A team of plant geneticists successfully demonstrated that weakening the FEA2 gene can increase meristem size and lead to more rows and kernels in maize plants. This research has significant implications for increasing yields of essential food crops as the global population is projected to reach 8-9 billion by mid-century.
A new study identified two neighboring areas of the cortex as processing different types of visual information independently. The researchers used magnetic fields to disrupt neural activity, revealing that one area plays a causal role in processing orientation, while another underpins shape recognition based on curvature differences.
Researchers have discovered that female hawksbill turtles mate at the beginning of the season and store sperm for up to 75 days, laying multiple nests on beaches. The study also found that these turtles are mainly monogamous, with females pairing up with a single male throughout the breeding season.
Researchers developed a system to artificially simulate natural complex interactions between proteins that regulate genes, allowing for precise control over gene activation. This breakthrough enables scientists to better understand human gene regulation and develop new gene-based therapies.
A team of researchers found that specific acetylation marks on histone H4 determine the balance between two proteins, BRCA1 and 53BP1, controlling DNA repair mechanisms. This balance affects a cell's ability to repair breaks and respond to chemotherapy.
A recent study found that the prescription opioid overdose rate in NYC increased seven-fold between 1990 and 2006, with fatalities concentrated among white residents. The study suggests a different public health approach is needed for this demographic, as their profile differs from heroin consumers.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have found that epidermal growth factor speeds the recovery of blood-making stem cells after exposure to radiation. The finding could lead to new treatments for cancer patients and those affected by dirty bombs or nuclear disasters.
Microscopic ocean algae coccolithophores are sensitive to environmental changes and carbon cycle. The study found that different species responded to rapid climate warming events, with some thriving while others declined.
The discovery of the Mcl-1 gene's critical role in keeping antibody-producing cells alive could lead to better treatments for diseases like myeloma and chronic immune disorders. Without this gene, plasma cells die within two days.
A recent study has identified specific genetic mutations that lead to drug resistance and relapse in childhood leukemia. Researchers found 20 relapse-specific mutations, including a mutation in the NT5C2 gene, which may help doctors detect early signs of relapse and switch treatment strategies.