Global warming has severe impacts on plant growth and development, and XBAT31 controls the protein level of the thermosensor ELF3 to promote hypocotyl growth under warm temperature conditions. In the current study, researchers unveil MIEL1 as a stabilizer of XBAT31, suppressing its auto-ubiquitination independent of MIEL1’s canonical RING-domain activity, and act cooperatively to modulate hypocotyl elongation in response to warm temperature. This hierarchical interaction between two E3 ligases expands the paradigm of ubiquitin-mediated signaling in environmental adaptation.

Researchers have created a high-performance infrared detector that operates at room temperature without requiring external power or cooling. By growing high-quality lead sulfide films and using an asymmetric electrode design, the device achieves fast response and clear imaging, paving the way for affordable, compact infrared cameras in smartphones, automobiles, and security systems.

Researchers have explored human preferences for robot motion on a variety of household tasks. The study aimed to investigate whether preferences were similar between tasks, users, and if robots should behave in a human-like manner. The results found that preferences should be highly individualized, presenting a challenging future for integrating robots into everyday lives.