The promise of big data lies in researchers' ability to mine massive datasets for insights that can save lives, improve services and inform our understanding…

In this study, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research, scientists compared ground-based videos of pulsating auroras–a certain type of aurora that…

U Mic is located 32 light-years away in the southern constellation Microscopium. It is an optimal star to observe because its circumstellar disk is tilted…

As many other stars, AU Microscopii is surrounded by a dust disk. Now researchers – including scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in…

For the production of rechargeable batteries, it is desirable to use silicon as anode material in Li-ion batteries. The use of silicon anodes theoretically increases battery capacity tenfold compared to conventional graphite anodes. However, the attempt had previously failed, since the layers would expand by 300 to 400 % due to the storage of lithium ions in the Si bulk material. This induces a high residual strain and can destroy the bulk Si after only a few charge cycles. In addition, as a consequence of the irreversible reaction between the Si anode and electrolyte a layer of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) can develop and lead to a low coulombic efficiency.
Scientists of the University of Stuttgart now succeeded in developing a porous semiconductor layer, which displays a pore distribution from 50 to 3000 nm and eliminates the residual strain. It can be manufactured in a continuous process.

The present technology improves immunogenicity by treating DCs during maturation with the fungal-derived enzyme galactose oxidase. Hereby, a stronger physical interaction between DCs and T cells is achieved resulting in an at least 10-fold improved T cell priming capacity. In cell culture assays both human and mouse DCs showed enhanced T cell priming potential, the murine cells also in vivo.
Even the T cell stimulatory potential of mature DCs that were putatively activated up to a maximum was further improved by the galactose oxidase treatment. Hence, low affine T lymphocytes, as often found in the context of tumor antigens, can be activated and brought to proliferation too.
By improving T cell priming capability and therefore immunogenicity, this technology provides the opportunity to markedly enhance the classical DC maturation and accordingly to improve DC-vaccine approaches for example in tumor or HIV patients.

The new 10G Ethernet MAC IP-core is one of the fastest IP-cores currently available on the market. It was specifically designed to achieve minimal latency as…

As the first dedicated camera for the E-ELT, MICADO will equip the giant telescope with a capability for diffraction-limited imaging at near-infrared…

This invention is a process for detecting salmonellae as well as a fluorescing detection molecule that can be used for detecting salmonellae. This procedure enables the rapid, sensitive, and specific detection of salmonellae. A major advantage of this invented technology is that the salmonellae biosensor described here requires no additional devices aside from a fluorescence reading device, and does not require any specially trained technical experts.

This process enables the production of functional fusion tissue of various sizes. One advantage over previous procedures is that it generates larger fusion tissue that is also improved in its differentiation and functionality. The invented fusion tissue is also suitable for screening for new substances, to test substances, to improve or validate known therapeutic substances, or to create new indications and applications for known substances.

At present, tiny magnetic whirls – so called skyrmions – are discussed as promising candidates for bits in future robust and compact data storage devices. At…

In the recent work published today in Nature Nanotechnology, the research group led by Prof at ICFO Frank Koppens has shown that a two-dimensional crystal,…

In an article published in the Oct. 5 issue of Physical Review Letters, a team of University of Chicago physicists explains how to tune a laser to make atoms…

Background
Biocatalysts that can perform stereo- and regioselective hydroxylation of steroids are of great interest, since these molecules are among the most strongly marketed compounds of the pharmaceutical industry.
Especially the human metabolites 16-ß-OH-Testosterone and Androstendion are desired products, as they have a wide application as food, dietary supplements and medical products or in terms of diagnostics.
Testosterone can be metabolized by various human microsomal cytochrome P450 systems to the corresponding 16-ß-OH metabolite. So far, these enzymes are not capable of a regio- and stereoselective hydroxylation of testosterone. More than that, mammalian P450 systems are characterized by low stability and activity as well as an unpleasant expression level when compared to bacterial P450 systems.

Invention
Biochemists and pharmaceutical biologists of Saarland University have developed an effective recombinant biotransformation system based on a Bacillus megaterium strain that is capable of performing both stereo- and regioselective hydroxylation of non-activated carbon atoms of testosterone giving rise to 16-ß-OH-Testosterone in one step. The biocatalyst can further be applied in the synthesis of Androstendion using testosterone as a starting material.

Advantages
• Very fast and cost-efficient synthesis of steroid derivatives

• One step transformation of testosterone into 16-ß-OH testosterone

• No side products

• High yield

Background
The biotechnological production of 25-OH Vitamin D3 is of great importance, as this inactivated position 25 within vitamin D3 is hardly achievable by means of organic synthesis, especially in terms of a regio- and stereoselective manner.
Within the human body, 25-OH vitamin D3 is converted into the biological active form of vitamin D3 which is important for the Ca2+ deposit into bones. Furthermore, in case of hepatic cirrhosis, its substitution is essential. It has anti-carcinogenic effects and acts protective in terms of autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases.
25-OH vitamin D3 is also used as a standard in clinical laboratory diagnostics. Altogether, 25-OH vitamin D3 is valuable concerning biotechnology, pharmacy and medicine.

Invention
Biochemists of Saarland University identified and optimized two cytochrome P450 systems which are capable of performing a regio- and stereoselective hydroxylation of vitamin D3 in one step, transferring vitamin D3 to 25-OH and other hydroxyl- derivatives of vitamin D3. The enzymes belong to the CYP109 family.
One of these enzymes is capable of synthesizing 25-OH vitamin D3 as a major product and three side products in vitro producing a yield of 26 mg/l/24h.
The second one gives rise to 25-OH vitamin D3 as the only product producing a yield of 5 mg/l/24h.

Advantages
• Synthesis of 25-OH vitamin D3 and other hydroxyl-derivatives in high yields

o 25-OH vitamin D3 and three side products→ 26 mg/l/24h
o 25-OH vitamin D3 → 5 mg/l/24h

• Low production costs

• No toxic side products as in classical organic synthesis

Easily more security – that is the objective of a cooperation between MobileIron, one of the leading providers of Enterprise Mobility Management applications,…