Certain glycans—sugar-like compounds with carbohydrate chains—containing galactose, may exhibit potential prebiotic properties that support human health. Identifying enzymes capable of breaking down these glycans is essential for unlocking their full potential. In a new study, researchers discovered a novel enzyme in the human gut that specifically targets a previously unexplored glycan called β-1,2-galactooligosaccharide, known for their prebiotic benefits. This discovery can open new avenues in prebiotic research, potentially enhancing human health.

Researchers at the Mubadala Arabian Center for Climate and Environmental Sciences (Mubadala ACCESS) at NYU Abu Dhabi have found that reef fish from the Arabian Gulf, the world’s hottest sea, exhibit a higher tolerance to temperature fluctuations compared to those from more thermally stable coral reefs. However, the Arabian Gulf hosts fewer fish species overall, indicating that only certain fishes can withstand rising global temperatures.

This study presents an enhanced nuclease prime editor (uPEn) that significantly improves gene knock-in and knockout efficiency in mammalian zygotes. The researchers optimized prime editing by incorporating a ubiquitin variant regulator of double-strand break (DSB) repair, enhancing editing precision while maintaining high efficiency. The study validates the system by editing PPARG, a key regulator of fat metabolism, in Hu sheep and mice. Additionally, a multiplexed approach was applied to simultaneously knock out MSTN and knock in PPARG in sheep embryos, demonstrating uPEn's potential for agricultural and biomedical applications.

The study in Global Change Biology shows caribou herds changed their migratory duration, distance or elevation over 35 years of radio tag tracking