Research team analyzed hundreds of new fossil specimens to clarify the anatomy and evolutionary affinity of Saccorhytus. They found evidence supporting its classification as an ecdysozoan, including a terminal mouth, cuticle integument, and radially arranged circumoral structures common to Cambrian and extant ecdysozoans.
Researchers have found a new method to process formamidinium-based perovskite films, relieving limitations by using ammonia treatment. This approach enables the creation of highly uniform films with improved power conversion efficiency.
Researchers designed high-fidelity Cas13 variants using mutagenesis to reduce collateral effects, demonstrating their feasibility and efficiency in mammalian cells and animals. The most promising variant, hfCas13d, showed marked reduction in off-target genes and no detectable collateral damage, supporting its potential for gene therapy.
Researchers provide a fresh analysis of grassland soil carbon sequestration, highlighting the importance of microbial transformations and necromass. They found that 80% of European grasslands have unmet potential for carbon storage, while high biodiversity promotes carbon storage.
A new dual-plasmid editing system improves DNA digital storage potential by accurately rewriting digital information encoded in DNA sequences. The system, developed by Prof. LIU Kai and colleagues, uses a rationally designed coding algorithm and an information editing tool to store, read and rewrite various types of information.
Researchers discovered the earliest direct evidence of brood care among insects in the Middle-Late Jurassic Daohugou Biota. Fossils of a water boatman insect showed it carrying a cluster of eggs on its left mesotibia, providing protection from predation and environmental risks.
Researchers found that a species of red seaweed uses an isopod crustacean to transfer its male gametes for fertilization, presenting a new class of animal-mediated male gamete movement. This discovery expands the concept of 'pollination' beyond seed plants.
A research group developed a novel antifouling nanofiltration membrane by regulating pore size distribution through one-step multiple interfacial polymerization. The resulting membrane exhibits stronger antifouling performance and long-term stability, promising improved robustness in industrial liquid separation.
Researchers found that greenhouse gases are the primary reason for increased temperatures and will likely continue to be the main cause of hotter temperatures in the future. The study suggests that extreme heatwave events will increase by more than 30 percentage points in coming years, with almost two-thirds caused by greenhouse gases.
A study published in Cell Metabolism found that healthy underweight individuals had lower food intakes and lower activity levels, yet surprisingly higher-than-expected resting metabolic rates linked to elevated thyroid hormones. These findings contradict previous assumptions about metabolism in low BMI individuals.
Scientists have measured the Hall effect and used optical techniques to reveal high ambipolar mobility in c-BAs, exceeding 1550 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹. The material's ultrahigh thermal conductivity makes it a promising candidate for improving CPU speeds.
The FAST HI survey has discovered 544 HI-detected galaxies, including 16 that have no optical counterparts, sparking interest in galaxy formation theory. These 'dark' galaxies may represent a new type of object containing dark matter and HI gas but few stars.
Ancient DNA research has made significant strides in the past decade, enabling scientists to reconstruct genomes of extinct species like Neanderthals and Denisovans. The latest advancements have improved efficiency and accuracy, allowing for the recovery of usable data from degraded samples. These findings shed light on human migration...
Researchers have developed a biomimetic formulation to treat glioblastoma by harnessing lactate metabolism. The formulation, called M@HLPC, uses nanoparticles to deliver a combination of drugs that inhibit cancer cell growth and kill glioma cells.
Scientists have identified a key gene that can improve wheat grain yield by increasing the number of spikelets per spike. The discovery provides a promising solution to address the food security crisis and could lead to significant improvements in wheat yields.
The Liexi Fauna discovery provides new evidence for the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event, featuring a rich array of biomineralized fossils and non-mineralized tissues. The fauna reveals a flourishing Early Ordovician marine ecosystem with diverse organisms and varied lifestyles.
Astronomers have found that denser and more turbulent environments tend to form binary/multiple stellar systems. The study used the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope and Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array to analyze the Orion Cloud complex, revealing that about 13 dense cores are giving birth to binary/multiple stars.
Scientists have identified 118 toxin genes in the many-banded krait's genome, including a diverse three-finger toxin family. The study provides valuable resources for developing next-generation antivenoms with well-defined compositions.
A joint research team proposes a dual-plating strategy to rapidly construct new zinc-bromine microbatteries with ultrahigh areal energy density and polarity-switchable functionality. The method eliminates the synthesis of active materials and avoids mass matching, resulting in record-high areal capacity and energy density.
A team of Chinese and Australian astronomers has discovered direct evidence for binary common envelope evolution, a key process in star evolution. The observation provides a way to accurately characterize this process through direct detection.
Researchers found that two-dimensional ionic liquids exhibit anomalous stepwise melting processes, leading to high CO2 adsorption capacity and structural robustness. This technology could provide a new method for precise control and functional design of liquids, promising various chemical engineering applications.
Hexaploid gibel carp exhibit high genetic diversity and strong environmental adaptation, defying predicted extinction. Comparative genomics reveals expanded meiotic cell cycle-related genes and oocyte-specific histone variants facilitating purging deleterious mutations.
A new study reveals that Triassic dinosaur species endured freezing conditions due to their well-developed feathers. This adaptation allowed them to thrive in colder climates, while other reptiles perished. The discovery sheds light on the ecological rise of dinosaurs after the Triassic-Jurassic Extinction.
Scientists have discovered evidence that yunnanozoans are the oldest known stem vertebrates, with cellular cartilages in the pharynx similar to those found in modern vertebrates. The team's findings support the evolutionary placement of yunnanozoans at the very basal part of the vertebrate tree of life.
Researchers developed a convolutional neural network to identify fetuses with Down Syndrome from ultrasound images. The model achieved high accuracy, improving detection by over 15% compared to existing methods. Non-invasive screening could become a convenient and inexpensive tool for early pregnancy diagnosis.
Researchers have discovered exceptionally rich assemblages of plant spine fossils in central Tibet, confirming an early diversification of spiny plants around 39 million years ago. The findings suggest that a drying and cooling climate may have driven the evolution of physical defense mechanisms against large herbivores.
Researchers have developed a new live-attenuated influenza A vaccine approach using proteolysis-targeting chimeric (PROTAC) viruses. The approach uses the endogenous ubiquitin-proteasome system of host cells to degrade viral proteins, resulting in sufficiently attenuated but immunogenic vaccines.
Rapid seed dispersal by hornets is essential for the short-lived seeds of Aquilaria sinensis due to their vulnerability to desiccation. The hornets consume fruit elaiosomes and deposit seeds in damp shade, allowing germination.
A research group has discovered that a coral pathogen, Vibrio coralliilyticus, kills non-pathogenic competitors in the coral microbiota through prophage induction. This process involves the generation of hydrogen peroxide, which eliminates harmless bacteria and allows the pathogen to outcompete and colonize the coral.
Researchers found that shallow lakes are linked to fertile plains, high anthropogenic disturbances, and strong water-sediment interactions, making them susceptible to eutrophication. Lake depth also predicts external nutrient load and sensitivity to human disturbance, with shallower lakes being more sensitive.
Scientists identify PiT2-loop7 missense mutations causing inorganic phosphate dyshomeostasis, leading to primary familial brain calcification. The study reveals how these mutations affect PiT2 phosphorylation and membrane localization, reducing Pi transport activity.
Researchers used an isomer beam to study isomer depletion in a low gamma-ray background environment. They found no evidence of isomer depletion and measured the excitation probability at less than 2×10^−5, consistent with theoretical calculations.
A research team has generated a single-cell atlas for amphioxus, a basal chordate species, providing insights into its developmental program and the origin of vertebrates. The study's findings reveal similar developmental trajectories and regulatory networks in amphioxus and other chordate model organisms.
Researchers developed a new medical instrument called CAST-R-HP to diagnose and treat Helicobacter pylori infections. The tool performs rapid pathogen identification, metabolism inhibition-based antimicrobial susceptibility tests, and high-quality single-cell whole-genome sequencing.
Scientists made a breakthrough in understanding the structure and function of serotonin receptors, revealing the molecular mechanism of selective coupling with G-proteins. The study provides insights into ligand recognition and could lead to rational structure-based drug design for treating diseases linked to serotonin imbalance.
Researchers discovered a 'volcano-shaped' relationship between polysulfide adsorption and catalytic activity in lithium-sulfur batteries. This finding modifies the long-standing principle that strong adsorption leads to good catalytic activity, suggesting catalysts should be designed separately to improve performance.
Researchers have pinpointed a molecular map that details the specific gene interactions controlling rice's heat tolerance. The study reveals a genetic module, dubbed thermotolerance 3 (TT3), which enhances rice's ability to withstand high temperatures and reduces yield loss caused by heat stress.
Researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences developed a scalable and controllable approach to exfoliate high-quality hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets. The new method uses a rapid volume expansion of water in icing to reduce interlayer interaction, resulting in efficient exfoliation.
High concentrations of disinfection byproducts in tap water are linked to adverse health outcomes. Researchers suggest adopting solutions such as advanced water treatment and sourcing water from less polluted areas to reduce the risk. Additionally, nanofiltration is proposed as an effective household treatment to improve water quality.
Researchers develop new method to synthesize two-dimensional monolayer polymeric fullerene, a unique member of the carbon material family. The material exhibits interesting properties, including anisotropic behavior and moderate bandgap, making it a potential candidate for electronic devices.
Scientists found evidence of a vertebrate spiracle originating from fish gills in ancient Chinese fossils. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of the human middle ear and how it adapted to transport sound vibrations into the inner ear.
A team of scientists has discovered a novel magnetotactic bacterium that forms intracellular amorphous silica globules. This finding suggests a previously unobserved influence on the global silicon cycle during early Earth history, expanding our knowledge of prokaryotic biosilicification.
A team of researchers has determined the cryo-electron microscopy structures of three NPY receptors in complex with the peptide ligand and Gi protein. The study reveals interaction details between different NPY receptors and the peptide, highlighting distinct conformations upon binding to each receptor. This understanding is crucial fo...
The Chang'E-5 team found hydroxyl signals in lunar rocks and soil, indicating the presence of indigenous water on the Moon's surface. The bulk of this water is contained in apatite minerals, suggesting a lunar origin.
The study found that precipitation during cold seasons is a major contributor to energy consumption in Tibet, particularly when temperatures fall below freezing. Additionally, there is a marked disparity between urban and rural areas in how climate affects energy consumption, with urban areas experiencing higher rates on cold, snowy days.
A study found that OTUD3 limits RNA virus-triggered innate immunity but promotes DNA virus-triggered innate immunity, highlighting the complexity of host antiviral responses. OTUD3 also interacts with cGAS to remove K48-linked polyubiquitination chains and protect its DNA-binding ability.
Researchers observe formation of ordered and tunable MZM lattice in naturally strained LiFeAs, characterized by strain-induced CDW stripes. The lattice density and geometry can be tuned using external magnetic fields, providing a promising platform for manipulating MZMs.
A recent study identified Pdyn-expressing neurons in the ventromedial hypothalamus as a novel nucleus controlling homeostatic thermogenesis and social interaction-associated hyperthermia. These neurons respond to cold temperatures, promoting thermogenesis, and also modulate social interactions, leading to increased body temperature.
Researchers have discovered a new repeating fast radio burst, FRB 190520B, which exhibits extreme behavior similar to the initial discovery, FRB 121102A. The source has high ambient electron density and reliable bursting behaviors, suggesting it may be a 'newborn' with characteristics resembling a super luminous supernova.
A new study reveals that the Asian Water Tower's frozen assets are melting away, with more liquid water in northern endorheic basins and less in southern exorheic basins. This imbalance is expected to pose a challenge to water supply-demand balancing in downstream regions.