Researchers have uncovered new insights into the optical properties of human milk that could improve the assessment of milk production in breastfeeding mothers. Low milk supply affects an estimated 10–15 percent of mothers, yet its underlying causes remain poorly understood. By analyzing how human milk scatters light, the researchers identified refractive index values specific to human milk fat particles—significantly different from those in cow’s milk—and demonstrated that both fat concentration and fat‑particle size distribution strongly influence light scattering behavior. Their two studies, published in Biophotonics Discovery, lay the groundwork for compact, noninvasive optical tools capable of monitoring changes in milk composition during breastfeeding. Such technology could enable real‑time evaluation of lactation physiology and support efforts to better understand and address lactation insufficiency.

mLife has published a collaborative study by the teams of Lu Fan (Southern University of Science and Technology) and Linan Huang (Sun Yat-sen University), titled "A hot origin of dissimilatory sulfite reduction catalyzed by DsrAB in the Paleoarchean Era". Using phylogenetic analysis, molecular dating, and ancestral sequence reconstruction, the authors infer that the dissimilatory sulfite reductase DsrAB originated approximately 3.508 billion years ago in a moderate thermal environment of around 73°C, and successfully reconstructed the ancestral form of the sulfite reductase protein complex. This work provides the first bioinformatics-based validation of the oldest known (3.47 Ga) geological record of biological sulfate reduction, offering important evidence for understanding the origins of early metabolism of life on Earth.

In a paper published in Mycology, a team led by Prof. Gang Liu in collaboration with the team led by Prof. Wenying Zhuang at the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, reports the establishment of a CRISPR/Cas9 nickase–mediated cytosine base-editing system in Trichoderma koningiopsis. This system enables simultaneous editing of multiple genes without introducing double-strand breaks (DSBs), substantially reducing the time consumption for targeted genetic modification, and it provides a powerful new platform for the rational engineering of the industrial Trichoderma strains.

A new study using multidecade satellite imagery and face-to-face human interviews tracked the environmental and societal impacts of gravel mining in the Lubha River, Northeast Bangladesh. The researchers found that the river had recovered its natural shape within just four years after gravel mining stopped. However, the local economy did not bounce back nearly as quickly.

Purdue University researchers have developed patent-pending AI tools for editing and sharing profile photos, ID images and personal pictures without exposing users' private identities to external platforms. The system is utilized before and after photos are uploaded to an AI editing platform. The system allows users to mask sensitive regions on their photo, like the face, from an AI editing service. Those regions are masked locally on the user’s device using a detailed outline of the region.

In areas where freshwater is scarce, farmers often turn to treated wastewater to irrigate crops despite concerns from some regulators and consumers about exposing food to compounds routinely found in wastewater, including many psychoactive medications that treat mental disorders. But new research from Johns Hopkins University has found that certain crops—tomatoes, carrots, and lettuce—store those chemicals in their leaves. This may be good news for tomato and carrot lovers who eat the fruit and roots of those vegetables, respectively. 

According to a study by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) involving more than 1600 passengers, autonomous minibuses can improve local public transport in Baden Württemberg and reduce the number of trips by car. The researchers investigated the reliability of autonomous shuttles in everyday service, the public’s reaction to them, and the technical and organizational requirements to be met for their widespread use. In particular, residents of rural areas with limited bus service will benefit. Now KIT researchers have published the study’s final report.