Research Progress

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  Fecal Genomics Reveals the Genetic Basis Underlying the Recovery of the World‘s Rarest Primate

  The Hainan gibbon (Nomascus hainanus), one of the world's rarest primates, saw its population plummet starting in the 1950s, reaching a near-extinction point with only around 13 individuals remaining in the wild by 2003. Since then, the population has steadily recovered to around 42 individuals by 2024. While this rebound is often credited to conservation efforts, the role of genetic factors in the gibbon's recovery remains unknown. A major challenge is the difficulty in obtaining high-quality DNA samples without disturbing these elusive animals. Although fecal samples are one of the few noninvasive options, their use in genomic studies has been limited by concerns over low quantity and degraded host DNA.

  Feb 13, 2026
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  New Study Uncovers How Rice Viruses Manipulate Plant Defenses to Protect Insect Vectors

  Planthoppers and leafhoppers not only feed on rice plants but also act as highly efficient vectors for plant viruses, causing substantial yield losses worldwide. Notably, their persistent ability to evade natural enemies is not merely a matter of chance—it is subtly reinforced by the plant viruses they carry.

  Jan 08, 2026
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  3D Uterine Embryo Implantation Simulating Chip Cracks the Code of Repeated Implantation Failure

  A single chip brings new hope for precise treatment to infertility patients. A research team led by Researcher YU Leqian from the Institute of Zoology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with scientists from worldwide, has successfully developed a 3D uterine embryo implantation simulating chip. For the first time, the entire process of human embryo implantation has been completely replicated in the laboratory. This research breaks through the long-standing ethical and technical bottlenecks in the field, providing a novel research platform for gaining deeper insights into the mechanisms of maternal-fetal crosstalk and elucidating the pathological basis of Repeated Implantation Failure (RIF), thereby offering a dawn of precise treatment for patients. The related research findings were published in the journal Cell.

  Dec 25, 2025
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  Researchers Uncover Key Gene Linking Mosquito Metabolism and Reproduction

  Mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, Zika, and yellow fever continue to pose a significant global health threat, infecting millions of people each year. However, current control efforts are increasingly challenged by the rise in insecticide resistance and the limited availability of effective vaccines. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying mosquito reproduction is therefore essential for developing new and sustainable strategies to control mosquito populations and reduce disease transmission.

  Nov 13, 2025
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  New Study Reveals Hybridization Enhances Montane Birds Adaptation to Climate Change

  Climate change is driving drastic environmental shifts and accelerating global biodiversity loss. Hybrid introgression has recently been recognized as an important mechanism facilitating rapid adaptation to historic climate change. However, empirical evidence remains lacking as to whether introgression can enhance future climate resilience, particularly for narrow-ranged species inhabiting mountainous regions that serve as biodiversity hotspots.

  Nov 12, 2025
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  Scientists Discover the Neural Coding Mechanism Underlying Odor-guided Foraging Decisions in Mice

  In natural environments, animals often rely on odors to evaluate the nutritional value of food. Odor molecules from food sources provide predators with crucial information regarding nutritional quality and palatability.

  Oct 18, 2025
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  Researchers Develop New Method for Generating Natural Killer Cells to Fight Cancer

  Chinese researchers have developed a novel method to efficiently engineer natural killer (NK) cells for cancer immunotherapy.

  Oct 09, 2025
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  Researchers Reveal Complex Sequence Basis for Adaptive Convergent Evolution of Protein Functions by Deep Learning

  Convergent evolution refers to the independent emergence of similar shape and functions in different lineages of species, such as the wings of birds and bats. Recently, a research team led by Dr. ZOU Zhengting from the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences proposed a novel approach based on cutting-edge deep learning methods to investigate the complex molecular basis of such phenomenon. The study was published on Sep 23 in PNAS.

  Sep 26, 2025
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  How Insects Smell: A New Pathway Turns IP3 Into the Key Signal

  Animals rely on smell to find food, recognize mates, and avoid danger. In mammals, olfactory perception typically depends on G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) pathways.

  Sep 11, 2025
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  The Art of Locust Swarming: Balancing Attraction and Repulsion

  In nature, animals need to perceive various signals. Olfactory signals are diverse, and insects recognize and utilize them to locate resources such as mates, food, and oviposition sites.

  Aug 22, 2025