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The next frontier for African genomics - safeguarding African biodiversity

The African BioGenome Project aims to sequence the genomes of Africa's endemic plants, animals, fungi, and protists. This will build resilience in breeding, sustainable food systems, and biodiversity conservation, aligning with the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Endless forms most beautiful: Why evolution favors symmetry

A team of researchers found that evolution has an overwhelming preference for simple algorithms, leading to the emergence of highly symmetric structures in biology. This is because simple recipes are more efficient and easier to follow than complex ones, resulting in a higher probability of producing symmetrical outcomes.

Genomic regulatory map of the zebrafish

Researchers created a comprehensive genomic regulatory map of a 24-hour-old zebrafish embryo, identifying millions of regulatory segments that control gene transcription. The study used single-cell technologies and machine learning algorithms to analyze genome data from over 23,000 nuclei.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

How asexual reproduction affects the evolution of genomes

A recent study reveals that parthenogenesis, a type of asexual reproduction, leads to a loss of efficiency in selecting beneficial mutations, reduced genetic diversity, and decreased heterozygosity in stick insects. This has significant implications for species' ability to adapt to changing environments.

Gene important in soybean protein content found after 30-year search

University of Illinois researchers found a key gene responsible for increasing soybean protein content by approximately 2%. The discovery could lead to significant increases in protein production, addressing global food security issues. However, the gene's function is unclear and may involve the plant's circadian machinery.

Facial analysis improves diagnosis

Researchers developed an AI system called GestaltMatcher that uses facial characteristics to detect rare diseases with high accuracy. The system considers similarities between patients and can even suggest diagnoses for previously unknown diseases.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Analysis of 2,658 tumors sheds new light on mutations in cancer

A recent study by KU Leuven and The Francis Crick Institute analyzed 2,658 tumor samples and found that 21% exhibited double mutations in both maternal and paternal DNA copies. This discovery sheds new light on the origin of mutations and their role in cancer development.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Unlocking the secrets of a critical schistosomiasis drug

Two independent teams of researchers have found the molecular mechanism of action of praziquantel, the only approved drug to treat schistosomiasis. The drug binds to a specific type of channel in the cell membrane, causing calcium ions influx and resulting in worm paralysis and death.

Meta-analysis of two types of molecular stresses reveals common factors

Researchers from Hiroshima University analyzed 839 collections of genetic material to identify common features of oxidative stress. They found two genes, CRIP1 and CRIP3, downregulated during oxidative stress, suggesting a relationship with zinc homeostasis. The study also identified shared biological processes between the two types of...

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Neuroscientists see how practice really does make perfect

Researchers at Duke University used new tools to monitor neurons and analyze machine learning data to see how zebra finches practice their courtship calls. They found that a neurotransmitter called noradrenaline shuts down variability in the song, making it more precise when performed under pressure.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

AI helping to quantify enzyme activity

Researchers used AI to predict Michaelis constants from substrate and enzyme structures, achieving accuracy comparable to experimental values. This breakthrough enables computers to estimate enzyme activity in seconds without experimentation.

A new treatment for glaucoma?

Researchers developed a new protein treatment that prevents glaucoma from forming in mice and reduces pressure in the eyes. The study provides new targets for therapies and aims to develop an injectable treatment for patients.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

CPRIT grant awarded to train new cancer prevention researchers

The UTHealth-CPRIT Innovation in Cancer Prevention Research Training Program aims to increase cancer prevention scientists from underrepresented minority groups. The program provides a systematic method to teach career skills, problem-solving skills, team science, and transdisciplinary communication.

The hidden talent of fungi

Researchers at TU Wien propose a new method to interpret and mine fungal genomes to predict essential genes for the production of valuable substances. The FunOrder method identifies co-evolved genes that are functionally necessary, distinguishing them from gap genes.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Math researchers find new ways to improve the science of ‘trade-offs’

QUT researchers developed a new mathematical model to enable faster solutions for complicated problems in agriculture, ecology and medicine. The method improves how to determine the 'best' intervention strategies, balancing benefits and side effects, and can be applied to farming practices and chemotherapy.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Neanderthal genes tell us about how old our ancestors were when they had children

A new study using Neanderthal fragments suggests that generation intervals have fluctuated over the past 40,000 years, with human life history changing in response to environmental and cultural factors. The research found that Eurasian populations reproduced at a younger age than those in Europe, indicating a difference of 3-5 years in...

Brain tissue inflammation is key to Alzheimer’s disease progression

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have found that brain tissue inflammation is a key driver of Alzheimer's disease progression. By targeting neuroinflammation, they believe combination therapy could be more effective in reducing amyloid plaque formation and limiting tau fiber spread.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Data scientists go to the mat to learn about microbial networks

Researchers at Rice University are developing novel computational approaches to track environmental microbiome dynamics over time, across species and after perturbations. The team will use biofilm-based 'species abundance networks' on scaffolds to observe how they form their own genome-exchange networks.

Mechanism that triggers brain neurone response revealed

Scientists have discovered how neurotransmitters and proteins interact to trigger neuronal responses in the brain, with implications for understanding mood disorders and addictions. The study reveals small changes in protein connections control cellular responses, enabling precise regulation of neurotransmitter effects.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

How long-known genes continue to surprise researchers

Researchers have discovered a huge diversity of alternative splicing combinations in the human brain, allowing for adaptation to specific requirements. New glutamate receptor variants, some with potential new functions, were identified using bioinformatic methods.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Scientists provide new insights into the citric acid cycle

Researchers discovered that certain anaerobic bacteria can use citrate synthase to catalyze citrate cleavage without consuming ATP, requiring very high CO2 concentrations. The findings suggest that this metabolic pathway may be a relic of early life and have potential applications in biotechnology.

Novel guidelines help select optimal deconvolution method

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine developed guidelines to select the best deconvolution method for RNA-seq data analysis. They evaluated 11 methods and identified their strengths and weaknesses in various scenarios, providing a benchmark for scientists to choose the optimal method for their needs.

New clues to how SARS-CoV-2 infects cells

New study by Uppsala University researchers identifies ACE2 and integrin beta3 as potential key players in SARS-CoV-2 cell infection. The proteins interact with cellular processes of uptake and disposal, suggesting hijacking during infection.

Getting shapes into numbers

A new approach to describing shapes uses a network representation called visibility graph, allowing for comparison and reassembly of complex shapes. The tool, GraVis, accurately quantifies shape parameters such as lobe length and cell area.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Plants can be larks or night owls just like us

A study found that a single DNA base-pair change in a specific gene can influence whether a plant is a lark or night owl, affecting its flowering time and ability to withstand climate change. The research could help farmers select plants with clocks best suited to their location.

Glyphosate may affect human gut microbiota

Researchers from University of Turku developed a new bioinformatics tool to predict microbial sensitivity to glyphosate. The tool classifies 80-90% of microbial species as sensitive or resistant, with 54% of human core gut bacterial species potentially affected.

Importance of mitochondrial-related genes in dilated cardiomyopathy

The study analyzed a microarray dataset to identify differentially expressed genes in dilated cardiomyopathy, revealing 172 genes involved in various biological processes. The authors identified hub protein modules and key genes, including DLD and UQCRC2, which suggest potential therapeutic targets for the disease.

Illinois study tracks evolution of SARS-CoV-2 virus mutations

A University of Illinois study tracks the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 virus mutations, finding stabilization in key proteins that could improve COVID-19 treatments. The research suggests these stabilizations may help increase viral infectivity and shed light on vaccine development.

Klimov studying origami antibodies for threat sensing

Klimov is developing a computational platform to design antibody-antigen interfaces based on DNA origami. The goal is to predict high-affinity peptide sequences that bind to tetanus toxin, targeting structured or unstructured antigen regions.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Unlocking the secrets of plant genomes in high resolution

Researchers developed a new software tool called WhatsHap polyphase to phase plant genomes in high resolution and with low error margins. The tool solves the problem using a two-phase process and is now available for polyploid organisms, including plants.

Scientists predict economically important traits of crops

Researchers developed a mathematical model to predict crop performance and quality, accelerating the process of creating new plant varieties. The model was applied to soybeans and analyzed key traits such as plant height, seed yield, and oil content.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Mason researchers to provide bioinformatic analysis

Mason researchers are providing biostatistics and bioinformatic analysis for integrating multi-omic data sets from a breast cancer cohort. The study will include correlations between proteomic, metabolomic, genomic, and/or clinical data from patients with triple-negative breast tumors.

A new model to predict survival in colorectal cancer

A new hybrid signature based on DNA mutation and RNA expression patterns has been developed to predict the mutation status and survival of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. The model achieved high accuracy and was found to be prognostic for CRC patients.

Study reveals two major microbial groups can't breathe

Two major microbial groups, Patescibacteria and DPANN, lack the ability to breathe, instead relying on fermentation to synthesize ATP. These microbes, found in Earth's subsurface, may be remnants of ancient forms of life that predate the evolution of respiration.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Advancing knowledge on archaea

A web-based database, Archaeal Proteome Project (ArcPP), collects and makes available datasets to further research on archaea, a domain of microorganisms. The platform provides easily accessible data and expertise for analyzing proteomics studies, yielding significant new insights into archaeal biology.

Janggu makes deep learning a breeze

Researchers at MDC developed Janggu, a universal programming tool converting genomics data into a format compatible with deep learning models. This allows for flexible and efficient analysis of large datasets, enabling the investigation of various biological questions.

Tracking down cryptic peptides

Scientists at the University of Würzburg have identified thousands of cryptic HLA peptides in tumor immunopeptidomes using a novel bioinformatics method. These peptides may serve as effective targets for cancer immunotherapies and vaccines against virus-infected cells.