Plants produce special molecules that act like natural pesticides to help defend themselves against pests. Unfortunately, they don’t make enough of these molecules, leaving plants vulnerable to pests such as the Colorado potato beetle, which can result in damaged crops and economic losses for farmers.

Now, researchers at the University of Missouri may have found a solution.

In a recent study, scientists discovered that a scaffold protein — a protein that helps organize and regulate other proteins — acts as the plant’s unsung hero to help facilitate the production of these protective molecules.

The brain extracellular matrix plays a critical role in synaptic plasticity, including experience/adaptive-based changes in brain function. This suggests an inherent malleability in ECM structure, and although changes in certain other ECM molecules contribute to ECM remodeling, the underlying mechanisms that enable ECM plasticity are still unknown. To help uncover some of these mechanisms, the National Institute on Aging recently awarded a two-year R21 grant to Gail Cornwall, Ph.D., from the TTUHSC School of Medicine. 

Medical artificial intelligence (AI) has progressed rapidly over the years, driven by novel foundation and large language models. This is highly promising for transforming medical education and healthcare delivery. Now, a review in the Chinese Medical Journal by researchers from China highlights the prospects and points to challenges related to data collection, analysis, and privacy. It emphasizes the importance of effective collaboration among various stakeholders to ensure a bright future for AI in healthcare.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections can lead to serious complications, particularly in infants and older adults aged 75 years and above. Recent advancements in vaccine trials for older adults and prophylactic treatments for high-risk infants and children highlight the importance of preventing infection. A detailed review by Chinese researchers synthesizes various published studies, providing a comprehensive resource for understanding RSV’s impact and the ongoing efforts to combat it.