This review innovatively proposes the use of electrospinning to fabricate electroactive fibrous scaffolds, which mimic the structure of the extracellular matrix while providing electrical activity, thereby enabling non-invasive and self-powered tissue repair.

MicroRNAs play a central role in controlling gene expression, yet how cells select the active strand from each microRNA precursor has remained unclear. In this study, ASU researchers demonstrate that strand selection follows conserved structural and sequence-based rules rather than chance. Using a newly developed high-throughput assay and a machine-learning model trained on thousands of experimental measurements, the team shows that these rules apply across tissues, development, and evolution—from nematodes to humans. By establishing the first unified framework for predicting microRNA strand usage, the work reveals an unrecognized layer of gene regulation and underscores the power of artificial intelligence to uncover fundamental biological principles.

A new study finds that most beef cattle in South America experience hundreds to thousands of hours of heat-related discomfort each year, making heat stress one of the region’s most significant animal welfare challenges. By translating climate data into time animals spend in thermal discomfort, the research shows heat stress is a daily reality rather than an occasional risk. The study also finds that providing shade can dramatically reduce severe heat stress while delivering economic returns for producers.