Nanoparticle drug reverses Parkinson's-like symptoms in rats

The researchers packaged dopamine in biodegradable nanoparticles that have been used to deliver other therapeutic drugs to the brain. The resulting nanoparticles successfully crossed the blood-brain barrier in rats, released its dopamine payload over several days and reversed the rodents' movement problems without causing side effects.

Electron spin brings order to high entropy alloys

Scientists have discovered that electron spin brings a previously unknown degree of order to the high entropy alloy nickel iron chromium cobalt (NiFeCrCo) - and may play a role in giving the alloy its desirable properties.

Small electric voltage alters conductivity in key materials

Using only a 9-volt battery at room temperature, researchers have altered the thermal conductivity of the widely used material PZT (lead zirconate titanate) by as much as 11 percent at subsecond time scales.

Pseudoparticles travel through photoactive material

Researchers have unveiled an important step in the conversion of light into storable energy: They studied the formation of so-called polarons in zinc oxide. The pseudoparticles travel through the photoactive material until they are converted into electrical or chemical energy at an interface.

'Holey' graphene for energy storage

Charged holes in graphene increase energy storage capacity.

Low-reflection, nanostructured wings make butterflies nearly invisible

The effect is known from the smart phone: Sun is reflected by the display and hardly anything can be seen. In contrast to this, the glasswing butterfly hardly reflects any light in spite of its transparent wings. As a result, it is difficult for predatory birds to track the butterfly during the flight.

Invisible inks could help foil counterfeiters of all kinds

Consumers one day may snap photos with smartphones to see if an item is real.