Connecting Research and Experts with Journalists

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A pivotal study has uncovered the dual role of the Solanum lycopersicum Synaptotagmin A (SYTA) SlSYTA protein in regulating tomato plants' immune response. Researchers found that while SlSYTA overexpression heightens vulnerability to pathogens, its suppression through genetic modification enhances resistance. This discovery paves the way for developing disease-resistant crops, potentially revolutionizing sustainable agriculture and food security.

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A recent study has revealed the genetic mechanisms behind transgenerational phenotypic plasticity—a crucial factor in plant adaptation to environmental changes. By investigating Arabidopsis thaliana grown under different light conditions across generations, researchers demonstrated how maternal environments shape offspring traits. These findings could inform new strategies for crop improvement and ecological conservation.

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A recent review offers critical insights into the graft healing process in plants, a key aspect of successful asexual reproduction. By examining the complex interactions between phytohormones, environmental factors, and molecular mechanisms, researchers have unveiled new strategies to strengthen plant unions, potentially boosting crop yields and resilience to environmental stress.

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Some of the most dramatic climatic events in our planet’s history are “Snowball Earth” events that happened hundreds of millions of years ago, when almost the entire planet was encased in ice up to 0.6 miles thick. New research from the University of Washington provides a more complete picture for how the last Snowball Earth event ended, and suggests why it preceded a dramatic expansion of life on Earth, including the emergence of the first animals.

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CLEVELAND: A clinical trial has demonstrated that the cancer drug pomalidomide is safe and effective in treating hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), a rare bleeding disorder that impacts more than 1 in 5,000 people worldwide.

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For the next two years, 120 Division I Rice University athletes will be part of a concussion study with Houston Methodist researchers to identify reliable and novel concussion biomarkers in their gut microbiomes in ways that standard brain imaging cannot.

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People whose diet more closely resembles the MIND diet may have a lower risk of cognitive impairment, according to a study published in the September 18, 2024, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Results were similar for Black and white participants.

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A class of drugs for diabetes may be associated with a lower risk of dementia and Parkinson’s disease, according to a study published in the September 18, 2024, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

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A new toolkit helps researchers build optimal superconducting radiofrequency (SRF) cavities that form the backbone of advanced particle accelerators. The cavities’ cleanliness, shape, and roughness of their inner surfaces contribute to their efficiency. In tests of the toolkit, scientists found that smoother cavities function more efficiently.

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A set of knee exoskeletons, built with commercially available knee braces and drone motors at the University of Michigan, has been shown to help counteract fatigue in lifting and carrying tasks. They helped users maintain better lifting posture even when tired, a key factor in defending against on-the-job injuries, the researchers say.