Category Archives: Latest research

Nanodiamonds: A Breakthrough in Medicine and Cosmetics

Consider a diamond so small that it is measured in nanometers, but so powerful that it has the potential to change the way scientists approach cancer treatment and skincare.

Meet nanodiamonds, the tiny stones that are making waves in the fields of medicine and cosmetics worldwide. 

Illustration of nanodiamonds source

Basic structure of nanodiamonds with surface functional groups source

 

 

 

 

 

Nanodiamonds are overturning traditional cancer treatment methods.

Chemotherapy treatments, while effective, can have serious side effects. According to scientists, nanodiamonds provide new hope because they can selectively induce apoptosis, or cell death, in target cancer cells while causing no harm to healthy cells.

This makes them a game changer in the fight against cancer.

But that isn’t all.

Oxidative stress results from an imbalance between the activity of oxygen-containing free radicals and antioxidants in the cells and tissues of your body, leading to increased oxidation reactions. If there are more free radicals than antioxidants, the former can cause damage to fatty tissue, DNA, and proteins due to the lack of sufficient neutralizing agents.

Because of their ability to reduce this phenomenon, nanodiamonds can efficiently treat cardiovascular disease and inflammation. This makes them a potential force in the development of new therapies for chronic diseases.

Teradia TD Repair Serum Emulsion (serum composed of nanodiamonds) source

 

Nanodiamonds are used in a variety of cosmetic products, ranging from skincare creams to hair products and makeup.

They can improve skin texture and appearance, as well as reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and increase skin hydration and elasticity.

This makes them an essential component of any anti-aging skincare routine.

 

For those who suffer from acne, nanodiamonds have antimicrobial properties that make them a popular ingredient in acne-fighting skincare products. They can effectively kill the bacteria that cause acne, reducing inflammation and aiding in skin clearing.

 

Nanodiamonds are small, but they pack a powerful punch. While more research is needed to fully understand the therapeutic and cosmetic benefits of these tiny diamonds, it is clear that they have the potential to change medicine and beauty forever.

Prepare to shine with nanodiamonds!

~ Vivian Hou

A green future for ammonia

Chemists from the University of California, Berkley (UCB) have designed a new material that could reduce the energy requirements of the Haber-Bosch process.  The group hopes their research, published January 11th 2023, will conserve energy and lead to a “greener” future for ammonia and fertilizer production.

Current infrastructure needed to maintain the pressure and temperature required for the Haber-Bosch process source

The Haber-Bosch process has been the main method for producing ammonia since its invention over 100 years ago.  It is widely considered one of the most important scientific discoveries of the 20th century. Yet, despite its important role producing ammonia for agricultural fertilizer, its industrial synthesis continues to be energy inefficient.

High temperatures and pressures are needed to produce ammonia which must then be extracted to be used. Conventionally, the reaction mixture is cooled from 500℃ to -20℃. This condenses the synthesized ammonia and separates it from the remaining chemicals. However, cooling the mixture while maintaining the pressure of 300 atmospheres accounts for a large proportion of the processes’ energy loss.

Benjamin Snyder, who leads the UCB research group, said it was this extraction step that his team sought to improve by “finding a material where you can capture and then release very large quantities of ammonia, ideally with a minimal input of energy”.

These requirements led the research group to create a metal-organic framework (MOF) material.  The MOF had a crystal structure made from copper atoms linked to cyclohexane dicarboxylate molecules.  The crystalline structure gave the material unique properties suited for its use in ammonia extraction.

Structure of the cyclohexane dicarboxylate molecule used to make the MOF source

When exposed to ammonia the material changes its structure from a rigid crystal to a loosely packed and porous polymer. The polymer form can readily store a large amount of ammonia within it which can then be released with cooling. The result is that ammonia can be extracted 195℃ above the temperature required by current methods and at half the pressure.

Not only would the MOF save energy in the extraction process but, interestingly, after releasing the ammonia “the polymer somehow weaves itself back into a three-dimensional framework” says Snyder. This mechanism, which is still being studied, allows the MOF to be used repeatably.

With the Haber-Bosch process using 1% of the world’s energy, the research done by Snyder and his group is an important step in producing a greener future for ammonia.

Soy Sauce in Skin Care: The Rise of Kojic Acid

Soy sauce, sake, and skincare all have one thing in common — Kojic Acid. 

Kojic acid, a by-product of soy sauce and sake production, is currently a debated skincare ingredient. 

Due to various beauty influencers on platforms like Tiktok, Instagram, and Youtube celebrating kojic acid as a miracle whitening product, it is important to understand the true abilities and downfalls of this ingredient. 

This ingredient is highly sought after due to its skin-whitening properties. Particularly, the acid is being used to spot treat hyperpigmentation from sun spots and acne scars. 

Kojic acid’s skin whitening features are derived from its ability to inhibit tyrosinase, the enzyme needed to produce the skin pigment melanin. While kojic acid should not be used to lighten overall skin complexion, its “mild antioxidant, antimicrobial, and exfoliating properties,” according to Board-Certified Dermatologist Dr. Jennifer MacGregor, makes it suitable for small-scale skin lightening. 

Chemical Structure of Kojic Acid (Credit: Fuzzform, Wikipedia)

Despite its generally mild properties, kojic acid should still be used with caution. Prolonged use may cause increased sensitivity to sun exposure and dermatitis for those with sensitive skin. These side effects are exacerbated when kojic acid concentration exceeds 1%. 

Popular skincare brands are saturating the market with kojic acid. The compound can be combined with other well-known ingredients, such as vitamin C, glycolic acid, niacinamide, and hydroquinone.

Depending on the additional ingredients, kojic acid can be diluted to be tolerable for sensitive skin or compounded to accelerate whitening abilities. 

Kojic acid can currently be found in various forms to suit consumer preferences. Currently, the most sought-after forms of kojic acid are

SkinCeuticals’ Discoloration Defense serum, Koji White’s Kojic Acid Skin Brightening Soap, and Versed Skin’s Weekend Glow Daily Brightening Facial Toner.

SkinCeuticals’ Discoloration Defense serum (Credit: SkinCeuticals’)

Koji White’s Kojic Acid Skin Brightening Soap (Credit: Amazon) 

– Carissa Chua

Blue Light – A Propagated Myth

Unsplash Photo by Ales Nesetril (Editorial, Technology)

Blue light from electronic devices does not damage the eyes, but it may damage your sleep.

The lie propagated is unfounded in science and was debunked. Those spreading it are misinformed and scientifically uneducated. 

Light sources such as incandescence (light bulbs) and LEDs emit a broad spectrum of light, namely 380 to 700 nanometers (nm). Blue light is in the     400 – 450 nm range, carrying more energy compared to red light, which raises concern. 

Our retinas regularly absorb blue light emitted by the sun, and for over 300,000 years has been the case and proven not to be damaging – otherwise, we would be blind. 

In addition, device intensities are much less than the sun and are regulated by manufacturers using light filters. 

According to Dr. Ramsey, a Havard Health Publishing Contributor, and Director of Ophthalmic Research at Lahey Massachusets Hospital, “many retail stores have ambient illumination twice as great…as your iPhone. [Yet] the sun yields illumination ten times greater!”

He also adds that using devices late at night mimics sunlight, restraining the production of melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone. This stimulates your circadian clock (your body’s 24 hr sleep clock), tending to delay your sleep cycles, disrupting your sleep, and increasing drowsiness the following morning. 

By stopping using electronic devices 30 minutes before bed, you can increase REM (deep-stage sleep), reduce morning drowsiness, and maintain a consistent circadian rhythm, which in itself has its own benefits. 

In short, do your own research before propagating a supposed “scientific claim,” and reduce your screen time before bed.

~ Octavian Turner