Fudan University

A molecular model of the new treatment package – the gold atoms (brown) can be seen in the center, surrounded by positively charged ligands (red) which are attracted to bacteria, and zwitterionic ligands (blue), which protect the host's cells

Medical

Gold nanoclusters make old antibiotics effective against superbugs again

Scientists may have found a way to re-enlist old antibiotics in the fight against superbugs. Gold nanoparticles were wrapped in molecules that seek out bacteria and disrupt their cell membranes, allowing existing drugs to kill them easier.

The technology may help alert both motorists and pedestrians

Good Thinking

Color-changing road signs could be better at getting drivers' attention

Even though road signs already tend to be highly reflective, some night-time drivers still don't notice the things. New technology could help, as it causes signs to reflect in an attention-getting rainbow of changing colors.

Researchers have developed a new graphene production technique that cuts the amount of solvent required by up to half

Materials

Cleaning up graphene production

With current techniques for the mass production of graphene requiring large amounts of organic solvents that aren't great for the environment, the announcement of a more environmentally friendly and cost effective technique for the large-scale production of the wonder material comes as good news.

Depression could come down to stronger and weaker connections between various parts of the brain

Biology

Uncovering depression's web in the brain

A new study out of the University of Warwick in the UK and Fudan University in China found out just how strengthened and weakened neuronal circuits can cause our grey matter to deliver dark days.