Potato tuber dormancy and sprouting are pivotal to crop yield, storage, and market value. 

Research conducted at West Virginia University suggests consuming alcohol with fentanyl and other drugs may explain, in part, why more men than women die from unintentional overdoses.

Two distinct stem cell lineages that drive tooth root and alveolar bone formation have been identified by researchers from Science Tokyo. Using genetically modified mice and lineage-tracing techniques, the team shed light on the cell signaling mechanisms guiding differentiation in stem cells in the developing teeth, offering key insights for future regenerative dental therapies.

The results offer an important wake-up call for people who want to keep their brain sharp as they age.

Early-stage disease diagnosis relies on the highly sensitive detection of biomarkers. Optical whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) microcavity sensors have emerged as a highly promising technology for precise, label-free biosensing. However, major challenges remain in the rapid fabrication of large-scale arrayed WGM microcavity sensors and their integration into lab-on-a-chip devices for biomedical applications. In a noteworthy advance, researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have developed a novel 3D micro-printed WGM microlaser sensor for highly sensitive on-chip biosensing. This innovation drives the development of next-generation biosensing tools, enabling direct, ultrasensitive and quantitative measurement of biomarkers for early disease detection.

Black wolfberry (Lycium ruthenicum), a plant prized for its resilience and high anthocyanin content, has long intrigued scientists seeking to understand its health benefits and adaptive strength. 

A pioneering new test that can recover fingerprints from ammunition casing, once thought nearly impossible, has been developed by scientists at Ireland's Maynooth University. They have developed a unique electrochemical method which can visualise fingerprints on brass casings, even after they have been exposed to the high temperature conditions experienced during gunfire.