Plants face a tough challenge when it comes to dealing with drought. They need to toughen up to survive dry spells, but this can slow down their growth. Scientists have been curious about how plants manage this balancing act. Recently, researchers dug into the genetic makeup of oats to find some ans
Potatoes rely on sugar transporters (STs) to move sugars around, which is super important for their growth. These STs can move sugars either by just letting them flow or by actively pushing them along. In potatoes, STs are the key players in moving sugars and building up sugar reserves. Sci
Postpartum depression is a real struggle for many new mothers. About one in seven women experience it after giving birth. But what's happening in their brains? A recent study has some answers. Researchers took a close look at the brains of women before and after they had their babies. They found so
Leukemia is a sneaky disease. It creates a tough environment for the immune system to fight back. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is one type that is particularly tricky. It uses different tricks to hide from the immune system's T cells, which are supposed to attack and destroy it. One of these tricks
Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens bones, making them prone to fractures. One common issue is when the spine's vertebrae break, known as osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF). Doctors often use a procedure called percutaneous vertebral augmentation (PVA) to fix these breaks. PVA
Older adults often face depression, but having a strong social network can help. This is not just about having lots of friends or family, but also about how often they are in touch and the quality of those relationships. A recent study looked at how different parts of social networks affect depressi
Lung cancer is a serious and deadly disease. It comes in different types, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) being the most common. This type of cancer is tricky to treat, especially in advanced stages. Scientists are now looking closely at genes involved in metabolism, especially those that co
Glaucoma is a big deal. It is a major cause of blindness around the world. Two big factors that contribute to glaucoma are aging and high pressure inside the eye. This pressure is known as intraocular pressure (IOP). When these factors come into play, they can damage cells in the retina called r
Kidneys are vital organs that filter waste from our blood. When someone receives a new kidney, doctors need to keep a close eye on it to make sure it's working properly. Traditionally, this involves invasive procedures like biopsies. However, scientists are exploring new, less invasive methods to mo
Influenza A virus, or IAV, has a sneaky trick up its sleeve. It's a tiny piece of RNA, called USP30-AS1. This RNA is part of our own genetic material, but the virus hijacks it to help itself multiply. The story begins with a pathway in our cells called JAK-STAT. When IAV invades, this pathway kicks
