Pear-derived discovery: A genetic mechanism to fortify crops against drought
A recent study has shed light on a critical genetic mechanism that boosts plants' ability to withstand drought. The research uncovers the role of the transcription factor PbERF3, native to wild pears, which works in concert with the protein PbHsfC1a.....»»
Reducing energy loss in metal nanostructures by altering geometrical dimensions
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) have made a discovery that significantly reduces energy loss in metal nanostructures. By altering the geometrical dimensions of these structures, researchers have unlocked their full potential, pa.....»»
Physics team uncovers a quantum Mpemba effect with a host of "cool" implications
Initially investigating out of pure curiosity, researchers have made a discovery that bridges the gap between Aristotle's observations two millennia ago and modern-day understanding, while opening the door to a whole host of "cool"—and "cooling"—.....»»
Nanopore technique shows transport mechanism of chaperone proteins at the single-molecule level
Proteins control most of the body's functions, and their malfunction can have severe consequences, such as neurodegenerative diseases or cancer. Therefore, cells have mechanisms in place to control protein quality......»»
Team presents new theoretical strategy for generating asymmetric distributions in probability and statistics
As is well known, the normal distribution is a key tool in probability and statistics. It can be described as a distribution that obeys a universal rule derived from one of the most important theorems in probability: the central limit theorem, often.....»»
Anti-glitches detected in gamma-ray pulsar PSR J1522-5735
By analyzing the data from NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, Russian astronomers have detected anti-glitches in a gamma-ray pulsar designated PSR J1522-5735. The discovery, published September 28 on the pre-print server arXiv, makes PSR J1522-5.....»»
The Nobel Prize in physics is being awarded, a day after 2 Americans won the medicine prize
The Nobel Prize in physics is being awarded Tuesday, a day after two American scientists won the medicine prize for their discovery of microRNA......»»
Tunisian snail remains provide insights on a possible 7700-year-old local food tradition
A new study by Dr. Ismail Saafi from the Aix-Marseille Université provides details on the discovery of cooked snail remains at Kef Ezzahi in northern Tunisia. The snail remains, dating back approximately 7710 years, are the only known cases of snail.....»»
Researchers uncover new plant perception mechanism for light and heat
Researchers at the University of Bayreuth and Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf have described a previously unknown mechanism in the perception of light and heat in plants. The results contribute to a better understanding of plant physiological p.....»»
AI and quantum mechanics team up to accelerate drug discovery
Drug discovery is much like working a jigsaw puzzle. The chemical compounds behind drug molecules must be shaped to fit with the proteins in our bodies to produce therapeutic effects. That requirement for a meticulous fit means the creation of new dr.....»»
Perseverance team revives SHERLOC instrument to help with Jezero crater discovery
In January 2024, the SHERLOC instrument aboard NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance rover encountered a significant issue. A fault in the instrument's motor caused the dust cover and autofocus mechanism to become inoperative, putting the rover's SHERLOC Ram.....»»
Researchers say life expectancy nearing its limit
Humanity is hitting the upper limit of life expectancy, according to a new study. Advances in medical technology and genetic research—not to mention larger numbers of people making it to age 100—are not not translating into marked jumps in lifesp.....»»
Nobel Prize in medicine awarded for discovery of microRNAs, the molecules that control our genes
Two scientists, Victor Ambros (UMASS Chan Medical School in the US) and Gary Ruvkun (Harvard Medical School in the US), have won the 2024 Nobel prize in medicine or physiology......»»
Winning the Nobel "an earthquake", says Ruvkun
US scientist Gary Ruvkun, who on Monday won the Nobel Prize in Medicine with fellow American Victor Ambros for their discovery of microRNA, said winning the honor was like "an earthquake"......»»
NASA"s Europa Clipper spacecraft will investigate whether an icy moon of Jupiter can support alien life
Discovering extraterrestrial life would be one of the most profound scientific and philosophical revelations that our species has ever made. But such a big discovery won't come easy. Our starting point is to first search other worlds for signs of hab.....»»
Trees" own beneficial microbiome could lead to discovery of new treatments to fight citrus greening disease
Citrus trees showing natural tolerance to citrus greening disease host bacteria that produce novel antimicrobials that can be used to fight off the disease, our recent study shows. We found the trees at an organic farm in Clermont, Florida......»»
Researchers reveal key mechanism in regulating DNA recombination
Meiotic recombination generates genetic diversity and promotes proper chromosomal segregation of parental chromosomes. This process requires a set of recombinases polymerized on single-stranded (ss) DNAs called the nucleoprotein filament to undergo h.....»»
Genetic database shows some fungal crops became completely reliant on ants 27 million years ago
When humans began farming crops thousands of years ago, agriculture had already been around for millions of years. In fact, several animal lineages have been growing their own food since long before humans evolved as a species......»»
Quantum researchers come up with a recipe that could accelerate drug development
University of Copenhagen mathematicians have developed a recipe for upgrading quantum computers to simulate complex quantum systems, such as molecules. Their discovery brings us closer to being able to predict how new drugs will behave within our bod.....»»
Plants have a backup plan to pass down accurate chromosome copies
Tending a garden is hard work. Imagine it from the plants' perspective. Each relies on fine-tuned genetic processes to pass down accurate copies of chromosomes to future generations. These processes sometimes involve billions of moving parts. Even th.....»»
Study reveals invasive Apple Snail could spread further in Africa
New research reveals that the invasive Apple Snail—which threatens rice crops—could spread further in Africa. The study is published in the journal CABI Agriculture and Bioscience......»»