Search by tag «Publication» 163 results

  • Russian Developers Created a Platform for Interactive Analysis of Metagenomic Data

    A team of developers from Skolkovo, ITMO University and MIPT presented an online service called Knomics-Biota, which allows for a comprehensive study of intestinal microbiome genetic data. Using this service, you can figure out what types of bacteria are present in hundreds of gut metagenomes, their relative proportion, and the amount of vitamins and other beneficial substances they produce. With the help of an interactive interface, you can look at the results from different perspectives, which helps to identify the relationship between microbiota and nutrition, lifestyle and health. The research was published in BioData Mining.

    26.11.2018

  • Scientists Designed Nanocontainers for Bacterial Metabolism Control

    Researchers from ITMO University developed special nanocontainers that can translate the light signal into metabolic changes in bacteria. The containers consist of titanium dioxide nanoparticles coated with silver and polymers. Once the particles are heated with laser irradiation, the polymer conformation changes and the container opens, releasing the contents. Scientists tested the new system’s performance using a model enzyme, arabinose. However, it can be replaced with other active substances in order to use the containers for drug delivery. The research was published in Bioconjugate Chemistry.

    22.11.2018

  • Scientists Developed New Contactless Method of Measuring Blood Flow in Hands

    A research team from ITMO University and the Almazov Center proposed a new contactless method for measuring blood flow in the upper limbs. The method is based on video recording of the skin surface under green light measuring the absorption of red blood cells. This helps to see how effective the circulatory system and the blood flow regulation are. The experimental results showed that the proposed method is as accurate as the traditional one. However, it is easier in use, cheaper, and fits more patients. The research was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (grant 15-15-20012) and published in Biomedical Optics Express.

    29.10.2018

  • Researchers Use Silicon Nanoparticles for Enhancing Solar Cells Efficiency

    An international research group improved perovskite solar cells efficiency by using materials with better light absorption properties. For the first time, researchers used silicon nanoparticles. Such nanoparticles can trap light of a broad range of wavelengths near the cell active layer. The particles themselves don’t absorb light and don’t interact with other elements of the battery, thus maintaining its stability. The research was published in Advanced Optical Materials.

    05.09.2018

  • Scientists Create Antilaser for Bose-Einstein Condensate of Ultracold Atoms

    An international team of scientists has developed the world's first antilaser for the coherent perfect absorption of waves in a Bose-Einstein condensate of ultracold atoms. For the first time, scientists have demonstrated the fundamental possibility of this process for the waves propagating in a nonlinear medium. The obtained results can be used to manipulate superfluid flows, create atomic lasers, and also study nonlinear optical systems. The results were published in Science Advances.

    20.08.2018

  • Study Reveals The Great Pyramid of Giza Can Focus Electromagnetic Energy

    An international research group applied methods of theoretical physics to study the electromagnetic response of the Great Pyramid to radio waves. Scientists found out that under resonance conditions the pyramid can concentrate electromagnetic energy both in its internal chambers and the area located under its base. The research group plans to apply these findings to design nanoparticles capable of reproducing similar effects in the optical range. Such nanoparticles may be used to develop sensors and highly efficient solar cells. The study was published in the Journal of Applied Physics.

    30.07.2018

  • Physicists Design New Nanoresonators With Giant Nonlinear Response

    An international research team has found a way to make frequency conversion of light at the nanoscale a hundred times more efficient. The new method is based on isolated dielectric nanoparticles supporting the so-called bound states in the continuum. Such states appear when radiating fields in the particle suppress each other, so that the electromagnetic energy inside the particle can be trapped. This prediction can be employed for a new generation of tiny frequency conversion devices, nanolasers. The research was published in Physical Review Letters on July 19, 2018 as a cover story.

    26.07.2018

  • Innovative Method for Microcirculation Diagnosis Gives New Insights into Migraines

    Russian scientists developed a new optical method for non-invasive diagnosis of blood circulation in capillaries. The method is based on video recording of the skin surface with simultaneous registration of light absorption by red blood cells. Using this method, scientists found out that people suffering from migraines displayed malfunctions in capillary regulation. This technique can also be applied to studies of strokes and diabetes, as well as for monitoring blood circulation during brain surgeries. The results are published in The Journal of Headache and Pain.

    18.07.2018

  • Scientists Describe Oxidants' Effect on Metal-Organic Frameworks for Drug Delivery

    A team of chemists-theoreticians modeled the interaction of a metal-organic framework (MOF) for drug delivery with oxidants. The model showed that the MOF is stable in water, but degrades in the presence of active forms of oxygen. As such oxidants emerge in inflammatory tissues, MOFs can be used in the design of systems for targeted delivery of anti-inflammatory agents. The research results were published in The Royal Society of Chemistry (PCCP) magazine.

    27.06.2018

  • Scientists Taught Fluorescent Microscope to Automatically Adapt to Any Sample

    An international team of physicists found a new way to improve images obtained by fluorescence microscopy. The method is based on adaptive optics and implies an automatic correction of aberrations. Moreover, this correction is based on the quality of individual pixels, rather than the image as a whole. This helps avoid re-calibration of the microscope in case of changing the sample. As a result, microscopy can be significantly accelerated. The results are published in PLoS ONE.  

    07.05.2018