Strong oyster reefs start with genetic diversity
The European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) was once widespread but has now become so scarce in the North Sea that it no longer forms ecologically functioning reefs. Along with the demise of the flat…
Biology
Plant Compound Reduces Heart Scarring by Blocking Key Signaling Pathway
This study aims to investigate the cardioprotective effects of 4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde (4-HBA) against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac fibrosis and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. In vivo,…
AI technique reveals how genes are controlled across diverse species
Control of gene expression by transcription factors (TFs) is a critical mechanism for cells to maintain homeostasis in response to environmental signals. Gene network models that predict regulatory…
A Mammalian High-Throughput Screen for AI-Designed Peptide-Guided Protein Degraders
Targeted protein degradation (TPD) offers a route to eliminate disease-driving proteins that remain inaccessible to conventional inhibitors. However, degrader discovery remains low-throughput,…
Sugar Molecules Reshape How Key Cancer-Linked Enzyme Functions
N-linked glycosylation is known to modulate the catalytic function of human carbonic anhydrase (HCA) IX, yet its influence on the underlying free-energy landscape remains largely unexplored. In the…
Excitation-inhibition balance dynamics across brain networks during naturalistic behavior
Excitatory (E) and inhibitory (I) neural populations interact within and across distributed regions to support brain function, yet local and distributed E and I dynamics during naturalistic behavior…
Brain reduces responses to sounds we expect to hear
The dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) is a cerebellum-like structure in the mammalian auditory brainstem that combines auditory nerve input with diverse auditory and non-auditory signals conveyed by…
Endangered Galápagos plant makes comeback from near extinction
A 30-year conservation effort has helped the critically endangered Galápagos snapdragon (Galvezia leucantha subsp. leucantha) recover from just six individuals to a small, carefully tended wild…
Scientists resurrect ancient proteins, offering new antibiotic leads
University of Oregon biologists have resurrected prehistoric proteins up to 160 million years old that carry natural antimicrobial properties. The revived molecules could inspire the design of new…
Relocating turtle nests to protect eggs may backfire unexpectedly
Moving threatened sea turtle nests to cooler, safer parts of the beach can save entire clutches from rising tides and extreme heat, but new research suggests it may have hidden consequences for the…