Tiling mechanisms of the Drosophila compound eye through geometrical tessellation
Tile patterns in which the same shape is laid out without gaps can be seen on castle walls and chess boards in artificial objects, and in insect compound eyes and beehives in biology. Square tiles are common in artificial objects, while hexagonal til.....»»
Researchers discover two vesicle fusion mechanisms while studying vesicle movement in living cells
Cells intake substances from the outside world by encapsulating them in vesicles called endosomes, which are subsequently transported throughout the cell. During the transport process, vesicles fuse with other intracellular organelles. However, obser.....»»
Self-assembly of complex systems: Hexagonal building blocks are better
Complex systems in nature, like their synthetic counterparts in technology, comprise a large number of small components that assemble of their own accord through molecular interactions. Gaining a better understanding of the principles and mechanisms.....»»
Researchers find unusual heat resilience in tree swallows
Tree swallows use behavioral and physiological mechanisms to handle rising temperatures, and their story is an optimistic example of how some species successfully respond to climate change, at least for now......»»
Team creates cooperative exciton-polariton condensate
Superfluorescence (SF), as a cooperative radiation effect originating from vacuum quantum fluctuations, is an ideal platform for studying many-body correlation mechanisms in an exciton ensemble, and for developing optically ultrafast techniques on br.....»»
Gene editing technology reveals molecular mechanisms governing diatom population density signals
The intricate dynamics of diatom blooms, influenced by a myriad of external factors and internal signals, continue to fascinate scientists. After recognizing the potential role of density perception and intracellular signaling in dictating these phen.....»»
New study reveals influencers of global biogenic volatile organic compound emission trends over the last 20 years
Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) emitted by vegetation are important precursors of ozone and secondary organic aerosols in the atmosphere, affecting air quality, clouds, and climate. However, BVOC emissions remain highly uncertain because.....»»
Scientists elucidate the role of GlyT1 in anti-schizophrenia drugs
Schizophrenia is a highly disabling mental disorder, and numerous studies have shown that the hypofunction of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor is one of its pathogenic mechanisms. Glycine transporter 1 (GlyT1), a glycine transporter protein,.....»»
Researchers identify key regulators underlying regeneration in Drosophila
Some animals possess the remarkable ability to regenerate lost structures, exemplified by a lizard regrowing its tail. However, this regenerative process must be tightly regulated by the body to ensure proper tissue organization and to prevent abnorm.....»»
Research team establishes synthetic dimension dynamics to manipulate light
In the realm of physics, synthetic dimensions (SDs) have emerged as one of the frontiers of active research, offering a pathway to explore phenomena in higher-dimensional spaces, beyond our conventional 3D geometrical space. The concept has garnered.....»»
Multiple processes shape plant ecological uniqueness in Northeast China"s forests
In a study published in Journal of Biogeography, scientists from the Institute of Applied Ecology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have shed light on understanding the driving mechanisms of the uniqueness of plant species composition in different l.....»»
Direct laser writing on halide perovskites: From mechanisms to applications
Metal halide perovskites have become well-deserved "star" materials among a variety of semiconductors owing to their excellent optoelectronic properties, such as high photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield (QY), high absorption coefficient, tunable ban.....»»
Advances and challenges in understanding compound weather and climate extremes
In the context of global warming, many extremes, such as heat waves, heavy precipitation, and droughts, have become increasingly frequent and intense, as expected theoretically. Somewhat unexpectedly, these extremes have also exhibited tightened link.....»»
Sea anemones study reveals insights into predator-prey dynamics
A new study reveals crucial insights into animal defense mechanisms and tradeoffs. The surprising discovery of a native anemone population lacking the Nv1 neurotoxin led to an investigation into its impact on defending against grass shrimp, a native.....»»
Harnessing the mechanisms of fungal bioluminescence to confer autonomous luminescence in plant and animal cells
In a striking new study published in Science Advances, a team of synthetic biologists led by Karen Sarkisyan at the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, have reported the discovery of multiple plant enzymes—hispidin synthases—that can perform the.....»»
Aroma compound found to reduce the effects of drought, improve productivity of tomato plants
Tomato plants emit a scent to resist bacterial attacks. This aroma—or volatile compound—is hexenyl butanoate (HB). A team from the Research Institute for Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology (IBMCP), a joint center of the Universitat Politècnica.....»»
Study reveals that decreased cloud cover dominated rapid spring temperature rise in Central Asia
Central Asia has experienced a faster temperature rise than the global land over the past decades, which has brought unprecedented challenges to the survival and flourishing of life. The role of the drivers and their associated underlying mechanisms.....»»
Hot stuff: A new thermal pathway for a high explosive
TATB (1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene) is an important explosive compound because of its extensive use in munitions and worldwide weapons systems. Despite its importance, researchers have been trying to understand its response to temperature ext.....»»
Drying without dying: Tracing water scarcity coping mechanisms from mosses to flowering plants
Imagine you find the dried-up remains of a once green and lush philodendron on your bookshelf and realize you can't remember the last time you watered your houseplants. You soak the soil with water, hoping you can breathe life back into its desiccate.....»»
Scientists deliver portable total chemical analysis without pumps and tubes
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have engineered a new micro total analysis system that quantifies a target chemical in a microfluidic chip without pumps, tubes, and expensive detectors. The compound reacts with other chemicals to produ.....»»
Research provides insight into constructing gene regulatory networks
Gene regulatory networks (GRNs) depict the regulatory mechanisms of genes within cellular systems as a network, offering vital insights for understanding cell processes and molecular interactions that determine cellular phenotypes. Transcriptional re.....»»