Researchers from Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and their collaborators have proved the widespread mineralization of amber insects in Kachin amber and further reconstructed the taphonomic pathways of mineralized inclusions in amber.

Geologists have discovered a link between recent ice mass loss, rapid rock uplift and a gap between tectonic plates that underlie Patagonia.

For #RareDiseaseDay 2022, SynGAP Research Fund (SRF) announces a partnership with Probably Genetic to find more patients -- the campaign is called #CouldItBeSYNGAP1.  The partners have developed a pre-screening tool to provide undiagnosed patients and families a pathway towards a potential SYNGAP1 diagnosis. Through this survey, caregivers can more effectively determine whether genetic testing is an appropriate next step. Access it at syngap.fund/maybe

Osaka University researchers synthesized a platinum-molybdenum catalyst supported on zirconium oxide that promotes the selective hydrodeoxygenation of esters to unsymmetrical ethers using molecular hydrogen. The catalyst gave high yields under mild conditions and even showed successful conversion using hydrogen at atmospheric pressure. The clean and efficient conversion achieved is expected to contribute to the sustainable and environmentally friendly production of ethers for use in high-value products such as fragrances and pharmaceuticals.

Researchers from the University of Tsukuba discovered that a brief 15-minute walk in a hot outdoor environment impairs cognitive function. Moreover, this effect was most pronounced in sleep-deprived men and could negatively impact the productivity and learning of workers and students in urban cities in the summer months.

The ability of rice plants to modify their root systems to adapt to the surrounding soil water conditions is a great example of a phenomenon called phenotype plasticity. However, the exact mechanism behind this remained unknown. Now, an international collaborative team of Japanese, Australian, and Filipino researchers determined the role of two WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) genes in controlling the root primordium size in lateral roots.