Researchers at the National Institute for Basic Biology (NIBB) have developed an alternative approach for preparing pseudopregnant recipient mice by utilizing female mice showing nonestrous signs. By combining the Lee-Boot and Whitten effects, this method achieves stable copulation and pregnancy rates. The approach offers a practical solution for research facilities to significantly reduce the number of stock animals maintained for embryo transfers, directly aligning with the "Reduction" principle of laboratory animal welfare (the 3Rs).

A new study published in Nature suggests that the types of fat we eat may influence how well our immune cells survive and function.

The study focuses on T cells, a key group of immune cells that help fight infections, support antibody responses, attack tumours, and power CAR-T cell therapy. For T cells to work well, they need to stay alive and remain functionally fit.

A new study published in the Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts presents an environmentally friendly strategy for producing high-quality dissolving pulp from sugarcane bagasse. By integrating carbonate-based oxygen-alkali pulping with an enzymatic totally chlorine-free bleaching sequence, the researchers achieved selective lignin removal while preserving cellulose, significantly reducing chemical consumption and bleaching demand. The work also clarifies the underlying reaction mechanisms governing active oxygen species and enzyme-assisted bleaching, providing a promising route for converting agricultural residues into high-value cellulose products with improved environmental performance.

Scientists have grown wheat containing super-sized starch granules — a leap forward in biological engineering with potential benefits for our daily diets and a raft of industrial applications

Chinese researchers led by Prof. Shen Liu from the Department of Orthopedics of the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine have discovered that certain supporting cells expressing a protein marker called p16^INK4a, once associated with aging or stressed cells, were found to be key drivers of tendon healing. JMJD3, a molecular "switch," helped them turn on the repair genes. This pathway can be targeted to develop new treatment strategies for tendon injuries.