🧬 biology

Genetic associations with alcohol drinking initiation and cessation in sub-Saharan African and African ancestry populations

This study conducted genome-wide association meta-analyses on over 28,000 individuals of sub-Saharan African and African ancestry to identify genetic loci, including *FYB2* and *FTO*, associated with alcohol drinking initiation and cessation, thereby highlighting the importance of diverse ancestries in understanding the genetic architecture of alcohol use behaviors.

Jean-Tristan Brandenburg, Ritah Nabunje, Opeyemi Soremekun, Wenlong Carl Chen, Dylan Kerrigan, Christopher G. Mathew, Ma (…)2026-09-09
🧬 biology

Diversity, Distribution, and Ethnobotanical Uses of Ornamental Plants in a Bangladeshi University Campus

This study documents the high taxonomic diversity, spatial distribution, and ethnobotanical significance of 68 ornamental plant species across Daffodil International University's campus in Bangladesh, highlighting the need for strategic conservation and ethnobotanically informed landscaping to preserve both biodiversity and traditional knowledge.

Rifat Hasan Rabbi, Farjana Talukder2026-09-09
🧬 biology

Molecular Detection of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus on Imported Seeds in Greenhouse Production System in Fiji, Global Genetic Diversity, and Patterns of Evolution

This study characterizes a ToBRFV isolate detected in Fiji's greenhouse system as highly similar to global strains, revealing a genetically compact but rapidly spreading virus population shaped by purifying selection and confirming seed transmission as the primary introduction pathway while highlighting the effectiveness of containment measures in preventing open-field spread.

Nitesh Datt, Amit Sukal, Muhammad Junaid, Muhammad Dilshad Hussain, Tahir Farooq, Cheng-Gui Han2026-09-09
🧬 biology

Visualizing structural dynamics during nuclease activation across evolutionarily diverse IscB and CRISPR-Cas9 enzymes

By integrating cryo-electron microscopy and high-speed atomic force microscopy, this study visualizes the stepwise activation dynamics of diverse IscB and Cas9 nucleases, revealing conserved intermediate stabilization mechanisms and the evolutionary acquisition of a gating element in Cas9 that prevents premature HNH activation.

Osamu Nureki, Kosuke Onishi, Yutaro Shuto, Josh Müller, Mikihiro Shibata, Satoshi Omura2026-09-08
🧬 biology

Synergistic Effects but Divergent Responses: Physiological and Uptake Strategies of Inula britannica L. under Combined Cd and Pb Stress

This study reveals that while combined Cd and Pb stress exacerbates growth inhibition and oxidative damage in *Inula britannica* L., the plant employs divergent physiological and uptake strategies by enhancing Cd translocation while sequestering Pb in roots, highlighting its potential for stabilizing mixed metal-contaminated soils.

Yikang Tian, Yuhang Chen, Junyan Hu, Zihui Zhao, Can Wang, Tong Liu, Li Li, Rui Liu, Guixia Liu2026-09-08
🧬 biology

Rapid and sensitive qPCR-based quantification of Salmonella Gallinarum Bacteriophages cocktail (SAL3)

This study developed a rapid, sensitive, and reproducible qPCR-based method using specific primers and TaqMan probes to accurately quantify individual bacteriophages within the SAL3 cocktail against *Salmonella Gallinarum*, offering a significant time-saving alternative to conventional plaque assays while distinguishing between total and infectious phage particles through DNase pretreatment.

Hafsa Naseem, Muhammad Ahsan, Zulquernain Haider, Asad Aslam Khan, Shafiq Ur Rehman2026-09-08
🧬 biology

Spatial proximity heuristics structure the foraging behavior of Callithrix jacchus in the Caatinga: evidence for spatial cognition in a Neotropical primate

This study demonstrates that *Callithrix jacchus* marmosets in the Caatinga utilize low-cost spatial proximity heuristics, rather than complex cognitive maps or Lévy walks, to optimize their foraging trajectories, with seasonal phenology playing a secondary, complementary role.

Gessica Rafaelly Dantas da Silva, Igor Eloi, Arrilton Araújo2026-09-08
🧬 biology

Multi-Omics Analysis Reveals Molecular Responses of Alkaloid Content Variations in Lycoris radiata Across Different Locations

This study employs an integrative multi-omics approach to reveal that while the Yunnan ecotype of *Lycoris radiata* exhibits high transcriptional activity for alkaloid biosynthesis, its actual alkaloid accumulation is decoupled from genetic potential and instead driven by region-specific soil physicochemical properties and rhizosphere microbiome variations.

Qing-zhu Li, Hong-fei Li, Shi-yu Huang, Jun-xu Xu, Lin Zhou, Zi-ming Ren, Zhen Wang, Zhen Yang, Xuan-min Guang, You-ming (…)2026-09-08