Scientists sequenced the dodder genome, shedding light on the evolution of plant parasitism. The study found significant gene losses, including those related to photosynthesis and flowering time control, which underlie the parasite's unique body plan.
Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have successfully metallized nitrogen under extreme conditions, revealing a pressure-temperature region above 125 GPa and 2500 K. This breakthrough sheds light on the interplay between molecular dissociation, melting, and metallization in nitrogen.
A recent study reveals that giant panda conservation provides significant ecosystem services, including provisioning, regulation, and cultural benefits, worth ~ $2.6-6.9 billion annually. The cost-benefit ratio is approximately 10-27 times the conservation investment, highlighting the value of investing in panda conservation.
Researchers present a new strategy to exploit dynamically reinforced multilevel heterogeneous grain structures for high-strength and large-ductility materials. This approach achieves a strength-ductility combination in a single-phase, simple-structured alloy that would normally require complex heterogeneities.
Researchers have developed new magnetic Janus particles for efficient oil-water separation. The particles separate micro-scaled oil droplets from water rapidly and efficiently, achieving high separation efficiency.
Researchers used super-resolution microscopy to study GLUT1 distribution on cell membranes, revealing clusters with an average diameter of ~250 nm. The transporter's clustering is linked to lipid rafts, actin cytoskeleton, and N-glycosylation.
Researchers developed a new NIR-II fluorescent molecule for dual fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging, offering high resolution and penetration depth for precise noninvasive brain-tumor diagnosis. The method demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity, accurately assessing tumor location and depth in brain tissue.
Researchers discovered fossil footprints for animal appendages in the Ediacaran Period in South China, revealing evidence of early animal life. The trackways indicate that bilaterian animals with paired appendages existed during this period, raising questions about their evolutionary origins.
Researchers created a 3D underwater acoustic carpet cloak using transformation acoustics, hiding objects from detection instruments like sonar. The cloaked object mimicked the reflecting surface and was undetectable in every direction.
A novel scaffold enables programmed deformation of 2D cell-laden structure to 3D tubular shape, facilitating facile 3D endothelialization. The study offers a new method for creating tissue-engineered vascular grafts and a potential in vitro model for screening cardiovascular drugs.
A nearly complete skeleton of a new extinct pheasant species from China preserves the oldest evidence of modified vocalization sounds. The fossil features an extremely long and coiled trachea, similar to those found in birds with louder, lower-frequency songs.
Mesoscience offers broad potential beyond chemical engineering, tackling complex systems in the real world with unprecedented approach. The concept is attracting increasing attention from top scientists worldwide.
A new system called SCRaMBLE allows researchers to transform yeast at the molecular level, enabling fast-tracked engineering cycles and novel genome combinations. This technology has significant implications for industrial biotechnology, including the production of medicines and fuels.
A high-quality wheat A genome sequence was generated by Chinese scientists using BAC-by-BAC sequencing and single molecule real-time whole-genome shotgun sequencing. The resulting genome sequence reveals the evolution model of Triticum urartu chromosomes, with four large chromosomal structure variations occurring during wheat evolution.
A team of researchers detected two distinct sequences of blue straggler stars in a young globular cluster, NGC 2173, using the Hubble Space Telescope. This finding challenges the generality of explanations for similar blue straggler sequences and presents unexpected observational results.
Researchers uncovered a new lacewing species with anatomical modifications mimicking coeval liverworts, demonstrating the first record of liverwort mimicry by fossil insects. The larvae's foliate lateral plates and unique morphological features aid their survival and likely enable stealthy hunting or ambush predation.
Chinese croplands experienced drastic changes in management practices since the 1980s, leading to increased soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation. The study found that economics and policy-driven organic inputs dominated SOC sequestration, particularly through crop straw/stover return policies.
Research in Tibetan alpine grasslands found that climate warming does not decrease productivity, but rather changes the composition of plant species to stabilize production. The study's findings suggest that shifting species composition enables communities to access more water and buffer against drought-induced declines.
Scientists studied China's terrestrial ecosystems, revealing significant carbon stock changes driven by climate change, ecological restoration projects, and land-use practices. The study identified four major ecosystems with varying carbon sink or source capabilities.
Fossil insects from Jurassic and mid-Cretaceous periods exhibit structural colors due to wavelength-selective scattering of light. The discovery provides insight into the evolution of lepidopteran scales and their optical properties.
Researchers have reconstructed the 3.1 Å structure of the HSV-2 B-capsid, expanding our understanding of its assembly mechanism. The study revealed four major conformers of the VP5 protein, which form extensive intermolecular networks and stabilize the capsid.
A recent study revealed neural clustering in V4 that preserves visual acuity, enabling the separation of local and global features. This discovery challenges existing models and offers new insights into how the brain processes visual information.
Researchers successfully deciphered the origin of repopulated microglia in the brain and retina, revealing that they are solely derived from residual microglia after acute depletion. This study provides insights for regenerative medicine and sheds new light on the origins and maintenance of microglia in the retina.
Researchers have discovered that Bayesian model selection tends to produce very high posterior probabilities for estimated evolutionary trees even if they are clearly wrong. This phenomenon is attributed to the non-nested nature of some models, which can lead to polarized behavior.
Researchers studied angiosperm genera in China, finding that eastern provinces have a 'museum' of ancient plants, while western provinces are an evolutionary cradle for herbaceous genera. The study suggests conservation efforts should focus on connecting nature reserves across provincial borders.
A new extinct insect species, †Caputoraptor elegans, has been discovered with a novel body structure likely used for mating. The species features a unique cephalo-thoracic scissor device on females, which may be used to cling to males during copulation.
A study has linked individual variation in biological motion perception to genetic factors, revealing a common genetic basis for heritable aspects of BM perception and autistic traits. Genetic influences account for up to 50% of individual variation in local kinematics processing, while environmental factors shape global configuration ...
The research found that Gymnocypris selincuoensis fish reproductive cycle is advancing due to climate change, with growing seasons increasing by 17 days per decade. The study suggests that the plateau's aquatic ecosystems are responding to global warming.
Scientists at SIMM have determined the crystal structure of the human glucagon receptor in complex with a glucagon analogue, providing insights into its activation mechanism. The study reveals significant conformational changes in the linker region and extracellular loop that facilitate peptide binding and initiate receptor activation.
Researchers reveal OsMAPK3-OsbHLH002-OsTPP1 pathway enhances rice chilling tolerance by increasing trehalose content and activating cold signal transduction. OsbHLH002 is phosphorylated by OsMAPK3, reducing its ubiquitination and degradation.
A brain imaging study reveals that musical training sharpens and bonds ears and tongue to hear speech better by enhancing neural foundation in bottom-up auditory encoding, top-down speech motoric prediction, and cross-modal auditory-motor integration.
Researchers have found hundreds of well-preserved pterosaur eggs, including 16 with embryonic remains, providing insights into their development and reproductive strategy. The study suggests that these flying reptiles may have needed parental care and engaged in colonial breeding.
The DAMPE mission has published its first scientific results, presenting precise measurements of cosmic ray electron flux and a spectral break at ~0.9 TeV. This data may help clarify the connection between the positron anomaly and particle dark matter annihilation or decay.
A new study has identified a genetic basis for natural variation in aging rates, found to be regulated by a novel neuropeptide coding gene (rgba-1) and its receptor gene npr-28. This discovery provides new insights into the biological regulation of healthy aging.
Researchers uncover fossil evidence of a novel growth mechanism used by the Earth's first trees, allowing them to achieve large sizes. The study reveals that these early forests played a critical role in shaping global processes.
A 40,000-year-old man's genome provides insights into human genetic diversity in East Asia. The study reveals a complicated separation for ancient Europeans and Asians, suggesting multiple genetically distinct populations existed in Asia until the present.
A team of scientists has demonstrated entanglement swapping with two independent sources 12.5 km apart using a 103-km optical fiber, increasing the experimental distance from metropolitan to inter-city levels.
A new study reveals that Mediator subunit MED25 links the jasmonate receptor to transcriptionally active chromatin. It also interacts with histone modification enzymes to regulate gene expression, integrating genetic and epigenetic regulators.
Researchers discovered that auxin signaling defines the expression of genes WOX1 and PRS, which enable leaf blade expansion and flattening. This finding refines our understanding of auxin signaling in leaf development.
Researchers have provided high-resolution insights into the light harvesting process of plants under low light conditions. The study reveals the structural features and energy transfer pathways within the C2S2M2-type PSII-LHCII supercomplex, shedding light on its functional regulation and oxygen-evolving activity.
Researchers discovered ILCregs, a regulatory subpopulation of innate lymphoid cells, that suppress intestinal inflammation by secreting IL-10 and TGF-β1. This unique population has a distinct genetic identity from other immune cells and may hold potential for treating chronic inflammatory diseases.
Researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences create SHANK3-deficient non-human primate model, showing significant reduction in postsynaptic proteins and mature neurons. The study highlights the critical role of SHANK3 in early brain development and its potential for advancing autism research.
Researchers have discovered a critical neural pathway that transmits itch signals from the spinal cord to the brain, with the parabrachial nucleus identified as a first relay. The study provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying itch signal processing and offers potential targets for therapeutic treatment of chronic itching.
A nationwide survey found high levels of antimicrobial-resistant genes in urban sewage across China, with over 381 distinct resistance genes detected. The study suggests municipal sewage as a major conduit for transferring antibiotic resistance into the environment.
Methylation and S-nitrosylation are conserved protein modifications that regulate abiotic stress responses in plants. NO positively regulates PRMT5 activity through S-nitrosylation, leading to proper splicing-specific pre-mRNA processing and enhanced tolerance to stress.
Research reveals that dodder plants transmit herbivory-induced signals among host plants, triggering defense responses and reducing insect growth. The discovery showcases the complex ecological interactions between parasitic plants and their hosts.
A new study published in Neuron provides direct experimental evidence for the 'Memory-Synapse Specificity' Hypothesis, linking a specific type of synapse to a particular behavior and memory. The research reveals that synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP) at a specific type of synapse encodes socially acquired olfactory memory.
Researchers from CAS developed noble metal-based heterogeneous electrocatalysts with enhanced catalytic activity and high selectivity for the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). DMFCs operated well at high-concentration methanol, outperforming conventional strategies.
Researchers developed a novel approach to synthesizing Janus particles with controllable topological and chemical anisotropy using emulsion interfacial polymerization. The method produced uniform Janus particles with amphiphilicity, expanding their utility in applications such as oil-water separation and biological detection.
Researchers have identified an asymmetric role for pre-synaptic cadherin/catenin complexes in stabilizing post-synaptic spines. This finding challenges the long-held assumption of symmetry in synaptogenesis and has implications for understanding neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder.