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A Paradigm Shift in Evolutionary Biology: The Extended Evolutionary Synthesis and the Role of Epigenetics

The field of evolutionary biology has a rich and complex history, marked by periods of consensus and significant theoretical shifts. The cornerstone of modern evolutionary thought for much of the 20th century was the Modern Synthesis (MS), a theoretical framework that integrated Darwin’s theory of natural selection with Mendelian genetics.

It provided a powerful and elegant explanation for how evolution occurs, emphasizing the gradual accumulation of genetic mutations and their differential survival in a population. However, in recent decades, a growing body of evidence has begun to challenge the sufficiency of the MS, leading to the development of a new, more comprehensive framework: the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis (EES).

A Review of the Current State of Magnetic Force Microscopy to Unravel the Magnetic Properties of Nanomaterials Applied in Biological Systems and Future Directions for Quantum Technologies

Magnetism plays a pivotal role in many biological systems. However, the intensity of the magnetic forces exerted between magnetic bodies is usually low, which demands the development of ultra-sensitivity tools for proper sensing. In this framework, magnetic force microscopy (MFM) offers excellent lateral resolution and the possibility of conducting single-molecule studies like other single-probe microscopy (SPM) techniques. This comprehensive review attempts to describe the paramount importance of magnetic forces for biological applications by highlighting MFM’s main advantages but also intrinsic limitations. While the working principles are described in depth, the article also focuses on novel micro- and nanofabrication procedures for MFM tips, which enhance the magnetic response signal of tested biomaterials compared to commercial nanoprobes. This work also depicts some relevant examples where MFM can quantitatively assess the magnetic performance of nanomaterials involved in biological systems, including magnetotactic bacteria, cryptochrome flavoproteins, and magnetic nanoparticles that can interact with animal tissues. Additionally, the most promising perspectives in this field are highlighted to make the reader aware of upcoming challenges when aiming toward quantum technologies.

Accelerating anti-aging cyclic peptide discovery through computational design and automated synthesis

Cyclic peptides, with their unique structures and versatile biological activities, hold great potential for combating skin aging issues such as wrinkles, laxity, and pigmentation. However, traditional discovery methods relying on iterative synthesis and screening are labor-intensive and resource-intensive. Here, we present an integrated platform combining automated rapid cyclopeptide synthesis, virtual screening, and biological activity assessment, enabling the transformation of designed cyclic peptide sequences into chemical entities within minutes with high crude purity. Using ADCP docking with the ADFR suite, we identified a series of novel cyclic peptides targeting JAK1, Keap1, and TGF-β proteins.

Chinese researchers unveil world’s largest-scale brain-like computer Darwin Monkey

Chinese researchers unveiled on Saturday a new generation of super large-scale brain-like computer, Darwin Monkey, the world’s first neuromorphic brain-like computer based on dedicated neuromorphic chips with over 2 billion neurons, which can mimic the workings of a macaque monkey’s brain.

Developed by the State Key Laboratory of Brain-Machine Intelligence at Zhejiang University in East China’s Zhejiang Province, Darwin Monkey, also known as Wukong supports over 2 billion spiking neurons and more than 100 billion synapses, with a neuron count approaching that of a macaque brain. It consumes approximately 2,000 watts of power under typical operating conditions, the Science and Technology Daily reported.

The human brain is like an extremely efficient “computer.” Brain-inspired computing applies the working principles of biological neural networks to computer system design, aiming to build computing systems that, like the brain, feature low power consumption, high parallelism, high efficiency, and intelligence.

Protein condensate sequesters synaptic vesicles at the release site

Message transfer from brain cell to brain cell is key to information processing, learning and forming memories. The bubbles, synaptic vesicles, are housed within the synapse — the connection point where brain cells communicate. In typical synapses within the brains of mammals, 300 synaptic vesicles are clustered together in the intersection between any two brain cells, but only a few of these vesicles are used for such message transfer, researchers say. Pinpointing how a synapse knows which vesicles to use has long been a target of research by those who study the biology and chemistry of thought.

In an effort to better understand the operation of these synaptic vesicles, the team designed a study that first focused on endocytosis, a process in which brain cells recycle synaptic vesicles after they are used for neuronal communication.

Already aware of intersectin’s general role in endocytosis and neuronal communication, the scientists genetically engineered mice to lack the gene that codes for intersectin. However, and somewhat to their surprise, the lead says removing the protein did not appear to halt endocytosis in brain cells.

The research team refocused their experiments, taking a closer look at the synaptic vesicles themselves.

Using a high-resolution fluorescence microscope to observe where intersectin is in a synapse, the researchers found it in between vesicles that are used for neuronal communication and those that are not, as if they are physically separating the two.

To further understand the role of intersectin at this location, they used an electron microscope to visualize synaptic vesicles in action across one billionth of a meter. In all the nerve cells from mice lacking this protein, the scientists say synaptic vesicles close to the membrane were absent from the release zone of the synapse, the place where the bubbles would discharge to nearby neurons.

“This suggested that intersectin regulates release, rather than recycling, of these vesicles at this location of the synapse,” says the author.

Galaxy Scale Megastructures & Kardashev 3 Civilizations

Imagine engineering projects so vast they mold galaxies into new shapes. We’ll explore the staggering feats of Kardashev-3 and beyond civilizations, crafting CARD galaxies, Birch Planets, and even rearranging superclusters.

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Credits:
Spaceport Innovations — Designing the Next Generation of Launch Sites.
August 3, 2025; Episode 746
Written, Produced & Narrated by: Isaac Arthur.
Galaxy-Scale Megastructures & Kardashev-3 Civilizations.
Written by: Isaac Arthur.
Editor: Darius Said.
Graphics: Jeremy Jozwik, Ken York, Sergio Botero, Steve Bowers.
Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images.
Music Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creator.
Stellardrone, \

Transportation @ PNNL: Eliminating Critical Materials in Batteries

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory draws on its distinguishing strengths in chemistry, Earth sciences, biology and data science to advance scientific knowledge and address challenges in energy resiliency and national security. Founded in 1965, PNNL is operated by Battelle and supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit the DOE Office of Science website. For more information about PNNL, visit PNNL’s News Center. Follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Scientists Build Synthetic Cells That Tell Time

Scientists engineered synthetic cells that accurately keep time using biological clock proteins, offering new insights into how circadian rhythms resist molecular noise.

Researchers at UC Merced have successfully created tiny artificial cells capable of keeping time with remarkable precision, closely resembling the natural daily cycles observed in living organisms. This discovery offers new insight into how biological clocks maintain accurate timing, even amid the random molecular fluctuations that occur within cells.

Published in Nature Communications.

Anticipation of a virtual infectious pathogen is enough to prompt real biological defenses

Researchers led by the University of Geneva and École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne report that neural anticipation of virtual infection triggers an immune response through activation of innate lymphoid cells.

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are a type of immune cell crucial for early immune responses. They do not rely on antigen recognition like adaptive immune cells but respond quickly and effectively to various inflammatory signals and pathogen-associated cues, playing an essential role in early defense.

Protecting the body from pathogens typically involves a multitude of responses after actual contact. An anticipatory biological immune reaction to an infection had not been previously demonstrated.

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