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Figure 1. The reflexivity of AARS genes and the challenges of understanding its origin. The figure illustrates three main challenges. (I) We must construct a bidirectional gene (salmon background) that uses a minimal amino acid alphabet to encode ancestral AARS from Classes I and II on opposite strands. Polypeptide and nucleic acid sequences have directions indicated by (N,C) and (5’,3’). The genes are sequences of codons (colored ellipses) and use only two types of amino acids, A and B. (II) We must show that both coded proteins (I and II) fold into active assignment catalysts that recognize both amino acid and tRNA (colored letters, ellipses in cavities), producing (mostly) aminoacyl-tRNAs with correct amino acids and anticodons. (III) We have to show that the aminoacylated RNAs can assemble onto messenger RNAs (I) and (II), transcribed from the bidirectional gene (reversed dashed arrows).

Structural biology research and the origins of genetic coding

Charles W. Carter, Jr, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, reviews the ways that recent research in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Phylogenetics have opened the origins of genetic coding to experimental study and their important implications.
Image: © CHOUD | AdobeStock

Religion and accountability for restorative offender rehabilitation

Offender rehabilitation has different meanings for different people because we may have varying expectations about what rehabilitation actually looks like. Sung Joon Jang and Byron R. Johnson walk us through the role of religion and accountability in restorative rehabilitation.
flock of migrating canada geese flying at sunset (XXL)

Time to strengthen and enforce the north american migratory bird treaty act

The number of migratory bird populations is declining; Keith Hobson, professor and research scientist at Environment and Climate Change Canada and Western University, outlines the importance of updating conventions to protect these vulnerable species.
A female Caucasian doctor and a young girl of African descent are indoors in a hospital room. The girl has cancer. She is smiling and giving a high-five to her doctor.

Development of novel therapies for pediatric cancer: Successes and challenges

Peter J. Houghton from Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute and Mary-Ann Bjornsti from the University of Alabama discuss some of the key challenges in the development of therapies for pediatric cancer care.
Image: © SolStock| iStock

Tackling physical inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle: Two distinct approaches

Being physically inactive and sedentary are two distinct issues that affect older adults. However, each problem necessitates a unique set of solutions; Professor Isabelle J. Dionne from the Université de Sherbrooke tells us more.
LISM

Astrophysical and planetary sciences: Exploring the local interstellar medium and the next space frontier

Prof Jeffrey L Linsky from the University of Colorado Boulder, sheds light on exploring the next space frontier in this exciting astrophysical and planetary sciences focus.
Image: © Creativeye99 | iStock

Ensuring the best performance of sensor-driven irrigation systems in vineyards

Professor Pete W. Jacoby, from Washington State University, explains how to ensure the best performance of sensor-driven irrigation systems in vineyards.
Image: © EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER | iStock

Policy priorities for gender and entrepreneurship

Read here about policy suggestions from an academic-practitioner collaboration for gender and entrepreneurship.
Sunlit tree canopy in tropical jungle, forest genetic diversity

Protecting genetic diversity to benefit nature and society

There are three ways that governments and other conservation actors at all levels can monitor and protect genetic diversity, supporting the attainment of biodiversity goals and targets. But first, what is genetic diversity, and is there potential to safeguard it better?
Caregiving leads to a selfless, rewarding life

Ageism, gerontological nursing and healthcare contexts

Professors Kathleen Hunter and Sherry Dahlke from the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Nursing explain why gerontological nursing education is key to addressing the unconscious negative stereotypes about ageing and improving care for older adults.
Toilet paper in bathroom - under or over the top

What we need to know about urinary incontinence

Christopher Jayne, MD, FACOG, URPS, MIGS, Director from Greater Houston Urogyn, walks us through what we need to know about urinary incontinence, including comment on bladder injury research.
Abstract Marble Colorful Texture Black Background Ebru Marbled Effect Neon Living Coral Orange Red Purple Navy Blue Holographic Gradient Multi Colored Vibrant Pattern Trendy Colors Trendy Colors Fractal Fine Art

Who will staff the psychedelic resurgence?

Who will staff the psychedelic resurgence? Erika Dyck, Professor and Canada Research Chair in History of Health & Social Justice from the University of Saskatchewan, provides an intriguing answer to this question.
Analyzing samples

Carbon dots in forensics, environmental science, and medicine

Dr. Cecilia E. Van Cauwenberghe, from Frost & Sullivan, explains the revolutionary impact of carbon dots in forensics, environmental science, and medicine to detect, diagnose, and treat.
Close up of unrecognizable athletic woman exercising on treadmill in a health club. Copy space.

Leveraging exercise mimetics as potential therapeutics

Robert Wessells, Associate Professor at Wayne State University, explores whether identifying potential exercise mimetics can deliver the benefits of exercise to patients with reduced mobility.
DNA strands - 3d images of dna molecules on black background, science nanotechnology, medical concept, on dark bg, hologram view.

Meteorological data for public health surveillance

Michael Wimberly, Professor from the University of Oklahoma, walks us through integrating meteorological data for public health surveillance and disease forecasting.

Engineered endosymbionts as novel cancer therapeutics

Satyajit Hari Kulkarni and Christopher H. Contag from the Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering focus on engineered endosymbionts, which they argue is a paradigm shift in anticancer bacteriotherapy toward killing tumors from the inside out.

AI healthcare research: Pioneering iSMART Lab

Dr Narges Armanfard, Professor, talks us through the AI healthcare research at McGill University which is spearheading a groundbreaking initiative – the iSMART Lab.
close up shots of fire fighting equipment

Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy

Heather D. Hadjistavropoulos, Hugh C. McCall, and Jill A. B. Price, walk us through internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy tailored to public safety personnel.

Indigenous students face disparities in STEM

Dr. Judith Brown Clarke and Dr. Wendy K’ah Skaahluwaa Todd, shed light on the crucial role of cultural identity in native American-Alaskan students’ persistence and success in STEM fields and the Geosciences.
spider in his spiderweb

Decoding the patterns of spiderweb capitalism

Dr Kimberly Kay Hoang, the Director of Global Studies at the University of Chicago’s Department of Sociology, reflects on ‘spiderweb capitalism’ and her efforts to unravel opaque financial networks worldwide.

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