"Study Unveils Revolutionary Kinetic Asymmetry in Molecular Interactions"
Researchers have discovered a new type of non-reciprocal molecular interaction, termed kinetic asymmetry, which does not require external forces such as hydrodynamics. This phenomenon could redefine our understanding of molecular interactions and has implications for the evolution of life and the design of molecular machines. The study, conducted by scientists from the University of Maine and Penn State, suggests that local gradients of reactants and products around catalysts, like enzymes, can lead to one molecule being repelled by yet attracting another molecule. This insight into kinetic asymmetry could also inform the development of synthetic molecular motors and pumps, offering a deeper understanding of the origins of life and the complex behavior of matter.