Tech & Engineering
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 3-Apr-2026 00:15 ET (3-Apr-2026 04:15 GMT/UTC)
How a prehistoric genetic split helped plants conquer polluted soils
Nanjing Agricultural University The Academy of ScienceAn ancient genetic event may hold the key to how plants survive in metal-contaminated environments. Scientists have discovered that a duplication of phytochelatin synthase (PCS) genes—crucial enzymes for detoxifying toxic metals—occurred millions of years ago and remains conserved in flowering plants today. These twin gene copies, known as D1 and D2, evolved distinct but complementary functions: while D1 plays a general role in detoxification, D2 exhibits exceptional catalytic activity against cadmium and arsenic. Functional tests in Malus domestica (MdPCS1, MdPCS2) and Medicago truncatula (MtPCS1, MtPCS2) revealed that both copies are indispensable for maintaining metal balance, unveiling a deep evolutionary strategy for resilience.
- Journal
- Horticulture Research
Charting the future of carbon fiber composite recycling
Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University- Journal
- Carbon Research
AI analysis of world’s largest heart attack datasets opens way to new treatment strategies
University of ZurichPeer-Reviewed Publication
A landmark international study led by the University of Zurich has shown that artificial intelligence can assess patient risk for the most common type of heart attack more accurately than existing methods. This could enable doctors to guide more personalized treatment decisions for patients.
- Journal
- The Lancet Digital Health
Overheating bat boxes place bats in mortal danger during heatwaves
The Company of BiologistsPeer-Reviewed Publication
- Journal
- Journal of Experimental Biology
Vanderbilt scientist tackles key roadblock for AI in drug discovery
Vanderbilt UniversityPeer-Reviewed Publication
- Journal
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
A ‘flight simulator’ for the brain reveals how we learn—and why minds sometimes go off course
Tufts UniversityPeer-Reviewed Publication
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Funder
- National Science Foundation, National Science Foundation, National Science Foundation