TabHLH489 and TaSnRK1α1 integrating BR and sugar signals to regulate wheat grain length. Credit: Xiao Jun Grain size plays a central role in determining wheat yield, and precise regulation of grain development has emerged as a key strategy for increasing yields in several staple crops such as rice and maize. However, the genetic basis and … Read more
Simulated configuration of the protein structure. Credit: Rice University Gas vesicles are hollow structures made of protein found in the cells of certain microorganisms, and researchers at Rice University believe they can be programmed for use in biomedical applications. “Inside cells, gas vesicles are packed in a beautiful honeycomb pattern. How this pattern is formed … Read more
CO2 capture strategy and surface structures of AA-augmented CuNWs. a Schematic of enhanced CO2-to-*CO conversion and *CO dimerization in cAA-CuNW for high-rate C2H4 production. b Redox of AA and DHA for CO2 capture. c Schematic illustration of surface modification of CuNWs with GQD, AA, and nanoconfined AA on GQDs. An ionomer is coated on the … Read more
Foxtail millet field in Aohan, Inner Mongolia. The location is close to Xinglonggou, one of the archaeological localities providing evidence of millet cultivation 8,000 years ago. 2023 was the International Year of Millets, as declared by the United Nations. Credit: Xinyi Liu Archaeologist Xinyi Liu at Washington University in St. Louis teamed up with Martin … Read more
Netflix’s 3 Body Problem has sparked fascination and controversy. Based on the 2008 novel by Liu Cixin and brought to the small screen by Game of Thrones creators D.B. Weiss and David Benioff, the series tells the story of an impending alien invasion of Earth. The show portrays some science that left some viewers with … Read more
Residents of the Canadian town of Saint-Elie-de-Caxton are upset with an explosion in mining claims, including under their own homes. Canada’s Quebec province is rich with minerals needed for everything from electric cars to cell phones, but residents living atop the potential windfall are worried their backyards will be dug up—and they won’t get a … Read more
The anti-smartphone movement is having a moment. On March 25, Florida governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill banning children under 14 from social media platforms. In February, the UK government backed tighter guidance to keep children from using their smartphones at school. In the past year, grassroots organizations like Smartphone Free Childhood have risen to … Read more
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The US administration of President Joe Biden on Thursday announced further protections for endangered species and their habitats, restoring a set of regulations weakened by Donald Trump. The new rules were touted as evidence of Biden’s commitment to tackling climate change, though some environmental groups said the changes fell short of … Read more
Credit: CC0 Public Domain Boredom is more common at work than in any other setting, studies show, and employees are bored at work for more than 10 hours per week on average. Even astronauts and police officers get bored on the job. No occupation is immune. Boredom serves an important purpose—it signals the need to … Read more
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain At a time when America needs volunteers more than ever, to tackle social problems from homelessness to disaster recovery, fewer people have been volunteering. The number of volunteers for nonprofit and community-based organizations declined recently for the first time in decades, from 30% of the population in 2019 to 23% in … Read more
