Science Highlights

Many proteins perform their biological roles by switching between different three-dimensional shapes or conformations. For instance, enzymes change shape to bind substrates, and receptors alter their conformation to initiate signaling cascades.

HIV has proven extraordinarily difficult to vaccinate against because the antibodies capable of neutralizing many different strains of the virus are vanishingly rare — the immune cells that make them are present in only tiny numbers and are not activated by conventional vaccines. 

Scientists have discovered an unusual bacterial immune system called Panoptes that defends against viruses using a clever "reverse alarm" strategy. Most immune systems work like traditional alarms—staying quiet until triggered by an invader. But Panoptes works backwards: it constantly produces a chemical signal that keeps the defense response turned off.

Mpox emerged as a serious global health threat in 2022, spreading rapidly between people in ways not seen before. The virus has developed concerning mutations that may make it more contagious and harder to treat with existing vaccines and drugs.

Lithium-ion batteries power our modern electronics, from smartphones to wireless earbuds, but their lifespan remains a challenge, especially under real-world conditions.

Superconductors typically work only at extremely cold temperature – close to absolute zero. Researchers from Stanford University, SSRL and SIMES have been looking for superconductor materials that can perform at higher temperatures.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system attacks its own tissues when gluten is consumed. At the heart of this reaction is an enzyme called Transglutaminase 2 (TG2). TG2 helps modify gluten proteins in a way that makes them more likely to trigger this harmful immune response.

Topological flat bands in quantum materials represent a fascinating subject in condensed matter physics, often associated with numerous exotic phenomena, including superconductivity, magnetism, and charge density wave order. Flat bands are commonly found in quantum materials where the Coulomb interactions are comparable or larger than the electron kinetic energy.

Olgotrelvir (STI-1558) is a novel antiviral drug designed to address the challenges posed by the emergence of new, more infectious and virulent SARS-CoV-2 variants. This drug is particularly important for populations at risk who may not benefit from existing treatments like Paxlovid due to potential drug-drug interactions.

High-resolution x-ray imaging can reveal chemical details in a number of fields including detection of metal contaminations in Si wafers; electrode dissolution and precipitation in lithium-ion batteries; and metal poisoning in catalytic materials for petroleum refinery – among others.