Protein translocation across cellular membranes is crucial for moving proteins to specific locations and their extracellular secretion. Recently, researchers from Japan have used high-speed atomic force microscopy to observe SecYEG-SecA complex-mediated bacterial protein translocation in real-time for the very first time. Their study revealed how energy-driven conformational changes in SecA regulate protein movement across the membrane, offering new insights into mechanisms underlying protein transportation and showcasing the potential for several applications in pharmacy and medical science.

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed industries like healthcare, transportation, and manufacturing. However, the traditional von Neumann architecture limits computational speed and energy efficiency due to the separation of computing and storage units, making it less suitable for energy-sensitive applications like edge computing and the Internet of Things (IoT). Brain-inspired computing, modeled on biological neural networks, offers a solution through efficient parallel processing, addressing these limitations.

A rare discovery of a nearly complete skull in the Egyptian desert has led scientists to the “dream” revelation of a new 30-million-year-old species of the ancient apex predatory carnivore, Hyaenodonta.

The clownfish-anemone living arrangement is one of the most widely recognized examples of symbiosis. Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding how anemonefish can live safely among sea anemones without being stung by their venomous tentacles, solving a century-long mystery. Scientists at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) and their international collaborators have discovered that anemonefish have evolved to maintain very low levels of sialic acid in their skin mucus to avoid triggering the release of nematocysts (stinging cells) in their sea anemone hosts. The researchers found that sea anemones also lack these sugar compounds in their own mucus, likely to avoid stinging themselves. Their findings, published in the journal BMC Biology, suggest anemonefish might be using a similar protective strategy to their hosts.