Connecting Research and Experts with Journalists

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A recent breakthrough in biotechnology promises to change the landscape of plant genetic engineering. Imagine a persistent invader—Agrobacterium—long used to deliver genes into plants. Despite its historical success, the journey has been fraught with setbacks, especially with crops that launch fierce immune defenses. But now, scientists have equipped this bacterial “invader” with powerful tools to conquer plant resistance, opening up new possibilities in agriculture and genetic research.

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Normally found only in heavy metal bands or certain post-apocalyptic films, a “flame-throwing guitar” has now been spotted moving through space. Astronomers have captured movies of this extreme cosmic object using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and Hubble Space Telescope.

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A recent study has unraveled the intricate cellular blueprint behind the iconic fragrance of Prunus mume flowers. Using state-of-the-art single-cell RNA sequencing, researchers have constructed a high-resolution map of gene expression within petal cells across blooming stages. This atlas not only identifies six key cell types but also pinpoints the genetic pathways responsible for floral scent production. These discoveries mark a significant leap forward in understanding floral scent biosynthesis and could open new doors to cultivating aromatic plant varieties and innovations in the fragrance industry.

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A recent discovery has unveiled a key regulatory module in grapes that governs fruit set, a vital phase for determining yield and quality. This research sheds light on the molecular mechanisms influenced by N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N′-phenylurea (CPPU), a plant hormone-like compound known for enhancing fruit set, and opens new doors for revolutionizing grape cultivation and productivity.

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A recent study has decoded the complete genome of Forsythia suspensa, a plant renowned for its medicinal value and decorative appeal. The research delivers a flawless, gap-free genome assembly, uncovering the complex architecture of centromeres vital to genetic stability. This advancement offers a detailed genetic map, setting the stage for future breakthroughs in ecological management and medical research.

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Since older adults have been more severely affected by acute COVID-19, researchers have hypothesized that older adults may have worse long COVID symptoms as well.

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A research team at the University of Vienna, led by medicinal chemist Markus Muttenthaler, has developed a new class of oral peptide therapeutic leads for treating chronic abdominal pain. This groundbreaking innovation offers a safe, non-opioid-based solution for conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), which affect millions of people worldwide. The research results were recently published in the international edition of the renowned journal Angewandte Chemie.

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Since older adults have been more severely affected by acute COVID-19, researchers have hypothesized that older adults may have worse long COVID symptoms as well. But according to new research published in the Annals of Neurology, an official journal of the American Neurological Association, Northwestern Medicine researchers found on an average of 10 months after COVID-19 onset, younger (ages 18-44) and middle-aged (ages 45-64) adults had worse neurologic symptoms of long COVID than adults 65 and older. Symptoms included headache, numbness and tingling, problems with smell and taste, blurred vision, depression, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue and a decrease in cognitive function. These symptoms occurred regardless of if the patient had mild or severe COVID-19 infections.

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KRICT researchers have unveiled groundbreaking LOHC materials that dramatically boost hydrogen storage and release rates, transforming hydrogen into a safer, more transportable energy source.

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Patients with lumbar spinal stenosis, a common cause of lower back pain in older adults, may benefit from minimally invasive lumbar decompression. Patients receiving the procedure reported significant reductions in pain, along with better physical function and no decrease in mobility or quality of life. The investigators’ abstract received a Resident/Fellow Travel award from the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA Pain Medicine) and will be presented at the upcoming 23rd Annual Pain Medicine Meeting in Las Vegas, NV.