For decades, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research has focused on its visible villains—amyloid plaques and tau tangles. But beneath the surface, another player may be quietly steering the disease’s course: lipid metabolism. Lipids, the essential substances that build and fuel the brain, are proving to be powerful influencers of disease progression. When their balance falters, harmful proteins accumulate, synapses weaken, and inflammation spreads. This new review pulls together cutting-edge findings that link genetic risk factors, like APOE4, to disrupted cholesterol transport, faulty fat storage, and poor lipid clearance—unveiling a hidden layer of AD biology and pointing toward untapped therapeutic strategies.

How do plants regenerate roots from scratch after being wounded? In this study, scientists used spatial transcriptomics and time-series gene expression analysis to trace poplar root regeneration from its earliest stages.

This study investigates the potential of the African swine fever virus (ASFV) p15 protein as an immunogen for developing vaccines against ASF. Researchers identified a high-affinity neutralizing antibody, 4E2, against p15 and elucidated the structure of the p15-4E2 complex. They also constructed two types of virus-like particles (VLPs) displaying p15 and evaluated their protective efficacy in pigs challenged with a moderately virulent ASFV strain.

In the paper published on Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine(STCM), the authors utilized synthetic biology technology to create the first artificial herbal cell (AHC) based on a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulation: Compound Danshen Yeast 1.0. This breakthrough provides foundational technology for producing TCM formulations through one-step fermentation using simple carbon sources like glucose and ethanol—eliminating the need for wild harvesting or cultivation of medicinal herbs. By harnessing synthetic biology, the team reprogrammed a single yeast strain to simultaneously synthesize three classes of active ingredients—notoginsenosides (protopanaxadiol), tanshinone diterpenoid (miltiradiene), and borneol.

There are 157 non-native species have successfully invaded Dongting Lake, which is the second largest freshwater lake in China. Although some non-native species become important species in local aquaculture, aquarium trade and other industries. Many non-native species have caused significantly negative impacts on native biodiversity, environmental safety, human health and sustainable development.

Enzymes are vital to metabolism and drive countless biological processes in humans, plants, and industry. Yet, when overwhelmed by excess substrate, some enzymes slow down — a phenomenon known as substrate inhibition. This can hinder drug effectiveness and industrial efficiency. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have explored this mechanism and found that beta-carotene may help counteract it.