A review led by the School of Biological Sciences at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has revealed that tiny ground-dwelling invertebrates are overlooked but important seed dispersers, challenging the traditional focus on birds and mammals and offering new insights into forest regeneration and biodiversity conservation.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma often progresses through metastasis, yet its cellular basis remains unclear. This study maps the pan-metastatic landscape of HNSCC and identifies a WDR54-driven cell identity reshaping axis. WDR54 epigenetically activates TGF-β-mediated pEMT, enhancing invasion, immune evasion and metastatic potential, offering new insight into prognosis and precision therapy.

Using simple artificial cells, a research group led have uncovered fundamental physical principles that govern how living cells change their shape. By combining experiments with computer simulations and theoretical analysis, the researchers showed how a cell’s actin cytoskeleton—the network of protein fibers that gives it is shape—can generate cell-scale shape changes and front-rear polarity without relying on complex biochemical signaling.

Bull sharks have a slight preference for spending time with their relatives, new research shows.

Fungicides are the most common preventative measure against fungal diseases, but as the diseases’ prevalence increases, the pathogens become increasingly resilient. So in Biointerphases, researchers adopt a biointerfaces approach: Rather than using nontargeted fungicide application, they suggest looking at the leaf surface, where plant-fungi interactions begin. By mimicking leaves’ natural waxy coating, scientists can better understand how it functions and how its recognition signals can be turned off.

An international study led by Flinders University has found a fertile area of inspiration to explain an important step in evolution – and it’s a whole lot of poop.

The new study describes the ‘faecal revolution’ to explain a crucial turning point in animal and environmental evolution on Earth.