Connecting Research and Experts with Journalists

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Medical products such as ointments or syringes reach their limits when it comes to delivering medication locally – and above all in a controlled manner over a longer period of time. Empa researchers are therefore developing polymer fibers that can deliver active ingredients precisely over the long term. These "liquid core fibers" contain drugs inside and can be processed into medical textiles.

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A cutting-edge study reveals that inoculating arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) into acidic soils significantly bolsters soybean growth, particularly in plants with enhanced phosphorus efficiency. This eco-friendly method outperforms traditional phosphorus fertilization, offering a promising strategy for sustainable agriculture in nutrient-scarce environments.

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In a breakthrough that could redefine tomato flavor, a study has pinpointed the genetic markers that dictate citric acid (CA) levels — the cornerstone of a tomato's taste and nutritional richness. The identification of these markers and the optimal genetic combinations is a leap forward in the science of targeted breeding, offering a solution to the intricate genetic and environmental factors that shape a tomato's flavor profile.

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A recent study has discovered that SALT TOLERANCE HOMOLOG2 (CaSTH2), a gene in pepper, acts as a negative regulator of the plant’s defense mechanisms. This gene impairs the activation of immune responses against Ralstonia solanacearum infection (RSI) and reduces heat tolerance by interacting with and inhibiting CaWRKY40, a key transcription factor in these processes.

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A new study finds that early elementary school teachers report feeling less close to chronically absent students and view them less positively, even when those students do not cause trouble in the classroom.

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Georgia Tech bioengineer Ankur Singh and his team have developed a method to enhance adoptive T-cell therapy using nanowires to deliver miRNA to T-cells, preserving their naïve state for more effective disease-fighting. This innovative technique allows the T-cells to remain programmable and robust, offering a potential gamechanger for immunotherapies.

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Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis can more effectively study mutations that cause heart disease by putting cells through their paces.

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The Natural History Museum of Utah announced Lokiceratops rangiformis, the largest and most ornate horned dino ever found. Its distinctive horn pattern inspired its name, "Loki’s horned face that looks like a caribou."