Preliminary studies for the standardization of a pXRF analyzer ICP-OES for the accurate quantification of Pb in new paint.

Determining lead (Pb) concentrations in new paints using spectroscopic methods such as Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) requires technical expertise, consumables, equipment for method preparation, and instrumentation that can be cost prohibitive and difficult to maintain in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Although portable X-ray Fluorescence (pXRF) analyzers are less expensive and simple to operate, their inaccuracy has limited their use to screening for the analysis of Pb in new, dried paint. To determine the limits of pXRF analyzers, new paint samples were purchased, dried, homogenized, and analyzed pXRF and ICP-OES.

The tardigrade Hypsibius exemplaris dramatically upregulates DNA repair pathway genes in response to ionizing radiation.

Tardigrades can survive remarkable doses of ionizing radiation, up to about 1,000 times the lethal dose for humans. How they do so is incompletely understood. We found that the tardigrade Hypsibius exemplaris suffers DNA damage upon gamma irradiation, but the damage is repaired.

Chemobiosis reveals tardigrade tun formation is dependent on reversible cysteine oxidation.

Tardigrades, commonly known as 'waterbears', are eight-legged microscopic invertebrates renowned for their ability to withstand extreme stressors, including high osmotic pressure, freezing temperatures, and complete desiccation. Limb retraction and substantial decreases to their internal water stores results in the tun state, greatly increasing their ability to survive. Emergence from the tun state and/or activity regain follows stress removal, where resumption of life cycle occurs as if stasis never occurred.

Recent advances in mass spectrometry-based methods to investigate reversible cysteine oxidation.

The post-translational modification of cysteine to diverse oxidative states is understood as a critical cellular mechanism to combat oxidative stress. To study the role of cysteine oxidation, cysteine enrichments and subsequent analysis via mass spectrometry are necessary. As such, technologies and methods are rapidly developing for sensitive and efficient enrichments of cysteines to further explore its role in signaling pathways.