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EPJ E Highlight - How lactoferrin clamps down on free roaming iron ions to stop nefarious effects on cells

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Published on 20 September 2018

New study elucidates structure of the protein lactoferrin as it undergoes transition from an open to a closed structure to decrease the level of free iron ions in the body

What prevents our cells from being overexposed to iron ions roaming freely in the body is a protein called lactoferrin, known for its ability to bind tightly to such ions. These free ions are essential for a number of biological processes. If found in excessive quantities, however, they could cause damage to proteins and DNA in the body, sometimes even leading to cell death. This is because free iron ions lead to an increase of the concentration of reactive substances with oxidising power roaming freely in the body. This has driven scientists to develop a better understanding of how lactoferrin's structural change helps to clamp down on free iron ions. In a new study published in EPJ E, Lilia Anghel from the Institute of Chemistry in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, and research collaborators study the changes in the structure of lactoferrin as it binds to iron ions, using combined experimental and molecular dynamics simulations.

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EPJ Data Science Highlight - A model to predict Airbnb distribution in cities

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Published on 19 September 2018

The distribution of Airbnb listings has been the topic of much discussion among citizens and policy-makers, particularly in major cities. In an article published in EPJ Data Science, Giovanni Quattrone and colleagues looked into the many factors determining the spacial penetration of Airbnb in urban centers and developed a model that aims to predict this distribution in other cities. Among others, the presence of creative communities emerges as an important factor in the adoption of the housing plaftform.

(Guest post by Giovanni Quatronne, originally published on the SpringerOpen blog)

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EPJ E Highlight - Better chemo drug adsorption onto targeted delivery capsules

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Published on 18 September 2018

New study demonstrates adsorption of chemotherapy drugs onto active carbon delivery capsule can be enhanced with aluminium atom inclusions

The efficacy of chemotherapy treatment depends on how effectively it reaches cancerous cells. Increasing targeted delivery could mean decreasing side effects. Scientists are enhancing methods of selectively transmitting active chemotherapy agents and reducing their toxicity by encapsulating chemo drugs into active carbon used as the targeted delivery device. In a new study published in EPJ E, Gabriel Román, from the National University of the South, in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, and colleagues have demonstrated that adding minute amounts of aluminium atoms onto activated carbon atoms helps increase the adsorption onto the delivery carbon capsule of a standard chemotherapy drug, called 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). This drug is typically used for stomach, colorectal, neck and head cancer treatments. This model could lead to more effective and convenient cancer treatments with fewer side effects by encapsulating the chemo drug into the active carbon, so that it can be taken orally.

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• EPJ ST Special Issue: Nonextensive Statistical Mechanics, Superstatistics and Beyond: Theory and Applications in Astrophysical and Other Complex Systems

• EPJ Quantum Technology: Special issue on Quantum Magnetometers

• EPJ ST Special Issue: Diffusion dynamics and information spreading in multilayer networks

• EPJ D Topical issue: Dynamics of Systems on the Nanoscale

• EPJE Topical Issue: Dielectric Spectroscopy Applied to Soft Matter

• EPJA Topical Issue: The first Neutron Star Merger Observation - Implications for Nuclear Physics

• EPJ B Special Issue: Non-Linear and Complex Dynamics in Semiconductors and Related Materials

• EPJ D Topical Issue: Many Particle Spectroscopy of Atoms, Molecules, Clusters and Surfaces (MPS 2018)

• EPJ E Topical Issue: Branching Dynamics at Mesoscopic Scale

• EPJ E Call for papers: Thermal non-equilibrium phenomena in soft matter

• EPJ ST Special Issue: Microscopic dynamics, chaos and transport in nonequilibrium processes

• EPJ AM Call for papers: Themed Issue on Terahertz metamaterials

• EPJ D Topical Issue: Quantum Correlations

• EPJ ST Special Issue: Topological States of Matter: Theory and Applications

• EPJ B Special Issue: Complex Systems Science meets Matter and Materials

• EPJ B Special Issue on Multiscale Materials Modeling

• EPJ Data Science: Thematic series on human mobility

• EPJ Data Science: Thematic Series on Individual and Collective Human Mobility: Description, Modelling, Prediction

• EPJ Quantum Technology: Thematic Series on Space Applications of Quantum Technology

• EPJ Techniques and Instrumentation: Thematic Series on Novel Plasma Diagnostics