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Yahoo
a day ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Solar-Powered Slug Steals Chloroplasts and Stores Them for Emergency Food
'Solar-powered' sea slugs have specialized depots in their cells that store photosynthetic equipment looted from algae, a study reports. These depots provide just the right chemical environment to keep the stolen apparatus, called chloroplasts, alive and working to turn sunlight into nutrients. 'It was the wildest thing that we had seen,' says study co-author Nicholas Bellono, a biologist at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The authors also found that, in lean times, the slugs can raid these compartments to consume chloroplasts. The compartment 'is basically like a moving refrigerator of chloroplasts where, after a period of starvation, the slugs can switch from storage to consumption to survive', Bellono says. [Sign up for Today in Science, a free daily newsletter] The findings were published in Cell. Scientists discovered decades ago that certain species of sea slug store chloroplasts from the algae they eat, a diet that can turn the slugs bright green. But no one understood how the slugs keep these foreign organelles alive without the support of the rest of the algal cell. Bellono and his team added chemical tags to proteins newly made by the slugs' own cells. They found that most of the proteins in a slug's chloroplasts were made by the slug — not by the original algae. That meant the slug was helping to maintain the chloroplasts. When the scientists looked at the chloroplasts under a microscope, they found that the organelles were housed in special compartments in the slugs' guts. Each compartment was surrounded by a membrane that tested positive for markers typically found in cellular structures called phagosomes, which fuse with other structures called lysomes to digest unneeded organelles. The researchers named this structure the kleptosome, after a Greek word that means to steal. The team also found that these organelles contained ion channels — receptors that convert chemical messages into electrical signals. Among them is one called P2X4, which opens in response to the presence of ATP, an energy-carrying molecule produced during photosynthesis. When Bellono and his team blocked this channel in slugs' kleptosomes, oxygen production from photosynthesis dropped, showing that the kleptosome is actively involved in keeping the chloroplasts functioning. Having discovered the existence of the kleptosome, the researchers wondered whether it helps the slugs to resist starvation. They compared the solar-powered slug Elysia crispata with Aplysia californica, a non-photosynthetic slug that lacks kleptosomes. Aplysia died after three to four weeks without food, whereas Elysia could survive for up to four months. Yet, after four weeks, the Elysia slugs lost their green colour, turned orange — just as leaves do in autumn — and stopped photosynthesizing. Microscopy revealed that the Elysia's kleptosomes had begun fusing with lysosomes and that the colour change was caused by the degradation of the chloroplast. The study is 'remarkable,' says cell biologist Elena Oancea at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Studying the molecular and cellular processes of creatures as small as sea slugs is extremely challenging, she says. 'It takes a lot of courage to do that.' The discovery of the kleptosome could help to answer broader questions about organelle evolution and other cellular processes that we don't understand yet, Oancea says. All life is built on cells, she adds: 'It's the basic principle of nature.' This article is reproduced with permission and was first published on June 25, 2025.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Maharashtra CET Cell launches online registration and verification schedule for engineering and MBA admissions
Mumbai: The State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell has launched the online registration and document verification schedule for admissions under the Centralised Admission Process (CAP) for engineering and MBA programmes. Candidates can begin registering and uploading documents for engineering and MBA/MMS admission from June 28 to July 8 5pm. This registration is mandatory for all aspirants, whether applying under CAP seats or institutional and management quotas. Once registered, candidates must undergo document verification and application confirmation between June 30 and July 9. The CET Cell has offered two modes: e-scrutiny and physical. In the case of e-scrutiny, candidates need to fill an online application form, scan the original document, and upload the required documents. For physical scrutiny, candidates will be required to visit the facilitation centre selected themselves, along with the required documents as per the allotted time slot for online filling, scanning and uploading of required documents, verification, and confirmation of the application form. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Il ruolo dell'hardware nella corsa alla crescita aziendale spinta dall'AI CIO | Lenovo, AMD Undo The provisional merit lists for both engineering and MMS/MBA will be released on July 12. Candidates can raise grievances regarding discrepancies through their login from July 13-15. Corrections must be backed with valid documentation. Those under physical scrutiny must visit the facilitation centre to resolve issues. The final merit list for both engineering and MBA/MMS will be published on July 17. tmn You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai
Scientific American
a day ago
- Science
- Scientific American
This Solar-Powered Slug Steals Photosynthetic Machinery for Emergency Food
' Solar-powered' sea slugs have specialized depots in their cells that store photosynthetic equipment looted from algae, a study reports. These depots provide just the right chemical environment to keep the stolen apparatus, called chloroplasts, alive and working to turn sunlight into nutrients. 'It was the wildest thing that we had seen,' says study co-author Nicholas Bellono, a biologist at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The authors also found that, in lean times, the slugs can raid these compartments to consume chloroplasts. The compartment 'is basically like a moving refrigerator of chloroplasts where, after a period of starvation, the slugs can switch from storage to consumption to survive', Bellono says. On supporting science journalism If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today. The findings were published in Cell. Green grazer Scientists discovered decades ago that certain species of sea slug store chloroplasts from the algae they eat, a diet that can turn the slugs bright green. But no one understood how the slugs keep these foreign organelles alive without the support of the rest of the algal cell. Bellono and his team added chemical tags to proteins newly made by the slugs' own cells. They found that most of the proteins in a slug's chloroplasts were made by the slug — not by the original algae. That meant the slug was helping to maintain the chloroplasts. When the scientists looked at the chloroplasts under a microscope, they found that the organelles were housed in special compartments in the slugs' guts. Each compartment was surrounded by a membrane that tested positive for markers typically found in cellular structures called phagosomes, which fuse with other structures called lysomes to digest unneeded organelles. The researchers named this structure the kleptosome, after a Greek word that means to steal. Life of crime The team also found that these organelles contained ion channels — receptors that convert chemical messages into electrical signals. Among them is one called P2X4, which opens in response to the presence of ATP, an energy-carrying molecule produced during photosynthesis. When Bellono and his team blocked this channel in slugs' kleptosomes, oxygen production from photosynthesis dropped, showing that the kleptosome is actively involved in keeping the chloroplasts functioning. Having discovered the existence of the kleptosome, the researchers wondered whether it helps the slugs to resist starvation. They compared the solar-powered slug Elysia crispata with Aplysia californica, a non-photosynthetic slug that lacks kleptosomes. Aplysia died after three to four weeks without food, whereas Elysia could survive for up to four months. Yet, after four weeks, the Elysia slugs lost their green colour, turned orange — just as leaves do in autumn — and stopped photosynthesizing. Microscopy revealed that the Elysia 's kleptosomes had begun fusing with lysosomes and that the colour change was caused by the degradation of the chloroplast. The study is 'remarkable,' says cell biologist Elena Oancea at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Studying the molecular and cellular processes of creatures as small as sea slugs is extremely challenging, she says. 'It takes a lot of courage to do that.' The discovery of the kleptosome could help to answer broader questions about organelle evolution and other cellular processes that we don't understand yet, Oancea says. All life is built on cells, she adds: 'It's the basic principle of nature.'
New York Post
2 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
Ozempic without the side effects? New drug touted as weight loss game changer
There's no doubt that GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic have been revolutionary — not just for people who want to lower their blood sugar and lose weight but for those who want to control other cravings as well. Unfortunately, sometimes these benefits come with unsightly downsides such as tooth decay, a droopy face or mouth, a saggy butt and hair loss. While many of those side effects are due to rapid weight loss — rather than the drugs themselves — the medications are known to cause icky gastrointestinal issues. People on drugs like Ozempic have complained about some unpleasant side effects, including tooth decay, a droopy face or mouth, a saggy butt and hair loss. K KStock – Now, a groundbreaking new drug has shown some of the same promise in melting belly fat — without making your stomach churn. This week in the journal Cell, researchers unveiled a drug — developed by the Sweden biotechnology company Atrogi AB — based on a type of special molecule. While GLP-1s mimic the GLP-1 hormone the body naturally produces after eating to suppress appetite, this new drug activates metabolism in skeletal muscle. In a Phase I clinical trial involving 25 people with Type 2 diabetes and 48 healthy humans, the drug was successful at improving blood sugar levels and weight — without those pesky GLP-1 side effects. Since most GLP-1s are injectables, the fact that this medication comes in tablet form could be groundbreaking to trypanophobes. Since most GLP-1s are injectables, the fact that this medication comes in tablet form could also be groundbreaking to anyone who is afraid of needles. í¢í°í½í íÅí¸í°í¸íâíÅ½í° – 'This drug represents a completely new type of treatment and has the potential to be of great importance for patients with Type 2 diabetes and obesity,' Shane C. Wright, assistant professor at the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, said in a statement. 'Our substance appears to promote healthy weight loss and, in addition, patients do not have to take injections.' Wright noted that the drug can be used 'as a stand-alone treatment and in combination with GLP-1 drugs.' This can be a game changer for people who are micro-dosing drugs like Ozempic due to the sky-high costs. It could also be impactful now that the Food and Drug Administration has cracked down on Ozempic copycats, potentially slimming options for consumers who have come to rely on budget-friendly alternatives. Finally, researchers say the drug can boost weight loss without negatively influencing muscle mass or overworking the heart — both crucial longevity markers. 'Our results point to a future where we can improve metabolic health without losing muscle mass,' said Tore Bengtsson, a professor at the Department of Molecular Bioscience at Wenner-Gren Institute in Stockholm. 'Muscles are important in both Type 2 diabetes and obesity, and muscle mass is also directly correlated with life expectancy.'
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
AP DEECET result 2025 released at apdeecet.apcfss.in: Direct link to download scorecards here
The Andhra Pradesh Diploma in Elementary Education Common Entrance Test (AP DEECET) Cell has officially declared the AP DEECET 2025 results on June 26, 2025. Alongside the announcement, the rank cards have also been made available online. Candidates who appeared for the entrance test can now access their scorecards and ranks by logging on to the official website — The AP DEECET is a state-level entrance exam conducted annually for admission into the two-year Diploma in Elementary Education ( programme. These programmes are offered by Government District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) as well as private unaided teacher training colleges across Andhra Pradesh. The exam serves as a gateway for aspiring teachers looking to build a career in elementary education. For the current academic year, the AP DEECET 2025 exam was held on June 2 and June 3 across various examination centres in the state. Thousands of candidates aspiring to join the teaching profession participated in this crucial test. How to Download AP DEECET 2025 Rank Card Follow these steps to access your result: Step-1 Visit the official website – Step-2 On the homepage, click on the 'AP DEECET 2025 Results' link Step-3 Enter your Hall Ticket Number and Date of Birth in the required fields Step-4 Click on Submit Step-5 Your rank card will appear on the screen Step-6 Download it and take a printout for future use Direct link to access results: AP DEECET 2025 Rank Card What's next: • All candidates who qualify in the AP DEECET 2025 will be eligible to participate in the counselling and seat allotment process. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thị trường có dấu hiệu suy thoái không? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo • Admissions to all Government DIETs and Category 'A' seats in Private Unaided Elementary Teacher Training Institutions will be carried out through a Single Window Counselling System. • Seat allotment will be based strictly on the merit order of ranks secured in the entrance test. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
