Researchers propose ‘RNAkine’ nomenclature for naming extracellular ncRNAs

Researchers propose ‘RNAkine’ nomenclature for naming extracellular ncRNAs

In addition to conventional secreted factors, cells also secrete ncRNA molecules (RNAkines). The molecular types of secreted factors are in bold, and representative examples or subfamilies, such as chemokines, are listed. The figure provides an overview of the diverse types of secreted factors contributing to intercellular signaling. Abbreviations: circRNA, circular RNA; lncRNA, long noncoding RNA; … Read more

From NYC to DC and beyond, cities on the East Coast are sinking

From NYC to DC and beyond, cities on the East Coast are sinking

The above graphic features: a spatial map of vertical land motion on the East Coast (left panel); primary, secondary, and interstate roads on Hampton Roads, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach, Virginia (top right panel); and John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York (bottom right panel). The yellow, orange and red areas on these maps denote areas … Read more

Strategies to engineer metal-organic frameworks for efficient photocatalysis

Strategies to engineer metal-organic frameworks for efficient photocatalysis

Strategies on engineering the structure of MOFs for efficient photocatalysis were summarized in this review. Personal opinions on the opportunities and challenging as well as the developing trend of MOF-based photocatalysis were also addressed. Credit: Chinese Journal of Catalysis The ever-increasing global energy shortage and the worsening of the environment urgently require the substitution of … Read more

New research shows the Cerne Abbas Giant was a muster station for King Alfred’s armies

New research shows the Cerne Abbas Giant was a muster station for King Alfred’s armies

Aerial view showing the field below the giant and the “herepath” curving up onto Giant Hill from the bottom right, Cerne Abbas, Dorset, England. Photo: Pete Harlow, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Credit: Speculum (2023). DOI: 10.1086/727992 New research from the University of Oxford concludes that the Cerne Abbas Giant was originally carved as … Read more

Aunts, aunties and ‘tías’ offer protection to their LGBTQ youth relatives

Aunts, aunties and ‘tías’ offer protection to their LGBTQ youth relatives

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Researchers have found that aunts play a crucial role in supporting the well-being of their LGBTQ youth relatives, including preventing them from experiencing homelessness. These findings are published in Socius, an open access journal. The research paper, coauthored by Brandon Andrew Robinson, associate professor and chair of the University of California, … Read more

New ultra-short period binary discovered

New ultra-short period binary discovered

TMTS light curve and Lomb–Scargle periodogram for J0526. Credit: arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2312.13612 Using the Tsinghua University–Ma Huateng Telescopes for Survey (TMTS), an international team of astronomers has discovered a new binary known as TMTS J052610.43+593445.1. The newfound system is an ultrashort-orbital-period binary consisting of a subdwarf star and a white dwarf companion. The finding … Read more

Powerful earthquakes leave at least 48 dead, destroy buildings along Japan’s western coast

Powerful earthquakes leave at least 48 dead, destroy buildings along Japan’s western coast

People walk by a building collapsed following an earthquake in Shikamachi, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. A series of powerful earthquakes in western Japan damaged homes, cars and boats, with officials warning people on Tuesday to stay away from their homes in some areas because of a continuing risk of major quakes and … Read more

HKDC1 protein found crucial to maintaining two mitochondria subcellular structures, mitochondria and lysosomes

HKDC1 protein found crucial to maintaining two mitochondria subcellular structures, mitochondria and lysosomes

Overview: Both mitochondrial and lysosomal stress stimulate TFEB nuclear translocation, followed by increased HKDC1 expression. HKDC1 stabilizes PINK1 through interaction with TOM70, thereby facilitating PINK1/Parkin-dependent mitophagy. Additionally, HKDC1 and the VDAC proteins with which it interacts are important for repair of damaged lysosomes and maintaining mitochondria–lysosome contact. HKDC1 prevents DNA damage–induced cellular senescence by maintaining … Read more

How farmers in the Sahel grow crops with little to no water

How farmers in the Sahel grow crops with little to no water

(a) In Mboro, Meouane Department, Senegal, Modou Fall has carved up his onion plot with little indentations to keep manure and water supplies concentrated at the roots; (b) in Medina Yoro Foulah, Kolda Department, Senegal, this grower has transplanted his aubergines into pockets filled with organic matter. His method helps significantly reduce water consumption by … Read more

Selective conversion of CO₂ into dimethyl ether over hydrophobic and gallium-modified copper catalysts

Selective conversion of CO₂ into dimethyl ether over hydrophobic and gallium-modified copper catalysts

The proximity of Cu and Ga species over Cu/Ga-SiO2-20Me catalyst could simultaneously realize tandem reactions of hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol and dehydration of methanol to DME, where further transportation and re-adsorption of methanol intermedia to the hydrophobic catalyst was avoided. Moreover, the methyl groups efficiently removed the water generated in these two reactions, shifting … Read more