Category archives: Technology

Magneto-optical activity of a nonmagnetic organic compound

Magneto-optical activity of a nonmagnetic organic compound

Condensed matterMaterialsNanotechnologyPhysics

By DIPC

We know that incident light can provoke a strong optical response in metallic nanostructures due to the excitation of resonant plasmonic modes, i.e, the electrons in the metal become excited by the photons in the incident light and oscillate collectively. Plasmonic nanoparticles can significantly modify the optical properties of nearby organic molecules and thus present […]

Combatting antimicrobial resistance with a ruthenium-based photorelease antimicrobial therapy

Combatting antimicrobial resistance with a ruthenium-based photorelease antimicrobial therapy

ChemistryCondensed matterMedicineMicrobiologyPharmacy

By DIPC

Antimicrobial resistance is a complex problem that contributes to health and economic losses worldwide. Resistance to antimicrobial therapies reduces the effectiveness of current drugs, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and health care expenditure. Because globalization increases the vulnerability of any country to diseases occurring in other countries, resistance presents a major threat to global public […]

Fasting against diabetes

Fasting against diabetes

HealthMedicine

By Rosa García-Verdugo

Diabetes is a disease typically associated with old age, especially when speaking of type 2, characterized for insulin resistance, and associated with obesity and therefore, more likely to occur in old age. A recent couple of papers published in Cell and Science Translational Medicine point to the healing potential of a fasting-mimicking diet for resetting […]

How drug discovery works: finding new strategies against Kaposi’s sarcoma

How drug discovery works: finding new strategies against Kaposi’s sarcoma

BiomedicineMedicinePharmacy

By Isabel Perez Castro

15% of human cancers worldwide may be attributed to viruses, 1 with both DNA and RNA viruses being capable of causing the disease. Epstein-Barr virus, human papilloma virus, hepatitis B virus, and human herpes virus-8 are the four DNA viruses capable of causing the development of human cancer, whereas human T lymphotrophic virus type 1 […]

How to measure the viscosity of the liquid inside a living cell using upconverting particles

How to measure the viscosity of the liquid inside a living cell using upconverting particles

Condensed matterNanotechnologyPhysics

By DIPC

How would you measure the dynamic viscosity of cytosol, the liquid inside the cells, without destroying the cell? It seems not an easy task. However, a team of researchers that includes Nuno de Sousa (DIPC & IFIMAC), has just provided a way of achieving this and other similar feats using upconverting particles. An optical trap […]

Plasmons galore for myriad applications

Plasmons galore for myriad applications

ChemistryCondensed matterMaterialsNanotechnologyPhysicsQuantum physics

By DIPC

Worldwide research efforts on plasmons and metamaterials have been growing exponentially for the past ten years. Now, Antonio I. Fernández-Domínguez (IFIMAC), Francisco J. García-Vidal (IFIMAC & DIPC), and Luis Martín-Moreno (ICMA) discuss new directions for the future, such as the use of 2D materials and strong coupling phenomena, which are likely to shape the field […]