Connecting Research and Experts with Journalists

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A newstudy has introduced a novel method for enhancing somatic embryogenesis (SE) in conifer trees, using small molecules to overcome traditional barriers in asexual propagation. This technique is pivotal for advancing forest production and genetic enhancement by addressing challenges in SE initiation and sustaining embryogenic potential. Focused on using redox compounds and epigenetic regulators, the study offers a sustainable, non-genetic engineering approach to conifer propagation, paving the way for efficient large-scale forestry applications.

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A recent study in Ficus hispida genomics has unlocked the genetic mechanisms driving this fig tree’s unique reproductive system. The fully sequenced genome, a first of its kind for Ficus, reveals critical insights into how sex is determined in these plants—a factor crucial to their survival and ecological role. This research is a milestone for advancing the understanding of dioecy in plants and could open new doors for plant breeding and ecosystem management.

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The Bionics Research Center team, led by Dr. Byung Chul Lee at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), has developed a bio-ink inkjet print head using the piezoelectric material PMN-PZT.

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A significant study has mapped the genetic complexity of Populus cathayana, an ecologically and economically valuable poplar species. By creating a detailed genome assembly and analyzing genetic variation across diverse wild populations, the research sheds light on the species' evolution and adaptation capabilities, particularly in high-altitude environments. This genetic insight is key for conservation strategies and developing resilient tree species for future forest sustainability.

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University of South Australia PhD student Belinda Lees has explored how screenwriters could create more nuanced and complex child-free women protagonists in biopics, after uncovering the barrage of often negative portrayals in existing media.

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A team of clinicians, scientists, and engineers at Mount Sinai trained a deep learning pose-recognition algorithm on video feeds of infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to accurately track their movements and identify key neurologic metrics.

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At a glance: A new study in mice explains how even a single faulty copy of the BRCA1 gene can fuel tumor growth. The findings suggest the dominant “two-hit” hypothesis of cancer development may not tell the full story behind how cancer arises. Study identifies cellular changes that prime cancer-related genes for action and render cells vulnerable to tumor growth. The findings can inform new treatments that block the priming effect to prevent breast cancer formation.

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Alcohol use increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and remained elevated even after the pandemic ended, according to a large nationally representative Keck Medicine of USC study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.