Life depends on genes being switched on and off at exactly the right time. Even the simplest living organisms do this, but usually over short distances across the DNA sequence, with the on/off switch typically right next to a gene. This basic form of genomic regulation is probably as old as life on Earth. A new study published in Nature by researchers at the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) and the Centre Nacional d’Anàlisi Genòmica (CNAG) finds that the ability to control genes from far away, over many tens of thousands of DNA letters, evolved between 650 and 700 million years ago. It probably appeared at the very dawn of animal evolution, around 150 million years earlier than previously thought. The critical innovation likely originated in a sea creature, the common ancestor or all extant animals. The ancient animal evolved the ability to fold DNA in a controlled manner, creating loops in three-dimensional space that brought far-flung bits of DNA in direct contact with each other. The discovery was made by exploring the genomes of many of the oldest branches on the animal family tree, including comb jellies like the ‘sea walnut’ (Mnemiopsis leidyi), placozoans, cnidarians, and sponges and single-celled relatives of animals.

MIT physicists captured the first images of individual atoms freely interacting in space. The pictures reveal correlations among the “free-range” particles that until now were predicted but never directly observed.

Satellite constellation has been applied in communication, reconnaissance, navigation, and other space missions, such as GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Starlink, etc. With the rapid development of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations, mega constellation will inevitably become an important means of Earth observation and a key point in the development of future satellite technology. The configuration optimization design of LEO observation mega constellation in complex space environment is a nonlinear problem that is difficult to solve analytically. During the development, constellation design principles have shifted from the uniform coverage requirement to application requirements. However, previous method cannot provide solutions to constellation configuration optimal design based on high-precision orbital propagation.

A research paper by scientists at Peking University Third Hospital presented a study on the regulatory mechanisms of the ECS in the substantia nigra (SN) of PD rats following STN-DBS.A research paper by scientists at Peking University Third Hospital presented a study on the regulatory mechanisms of the ECS in the substantia nigra (SN) of PD rats following STN-DBS.

A new £5 million, five-year project will tackle fundamental questions in solar physics.