Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center researchers are helping to map the landscape of viruses that infect us all, and to analyze the impact they have on human health and disease.

A West Virginia University legal scholar said biologic drugs like the flu vaccine are afforded a lengthy period of legal protection before copycat versions can be sold. In contrast, small-molecule drugs like antibiotics and steroids get far less time, and that may unfairly benefit biologic manufacturers, according to Sean Tu with the WVU College of Law.

As the electricity consumption of AI is projected to double by 2026, neuromorphic computing emerges as a promising solution. Researchers at The University of Texas at San Antonio are advancing neuromorphic computing, a field that applies principles of neuroscience to computing systems to mimic the brain’s function and structure. Neuromorphic chips have the potential to outpace traditional computers in energy and space efficiency as well as performance, presenting substantial advantages across various domains, including artificial intelligence, health care and robotics. To achieve scale in neuromorphic computing, the team proposes several key features that must be optimized, including sparsity, a feature observed in the biological brains. 

Mitochondria are critical for cellular homeostasis, regulating bioenergetics, redox balance, Ca²⁺ signaling, and cell death. Mitochondrial Ca²⁺ (Ca²⁺_mito) plays a dual role in physiological processes like ATP production and pathophysiological events, including cell death and cancer. The balance of Ca²⁺ uptake and efflux, mediated by mitochondrial transporters and mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum contact sites (MERCS), is essential for maintaining Ca²⁺_mito homeostasis. This review summarizes current insights into mitochondrial Ca²⁺ regulation, its roles in physiology and neurodegenerative diseases, and explores therapeutic strategies targeting Ca²⁺ homeostasis, including innovative drug delivery systems and calcium-modulating agents.

Researchers from Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, reveal how manipulating the microscopic life living on seaweed could revolutionize seaweed farming and boost its potential for fighting climate change. This innovative approach could transform seaweed cultivation from a regional industry into a powerful tool for carbon capture and sustainable resource production.