CHESS eNewsletter - July 2023 | Issue No. 109

Welcome to our new User Executive Committee members!

Congratulations to Professor Lisandro Cunci, University of Puerto Rico and Professor Alberto de la Torre Duran, Northeastern University who have been elected to the User Executive committee. Information about CHESS's advisory bodies can be found here.

Thank you to everyone who voted for this year's new members!

CHESS Research Uses Pressure To Understand RNA Dynamics

In research recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Catherine Royer and her team examined the conformational dynamics of a human transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) under high hydrostatic pressure. The high pressure led to an increased population of the tRNA-excited states that normally exist at very low levels, allowing new insights into tRNA function.

Machine learning enhances X-ray imaging of nanotextures

Using a combination of high-powered X-rays, phase-retrieval algorithms and machine learning, Cornell researchers revealed the intricate nanotextures in thin-film materials, offering scientists a new, streamlined approach to analyzing potential candidates for quantum computing and microelectronics, among other applications.

Ideas sewn at PALSA '23

Last week, CHESS hosted the third Pan American Light Sources for Agriculture conference (PALSA). PALSA is an international conference in partnership with the Canadian Light Source (CLS) at the University of Saskatchewan, the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS) at Cornell University in the United States and the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS) at the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials in Campinas, Brazil.

PALSA showcases the world’s most promising science linking synchrotron techniques to agricultural research, building and enriching connections between the international synchrotron community and the many research communities working in plant, soil, climate, food & nutrition, agriculture, and related topics.

This year's conference was a huge success, with 96 registrants, 47 oral poster presentations, and incalculable ideas exchanged and connections made. Thank you to all who attended! We look forward to the next PALSA at the Canadian Light Source.