Article
Biology
Chad M. Eliason, Lauren E. Mellenthin, Taylor Hains, Jenna M. Mccullough, Stacy Pirro, Michael J. Andersen, Shannon J. Hackett
Summary: This study used whole-genome sequencing of 30 diverse kingfisher species to identify genomic signatures associated with their convergent feeding behaviors. The results showed that kingfisher species with smaller ranges (i.e., on islands) have experienced stronger demographic fluctuations, which influenced the dynamics of molecular evolution. Comparative genomic analyses revealed positive selection and genomic convergence in brain and dietary genes of plunge-diving kingfishers.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chao Tong, Leticia Aviles, Linda S. Rayor, Alexander S. Mikheyev, Timothy A. Linksvayer
Summary: This study compares the genomes of 22 spider species and identifies specific genetic changes associated with the evolution of sociality in spiders. The genes involved are associated with key functions such as neurogenesis, behavior, and metabolism. The study also highlights the potential of using ethanol-preserved specimens for comparative genomics and phylotranscriptomics.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lucas R. Moreira, Brian Tilston Smith
Summary: This study investigated the genomics of local adaptation in two nonsister woodpecker species that coexist across a continent and exhibit convergent patterns of geographic variation. The results showed that the genetic mechanisms driving adaptation to similar environmental pressures are similar. The study also found that there are genetic constraints limiting the pathways of adaptation to broad climatic gradients.
Review
Neurosciences
Jiawei Wang, Hongyu Zhao, Matthew J. Girgenti
Summary: Gender plays a significant role in the molecular effects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with women being more susceptible to PTSD and differences in brain structure between males and females with PTSD. Recent research indicates that dysfunction of GABAergic signaling and immune function predominantly influence the sex-specific molecular determinants of PTSD.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wei Wang, Zhuohui Li, Guoxiang Xie, Xinmei Li, Zhipei Wu, Manman Li, Anguo Liu, Yan Xiong, Yu Wang
Summary: This study investigates the convergent evolution of cashmere traits in Tibetan antelope and Siberian ibex, as well as the selected genomic features of cashmere goats. The research finds that although molecular convergent events are rare, genes involved in natural and artificial selection are enriched in similar functional pathways. This provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of cashmere development and fineness.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alexa K. Hoke, Guadalupe Reynoso, Morgan R. Smith, Malia Gardner, Dominique J. Lockwood, Naomi E. Gilbert, Steven W. Wilhelm, Isabella R. Becker, Grant J. Brennan, Katherine E. Crider, Shannon R. Farnan, Victoria Mendoza, Alison C. Poole, Zachary P. Zimmerman, Lucy K. Utz, Louie L. Wurch, Morgan M. Steffen
Summary: This study examined microbial interactions between harmful algal blooms and bacteria in the western basin of Lake Erie in 2017. Through sequencing the genomes of five bacterial isolates, it was found that these bacteria may play important roles in cyanobacteria blooms.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Tianshu Lyu, Shengyang Zhou, Jiaohui Fang, Lidong Wang, Lupeng Shi, Yuehuan Dong, Honghai Zhang
Summary: Using a comparative genomics approach, this study investigates the convergent evolution of high-altitude adaptation mechanisms in six independently evolved mammals belonging to four orders. The results indicate that the convergent evolution of these species mainly occurs at the level of rapidly evolving genes, which are primarily associated with hypoxia response and DNA damage repair. Additionally, the study highlights the greater contraction of gene families in high-altitude species compared to expansion, suggesting a potential pattern in species' adaptation to high-altitude. Furthermore, positive selection is detected in four genes related to hypoxia response and ultraviolet radiation damage in these species.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Agnes Lewden, Charles M. Bishop, Graham N. Askew
Summary: Animal flight consumes metabolic energy at a higher rate and dissipates most of it as heat. During flight, heat is dissipated through forced convection, while during rest, the head and trunk are the main areas involved in heat dissipation. The surface temperature of the legs increases with flight duration. The methodology developed in this study can be used to assess the impact of climate change on bird behavior.
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY INTERFACE
(2023)
Article
Biology
Reyna L. Gordon, Andrea Ravignani, Julia Hyland Bruno, Cristina M. Robinson, Alyssa Scartozzi, Rebecca Embalabala, Maria Niarchou, Nancy J. Cox, Nicole Creanza
Summary: This paper explores evolutionary hypotheses linking vocal learning and beat synchronization through genomic approaches. Analysis shows that the genetic architecture of human beat synchronization is significantly enriched for birdsong genes, suggesting common genomic substrates underlying rhythm-related behaviors in humans and songbirds.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Graham A. McCulloch, Joseph Guhlin, Ludovic Dutoit, Thomas W. R. Harrop, Peter K. Dearden, Jonathan M. Waters
Summary: The study compared genomic data of lowland and alpine stonefly ecotypes from two independent alpine stream populations in New Zealand, revealing repeated alpine adaptations on the genetic level. Candidate genes associated with insect wing development, fecundity, and lifespan were identified as potential contributors to the observed adaptations, indicating a potential role of these genes in repeated alpine evolution.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yuxing Xu, Yunting Lei, Zhongxiang Su, Man Zhao, Jingxiong Zhang, Guojing Shen, Lei Wang, Jing Li, Jinfeng Qi, Jianqiang Wu
Summary: This study conducted comparative genomic analyses on mycoheterotrophic and parasitic plants, revealing a positive correlation between increased heterotrophy and gene loss. Many essential genes for autotrophs were convergently lost in mycoheterotrophic and parasitic plants, highlighting the critical role of gene loss in the evolution of plants with heterotrophic lifestyles.
Article
Microbiology
Neza Cadez, Nicolas Bellora, Ricardo Ulloa, Miha Tome, Hrvoje Petkovic, Marizeth Groenewald, Chris Todd Hittinger, Diego Libkind
Summary: Through genetic analyses of Hanseniaspora and its close relatives, a new species, Hanseniaspora smithiae sp. nov., was identified with distinct genomic differences from its closest relatives, shedding light on the characteristics of this novel species during diversification and providing insights into the mode of speciation in Hanseniaspora.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Aerospace
Mehmet Sarimurat
Summary: In this study, the blowing of compressible flow into the main stream was analyzed using analytical models and CFD. A loss model considering total entropy generation during the blowing process was developed. Theoretical results showed good agreement with CFD for subsonic flows, but only reasonably well for supersonic flows.
AEROSPACE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Xiang-Yang Lyu, Xue-Li Wang, Dan-Qian Geng, Hong Jiang, Zhen Zou
Summary: Hormones are found to be involved in the molecular mechanism linking hormones, energy metabolism, and reproduction in male mosquitoes. The receptor of juvenile hormone, Methoprene-tolerant (Met), plays a crucial role in the reproductive development of male mosquitoes. Met influences the fecundity of male mosquitoes by directly upregulating the expression of the gene encoding accessory gland protein, l-asparaginase (ASNase), and by regulating lipid metabolism and the development of the male accessory gland.
Article
Entomology
Ruijuan Wang, Zhe Lin, Lizhen Zhou, Caihua Chen, Xianhao Yu, Junjie Zhang, Zhen Zou, Zhiqiang Lu
Summary: In this study, a venom protein called MmRho1 was identified in the endoparasitoid wasp Microplitis mediator. It was found that MmRho1 plays dual roles in the development of the wasp and the suppression of the host insect's cellular immune responses. The protein regulates the levels of vitellogenin and juvenile hormone in the host insect, affecting the wasp's egg production and cocoon formation. MmRho1 enters the host insect's hemocytes and suppresses cellular immune responses.
Article
Cell Biology
Xinyu Bao, Xiaogen Ma, Rongfeng Huang, Jianghui Chen, Haoran Xin, Meiyu Zhou, Lihua Li, Shifei Tong, Qian Zhang, Guanghou Shui, Fang Deng, Liqing Yu, Min-Dian Li, Zhihui Zhang
Summary: This study demonstrates that inhibiting Plin3 in hepatocytes is sufficient to alleviate hepatic steatosis and steatohepatitis caused by CGI-58 deficiency.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Jing-gang Xia, Bowen Li, Hao Zhang, Qin-xue Li, Sin Man Lam, Chun-lin Yin, He Tian, Guanghou Shui
Summary: This study used quantitative metabolomics to investigate the metabolic differences in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with and without diabetes. The findings revealed that diabetes-AMI patients had more severe metabolic dysregulation, involving multiple pathways such as carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and amino acid metabolism. The key functional metabolites N-lactoyl-phenylalanine and lysophosphatidylcholines were identified, which were associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, glucose utilization, and inflammation, suggesting their potential as therapeutic targets for diabetes-AMI.
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS THROMBOSIS AND VASCULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lizhen Zhou, Ruijuan Wang, Zhe Lin, Suke Shi, Caihua Chen, Haobo Jiang, Zhen Zou, Zhiqiang Lu
Summary: This study reveals the functions of two serpin proteins (MmvSPN-1 and MmvSPN-2) in the humoral immune responses of the oriental armyworm and the cotton bollworm. It demonstrates that these serpins are able to inhibit host immune responses and protect wasp eggs from attacks by host antimicrobial peptides and melanization.
INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fei Pan, Kun Ni, Tao Xu, Huaican Chen, Yusong Wang, Ke Gong, Cai Liu, Xin Li, Miao-Ling Lin, Shengyuan Li, Xia Wang, Wensheng Yan, Wen Yin, Ping-Heng Tan, Litao Sun, Dapeng Yu, Rodney S. S. Ruoff, Yanwu Zhu
Summary: This study reports the gram-scale preparation of a new type of carbon, long-range ordered porous carbon (LOPC), from C-60 powder catalyzed by alpha-Li3N. LOPC consists of connected broken C-60 cages that maintain long-range periodicity. The preparation of LOPC enables the discovery of other crystalline carbons starting from C-60(s).
Article
Microbiology
Yanhong Wang, Mengmeng Chang, Mao Wang, Yannan Ji, Xiaomei Sun, Alexander S. Raikhel, Zhen Zou
Summary: This study elucidates the mechanism by which Beauveria bassiana, a fungus used for pest control, blocks the antifungal immune response in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The fungus inhibits the immune signaling by enzymatically removing polyubiquitin chains from the mosquito protein TRAF4. This discovery provides insights into the fungal action against innate immunity in mosquitoes.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Shuocheng Zeng, Zhe Lin, Xianhao Yu, Junjie Zhang, Zhen Zou
Summary: The virulence of mycoinsecticides can be enhanced by embedding the venom protein VRF1 from parasitoid wasps into genetically engineered bioinsecticides like Beauveria bassiana. This modified fungus, named BbVRF1, showed greater efficacy against cotton bollworm and fall armyworm, expanding the utilization of parasitoid wasp virulence effectors in entomopathogenic fungi.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Zoology
Chuanfei Yuan, Yajun Lu, Jinqian LI, Chen Chen, Yanhong Wang, Aihua Zheng, Zhen Zou, Qianfeng Xia
INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jinglin Zhu, Wei Meng, Sin Man Lam, Guanghou Shui, Xun Huang
Summary: By regulating lysosomal activity, the protein SPIN-4 ensures the synthesis of B12-associated PC, which is essential for germline development and fertility in Caenorhabditis elegans. Sterility resulting from PC deficiency can be rescued by reducing levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, reactive oxygen species, and redox-active iron, indicating that it is mediated by germline ferroptosis. These findings highlight the critical role of PC homeostasis in ferroptosis susceptibility and provide a new target for pharmacological interventions.
JOURNAL OF GENETICS AND GENOMICS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuqi Sun, Lishuang Ge, Linjie Dai, Changsoon Cho, Jordi Ferrer Orri, Kangyu Ji, Szymon J. Zelewski, Yun Liu, Alessandro J. Mirabelli, Youcheng Zhang, Jun-Yu Huang, Yusong Wang, Ke Gong, May Ching Lai, Lu Zhang, Dan Yang, Jiudong Lin, Elizabeth M. Tennyson, Caterina Ducati, Samuel D. Stranks, Lin-Song Cui, Neil C. Greenham
Summary: Perovskite LEDs with exceptional performance at high brightness have been achieved by introducing a multifunctional molecule that removes non-radiative regions and suppresses luminescence quenching at the interface. These LEDs show a peak EQE of 23.8% at 33 mA cm(-2) and retain EQEs more than 10% at high current densities of up to 1,000 mA cm(-2). An operational half-lifetime of 32 h at high brightness has been achieved, representing the best stability for perovskite LEDs.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Zehua Wang, Mingjun Cao, Sin Man Lam, Guanghou Shui
Summary: Technological innovations have revolutionized the way scientists approach biological and clinical questions, shifting the focus from conventional bulk assays to the measurement of single molecules in individual cells. Single-cell lipidomics has emerged as a promising technique to provide unique insights into the lipid composition of individual cells. This review summarizes the current progress and challenges in single-cell lipidomics, particularly emphasizing the importance of accurate lipid identification and quantification, and discusses its potential applications in biology and clinical medicine.
TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Cen Yan, Xiaojuan Ma, Sin Man Lam, Yuejie Zhang, Yu Cao, Yuan Dong, Li Su, Guanghou Shui, Yingmei Feng
Summary: GLP-1 RAs can control blood sugar and inhibit inflammation and plaque development. The study shows that Ex-4 can inhibit skewed myelopoiesis caused by hypercholesteremia, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Huijuan Qiu, Jingyu Li, Mengjie Wang, Haojie Zhang, Jing Shen, Jianda Xie, Yusong Wang, Weitai Wu
Summary: Researchers have developed an insect-inspired strategy to confer reversible, high responsivity on polymer microgels for dilute-source CO2 detection. By incorporating suitable organic small molecular carbonates in the polymer-solvent system, the microgels exhibit CO2-response through the coordination of different functional moieties in the system. This unique strategy pushes the lower response threshold of CO2 concentration down to approximately 1000 ppm and allows for effective CO2 capture and release.
Article
Virology
Huimin Fu, Yanhong Wang, Chuanfei Yuan, Yuhang Zhang, Aihua Zheng, Zhen Zou, Qianfeng Xia
Summary: A newly discovered tick-borne virus called SFTSV can cause severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome. In this study, RNA-Seq was used to sequence HEK 293 cells infected with SFTSV at different time points, and differentially expressed genes were identified. The results showed that SFTSV infection induced cytokine-related pathways and inhibited platelet activation signaling pathway, providing further understanding of the interaction between SFTSV and the host.