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Categories: Biology: Developmental, Chemistry: General
Published Predicting saltwater intrusion into groundwater using Plymouth, Mass. as test case



As the world warms and ice sheets melt, the ocean continually rises. The greater Boston area can expect to see between one and six feet of sea level rise by 2100, according to recent estimates. To find out what this rise might mean for freshwater supplies, a team of hydrogeologists developed an innovative new model that can not only predict saltwater intrusion over the next 75 years, but also pinpoint the main sources of salt contamination today -- road salt and human development.
Published Research outlines how sex differences have evolved



Researchers have shown that sex differences in animals vary dramatically across species, organs and developmental stages, and evolve quickly at the gene level but slowly at the cell type level.
Published Researchers develop solid-state thermal transistor for better heat management



A team of researchers has unveiled a first-of-its-kind stable and fully solid-state thermal transistor that uses an electric field to control a semiconductor device's heat movement. The group's study details how the device works and its potential applications. With top speed and performance, the transistor could open new frontiers in heat management of computer chips through an atomic-level design and molecular engineering. The advance could also further the understanding of how heat is regulated in the human body.
Published Female sex determining gene identified in mice



Researchers have identified a gene which is an early determining factor of ovary development in mice.
Published A known environmental hazard can change the epigenetics of cells



An international team of researchers has discovered that formaldehyde, a widely spread pollutant and common metabolite in our body, interferes in the epigenetic programming of the cell. This finding expands the knowledge of formaldehyde, previously considered only as a DNA mutagen, and helps establishing a further link with cancer.
Published Stronger, stretchier, self-healing plastic



An innovative plastic, stronger and stretchier than the current standard type and which can be healed with heat, remembers its shape and partially biodegradable, has been developed. They created it by adding the molecule polyrotaxane to an epoxy resin vitrimer, a type of plastic. Named VPR, the material can hold its form and has strong internal chemical bonds at low temperatures.
Published Making electric vehicles last



In the realm of electric vehicles, powered by stored electric energy, the key lies in rechargeable batteries capable of enduring multiple charge cycles. Lithium-ion batteries have been the poster child for this application. However, due to limitations in energy storage capacity and other associated challenges, the focus has shifted to an intriguing alternative known as dual-ion batteries (DIBs).
Published Immunology: Dysfunction of mitochondria drives the exhaustion of T cells



In the immune system's fight against cancer and infections, the T cells often lose their power. Now immunologists may have found a possible explanation for this phenomenon.
Published 'Lab on a chip' genetic test device can identify viruses within three minutes with top-level accuracy



Compact genetic testing device could be used to detect a range of pathogens, or conditions including cancer.
Published Self-powered microbial fuel cell biosensor for monitoring organic freshwater pollution



Biodegradable waste from plant and animal sources released into freshwater ecosystems is a significant environmental concern. Nonetheless, current methods for assessing water quality seem more or less impractical due to their complexity and high costs. In a promising development, a team of researchers has successfully constructed a self-sustaining and buoyant biosensor using inexpensive carbon-based materials for monitoring water quality at the inlets of freshwater lakes and rivers.
Published New study sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying lipid recycling within cells



Our understanding of how cells recycle lipids through autophagy -- a form of cellular degradation -- has grown significantly, thanks to a recent study. Using yeast as a model organism, the researchers explored the molecular mechanisms leading to the degradation of the phospholipid bilayers making up the cell membranes. Their findings improve our understanding of cellular degradation processes and related metabolic disorders.
Published Chemists make breakthrough in drug discovery chemistry



Chemists offer two new methods to develop a way to easily replace a carbon atom with a nitrogen atom in a molecule. The findings could make it easier to develop new drugs.
Published First mice engineered to survive COVID-19 like young, healthy humans



Researchers have genetically engineered the first mice that get a human-like form of COVID-19, according to a new study.
Published Where is a sea star's head? Maybe just about everywhere



A new study that combines genetic and molecular techniques helps solve the riddle of sea star (commonly called starfish) body plans, and how sea stars start life with bilateral body symmetry -- just like humans -- but grow up to be adults with fivefold 'pentaradial' symmetry.
Published Pinpointing HIV immune response



New research combining computer modeling and experiments with macaques shows the body's immune system helps control human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections largely by suppressing viral production in already infected cells while also killing viral infected cells, but only within a narrow time window at the start of a cell's infection.
Published Maternal microbiota can affect fetal development



Significant differences in the gene activity of the fetal intestine, brain and placenta were identified, depending on the microbes in the mother's body and the compounds produced by them. The findings indicate that maternal microbes are important to her offspring's development and health.
Published New Nijmegen method reveals hidden genetic variations



Many hidden genetic variations can be detected with Chameleolyser, a new method. The information is already yielding new patient diagnoses and may also lead to the discovery of as yet unknown disease genes.
Published Advanced assisted reproduction in white rhinos is safe and reliable, shows evaluation of procedures



The BioRescue project develops and pioneers advanced assisted reproduction technologies (aART) for conservation in the face of the imminent extinction of most rhino species and subspecies. In a new scientific analysis, the team evaluated 65 aART procedures conducted from 2015 to 2022. The evaluation showed that aART is safe for the donor females with no detrimental health effects, and successful in that it yielded 51 embryos.
Published Efficient biohybrid batteries



Formic acid, which can be produced electrochemically from carbon dioxide, is a promising energy carrier. A research team has now developed a fast-charging hybrid battery system that combines the electrochemical generation of formic acid as an energy carrier with a microbial fuel cell. This novel, fast-charging biohybrid battery system can be used to monitor the toxicity of drinking water, just one of many potential future applications.
Published Humans are disrupting natural 'salt cycle' on a global scale, new study shows



A new paper revealed that human activities are making Earth's air, soil and freshwater saltier, which could pose an 'existential threat' if current trends continue. Geologic and hydrologic processes bring salts to Earth's surface over time, but human activities such as mining and land development are rapidly accelerating this natural 'salt cycle.'