Tiny spikes on cucumber fruits, known as trichomes or fruit spines, serve as more than just surface features—they play a key role in defense and quality. Now, researchers have identified CsTs, a C-type lectin receptor-like kinase gene, as a master regulator of trichome development. 

Disruptions in daily light cycles can throw tea plants' internal rhythms into disarray—undermining their ability to photosynthesize efficiently. 

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is a rare autoimmune brain disease that mainly affects young people. Researchers from China reviewed a wide range of biomarkers that may help detect, understand, and treat this condition more effectively. These include antibodies, inflammatory markers, microRNAs, mitochondrial DNA, and neurofilament light chain proteins. Their findings highlight how biomarkers can guide diagnosis and treatment decisions, offering new insights into the disease’s underlying mechanisms and improving care for affected individuals.