SEPARATING THE HYPE AND THE BUZZ - Tuesday, September 29, 2009

NEWSWORTHY

Sugar-coated nanoparticles for Cancer therapy
Researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have reported that sugar coated iron oxide nanoparticles when subjected to an alternating magnetic field, can kill cancerous cells. The interaction between these particles generates heat, which in turn destroys cancer cells. The side effects that come along with chemotherapy and radiation can be overcome through such methods. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, Nanotech Wire, and Nanowerk.

Fabric for detection
Cornell researchers have discovered that uniform application of nanoparticles on to a fabric can alter its properties in ways beneficial to many fields. The altered fabric can be used in detecting explosives, dangerous chemicals, in law enforcement, and in medical fields. The fabric is oil and water resistant as well. See AtoZ Nano and Nanowerk.

Nanomaterial kills antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Researchers from Münster University and CeNTech (Center for NanoTechnology) have for the first time discovered nanomaterial that can destroy antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These nanoparticles stick on to the bacteria, mark them, and kill them. A green colorant can be attached to these particles, that glows under a fluorescence microscope allowing the bacteria to become visible. See AtoZ Nano and Nanowerk.

Twinkling nanostars
Scientists at Purdue University have created magnetically responsive nanostars making biomedical imaging better. When exposed to a rotating magnetic field these nanostars spin expelling light in a pulsating or “twinkling” manner. By making the image brighter and reducing background noise, these nanostars help generate better quality bio-images. See AtoZ Nano, Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS), Nanowerk, and Nature Nanotechnology.

Fate of nanoparticles in human cells
Scientists have recently been able to understand the fate of nanoparticles that enter human cells. It was found that the outer layer of biomimetic nanoparticles consisting of important proteins is degraded by the time they reach human cells. They claim the culprit is an enzyme named cathepsin L. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, and Nanowerk.

DNA-Graphene nanostructure
Biomedical researchers have conducted an experiment involving single and double stranded DNA with graphene nanostructures. The DNA, both single and double stranded, were provided with a fluorescent molecule to evaluate their interaction with graphene. It was found that the light on the single stranded DNA dimmed and that on the double stranded DNA darkened slightly when rested on graphene. When a complementary DNA was introduced to the already existing single stranded DNA-grpahene interaction, the light glowed again. This ability of the DNA to turn its light on and off when near graphene could help make biosensors. See AtoZ Nano, First Science, and Nanowerk.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Carbon nanotubes springs for battery storage
MIT scientists claim that carbon nanotube springs are capable of storing as much energy as a lithium battery. They reported that carbon nanotube springs have the potential to store a thousand times more energy than regular steel springs. See AtoZ Nano and Nanowerk.

Paper batteries
Scientists are trying to create batteries that involve no metal parts. By applying nanocaotings of polypyrrole (a conductive polymer, which was earlier discarded for commercial battery use) on to cellulose fibers, they hope to develop an efficient battery with suitable charging and discharging rates. One of the characteristics of the coated cellulose fiber is the high internal porosity, enabling it to be molded like paper. See AtoZ Nano and Nanowerk.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles to terminate brain cancer cells
Scientists suggest that using titanium dioxide with antibodies can help cure brain tumors. Titanium dioxide attached to an antibody identifies cancer cells and attaches itself to them. Being photoreactive, titanium dioxide when exposed to visible light helps activate mitochondria in cancer cells in turn triggering death in cancer cells. See Nanowerk.