Latest News Releases25 April

Hazelnut is widely grown for its rich oleic acid content and flavor. However, owing to the unavailability of high-quality genetic resources for hazelnut, crop improvement has remained a significant challenge. A new study published in Horticulture Research presents a high-quality whole genome analysis of Chinese hazelnut, along with identification of several genes underlying economically important traits like oil content and disease resistance. These findings can lead to improvements in hazelnut yield worldwide.

Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) have pioneered a novel method for producing supramolecular protein assemblies from protein crystals. Their approach involves strategically introducing mutations in a protein monomer to create disulfide bonds (S-S) between the building blocks of protein crystals at very specific sites. After isolating the protein crystals from the cells and dissolving them, these bonds create uniform, stable filaments. Such protein assemblies could find applications in molecular storage, drug delivery, and catalysis.

The team identified a fundamental pattern in the work of the human proteins and determined the structure of their complex with a functional fragment of the papillomavirus oncoprotein. Using these data, the team suggested a way to affect the stability of the studied protein complex, which could be further developed into a therapeutic approach against papillomavirus infections.

The discovery is a step forward towards the creation of smart drugs that will neutralize the proteins and prevent disease, without the use of antibiotics

Researchers investigated the high-loss free space high-precision time-frequency dissemination experiment between remote locations, simulating the high-precision time-frequency high-orbit satellite-ground links in the channel loss, atmospheric noise, and transmission delay effects.

Researchers have developed the first LiDAR-based augmented reality head-up display for use in vehicles. Tests on a prototype version of the technology suggest that it could improve road safety by 'seeing through' objects to alert of potential hazards without distracting the driver.

Researchers in Japan have established sustainable cell lines in a coral - a success which could prove to be a pivotal moment for gaining a deeper understanding of the biology of these vital marine creatures. Seven out of eight cell cultures, seeded from the stony coral, Acropora tenuis, have continuously proliferated for over 10 months. The results were published in Marine Biotechnology on the 26th April 2021.

New research suggests efforts to rewild a landscape must take geography and geology into account--an approach that could be applied globally to help conservation biologists save wild ecosystems. The results will be presented at the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly 2021, which is taking place from 19-30 April 2021.

Researchers using a new method involving the mineral barite have dated the first emergence of continental crust to 500 million years earlier than previously thought. The results will be presented at the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly 2021, which is taking place from 19-30 April 2021.