In another instance of scientists borrowing design elements from natural systems (a process known as biomimicry), researchers have developed a chemical catalyst modeled after peroxidase enzymes. Peroxidase is a complex protein that converts certain chemicals from harmful to benign and is found in almost all living cells.

An international team of researchers has developed the first man-made device capable of using sunlight to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, which is a key process in photosynthesis.

As the 2008 Beijing Olympics drew to a close this week, we celebrated not only the accomplishments of the athletes, but also the resilience of the world’s most populous nation.

Several decades ago, the cellular process known as “DNA repair” was not even suspected. But since then, investigation of genetic functions has increasingly revealed a system that is mind-bogglingly elegant, minute, and effective.

By Brian Thomas, M. S. and Christine Dao*