue and it decreased the apparent gray cast in dark foundations. This study provides examples of how to create more inclusive foundation lines for consumers as diversity and inclusivity initiatives are increasing worldwide.
Philosophy: cultural differences in exploitation of artificial agents
A new LMU study shows that people in Japan treat robots and AI agents more respectfully than people in Western societies.
Imagine an automated delivery vehicle rushing to complete a grocery drop-off while you are hurrying to meet friends for a long-awaited dinner. At a busy intersection, you both arrive at the same time. Do you slow down to give it space as it maneuvers around a corner? Or do you expect it to stop and let you pass, even if normal traffic etiquette suggests it should go first?
“As self-driving technology becomes a reality, these everyday encounters will define how we share the road with intelligent machines,” says Dr. Jurgis Karpus from the Chair of Philosophy of Mind at LMU. He explains that the arrival of fully automated self-driving cars signals a shift from us merely using intelligent machines – like Google Translate or ChatGPT – to actively interacting with them. The key difference? In busy traffic, our interests will not always align with those of the self-driving cars we encounter. We have to interact with them, even if we ourselves are not using them.
In a study published recently in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers from LMU Munich and Waseda University in Tokyo found that people are far more likely to take advantage of cooperative artificial agents than of similarly cooperative fellow humans. “After all, cutting off a robot in traffic doesn’t hurt its feelings,” observes Karpus, lead author of the study. Using classical methods from behavioral economics, the team devised various game theory experiments whereby Japanese and American participants were given a choice: to get one over on their co-players or to act cooperatively. The results revealed that if their counterpart was not a human, but a machine, the participants were far more likely to act selfishly.
As the results also showed, however, our tendency to exploit machines that are trained to be cooperative is not universal. People in the United States and Europe take advantage of robots significantly more often than people in Japan. The researchers suggest this difference stems from guilt: In the West, people feel remorse when they exploit another human but not when they exploit a machine. In Japan, by contrast, people experience guilt equally – whether they mistreat a person or a well-meaning robot.
These cultural differences could shape the future of automation. “If people in Japan treat robots with the same respect as humans, fully autonomous taxis might take off in Tokyo long before they become the norm in Berlin, London, or New York,” conjectures Karpus.
SAN DIEGO, March 26, 2025 — Sometimes cell phones die sooner than expected or electric vehicles don’t have enough charge to reach their destination. The rechargeable lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries in these and other devices typically last hours or days between charging. However, with repeated use, batteries degrade and need to be recharged more frequently. Now, researchers are considering radiocarbon as a source for safe, small and affordable nuclear batteries that could last decades or longer without charging.
Su-Il In, a professor at Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology, will present his results at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS). ACS Spring 2025 is being held March 23-27; it features about 12,000 presentations on a range of science topics.
The frequent charging required for Li-ion batteries isn’t just an inconvenience. It limits the utility of technologies that use the batteries for power, such as drones and remote-sensing equipment. The batteries are also bad for the environment: Mining lithium is energy-intensive and improper disposal of Li-ion batteries can contaminate ecosystems. But with the increasing ubiquity of connected devices, data centers and other computing technologies, the demand for long-lasting batteries is increasing.
And better Li-ion batteries are likely not the answer to this challenge. “The performance of Li-ion batteries is almost saturated,” says In, who researches future energy technologies. So, In and his team members are developing nuclear batteries as an alternative to lithium.
Nuclear batteries generate power by harnessing high-energy particles emitted by radioactive materials. Not all radioactive elements emit radiation that’s damaging to living organisms, and some radiation can be blocked by certain materials. For example, beta particles (also known as beta rays) can be shielded with a thin sheet of aluminum, making betavoltaics a potentially safe choice for nuclear batteries.
The researchers produced a prototype betavoltaic battery with carbon-14, an unstable and radioactive form of carbon, called radiocarbon. “I decided to use a radioactive isotope of carbon because it generates only beta rays,” says In. Moreover, a by-product from nuclear power plants, radiocarbon is inexpensive, readily available and easy to recycle. And because radiocarbon degrades very slowly, a radiocarbon-powered battery could theoretically last for millennia.
In a typical betavoltaic battery, electrons strike a semiconductor, which results in the production of electricity. Semiconductors are a critical component in betavoltaic batteries, as they are primarily responsible for energy conversion. Consequently, scientists are exploring advanced semiconductor materials to achieve a higher energy conversion efficiency — a measure of how effectively a battery can convert electrons into usable electricity.
To significantly improve the energy conversion efficiency of their new design, In and the team used a titanium dioxide-based semiconductor, a material commonly used in solar cells, sensitized with a ruthenium-based dye. They strengthened the bond between the titanium dioxide and the dye with a citric acid treatment. When beta rays from radiocarbon collide with the treated ruthenium-based dye, a cascade of electron transfer reactions, called an electron avalanche, occurs. Then the avalanche travels through the dye and the titanium dioxide effectively collects the generated electrons.
The new battery also has radiocarbon in the dye-sensitized anode and a cathode. By treating both electrodes with the radioactive isotope, the researchers increased the amount of beta rays generated and reduced distance-related beta-radiation energy loss between the two structures.
During demonstrations of the prototype battery, the researchers found that beta rays released from radiocarbon on both electrodes triggered the ruthenium-based dye on the anode to generate an electron avalanche that was collected by the titanium dioxide layer and passed through an external circuit resulting in usable electricity. Compared to a previous design with radiocarbon on only the cathode, the researchers’ battery with radiocarbon in the cathode and anode had a much higher energy conversion efficiency, going from 0.48% to 2.86%.
These long-lasting nuclear batteries could enable many applications, says In. For example, a pacemaker would last a person’s lifetime, eliminating the need for surgical replacements.
However, this betavoltaic design converted only a tiny fraction of radioactive decay into electric energy, leading to lower performance compared to conventional Li-ion batteries. In suggests that further efforts to optimize the shape of the beta-ray emitter and develop more efficient beta-ray absorbers could enhance the battery’s performance and increase power generation.
As climate concerns grow, public perception of nuclear energy is changing. But it’s still thought of as energy only produced at a large power plant in a remote location. With these dual-site-source dye-sensitized betavoltaic cell batteries, In says, “We can put safe nuclear energy into devices the size of a finger.”
The research was funded by the National Research Foundation of Korea, as well as the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology Research & Development Program of the Ministry of Science and Information and Communication Technology of Korea.
Visit the ACS Spring 2025 program to learn more about this presentation, “Next generation battery: Highly efficient and stable C14 dye-sensitized betavoltaic cell” and other science presentations.
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The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1876 and chartered by the U.S. Congress. ACS is committed to improving all lives through the transforming power of chemistry. Its mission is to advance scientific knowledge, empower a global community and champion scientific integrity, and its vision is a world built on science. The Society is a global leader in promoting excellence in science education and providing access to chemistry-related information and research through its multiple research solutions, peer-reviewed journals, scientific conferences, e-books and weekly news periodical Chemical & Engineering News. ACS journals are among the most cited, most trusted and most read within the scientific literature; however, ACS itself does not conduct chemical research. As a leader in scientific information solutions, its CAS division partners with global innovators to accelerate breakthroughs by curating, connecting and analyzing the world’s scientific knowledge. ACS’ main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.
Note to journalists: Please report that this research was presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society. ACS does not conduct research, but publishes and publicizes peer-reviewed scientific studies.
Title Next generation battery: Highly efficient and stable C14 dye-sensitized betavoltaic cell
Abstract There is an unmet need for a battery that can provide full power for several decades for applications powering implants, remote applications, and satellites. In this regard a dye-sensitized betavoltaic cell is developed for the first time, which utilizes radioisotopic carbon, composed of nano-sized quantum dots, and ruthenium-based dye sensitized TiO2 as electrodes. In this cell, emitted beta radiations are absorbed by the dye rather than TiO2, which resulted in enhanced performance compared to the pristine betavoltaic cell. However, there must be further effort to improve it. Therefore we develop another novel betavoltaic device, a dual-site radioactive isotope dye-sensitized betavoltaic cell (d-DSBC), which is powered by the decay energy of the radioactive isotope of carbon. This device treats both the anode and cathode with a β-radiation source (dual-site source) to achieve a betavoltaic design with improved β-radiation absorption. The anode is composed of a TiO2 layer first coated with radioactive isotope of citric acid, and then a ruthenium complex dye that acts as a charge generating layer. The cathode consists of a radioactive isotope of carbon nanoparticles/quantum dots. The d-DSBC exhibits a high power density per radioactive source of 20.75 nW cm−2 mCi−1, and an energy conversion efficiency of 2.86 %. These results represent a considerable step towards the practical application of betavoltaic cells.
Making sturdy, semi-transparent wood with cheap, natural materials
This slice of semi-transparent wood is made with natural materials and could be used in applications from wearable sensors to energy-efficient windows.
SAN DIEGO, March 26, 2025 — Can you imagine a smartphone with a wooden touchscreen? Or a house with wooden windows? Probably not — unless you’ve heard of transparent wood. Made by modifying wood’s natural structure, this material has been proposed as a sturdy, eco-friendly plastic alternative. But wood’s biodegradability is often sacrificed in the process. Researchers are hoping to change that by creating transparent woods from almost entirely natural materials and making them electrically conductive.
The researchers will present their results at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS). ACS Spring 2025 is being held March 23-27; it features about 12,000 presentations on a range of science topics.
“In the modern day, plastic is everywhere, including our devices that we carry around. And it’s a problem when we reach the end of that device’s life. It’s not biodegradable,” explains Bharat Baruah, a professor of chemistry at Kennesaw State University and the presenter of this research. “So, I asked, what if we can create something that’s natural and biodegradable instead?”
Baruah became interested in transparent woods thanks to his outside-of-work pursuits — namely, his woodworking hobby. But he realized that the transparent woods reported by other scientists used materials such as epoxies, a form of plastic, for strength. To find natural materials that would keep wood sturdy and stable over time, he again turned to his personal experiences.
Growing up in the state of Assam in northeastern India, Baruah encountered buildings that had been standing for centuries — long before the modern-day version of cement was invented. Instead, ancient masons created cement by mixing sand with sticky rice and egg whites. Baruah hypothesized that those same materials might be perfect for incorporating strength and stability into his transparent woods.
Wood has three components: cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. To make it transparent, the lignin and hemicellulose are removed, leaving behind a porous, paper-like network of cellulose. Then, a colorless material fills in those pores, also restoring some rigidity.
Joined by Ridham Raval, an undergraduate student at the university, Baruah transformed pieces of balsa wood into natural, semi-transparent woods by pulling out the lignin and hemicellulose using a vacuum chamber and chemicals, including sodium sulfite (a delignifying agent), sodium hydroxide (a version of lye) and diluted bleach. Then, the pores were refilled by soaking them in an egg white and rice extract mixture, along with a curing agent called diethylenetriamine to keep the material see-through. The researchers say that these reagents, when used in small amounts, such as in this experiment, pose little threat to the environment.
In the end, the team was left with semi-transparent slices of wood that were durable and flexible.
The team next investigated some potential applications for their engineered woods, including as a replacement for glass windows. Again, Baruah tapped into his woodworker skills and renovated a birdhouse into a tiny, one-windowed, insulated home. To test the modernized abode’s energy efficiency, he put the birdhouse under a heat lamp and placed a temperature gauge inside. The temperature inside the house was between 9 to 11 degrees Fahrenheit (5 to 6 degrees Celsius) cooler when transparent wood was used than when glass was, suggesting that this new material could serve as an energy-efficient alternative to glass in windows.
To further expand the transparent wood’s potential applications, the team also incorporated silver nanowires into certain samples. This addition allowed the wood to conduct electricity, which could be useful for wearable sensors or coatings for solar cells. Silver nanowires aren’t biodegradable, but the team hopes to conduct further experiments using other conductive materials like graphene to maintain their fully natural transparent woods.
Though additional research is needed to boost the transparency of the woods, Baruah is happy that this initial step used natural and inexpensive materials. “I want to send a message to my undergraduate students that you can do interesting research without spending thousands of dollars,” he concludes.
The research was funded by Kennesaw State University and Purafil Inc., an air filtration manufacturer.
Visit the ACS Spring 2025 program to learn more about this presentation, “Fabrication of transparent wood from by impregnating voids in delignified wood and possible application in energy efficiency and electrical devices” and other science presentations.
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The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1876 and chartered by the U.S. Congress. ACS is committed to improving all lives through the transforming power of chemistry. Its mission is to advance scientific knowledge, empower a global community and champion scientific integrity, and its vision is a world built on science. The Society is a global leader in promoting excellence in science education and providing access to chemistry-related information and research through its multiple research solutions, peer-reviewed journals, scientific conferences, e-books and weekly news periodical Chemical & Engineering News. ACS journals are among the most cited, most trusted and most read within the scientific literature; however, ACS itself does not conduct chemical research. As a leader in scientific information solutions, its CAS division partners with global innovators to accelerate breakthroughs by curating, connecting and analyzing the world’s scientific knowledge. ACS’ main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.
Note to journalists: Please report that this research was presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society. ACS does not conduct research, but publishes and publicizes peer-reviewed scientific studies.
Title Fabrication of transparent wood from by impregnating voids in delignified wood and possible application in energy efficiency and electrical devices
Abstract This research aims to create transparent wood (TW) with multiple properties such as flexibility, optical transparency, and electrical conductivity. In modern society, electronic devices are an indispensable part of every arena of our lives. Sensors, energy storage devices, and flexible electronics1 require cheap, readily available materials and are easy to fabricate. Traditionally, plastics have been used in this category. However, it is harmful to the ecosystem and is not biodegradable. The research community and the industry are searching for an alternative that is cheaper, readily available, and easy to fabricate into electronic devices. Current research demonstrates the delignification of natural wood (NW) by chemical treatment. In our study, the delignified wood (DW) is impregnated with bio-compatible and bio-degradable polymer to create transparent wood (TW). By incorporating such natural polymers, we have also given way to flexibility in the TW. We further modified the TW to have electrical conductivity by incorporating silver nanowires (AgNWs). Such modified wood (MW) would have tremendous potential in optoelectronics, energy storage, and biomedical devices. We characterize samples with FTIR, Raman, UV-vis DRS, XRD, TGA, EDX, and SEM and further tests for energy efficiency.
