Connecting Research and Experts with Journalists

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The development of versatile and efficient biocatalysts for the synthesis of α-hydroxyketones and Ephedra-type alkaloids represents a significant advancement in synthetic biology and medicinal chemistry. In this study, researchers explore the potential of acetolactate synthase (AlsS) from Bacillus subtilis (BsAlsS) for the production of phenylacetylcarbinol (PAC) and its derivatives. Additionally, the study investigates the use of intermediate reductive amination enzymes (introduction of amine group using enzymes) for functionalizing α-hydroxyketones to generate synthetic Ephedra-type alkaloids.

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This paper frames hardware-aware neural network pruning as a multi-objective optimization problem and introduces HAMP, a memetic Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm (MOEA) that optimizes both accuracy and hardware efficiency through portfolio-based selection and surrogate-assisted local search.

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Researchers from China have achieved a breakthrough in biofuel production with the development of Rhodococcus aetherivorans strain N1, a new species, and its enhanced variant, N1-S. The study highlights how N1-S excels at detoxifying toxic byproducts from lignocellulosic biomass, resulting in a remarkable 6.5-fold increase in succinic acid yields compared to traditional methods. This advancement offers a more efficient and scalable approach to sustainable biofuel production, paving the way for enhanced renewable energy solutions.

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Plant molecular farming (PMF) is an efficient strategy for producing recombinant protein. Tobacco plants, known for their short life cycle and large biomass production capacity, are excellent choices for PMF. In this review, researchers from institutes across China and Korea reviewed strategies for guiding recombinant proteins into different subcellular compartments of the cell. Findings reported in this review are extremely significant as optimized localization of recombinant proteins is crucial for pharmacological industries.

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Coral reefs will continue to experience severe heat stress as rising temperatures cause the oceans to become unbearably hot – but a new study shows that altering their feeding habits could allow local populations to avoid total extinction.

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A new review highlights the potential of CRISPR–Cas13 for RNA-editing therapies. Discussing the advantages of the effector protein Cas13 over Cas9, they report that CRISPR–Cas13 facilitates RNA knockdown, RNA silencing, RNA splicing, RNA-base editing, and translation regulation. CRISPR–Cas13 has diverse applications like virus detection, antivirus vaccines, and personalized therapies. Additionally, they also discuss the role of AI in enabling the realization of the full potential of RNA-editing technologies.

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People having surgery on mitral and tricuspid heart valves may receive a pacemaker more often than necessary — leading to a greater risk for life-threatening complications, studies show. Researchers say high volume hospitals with experienced surgeons may be able to achieve similar outcomes without needing to implant the device.

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Sometimes we all just need to mentally switch off and do nothing, but some people find the experience more stressful than relaxing according to new research from the University of Portsmouth in England.

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Dor e cãibras nas pernas nem sempre são um problema ortopédico: Ambas podem ser sinais da doença arterial periférica, ou DAP, um grave problema de fluxo sanguíneo com implicações para o coração. Neste alerta do especialista, a Dra. Young Erben, cirurgiã vascular da Mayo Clinic em Jacksonville, Flórida, explica como a forma mais comum da DAP, que afeta as pernas e os pés, é tratada. As opções incluem uma técnica cirúrgica do passado que os cirurgiões da Mayo estão ressuscitando e aperfeiçoando para oferecer uma nova esperança aos pacientes com DAP avançada.

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Dolor y calambres en las piernas no siempre son un problema ortopédico: Ambos pueden ser signos de la enfermedad arterial periférica, o EAP, un problema grave del flujo sanguíneo con implicaciones para el corazón. En este alerta del experto, la Dra. Young Erben, cirujana vascular en Mayo Clinic en Jacksonville, Florida, explica cómo se trata la forma más común de EAP, EAP que afecta las piernas y los pies. Las opciones incluyen una técnica quirúrgica del pasado que los cirujanos de Mayo están resucitando y refinando para ofrecer nuevas esperanzas a los pacientes con EAP avanzada.