EurekAlert! Chinese Academy of Sciences - News Releases from CAS Headquarters

News from CAS Headquarters

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 8-Nov-2025 16:11 ET (8-Nov-2025 21:11 GMT/UTC)

Scientists reveal how human retrotransposon enzyme targets structured DNA to reshape genome

Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers from the Institute of Biophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have now unveiled the molecular mechanisms that underlie L1's retrotransposition and integration into genomic DNA.

Journal: Science

Researchers reveal pit-shaping module sustaining xylem hydraulics and rice grain yield

Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology (IGDB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have now revealed the complete three-dimensional (3D) ultrastructure of xylem vessel pits in rice and identified a critical regulatory module, MYB61-PS1, that shapes the 3D structure of pits in rice.

Journal: Cell

Researchers discover how forest biodiversity increases productivity via complementary use of canopy space by tree species

Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new study shows that tree diversity consistently promotes productivity through fostering greater canopy structural complexity (CSC). Species complementarity is the main driver, with its positive effects strengthening over time.

Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Researchers develop new method for generating natural killer cells to fight cancer

Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Chinese researchers have developed a novel method to efficiently engineer natural killer (NK) cells for cancer immunotherapy.

Journal: Nature Biomedical Engineering

Scientists develop rapid and scalable platform for in planta directed evolution

Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers led by Prof. GAO Caixia from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology (IGDB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Prof. QIU Jinlong from the Institute of Microbiology of CAS have developed a new system that enables rapid and scalable directed evolution of diverse genes directly in plant cells.

Journal: Science

Scientists reveal functional RNA splitting mechanism behind origin of Type V CRISPR systems

Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers led by Prof. GAO Caixia from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, together with their collaborators, uncovered the molecular innovation that led to the origin of Type V CRISPR-Cas immune systems.

Journal: Cell

Million-year-old skull Yunxian 2 from China rewrites human evolution timeline

Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A reanalysis of a one-million-year-old human skull found in China is challenging the established timeline of human evolution, and suggests a new branch of the human family tree, as well as a possible link to the mysterious Denisovans.

Journal: Science

Researchers identify four-step process of mammalian jaw joint evolution

Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters
Peer-Reviewed Publication

During the course of evolution, the mammalian cranio-mandibular secondary joint—formed by the dentary condyle and the squamosal glenoid fossa, which replaced the reptilian articular–quadrate joint—represents an innovative structure in vertebrate evolution. By CT-scanning two classic fossils, Chinese researchers found previously unknown jaw joints and proposed a clear, four-step sequence showing how chewing and hearing functions were gradually split between jaw and ear.

Journal: Nature

Chinese scientists identify neural basis for energy expenditure in arcuate hypothalamus

Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have identified a previously underexplored population of hypothalamic neurons that plays a pivotal role in regulating energy expenditure.

Journal: Neuron

Scientists reveal process of gas accretion in massive star formation

Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers from the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory (SHAO) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have revealed for the first time how gas flows from vast distances toward the disk surrounding a nascent massive star in the process of star formation.

Journal: Science Advances

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