Professor Jongmin Kim's research team at POSTECH developed a new technology that improves the precision and integration density of synthetic genetic circuits.

Heterogeneity in host populations significantly influences pathogen evolution, yet most theories assume uniformity. This study uses a meta-population model to examine how local environmental heterogeneity—factors like migration, birth, carrying capacity, and immunity loss—affects pathogen virulence. The findings reveal that greater heterogeneity consistently results in higher virulence compared to homogeneous environments. These results suggest that previous models underestimated evolving virulence, raising concerns that urbanization and increasing environmental diversity may accelerate the emergence of more lethal pathogens.Heterogeneity in host populations significantly influences pathogen evolution, yet most theories assume uniformity. This study uses a meta-population model to examine how local environmental heterogeneity—factors like migration, birth, carrying capacity, and immunity loss—affects pathogen virulence. The findings reveal that greater heterogeneity consistently results in higher virulence compared to homogeneous environments. These results suggest that previous models underestimated evolving virulence, raising concerns that urbanization and increasing environmental diversity may accelerate the emergence of more lethal pathogens.

A team of researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst is the first to show how proteins called “chaperones” are vital in ensuring that neurons can transmit signals to one another. When this neurotransmission breaks down, devastating diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s along with many others, can occur. The team’s research provides new understanding of how the most crucial part of the process works and is a stepping stone toward understanding the underlying mechanics of neurodegenerative diseases.

Fossilized skeletons and shells clearly show how evolution and extinction unfolded over the past half a billion years, but a new Virginia Tech analysis extends the chart of life to nearly 2 billion years ago. The chart shows the relative ups and downs in species counts, telling scientists about the origin, diversification, and extinction of ancient life. With this new study, the chart of life now includes life forms from the Proterozoic Eon, 2,500 million to 539 million years ago. Proterozoic life was generally smaller and squishier — like sea sponges that didn’t develop mineral skeletons — and left fewer traces to fossilize in the first place.