Transforming Mars into a more Earth-like world could irreversibly destroy scientific evidence about the planet’s history and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. In an opinion article published in Eos, the science news magazine of the American Geophysical Union (AGU), a team of Dutch, French and U.S. planetary scientists and ethicists warns that humanity risks destroying Mars’ scientific record before it has been fully explored. The authors urge the international scientific community to strengthen planetary protection policies and prioritize research before large-scale environmental modification becomes technically feasible. “Humanity should not decide Mars’ future without first understanding its past.”

Chinese households spent an average of RMB 8,139 per child on regular full-time education, according to a nationwide study based on 2019 survey data. The findings reveal substantial differences in education spending between rural and urban families and across income groups, particularly when it comes to tutoring and other out-of-school learning. Public investment, meanwhile, has helped narrow funding gaps in compulsory education.

Do high-achieving students focus so much on academic success that they become less concerned about others and society? A study of 2,633 junior high school students in Shanghai challenges this assumption. The findings show that top-performing students scored significantly higher than their peers across all seven dimensions of moral responsibility, with particularly strong differences in responsibility for the future, collective responsibility, and social responsibility.

Streptococcus suis is a significant zoonotic agent affecting both human and pig health and poses a substantial public health concern. The pathogenicity of S. suis is intricately linked to its ability to form biofilms and express virulence factors, which are regulated by the LuxS/AI-2 quorum sensing (QS) system. Herein, we uncover a novel therapeutic avenue by demonstrating that 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), an FDA-approved anti-cancer agent, effectively mitigates biofilm formation and attenuates the virulence of S. suis. Mechanistically, we observe a significant reduction in capsular polysaccharide and extracellular polysaccharide production upon 5-FU treatment, elucidating a potential mechanism for biofilm weakening. Additionally, 5-FU down-regulates virulence traits, diminishing S. suis's ability to adhere to host cells and evade phagocytosis. Crucially, our study identifies the thymidylate synthase regulatory gene thyA as a key mediator of 5-FU's effects on the LuxS/AI-2 QS system. Virtual molecular docking and gene knockout experiments provide compelling evidence that 5-FU modulates the LuxS/AI-2 QS system by targeting thyA. In vivo experiments further validate the therapeutic potential of 5-FU, showcasing a significant reduction in bacterial load and mitigation of tissue damage in a mouse model. In conclusion, our investigation unveils 5-FU as a potent disruptor of S. suis's biofilm formation and virulence, offering a promising avenue for the control of this devastating pathogen.

An estimated 2.3 million older Australians are being dispensed multiple medicines associated with falls and fractures, while more than 1.2 million are receiving combinations linked to kidney-related side effects, according to new research from Adelaide University.

Brownies and ice cream aren’t usually associated with healthy eating, but researchers at Edith Cowan University have found a way to turn them into nutrient-packed powerhouses.