Cell-free gene expression (CFE) technology is an appealing expression chassis for fieldable synthetic biology. Reagents for cell-free protein expression can be preserved, transported, or stored over long periods, even at elevated temperatures. Therefore, cell-free synthetic biology efforts are practical for applications such as fieldable biosensing and decentralized or on-demand therapeutics production in austere environments and at emergency or natural disaster sites. However, these systems still require incubation to operate under standard conditions (e.g., 16 °C to 37 °C), whereas the conditions in the application environment often lie outside these limits. To address this technological gap, we propose adding heat-shock chaperones from diverse organisms to expand the cell-free system’s operating range. We present a method for assessing protective protein candidates, and we demonstrate a 100-fold improvement in fluorescent reporter expression at non-standard temperatures and a widening of the temperature range for system operation by more than 4 °C, as measured by fluorescence from reporter expression. Moreover, we show that dual-chaperone systems can yield higher fluorescence output compared to single-chaperone ones. These chaperone-inspired systems may perform in environments where standard ones fall short, expanding their usability and application potential.
Rose is a globally significant ornamental crop and an emerging genomics system for woody ornamental plants. In recent decades, the rapid evolution of high-throughput sequencing and robust technical platforms has yielded high-quality reference genomes and been propelling our understanding of rose biology to unprecedented depths. This review systematically synthesizes the current landscape of rose genomics, recent development of technical and resource platforms, and the molecular mechanisms underlying pivotal agronomic traits such as floral development, scent biosynthesis, petal lifespan, and stress resilience. Despite these strides, high genome heterozygosity, polyploidy, and recalcitrance to genetic transformation remain significant barriers. We discuss how integrating cutting-edge technologies, such as pangenomics, single-cell transcriptomics, AI-assisted genomic selection, and precise CRISPR-based editing, can bridge the gap between fundamental research and practical applications. Collectively, this review provides a strategic roadmap for accelerating the development of next-generation rose cultivars through trait-based biobreeding.
The lower Karnali River basin is one of Nepal’s most flood-prone regions, yet it has lacked an integrated risk assessment. This study presents the first comprehensive analysis combining physical vulnerability, social vulnerability, and economic damage assessment for the corridor. Utilizing a validated 2D HEC-RAS model across eight return periods (2–500 years), we quantified impacts on 23,929 buildings, 477 km of roads, and 16,065 hectares of paddy cropland using locally calibrated depth-damage curves. Those calibrations were mainly focused on three building typologies, two road surface classes, and paddy crops at the maturity stage. A Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) was developed for 27 wards, integrating demographics, healthcare access, and education. Findings indicate total economic damages range from NPR 395 million (2-year) to NPR 3538 million (500-year), with buildings consistently accounting for the largest share (41–42%). Madhuwan Ward 6, Geruwa Ward 1, and Rajapur Ward 7 emerged as the highest combined flood risk hotspots through the integration of social vulnerability and physical hazard. The results prove that social infrastructure investment, particularly in healthcare, serves as a direct flood risk reduction measure. This research provides a spatially explicit evidence base to guide targeted mitigation, land-use policy, and social protection in the basin.
Youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D) often face barriers to recreation participation, disease self-management, and peer connection. This research note examined how a university-based diabetes camp, grounded in a Community of Practice (CoP) model, supported youth learning, self-management, and belonging. Participants were 33 youth, ages 11 to 18, attending a university-based diabetes day camp in Northern Utah. Self-reported, open-ended post-camp evaluation responses were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis. Three themes were identified: applied diabetes knowledge, intentional self-management in active settings, and belonging through shared experience. Findings suggest that recreation-based camp programming supported practical diabetes learning, more deliberate self-management behaviors, and meaningful peer relationships, thereby reducing isolation and normalizing living with T1D. Results highlight the value of interdisciplinary, recreation-centered CoP models for creating supportive recreation spaces for youth with chronic health conditions.
Given the large global population of stroke survivors and limited rehabilitation resources, efficient treatments are urgently needed to help patients regain independence and reintegrate into society. In this review, we discuss how artificial intelligence and neurotechnology can be used to accelerate neurorehabilitation after stroke. First, we introduce neurorehabilitation mechanisms that provide the basis for neurotechnology development. Next, we describe how neurophysiological and neuroimaging biomarkers can be used for multimodal assessment and prognostic prediction. We then provide examples of brain-computer interface (BCI)-driven rehabilitation robots and BCI-triggered transcranial and peripheral neuromodulation for closed-loop rehabilitation training.
