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The researchers found that a genetically defined cascade—OsTIR1–OsIAA10–OsARF4—plays an important role in controlling rice grain size, and Thousand-grain weight on chromosome 3 phosphorylation of OsIAA10 regulates the trait by altering the corresponding auxin signaling. In rice, grain size is an important agronomic trait that significantly affects grain yield and quality. Overall, these findings uncover a phosphorylation-driven auxin signaling pathway for seed size regulation in rice, providing useful information for the improvement of the agronomic trait in crops.

A quasar is a phenomenon that occurs when gas falls into a supermassive black hole at the centre of a galaxy and starts to shine brightly. This is really exciting on the one hand, because the origin of supermassive black holes in galaxies is not understood either, and finding baby quasars might just hold the key. On the other hand, quasars can outshine their entire host galaxy, so it is impossible to tell how many stars are there and whether the galaxy is really that massive. Remarkably, the most common genetic mutation in FTD – in a gene called C9orf72 – also causes ALS.

We have previously shown evidence for the therapeutic potential of Angiotensin- ) in reversing vasoreparative dysfunction in aging. This study tested the hypothesis that ischemic vascular repair in aging by Ang- involves attenuation of myelopoietic potential in the bone marrow and decreased mobilization of inflammatory cells. BM cells from Old mice generated a higher number of monocytes and M1 macrophages compared to that of Young, which was reversed by Ang-. Increased expressions of these factors were decreased by Ang-.

Since researchers identified the first genetic mutations that cause FTD in 1998, more than a dozen genes have been linked to the disease. Remarkably, the most common genetic mutation in FTD – in a gene called C9orf72 – also causes ALS. In fact, apart from the mutations in genes that encode for tau and progranulin, most genetic mutations that cause FTD also cause ALS. The same genetic mutation can cause FTD in one patient, ALS in another or symptoms of both FTD and ALS at the same time.

LMU physician Markus Sperandio has discovered why the immune system of prematurely born babies is not working properly after birth. Important immune cells in prematurely born infants do not work properly after birth Sperandio had already shown in earlier studies that in the fetus and in newborns important cells of the innate immune system – so-called neutrophils –do not work as in adults. “Our experiments have shown that this balance is shifted towards the anti-inflammatory pathway in fetal and neonatal neutrophils,” says Sperandio.

Freiburg researchers demonstrate that the transport of molecules along the cell’s skeleton plays a crucial role in cancer metastasis. Signaling molecules released by the cancer cells drive both processes and thereby increase the malignancy of tumors. A team of researchers led by Professor Robert Grosse and Dr. Carsten Schwan from the University of Freiburg discovered that the release of prometastatic factors, which drive the malignancy of tumors, is influenced by the cells’ skeleton.

For this, they have to break connections with neighboring cells and migrate to other tissues. Both processes are promoted by signalling molecules released by the cancer cells, which thereby increase the malignancy of tumors. The dynamics of the actin-network enable the locomotion of cells, for example during development or wound closure, but also that of spreading cancer cells. The Freiburg researchers now found that the actin-network also enables the release of prometastatic factors.

We previously reported that PKR triggered IL-1β and HMGB1 release to induce PH development, although how endothelial PKR promotes IL-1β and HMGB1 release in vascular aging still need to be further investigated. Despite this, how endothelial PKR-mediated inflammatory factors release induces vascular smooth muscle cells senescence is still unknown.

For this, they have to break connections with neighboring cells and migrate to other tissues. Both processes are promoted by signalling molecules released by the cancer cells, which thereby increase the malignancy of tumors. The dynamics of the actin-network enable the locomotion of cells, for example during development or wound closure, but also that of spreading cancer cells. The Freiburg researchers now found that the actin-network also enables the release of prometastatic factors.