January eNews
Welcome to the First eNews of 2025!
As we step into the new year, we're excited to bring you our highlights from the past month. Here's what's in store for January's edition:
- Top 5 Picks from December 2024
- Our Editor's Choice
- Image of the Month
If you have any questions, feedback, or simply want to connect, don't hesitate to reach out to the News Team at news@alphagalileo.org. We're here to assist you!
We hope you enjoy this month's edition of our eNews.
Best regards,
The AlphaGalileo News Team
Top 5 from December 2024
1. New set of indicators sheds light on the EU’s participation and exposure in global value chains, published by the European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) on 4/12/24
Eurostat and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) have published a new set of 12 macroeconomic globalisation indicators that measure the participation of the EU and individual EU countries in global value chains. The set of indicators shows for the first time challenges and opportunities for the EU as single entity.
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2. Commercial tea bags release millions of microplastics when in use, published by Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) on 20/12/24
A UAB research has characterised in detail how polymer-based commercial tea bags release millions of nanoplastics and microplastics when infused. The study shows for the first time the capacity of these particles to be absorbed by human intestinal cells, and are thus able to reach the bloodstream and spread throughout the body.
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3. Annual HFSP Science Digest Highlights Basic Science, Includes Special Focus on Synthetic Biology and Innovation, published by Human Frontier Science Program (HFSPO) on 12/12/24
The Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP), global leader in pioneering frontier life science research has released its annual Science Digest.
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4. Auf dem Weg zum Kohlendioxid-armen Strassenverkehr, published by Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI) on 4/12/24 (833 hits)
Forschende am Paul Scherrer Institut PSI haben ein Konzept vorgestellt, wie sich Mobilität auf wirtschaftlich konkurrenzfähige Weise dekarbonisieren lässt. Eine wichtige Rolle spielt die erweiterte Nutzung von Kohlendioxid aus Biogasanlagen.
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5. UC3M and Arquimea lead the PERTE Chip EPIQ Chair to apply photonics and integrated electronics to the quantum revolution, published by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid - Oficina de Información Científica on 04/12/24
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) and the engineering company Arquimea have received one of the 17 grants awarded by the Spanish government under the "Cátedras Chip" (Chip Chairs) programme to advance the application of photonics and integrated electronics in quantum technology research, promoting their adoption by industry. These fields are essential for ensuring the security and technological development of future industries.
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Editor's Choice
Uncovered a mystery of “electron carrier” existing in all living organisms: Discovery of a “nano-switch mechanism” controlled by a single hydrogen atom, published by Osaka University on 03/12/2024
A group of researchers in Japan has revealed, for the first time, a mechanism for controlling the potential of an “electron carrier” protein in the redox reaction that all organisms need to obtain energy. Based on experiments, the precise 3D structure of the protein including hydrogen atoms was determined, and theoretical calculations using this data visualized the electronic structure of the iron-sulfur cluster. As the results, it was revealed, for the first time, that the electric potential of the iron-sulfur cluster changes dramatically depending on the presence or absence of a single hydrogen atom at an amino acid side chain, a so-called “nano-switch” mechanism. The results will not only deepen our scientific understanding of biological reactions but also provide a major clue to the future development of ultra-sensitive sensors for oxygen and nitric oxide and novel drugs.
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Image caption: Fig. 1 Discovery of “Nano-switch” mechanism that controls the electric potential by a single hydrogen atom!, Original content, No restrictions, Ibaraki University
Image of the month
New Insights into Genes' Role in Craniofacial Development and Genetic Disorder, published by Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche on 13/12/2024
An international team of researchers has identified a key genetic mechanism that regulates the formation and migration of cranial neural crest cells, which are essential for developing facial structures. This discovery, published in The American Journal of Human Genetics, expands our understanding of the roles played by specific genes in a critical step of embryonic development and paves the way for deeper insights into the genetic causes of certain congenital diseases.
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Image caption: The ZIC2 gene drives the migration of neural crest cells (in green) during early embryonic stages, a process essential for forming the vertebrate nervous system. Credit: Barnada, S. M. et al., The American Journal of Human Genetics, 111(10), 2232-2252.