Category archives: Technology

The unexpected role of glycolaldehyde in photocatalytic cofactor regeneration using triethanolamine

The unexpected role of glycolaldehyde in photocatalytic cofactor regeneration using triethanolamine

ChemistryEnergyMaterials

By DIPC

Nature is a source of inspiration for scientists. If the efficiency of natural processes efficiency has been honed by billions of years of evolution, it seems reasonable that the best way to achieve some process is to try and mimic what nature has already come up with. This is the case with photosynthesis, a process […]

Ayahuasca in the treatment of depression

Ayahuasca in the treatment of depression

HealthMedicineNeurosciencePharmacy

By José Ramón Alonso

Ayahuasca is an illegal entheogenic drug, substances that have the capacity to generate a mystical experience, a psychological sensation of contact with the divinity. Ayahuasca is an infusion prepared from the Banisteriopsis caapi liana and other ingredients, which include leaves of Psychotria viridis , Diplopyterys cabrerana and Mimosa tenuiflora . Psychotria has dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a […]

Design of protein-protein binding sites suggests a rationale for naturally occurring contact areas

Design of protein-protein binding sites suggests a rationale for naturally occurring contact areas

BiochemistryChemistryMaterials

By Invited Researcher

Molecular recognition is a critical process for many biological functions and consists in non-covalent binding of different molecules, such as protein-protein, antigen-antibody and many others. The host-guest molecules involved often show a shape complementarity, and one of the leading specification for molecular recognition is that the interaction must be selective, i.e. the host should strongly […]

Methane and the determination of the Majorana nature of neutrinos

Methane and the determination of the Majorana nature of neutrinos

DIPC Particle PhysicsParticle physicsPhysics

By DIPC

Experiments performed in 1909 by Geiger and Marsden, also called Rutherford gold foil experiment because Rutherford was their supervisor, led to the discovery of nuclear structure in the atom: the nucleus of the atom is its central core and contains most of its mass and the nucleus is positively charged. Further research during the next […]

On the Genealogy of Innovation, or how to look for power with a hammer

On the Genealogy of Innovation, or how to look for power with a hammer

Philosophy of science

By Invited Researcher

The term “innovation” has been ubiquitous for decades in many areas of European society. Since Lisbon 2000—and even earlier—the European Union has promoted policies to drive innovation with the intention of restoring to Europe the economic leadership it has undoubtedly lost. Two decades later, we are close to Horizon 2020—at least chronologically speaking. Within the […]