Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have demonstrated that directed evolution can dramatically improve the desiccation tolerance of Gram-negative bacteria during industrial spray-drying—without changing a single ingredient in the protective formulation. Published in Systems Microbiology and Biomanufacturing, the study shows that iteratively selecting survivors of the drying process boosted viable cell counts in the final powder by over 1,000-fold, reaching 3.07×10¹⁰ CFU/g.

A temporally biosynchronized and physically transient peripheral nerve interface (NeuroSyn) is designed to continuously monitor nerve regeneration and decode movement intentions during the post-injury repair phase. In a rat model, it achieves excellent motor intention recognition using peripheral nerve signals, outperforming signals recorded from the primary motor cortex (M1), which holds promise for exoskeleton-based rehabilitation training. Once the nerve heals, the device harmlessly degrades, eliminating the need for a second surgery and holding potential for advanced neuroregeneration monitoring and adaptive neurorehabilitation.

An optimized methodological innovative workflow unlocks the potential of stored biobank whole-blood samples for multi-omics research and diagnostic and prognostic biomarker discovery.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) lacks optimal targeted therapies. This study evaluated Quzhou Fructus Aurantii ethyl acetate extract (QFAEE), a natural flavonoid-rich mixture. In both in vivo mouse models and in vitro hepatocytes, QFAEE significantly reduced hepatic lipid accumulation, inflammation, and oxidative stress. RNA sequencing and network pharmacology revealed that QFAEE exerts its anti-MASH effects primarily by activating the PPARα signaling pathway, upregulating CPT1A to promote fatty acid β-oxidation while downregulating lipogenic genes, offering a promising natural therapy for MASH.

This study investigates the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of pinoresinol diglucoside (PDG) from Eucommia ulmoides on diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Using both in vivo db/db mice and in vitro high glucose-induced H9c2 cells, PDG effectively improved cardiac function and suppressed cardiac hypertrophy, inflammation, and apoptosis. The underlying mechanism involves the inhibition of store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) and the downregulation of the STIM1/Orai1/NFAT3 signaling pathway.

While extreme weather and habitat changes can spell doom for many native animals, including insects, a different picture has emerged from a new study led by Flinders University.

Long-running investigations into native bee populations of Fiji bees indicate several species of the lowland ‘sweat bees’ (genus Lasioglossum), have evolved and used their individual traits to resist human-driven environmental changes to survive and thrive.