Chemokine receptor CX3CR1 structures uncover mechanism of cholesterol regulation in activation
Chemokine receptors regulate the migration of immune cells and are involved in inflammation, tumor construction and pathogen infection. Chemokines are divided into four subfamilies according to the number and distribution of conserved cysteines at th.....»»
Researchers explore novel approach to map forest dieback in satellite images
Forests and woodlands cover one third of Earth's surface and play a critical role in carbon sequestration, water regulation, timber production, soil protection, and biodiversity conservation. Accelerated by climate change, the decline of these and ot.....»»
Cloud cover and urban structures drastically reduce sunlight in cities
Sunlight plays a crucial role in public health, affecting vitamin D synthesis and psychological well-being. Inadequate exposure to sunlight is associated with various adverse health outcomes, such as cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, depre.....»»
Ancient DNA helps uncover the Iberian lynx"s potential secret weapon against extinction
Many large mammals have lost genetic diversity, often thanks to the actions of people shrinking their populations. The implications can be severe because without genetic diversity, a population does not have a "genetic database" to fall back on to ad.....»»
Mechanism behind autophagy trigger unveiled
An international research team led by Osaka University has identified a new mechanism crucial for the initiation of autophagy, a self-degradation process cells use to eliminate unneeded or damaged components. In recent years, autophagy has also been.....»»
Discovering new energy levels in atomic hyperfine structures
Since the late 1960s, the Laboratoire Aimé Cotton (LAC) in Orsay, France, has made significant progress in the classification of complex atomic spectra. These advances have been driven both by the development of Fourier transform spectroscopy, and t.....»»
Researchers uncover key insights into cholesterol"s structure in cell membranes
A new study by Rice University researchers led by Jason Hafner could open new pathways for understanding how cholesterol influences cell membranes and their receptors, paving the way for future research on diseases linked to membrane organization. Th.....»»
Compact "gene scissors" enable effective genome editing, may offer future treatment of high cholesterol gene defect
CRISPR-Cas is used broadly in research and medicine to edit, insert, delete or regulate genes in organisms. TnpB is an ancestor of this well-known "gene scissors" but is much smaller and thus easier to transport into cells......»»
AI tools help uncover enzyme mechanisms for lasso peptides
Lasso peptides are natural products made by bacteria. Their unusual lasso shape endows them with remarkable stability, protecting them from extreme conditions. In a new study, published in Nature Chemical Biology, researchers have constructed and tes.....»»
Researchers identify novel endocytic recycling mechanism with "kiss-and-run" membrane fusion
Endocytosis and recycling control the uptake and retrieval of various materials in eukaryotic cells. Mammalian cells have developed several recycling routes, including the relatively extensively studied "fast" and "slow" tubulovesicular recycling pat.....»»
How a bacterial pathogen that causes dysentery manipulates molecular activity to assure its survival
Virginia Tech researchers have learned how bacteria manipulate molecules to infect the host organism. Daniel Capelluto and his research team have discovered the mechanism by which the bacterial pathogen Shigella flexneri, the causative agent of dysen.....»»
Study shows cholesterol enhances exosome-mediated RNA drug delivery
RNA interference (RNAi) technology has gradually become a cutting-edge technology for treating diseases such as genetic disorders and cancer due to its huge potential in gene expression regulation. However, the efficient delivery and safety of short.....»»
Researchers achieve aluminum molecular ring-based rotaxane and polyrotaxane
Rotaxanes have garnered interest for their unique structures consisting of mechanically interlocked axles and macrocycles. Numerous organic macrocycles have been employed to construct rotaxanes, including crown ether, cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene),.....»»
New mechanism uncovered for the reduction of emu wings
.Researchers have uncovered a novel mechanism underlying the skeletal reduction and asymmetry of emu wings. Their research reveals that the absence of distal muscle formation results in a lack of mechanostress during development, leading to the obser.....»»
Enhanced ion diffusion kinetics achieved through interpenetrated structures in electrochemical energy storage devices
As global demand for electrochemical electrodes continues to rise, a new trend has emerged, emphasizing the need to maintain ion diffusion efficiency while accommodating ultra-high loadings of active materials to enhance capacity and energy density......»»
Silencing in action: How cells "repress" genomic remnants of ancient viruses
Researchers have identified key cellular control sites that regulate gene expression and prevent the activation of "cryptic" genomic regions, including ancient viral sequences......»»
Template synthesis creates multilayered perovskites with unique ferroelectric behavior
A group of Nagoya University researchers in Japan has synthesized 4- and 5-layered versions of the important electrical material perovskite. Analyzing the mechanism of ferroelectricity in the material, they found it has a unique function: the materia.....»»
‘I’m a Cardiologist, and This Is the #1 Most Important Thing To Do if You Know You’re at Risk for High Cholesterol"
‘I’m a Cardiologist, and This Is the #1 Most Important Thing To Do if You Know You’re at Risk for High Cholesterol".....»»
Scientists discover nonstomatal control of water loss in critical crops
Scientists have discovered that certain plants can survive stressful, dry conditions by controlling water loss through their leaves without relying on their usual mechanism—tiny pores known as stomata......»»
Symmetry model sheds light on the chemistry surrounding peptide helices
Helices are structures found naturally in many important molecules, such as proteins. These helices possess a twist that depends on the arrangement of their basic components. By understanding how a helix is formed, we can gain deeper insights into ho.....»»
Gravity study gives insights into hidden features beneath lost ocean of Mars and rising Olympus Mons
Studies of gravity variations at Mars have revealed dense, large-scale structures hidden beneath the sediment layers of a lost ocean. The analysis, which combines models and data from multiple missions, also shows that active processes in the Martian.....»»