Applied Microbiology International has announced that it is partnering with the Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum (MLSFF) conference, which takes place at the end of March.

Life scientists across the UK are invited to MLSFF, which is the first event of its kind in Europe, and is designed to foster an inclusive and collaborative space for scientists from minoritised and underrepresented backgrounds.

Researchers at University of Tsukuba have discovered a novel mechanism involved in brain development. They found that small fragments called micronuclei produced by neuronal nuclei are released into the extracellular space during the early establishment of the postnatal brain. They also found that microglia, which are resident immune cells in the brain, incorporate these micronuclei, thereby altering gene expression patterns and microglial characteristics.

Researchers have long investigated what type of life exists beyond Earth and how we can find it. A new method focuses on looking for one of the most basic signs of living microbes – movement. Scientists found L-serine, an amino acid, can induce movement in different bacteria and archaea. This method could eventually make life detection cheaper and faster, helping future missions achieve more with fewer resources, they said.

The Fannie and John Hertz Foundation today announced 52 finalists for the 2025 Hertz Fellowships in applied science, mathematics and engineering.