Biology

Researchers from Osaka University overcame the tradeoff between plastic toughness and degradability by developing plastics with movable crosslinks. The crosslinks both increased toughness by over eight times and increased enzymatic degradability by over twenty times compared with those of a reference plastic without movable crosslinks. These advanced biodegradable plastics bring us one step closer to achieving a resource-circulating society.

Sorghum possesses unique lipid profiles and bioactive compounds that support health and meet the demand for health-promoting food products.

Scientists develop new approach to analyze 3D structure of lab-made photosynthetic antenna

A new scientific study reveals the complex relationship between the impacts of climate change and the adaptive responses of coastal fishers in the southern coasts of Japan.

- DGIST Professor Youngu Lee and Jeonbuk National University Professor Jaehyuk Lim successfully developed an ultra-sensitive, transparent, and flexible electronic skin mimicking the neural network in the human brain. - Applicable across different areas, including healthcare wearable devices and transparent display touch panels.

Decades after it was first found in Japan, a crustacean species with unique black-and-white coloring resembling a panda has been confirmed to be new to science.

An international team of neuroscientists showed for the first time that modifying a protein that controls cell growth can reactivate dormant neural stem cells in fruit flies, offering new hope in the fight against neurological diseases.

Pathogenic system found on plasmid can lead to severe food poisoning symptoms

Fluorescein angiography capable of assessing neural blood flow in chronic nerve compression neuropathy

Fungi don’t have eyes or a brain, but their intelligent behaviours may surprise you! Research at Tohoku University suggests that fungi may be able to recognize shapes.

Researchers at Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University, demonstrate how morphogens combined with cell adhesion can generate tissue domains with a sharp boundary in an in vitro model system.

An unprecedented rapid increase in anthropogenic fingerprints around 1952 in the global strata reflects the point in time when humanity began to overwhelm the Earth system

Mirror, mirror, in my tank, who’s the biggest fish of all? Sigma bond spotted, Balancing cell membrane, Exploring quantum squeezing and Outbreak preparedness. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice.

A team of scientists in Singapore and the US uncovered how a protein that controls our biological clock modifies its own function, offering new ways for treating jet lag and seasonal adjustments

Successful selection of compounds inhibiting the function of a transcription factor

How multiple DNA binding proteins compete for the DNA substrate leads to different biochemical outcomes. Using single-molecule experiments, this work demonstrates that the regulatory protein Mei5-Sae3 complex stabilizes Dmc1 recombinases on RPA-coated DNA, leading to efficient RPA displacement and Dmc1 assembly, which in turn stimulates recombination progression.

A gene that limits cellular damage could be the key to surviving prolonged cold exposure.

The Androgen Receptor in Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells Drives Skeletal Muscle Mass Regulation

By targeting multiprotein molecule, antibody inhibits bacteria’s growth, pathogenicity

A Duke-NUS Medical School-led study highlights the role of natural killer T cells in influencing the immune response to dengue virus, potentially reducing the severity of subsequent infections.

A research group has developed a new COVID-19 testing system using Janus particles—microparticles with two sides possessing distinctive molecular properties. These particles are engineered to bind specifically to target antigens, such as viral proteins, creating a low-cost, accurate, and rapid means of testing for viral diseases. The system’s versatility means it can potentially be used to test for other diseases and biomarkers linked to other conditions.

Light-induced immunoassay coated with novel coronavirus spike proteins found highly sensitive even with weak light like a laser pointer

Researchers from Osaka University found that T cells recognize neoself-antigens––abnormal, unfolded host proteins presented by major histocompatibility complex II (MHC-II) lacking the invariant chain––as non-self antigens, leading to the development of autoimmunity. Reactivation of Epstein–Barr virus, a known risk factor for lupus onset and exacerbation, increases the presentation of neoself-antigens by MHC-II, which could help explain the link between viral infection and autoimmune disease.

A better understanding of how cells regulate their membranes could lead to new treatments for diseases such as epilepsy and anemia.

Mutant microalgae produce wax esters for biofuel feedstock with improved cold flow

Cleaner wrasse check their body size before fights due to having their own mental representation

Seaweed helps brain health, Whales in long-distance relationships, Jumpstarting male fertility, Demystifying black hole turbulence, Shrimp to steel & Mpox Resources. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice.

Studied oxidative stress and Parkinson’s disease as a case study

Suppression of an enzyme might allow melanocytes to recover

Medaka fish that lacked functional Hmgn2 genes were unable to distinguish between simple shapes, revealing a new function for the regulatory gene.