Feature Channels: Biotech

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Released: 23-Sep-2024 12:05 PM EDT
Searching for a Vaccine Against an Ancient Scourge
University of North Carolina School of Medicine

With data from extensive genomic surveys of the syphilis bacterium – correlated with clinical information from patients – an international team of researchers and doctors are on the hunt for proteins on the surface of the microbe that don’t vary and could be good targets for a much-needed vaccine

Newswise: The Pink Ring Phenomenon: Key to Tea Plants' Disease Resistance Discovered
Released: 23-Sep-2024 9:05 AM EDT
The Pink Ring Phenomenon: Key to Tea Plants' Disease Resistance Discovered
Chinese Academy of Sciences

Scientists have discovered a novel defense mechanism in tea plants where the synthesis of anthocyanin-3-O-galactosides is triggered by infections, particularly anthracnose. This breakthrough enhances our understanding of the plant's immune response and could lead to the development of more resilient tea varieties, offering a potential transformation in tea cultivation.

Newswise: Unlocking Plant Potential: The Multifaceted Role of GRAS Transcription Factors
Released: 23-Sep-2024 8:05 AM EDT
Unlocking Plant Potential: The Multifaceted Role of GRAS Transcription Factors
Chinese Academy of Sciences

A recent study has unveiled the pivotal roles of GRAS transcription factors, which act as master regulators in plant development and stress adaptation. The GRAS gene family is named after the first three genes that were identified: GIBBERELLIC ACID INSENSITIVE (GAI), REPRESSOR OF GA1 (RGA), and SCARECROW (SCR).The research sheds light on how these factors coordinate plant growth, fruit ripening, and resilience to environmental stressors, offering crucial insights that could drive future innovations in crop enhancement and global food security amid climate challenges.

Newswise: Desugared Sugarcane Extract Shows Promising Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Properties for Nutraceutical Applications
Released: 23-Sep-2024 4:05 AM EDT
Desugared Sugarcane Extract Shows Promising Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Properties for Nutraceutical Applications
Chinese Academy of Sciences

A research team reveals the nutraceutical potential of desugared sugarcane extract (DSE), a byproduct of sugar refining, as a rich source of bioactive compounds.

Newswise: UAlbany Researchers Identify New Driver of Antimicrobial Resistance
Released: 20-Sep-2024 9:05 AM EDT
UAlbany Researchers Identify New Driver of Antimicrobial Resistance
University at Albany, State University of New York

UAlbany researchers have identified a genetic mechanism that allows antimicrobial resistance to spread among Klebsiella pneumoniae — the third leading cause of blood infections globally.

Newswise: Poplars' Genetic Adaptation: Unlocking Drought Resistance with miR159a
Released: 19-Sep-2024 12:30 PM EDT
Poplars' Genetic Adaptation: Unlocking Drought Resistance with miR159a
Chinese Academy of Sciences

In a significant advancement for plant biology, researchers have discovered that manipulating miR159a, a key microRNA, enhances drought tolerance in poplar trees. By boosting water-use efficiency and minimizing stomatal opening, this study could revolutionize forestry management in arid regions, offering new strategies for breeding drought-resistant trees to tackle water scarcity challenges.

Newswise: Seeds of Innovation: Targeted Gene Mutations Boost Crop Hybridization
Released: 19-Sep-2024 12:05 PM EDT
Seeds of Innovation: Targeted Gene Mutations Boost Crop Hybridization
Chinese Academy of Sciences

Scientists have developed a groundbreaking two-line system that uses CRISPR/Cas9 (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat) technology to control pollination in rapeseed by targeting the Oxophytodienoic acid reductase 3 (OPR3) gene. This innovation offers a more stable and efficient approach to hybrid breeding, bypassing the environmental vulnerabilities of traditional methods and promising higher crop yields and enhanced agricultural productivity.

Newswise: Bamboo's Growth Blueprint: Unraveling the Microrna Regulatory Network
Released: 19-Sep-2024 10:05 AM EDT
Bamboo's Growth Blueprint: Unraveling the Microrna Regulatory Network
Chinese Academy of Sciences

Researchers have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the role of microRNAs in bamboo’s de novo shoot organogenesis, unveiling 727 differentially expressed miRNAs and their core regulatory networks.

Newswise: Unlocking the Secrets of Tea's Healthful Compounds: Phosphate and Jasmonate's Role
Released: 19-Sep-2024 9:05 AM EDT
Unlocking the Secrets of Tea's Healthful Compounds: Phosphate and Jasmonate's Role
Chinese Academy of Sciences

A recent study reveals the intricate dynamics behind catechin biosynthesis in tea plants, highlighting how phosphate (Pi) signaling and jasmonate (JA) pathways interact to regulate these valuable health-promoting compounds. The findings illuminate the environmental and hormonal factors that influence catechin production, which is crucial for both the economic value and the health benefits of tea.

Released: 19-Sep-2024 8:05 AM EDT
A New Ventilator-on-a-Chip Model to Study Lung Damage
Ohio State University

For the first time, scientists are able to directly compare the different kinds of injury that mechanical ventilation causes to cells in the lungs.

Newswise: Cucumber's Secret: Decoding the Metabolic Role of CsNADP-ME2
Released: 18-Sep-2024 12:05 PM EDT
Cucumber's Secret: Decoding the Metabolic Role of CsNADP-ME2
Chinese Academy of Sciences

A recent study has uncovered the pivotal role of the enzyme CsNADP-ME2 (NADP-dependent malic enzyme, NADP-ME) in cucumbers, controlling the delicate balance between carbon and amino acid metabolism within the fruit. This intricate metabolic process directly impacts fruit development, yield, and nutritional quality, highlighting CsNADP-ME2 as a promising target for enhancing crop performance and food quality through metabolic engineering.

Newswise: Greenhouse Gains: Cucumbers Get a Genetic Upgrade Through Innovative Pollen Tech
Released: 18-Sep-2024 11:05 AM EDT
Greenhouse Gains: Cucumbers Get a Genetic Upgrade Through Innovative Pollen Tech
Chinese Academy of Sciences

Researchers have achieved a groundbreaking advancement in plant biotechnology by using a magnetofected pollen gene delivery system to genetically transform cucumbers. This cutting-edge method uses DNA-coated magnetic nanoparticles to introduce foreign genes into pollen, producing genetically modified seeds without the need for traditional tissue culture or regeneration steps. This technique significantly streamlines and accelerates crop genetic modification, opening up new avenues to boost agricultural productivity and resilience.

Newswise: Blooming Revelations: Hydrangea Study Unveils Genetic Treasures for Flora Enthusiasts
Released: 18-Sep-2024 11:05 AM EDT
Blooming Revelations: Hydrangea Study Unveils Genetic Treasures for Flora Enthusiasts
Chinese Academy of Sciences

A pivotal study has mapped the genetic blueprint of Hydrangea macrophylla, uncovering the molecular foundations behind its stunning ornamental features. This genetic deep dive not only revolutionizes the breeding of this beloved garden staple but also provides fresh insights into the evolution of the Asterid clade, one of the largest families of flowering plants.

Newswise: NIH-Led Studies Point to Potential Development of a Cataract Drug
Released: 18-Sep-2024 11:05 AM EDT
NIH-Led Studies Point to Potential Development of a Cataract Drug
NIH, National Eye Institute (NEI)

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and their collaborators have identified a protein, known as RNF114, that reverses cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s lens that occurs commonly in people as they age.

Newswise: The hidden metabolic landscape: unraveling the genetic underpinnings of Artemisia annua
Released: 18-Sep-2024 10:05 AM EDT
The hidden metabolic landscape: unraveling the genetic underpinnings of Artemisia annua
Chinese Academy of Sciences

A recent study study has revealed critical insights into the metabolic landscape of Artemisia annua, a plant essential for artemisinin production, the cornerstone of malaria treatment. Researchers investigated a mutant strain with developmental defects in glandular secretory trichomes (GSTs), which are vital for artemisinin synthesis. The study uncovered severe disruptions in the plant’s metabolic pathways, notably hindering artemisinin and other key secondary metabolites. These findings could pave the way for enhanced strategies to boost artemisinin yield, potentially transforming malaria treatment.

   
Newswise: Genomic Treasure Hunt: Unraveling the Conservation Conundrum of Sinojackia
Released: 18-Sep-2024 10:05 AM EDT
Genomic Treasure Hunt: Unraveling the Conservation Conundrum of Sinojackia
Chinese Academy of Sciences

A pivotal study unveils the genetic blueprint of the endangered Jacktree, shedding light on the molecular factors hindering its germination. The research highlights the challenges posed by the tree’s highly lignified pericarps, which serve as both a protective feature and a significant barrier to seed propagation, underscoring the need for targeted genetic and conservation interventions.

Released: 18-Sep-2024 10:05 AM EDT
Zymo Research Stands by Its Innovative cfDNA Technology in Response to Qiagen's Lawsuit
Zymo Research Corp

Zymo Research Corporation, a leader in innovative life science solutions, acknowledges the patent infringement lawsuit filed by Qiagen GmbH on August 20, 2024, at the US District Court for the Central District of California regarding its MAGicBead cfDNA isolation technology.

   
Newswise: The Hidden Health Risks of Styrene and Ethylbenzene Exposure
Released: 18-Sep-2024 7:05 AM EDT
The Hidden Health Risks of Styrene and Ethylbenzene Exposure
Chinese Academy of Sciences

A recent study conducted by the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health at Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, reveals a strong link between exposure to styrene and ethylbenzene, common air pollutants, and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

   
Newswise: LJI Discovery Paves the Way for Antivirals Against Ebola Virus and Its Deadly Relatives
Released: 17-Sep-2024 5:05 PM EDT
LJI Discovery Paves the Way for Antivirals Against Ebola Virus and Its Deadly Relatives
La Jolla Institute for Immunology

The new study, led by researchers in the Saphire Lab at LJI, reveals the inner workings of the Ebola virus nucleocapsid. LA JOLLA, CA—At this moment, the world has few tools to combat deadly filoviruses, such as Ebola and Marburg viruses. The only approved vaccine and antibody treatments protect against just one filovirus species.



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