Fungal infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals, are responsible for nearly four million deaths annually—however, current treatments are limited and are frequently ineffective. Now, scientists at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research and the University of Georgia discover how the lethal pathogenic fungus, Cryptococcus neoformans, thrives, allowing them to identify potential novel therapeutic targets for treatment.

A research team led by Prof. LIU Zhiyong at the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has identified two novel genetic mechanisms for disease resistance in wheat, offering promising strategies to enhance resilience against powdery mildew and stripe rust.

A study from ETH Zurich shows that premature aging disrupts bone structure and osteocyte networks in an age- and sex-dependent manner. Using the PolgA mouse model, researchers found significant declines in bone density, osteocyte morphology, and lacuno-canalicular connectivity by 40 weeks of age. Male mice exhibited more severe deterioration. Advanced imaging and computational analysis confirmed the damage. The findings position PolgA mice as a valuable model for studying cellular mechanisms underlying age-related bone loss.

An Osaka Metropolitan University-led research team has discovered that the main component of kencur ginger exhibits anti-cancer effects by suppressing fatty acid synthesis.

The stem cell-based embryo model (SCBEM) takes advantage of the flexibility of pluripotent stem cells (non-reproductive cells that can give rise to many different types of cells) to resemble that of embryos. While this model has helped to advance research in diseases and develop therapies or treatments, it has also sparked international debate on what regulations should be placed on this type of experimentation. Researchers reviewed what countries are doing to regulate SCBEM and proposed what regulation should look like for this field of stem cell research to move forward in a manner that everyone can agree is ethically sound.

A new study from the University of California, Riverside shows that even bumble bee queens, the sole founders of their colonies, take regular breaks from reproduction—likely to avoid burning out before their first workers arrive.