With increasing demand for cell and gene therapies, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have gained attention for their versatility and potential.

A bottom-up approach hints string scattering could be a real thing. Maybe it is time we look beyond electrons and quarks.

For decades, scientists have been looking for evidence of strings that connect everything in the universe. A new model offers a promising hint.

Two new papers document progress in neuroprosthetic technology that lets people feel the shape and movement of objects moving over the “skin” of a bionic hand.

Sustainable alternatives to rare metals are needed as the demand for batteries increases.

Mechanisms underlying gut microbiota’s role in obesity

Energy absorption and short-chain fatty acids

Gut microbiota regulate energy metabolism through short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like acetate, butyrate, and propionate, which are products of fiber fermentation. While butyrate promotes insulin sensitivity and reduces inflammation, propionate may trigger overeating. Dysregulated SCFA production can contribute to obesity by enhancing energy absorption, disrupting appetite regulation, and promoting fat accumulation. Recent findings suggest that modulating SCFA production through dietary interventions can help regulate energy balance and improve metabolic health. Maintaining SCFA balance through diet or microbial modulation holds promise for obesity management.

Auxin controls starch storage in seeds by boosting gene activity, energy, and sugar flow, playing a crucial role in food security.

High-Speed Cosmic Kick: A New Black Hole Discovery

A newly formed black hole recently received a high-speed “kick,” thanks to gravitational waves, which propelled it at about 5 million kilometers per hour—roughly 200 times the speed of light. This surprising discovery was made through data collected by gravitational wave observatories LIGO and Virgo. These observatories detected spacetime ripples produced by the coalescence of two black holes on January 29, 2020, revealing the large recoil effect.

For the first time, scientists have measured the early universe running in extreme slow motion, showing that time was five times slower just a billion years after the Big Bang. By studying nearly 200 quasars – hyperactive supermassive black holes at the centers of ancient galaxies – researchers have provided new evidence for Einstein’s theory of general relativity regarding an expanding universe.

The Mystery of Early Universe Time Dilation

Cool biophysical modeling of the endoplasmic reticulum!

Active liquid network [ https://www.czbiohub.org/life-science/a-simple-model-for-an-intricate-ever-evolving-structure/](https://www.czbiohub.org/life-science/a-simple-model-for-an-intricate-ever-evolving-structure/)

Scientists use math and physics to address the mystery of just how the endoplasmic reticulum, an organelle essential to life at the cellular level, continually re-arranges itself.

Join the discussion on this paper page.