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Scientific research cooperation: Why collaborate in science? Benefits and examples

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The need for a stronger scientific collaboration It was one of the longest-standing enigmas in art history. For centuries, no one had been able to say for sure that a Madonna and Child painting, often attributed to Raphael , had been directly created by the great Renaissance master himself. During that time, the painting had changed hands many times. It became the property of popes, was looted by Napoleon during the Italian campaign and in the 1930s ended up in a private collection in Prague, disappearing from public view. The painting lay almost forgotten until 2020, when a robotic scanner using a particle detector developed at CERN , the European Organization for Nuclear Research, confirmed the brushstrokes on the canvas were indeed Raphael’s. The authentication of Raphael’s painting through particle detection is just one of the many scientific discoveries that have moved from CERN’s laboratories in Switzerland to daily life, along with the World Wide Web and medical scanners. Sinc
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Scientist links human consciousness to a higher dimension beyond our perception

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A new theory by Michael Pravica , a professor of physics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, suggests that human consciousness might originate from hidden dimensions of the universe rather than solely from brain activity. Pravica claims that during moments of heightened awareness—like making art, practicing science, or even dreaming—our consciousness could transcend the limitations of our physical dimension and tap into these invisible realms. A new theory by Michael Pravica, a professor of physics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, suggests that human consciousness might originate from hidden dimensions of the universe rather than solely from brain activity. Pravica claims that during moments of heightened awareness—like making art, practicing science, or even dreaming—our consciousness could transcend the limitations of our physical dimension and tap into these invisible realms. A new theory by Michael Pravica, a professor of physics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas,
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Over 5,300 Indian scientists in world's top 2% rankings by Stanford

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Stanford University has recognised a record-breaking 5,352 Indian scientists among the top 2% of researchers worldwide in its 2024 list. This reflects a significant rise from 4,635 in 2023, denoting India’s ever-growing influence in global research and innovation. The 2024 rankings, released in collaboration with Elsevier, evaluate researchers based on standardised citation metrics, highlighting the most impactful contributors across diverse scientific fields. Several distinguished names stand out in this year's rankings:Sundeep Salvi ( KEM Hospital, Pune) - Renowned for his work in respiratory science, he ranks as the top respiratory scientist in India. Chittaranjan Yajnik (KEM Hospital, Pune) - A leading diabetologist known for his pioneering studies on diabetes. Prodeep Phukan (Gauhati University) - Recognised for his contributions to chemistry. Bipan Hazarika (Gauhati University) - Noted for his work in mathematics. Ranjit Thakuria (Gauhati University) - An associate profes
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How transcription factor dynamics control immune responses

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T regulatory cells (Tregs) are the peacekeepers of the immune system. They keep the other immune cells in line by preventing them from overreacting to potential threats and responding when appropriate. However, research is still lacking on how these cells themselves are regulated. But now, researchers at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, led by immunologist Yongqiang Feng , discovered that the transcription factor forkhead box P3 ( Foxp3 ) attaches to different areas of the genome and binds to different partners depending on the cell’s inflammatory status (1). Understanding how the body regulates Tregs in different immunological contexts could provide new insights into treatment options for conditions ranging from autoimmune diseases to cancers. “This population of Treg cells is really essential to keep us healthy, keep us from being mystically attacked about our T cells, [which] we call the killer cells,” said Feng. “We are living together with the killers in our bodies, … so t
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Hidden Messages in DNA Could Reduce Biosecurity Risks

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Synthetic nucleic acid sequences are a staple in modern biology these days. Whether it is cell and gene therapies, biofuels, or foods like the Impossible Burger, products using synthetic DNA are everywhere. Over the last two decades, synthesizing DNA has become faster and easier, but researchers worry that this will make it easier for people to access potentially dangerous products. While many experts call for more federal guidance and regulation over the production of synthetic nucleic acid sequences, others have drawn focus to biosecurity concerns that are a little closer to home: in research labs. Jean Peccoud , a synthetic biologist at Colorado State University, and Casey-Tyler Berezin , a molecular biologist on Peccoud’s team, discussed the biggest biosecurity issue facing research, approaches for encrypting messages into DNA sequences, and the importance of sequencing technologies for mitigating biosecurity risks. How do you define biosecurity in the context of DNA? Peccoud: An
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Insights Into Protein Engineering: Methods and Applications

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What Is Protein Engineering? Protein engineering is a powerful biotechnological process that focuses on creating new enzymes or proteins and improving the functions of existing ones by manipulating their natural macromolecular architecture. Each protein contains a unique genetically encoded sequence of amino acids. Protein synthesis occurs through translation and is based on mRNA codons. Scientists use recombinant DNA technology to modify codons and develop diverse proteins with potentially enriched activities. Genetic engineering technologies that enable cloning of any gene found in nature and DNA chemical synthesis have immensely contributed to the protein engineering field. In addition, technological advancements such as x-ray crystallography and computer modeling help researchers design amino acid sequences that fold into precise 3D structures, synthesizing proteins with specific properties. Protein Engineering Methods Protein engineering encompasses multiple strategies includi
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Meet Cyclone: A Monitoring Tool That Watches for Waves of Immune Response

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When a patient persistently battles an aggressive cancer, T cells gradually lose their ability to kill. Identifying when T cells exhaust and when to employ additional treatments remains a significant challenge for clinicians. But as patients undergoing long-term treatments or those with advanced cancer often suffer from weakness, it becomes increasingly difficult to obtain samples. So researchers lack longitudinal data on T cell dynamics after administering immunotherapies. Recently, a team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine (Penn Medicine) reported a solution in the form of a novel immunotherapy monitoring tool called Cyclone . Upon testing this tool on immune checkpoint therapeutic regimens, the team discovered that a combination of checkpoint inhibitors triggers large waves of immune response in stage IV melanoma patients. These findings, published in Cancer Cell , provide new insights into drug efficacy and may lead to better treatment mon
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