Chameleon-like nanoparticles of gold can be used to indicate the presence of various biomolecules. Adding aptamers — DNA strands that bind only to specific molecules — to the mix opens up further possibilities.

During persistent infections, the immune cells responsible for killing infected cells and maintaining inflammation gradually stop functioning, allowing the pathogen to thrive. But can this process be reversed?

Conventionally, conduction in silicon is enhanced by doping — adding impurities that change the material's electronic structure. But exploiting surface effects in thin silicon films may offer yet other opportunities.