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Paralyzing effects of CO2 and hypothermia on Madagascar hissing and dubia cockroaches

Gapon et al. | Dec 08, 2024

Paralyzing effects of CO<sub>2</sub> and hypothermia on Madagascar hissing and dubia cockroaches
Image credit: Jesper Aggergaard

Here the authors sought to find a more ethical and efficient way to temporary paralyze a cockroach by comparing the results of two methods. By comparing immobilization through immersion in cold water and exposure to a 100 % CO2 environment, they found that cockroaches could be immobilized and recovered significantly faster when exposed to CO2.

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Genetic Bioaugmentation of Oryza sativa to Facilitate Self-Detoxification of Arsenic In-Situ

Bhat et al. | Dec 03, 2024

Genetic Bioaugmentation of Oryza sativa to Facilitate Self-Detoxification of Arsenic In-Situ

Arsenic contamination in rice, caused by the use of arsenic-laden groundwater for irrigation, is a growing global concern, affecting over 150 million people. To address this, researchers hypothesized that genetically modifying rice plants with arsenic-resistant genes could reduce arsenic uptake and allow the plants to detoxify arsenic, making them safer to consume.

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Mendelian randomization reveals shared genetic landscape in autism spectrum disorder and Alzheimer's disease

Lee et al. | Nov 04, 2024

Mendelian randomization reveals shared genetic landscape in autism spectrum disorder and Alzheimer's disease

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) are distinct conditions, but research suggests a link, as individuals with ASD are 2.5 times more likely to develop AD. A study employing genome-wide association studies and Mendelian randomization revealed shared genetic factors, particularly in synaptic regulation pathways, that may increase the risk of AD in those with ASD. These findings provide insights into the genetic underpinnings connecting the two disorders.

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Evaluating the antimicrobial activity of maitake mushroom extract against Staphylococcus epidermidis

Shamsudeen et al. | Oct 06, 2024

Evaluating the antimicrobial activity of maitake mushroom extract against <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i>
Image credit: Guido Blokker

Here, seeking to explore new antimicrobial therapies, the authors investigated the antimicrobial activity of Maitake mushroom extract against Staphylococcus epidermidis, a common cause of antibiotic resistant hospital-acquired infections. They found that Maitake extract showed potent antimicrobial activity, with higher concentrations showing inhibition comparable to tetracycline.

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