USTC scientists uncover mystery of neurotransmission with time-resolved cryo-ET
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 2-Apr-2026 05:16 ET (2-Apr-2026 09:16 GMT/UTC)
A research team led by Prof. BI Guo-Qiang from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), in collaboration with several domestic and international institutions, has resolved a 50-year-old controversy in neuroscience. By employing a self-developed, time-resolved cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) technique, the team has delineated the intricate choreography of synaptic vesicle (SV) release and rapid recycling, the cornerstone of neural communication. Their findings, which introduce a new biophysical mechanism termed the “Kiss-Shrink-Run”, were published in Science on October 17 (Beijing time).
Researchers at Rice University, UTHealth School of Dentistry, and The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a smartphone-based imaging system, mDOC, to help dental professionals identify patients who may need referral for oral cancer evaluation. The device captures white light and autofluorescence images of the mouth and uses a machine learning algorithm to assess risk. In a study of 50 patients at community dental clinics, the system demonstrated 60 percent sensitivity and 88 percent specificity in identifying lesions requiring expert review—outperforming standard clinical exams. The technology offers a fast, low-cost tool to support early detection and timely referral in routine dental care settings.
A study of patient portal pages on hospital websites shows a lack of translation into languages beyond English and Spanish, which could create barriers to telehealth and other aspects of care.