Researchers mapped CB1R mRNA expression in male and female mice, revealing distinct patterns in brain regions associated with Parkinson's disease, maternal behaviors, and the estrus cycle. The study provides a foundation for understanding sex differences in physiological and pathological brain functions related to cannabinoids.
Researchers have found that Giant Clam shells from the western Pacific have clear and continuous daily growth bands, allowing them to record past extreme weather events. These ultra-high resolution records can provide valuable information on Paleoweather occurrences in days or even hours and minutes.
Researchers from Chinese Academy of Science develop a more efficient and cost-effective way to accurately synthesize DNA, increasing accuracy by nearly seven-fold. The new error-correction system uses chemical stabilizers to extend the life of key proteins, reducing costs and labor time.
A research team at the Chinese Academy of Sciences has optimized a prime editing system to create desired point mutations, insertions, and deletions in rice and wheat. The system, called PPE, has achieved efficiencies up to 19.2% with various types of mutations.
A new method called consolidated bio-saccharification (CBS) can convert lignocellulose into fermentable sugars, offering a cost-effective and efficient way to produce renewable energy. Researchers believe CBS has tremendous advantages in reducing enzyme production costs and streamlining operational processes.
Scientists propose a new method to produce thermally stable single-atom catalysts (SACs) with high metal loading. The method uses a simple and environmentally friendly approach, achieving kilogram-level production of commercial Fe2O3 supported Ru SACs.
Researchers propose a flexible interface design to reduce alloying stress on silicon anodes, resulting in record-breaking rate performance and cycling stability. The design modulates stress distribution via a soft nylon fabric modified with a conductive Cu-Ni transition layer.
A new genus found in 99-million-year-old Burmese amber reveals the evolutionary origin of scorpionflies' distinctive long mouthparts. The discovery sheds light on the early evolution of pollinators and challenges previous assumptions about the development of fleas.
Genomic analysis confirms two distinct phylogenetic species in red pandas, with different evolutionary histories and geographical distributions. The study highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect this endangered species, including pedigree construction and interbreeding avoidance for captive individuals.
Researchers developed a photocatalytic method to convert biomass-derived polyols and sugars into methanol and syngas, promoting a clean and renewable alternative to fossil fuels. The process uses UV light irradiation at room temperature and produces a mixture of CO, H2, and other gases, with CO selectivity up to 90%.
Conserved epigenetic regulators BAZ2B and EHMT1 identified as novel anti-aging targets in aging research. The study reveals a mechanism for regulating cognitive aging by reducing mitochondrial function.
The study revealed that the subsurface at the Chang'E-4 landing site is made of highly porous granular materials embedding boulders of different sizes. The findings suggest a turbulent early galaxy and frequent meteor impacts on the Moon's surface.
Researchers discovered that nanoprecipitates serve as both dislocation sources and obstacles, leading to a self-hardening deformation mechanism. This sustainable approach enhances ductility and strength in structural materials.
Researchers analyzed high-resolution soot deposition to determine how dry glacial periods affected wildfire events. The results revealed clear glacial-interglacial cycles of wildfire, linked to drier glacial periods and higher dust loads in the atmosphere.
Researchers developed a composite membrane for long-life zinc-based flow batteries, improving cycle life and energy efficiency by regulating zinc deposition morphology. The new membrane can stabilize alkaline zinc-iron flow batteries for 500 charge-discharge cycles with over 80% energy efficiency.
Researchers have developed an efficient method to convert biomass-derived fatty acids into alkanes under mild conditions. The process utilizes photocatalytic decarboxylation with light, generating alkyl radical intermediates and achieving high yields of Cn-1 alkanes.
A smart contact lens has been developed to monitor xerophthalmia and high intraocular pressure disease, providing real-time color changes based on moisture and pressure levels. The device features periodic nanostructures within a biocompatible hydrogel matrix, offering superior biosafety and comfort.
The study reveals the structure-function relationship of the specific and efficient lovastatin hydrolase PcEST, which determines its efficient and specific lovastatin hydrolysis. A variant of PcEST improved solubility and thermostability, suggesting a promising application in industrial processes for green production of monacolin J.
Researchers propose novel temporal-spatial ordering and dynamic smart behavior in hollow multishell structures (HoMS), enabling efficient energy conversion and storage. The unique structure facilitates sequential electromagnetic wave harvesting and cascade catalytic reactions.
A recent study published in PNAS reveals that extracellular matrix protein-1 (ECM1) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease. The researchers found that ECM1 is highly expressed in macrophages and regulates their polarization through the GM-CSF/STAT5 signaling pathway.
Researchers discovered that the tiny apex structure in plant leaves controls water drainage, allowing for fast absorption of excess water. This adaptation enables understory plants to survive high precipitation and humidity conditions in rainforests.
A team of scientists has developed a method to rapidly evolve endogenous genes in plants, enabling accelerated breeding via molecular design. The technology, called STEME, uses CRISPR-like enzymes to introduce precise mutations into plant genes, leading to improved agronomic traits.
Researchers have created an ultra-thin ion-conducting membrane with high selectivity and conductivity, which can boost the power of flow batteries. The membrane overcomes the trade-off between ion selectivity and conductivity, resulting in improved flow battery performance.
China's inland surface water quality improved significantly from 2003-2017 due to reduced pollution emissions in industrial, rural, and urban residential sectors. Annual mean concentrations of chemical oxygen demand and ammonium nitrogen declined by 63% and 78%, respectively, at the national level.
Researchers discovered that DHCR7 inhibitors and intermediate cholesterol metabolite 7-DHC promote IFN-I production and an antiviral response by activating AKT3 and IRF3. This may aid in the development of new drugs to treat viral infections.
The study found that H2A.Z promotes H4K20me2 deposition, recruiting ORC1 to license and activate early DNA replication origins. H2A.Z-regulated origins have higher firing efficiency and earlier replication timing compared to other origins.
A new study finds significant increases in sediment flux in the Tuotuo River, a key headwater of the Yangtze River. The research attributes these changes to warming temperatures and enhanced precipitation and discharge capacity. The findings provide valuable insights for water and soil management on the Tibetan Plateau.
A team of researchers in China has developed a new algorithm to compare metagenomes, allowing for more accurate understanding of microbiome diversity. The Dynamic Meta-Storms (DMS) algorithm compares metagenomes at the species level, considering physical and genetic details, as well as evolutionary relationships.
Researchers have discovered a new alginate lyase in a heat-loving bacterium that can directly utilize brown algae and ferment its components into ethanol with high-yield. The study has identified previously unknown enzymatic families contributing to bioconversion, shedding light on sustainable seaweed-based biofuel production.
Researchers have proposed new concepts for in situ formed and artificial SEIs to fundamentally modulate the electrochemical characteristics of zinc. The interfacial design enables reversible and dendrite-free Zn plating/stripping, resulting in excellent cycling stability with negligible capacity loss.
A study published in PNAS found that humans are driving the loss of biodiversity among narrow-ranged plant species in China, while widespread species are thriving. The research revealed that human impact factors lead to a negative correlation with narrow-ranged species and a positive correlation with widespread species.
Scientists developed a novel self-powered e-skin capable of inducing a neural response, which can be controlled by photo illumination. The technology has potential applications in quantifying neural plasticity changes and developing novel neural-stimulation systems.
A Chinese research team has developed a new technique that enables super-resolution microscopy of living cells with unprecedented speeds and resolutions. The approach, which combines ghost imaging and compressive imaging, can capture processes in living cells on millisecond time-scales with spatial resolution of tens of nanometers.
The study ranked Asian Water Towers as the most important and most threatened globally, with the Indus water tower being the most relied-upon and vulnerable. Climate change and geopolitical factors pose significant risks to these systems, threatening the water supply for 1.9 billion people.
A study published in Nature Astronomy found 19 dwarf galaxies dominated by baryons at radii beyond their half-optical radius, challenging standard galaxy formation models. The results encourage a reevaluation of dark matter's nature.
The new species Origolestes lii, a stem therian mammal from the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota, provides evidence for the separation of hearing and chewing modules. The discovery bridges the morphological gap between transitional and definitive mammalian middle ear evolution.
Researchers developed a remote-controlled 'smart' platform to mimic natural extracellular matrix-mediated endothelialization. The platform uses shape-memory polymers and gold nanorods to direct programmed vascular endothelium remodeling in a temporally controllable manner, offering new possibilities for treating cardiovascular disease.
A new species of multituberculate mammal, Jeholbaatar kielanae, has been discovered with a distinct middle ear that suggests specialization for feeding. The fossil provides solid evidence of the morphology and articulation of middle-ear bones in multituberculates.
A new study reveals that animal-like embryos existed 609 million years ago, long before the emergence of definitive animals. The research found that Caveasphaera fossils displayed stages of development similar to those seen in living animals, including humans.
A Chinese-led team of international scientists has discovered a massive stellar black hole with a mass 70 times greater than the Sun, located 15 thousand light-years from Earth. The discovery challenges current models of stellar evolution and forces theorists to re-examine how such massive black holes can form.
Researchers characterized the light-harvesting system of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a common unicellular green alga. The study reveals the assembly mechanisms and energy transfer pathways of the C2S2M2L2 supercomplex, shedding light on efficient light harvesting in green algae.
Researchers discovered that an extract from ginseng can induce Enterococcus faecalis, which produces myristoleic acid to activate brown adipose tissue and reduce adiposity. Increasing BAT activity could be a novel therapeutic approach for obesity and related diseases.
Researchers discover avian predentary was covered by keratinous beak, mobile and proprioceptive, representing a unique feeding adaptation. The finding sheds light on the evolution of bird skull structure.
Scientists at Chinese Academy of Sciences create highly stable and coke-resistant Ni SAC, overcoming in situ catalyst deactivation. The unique capacity for selective activation of CH4's first C-H bond explains the intrinsic coke resistance.
Researchers have developed a new type of fluorescent carbon dot that can effectively detect calcium levels in cells. The CDs exhibit bright blue fluorescence and have been shown to be nontoxic and biocompatible, making them a promising probe for intracellular Ca2+ detection.
Researchers have discovered evidence of beetle pollination in Cretaceous Burmese amber, confirming a key contributor to the Cretaceous radiation of angiosperms. The discovery extends the history of insect pollination of flowering plants by around 50 million years.
New study highlights significant advances in phloem-insect/pathogen interaction understanding, but notes research gaps and barriers to study. Researchers propose integrating phloem-feeding insect/pathogen interactions into plant science for improving host resistance.
Researchers at Shenyang Institute of Automation develop contact aerial manipulator system for safe and efficient high-rise building inspection. The robot can avoid obstacles, jump over grooves, and conduct interactive operations while in flight.
Researchers have developed a new assembly that enhances photodynamic inactivation of bacteria, achieving significantly improved efficiency against gram-negative E. coli. The assembly combines a photosensitizer and a membrane-intercalating peptide, resulting in nearly 0% survival rate of E. coli upon light irradiation.
China's coal-fired power plants met ultra-low emission (ULE) standards early, reducing annual emissions by 65% for sulfur dioxide and 72% for particulate matter. The country achieved these results thanks to its strict supervision system and nationwide ULE technology application.