Core Findings - Researchers from Kyoto University and Ritsumeikan University discovered that exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and retinoic acid during early development significantly increases the risk of abnormalities in brain, nerve, and facial structure formation in zebrafish embryos [1][2] - BPA is commonly used in plastic production and is found in various consumer products, raising concerns about its impact on reproductive and endocrine health, as well as its potential link to conditions like infertility, cancers, allergies, obesity, and autism [1] - The study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives indicates that while BPA alone does not affect the expression of HOX genes, the presence of low concentrations of retinoic acid alongside BPA leads to a significant increase in HOX gene expression [1] Experimental Results - The zebrafish embryo experiments showed that simultaneous exposure to BPA and retinoic acid resulted in abnormal expression of hindbrain-related genes and increased probability and severity of abnormalities in craniofacial cartilage [2] - The hindbrain is a critical region in vertebrate embryos that will differentiate into structures such as the cerebellum and medulla [2] - The research team emphasized the need to pay special attention to the combined effects of plastic chemicals and other active substances on developmental health, as low concentrations of certain substances may not pose significant risks when isolated [2]

Group 1 - The article highlights the publication of six research papers by Chinese scholars in the prestigious journal Cell, covering various topics in biology and evolution [2] - The studies include the reconstruction of the ant phylogenetic tree, octopus sensory perception of environmental microbes, skin microbiomes of Indigenous Malaysians, new strategies for disease-resistant crop breeding, digital reconstruction of full embryos, and insights into the appearance of Denisovans [2][4][9][14][19][24][29] Group 2 - The study on ants integrated genomic data from 163 ant species, clarifying their complex phylogenetic relationships and tracing their common ancestor back to approximately 157 million years ago during the Jurassic period [6] - The research on octopuses explored how environmental microbiomes influence their sensory receptors and behavior, providing new evidence for co-evolution between microbes and animals [11] - The investigation into Indigenous Malaysians' skin microbiomes revealed unique microbial communities and insights into chronic fungal infections, potentially informing treatment strategies [16] - The crop breeding study demonstrated that co-delivery of immune receptors can enhance disease resistance across diverse plant species, offering new strategies for sustainable agriculture [21] - The digital reconstruction of mouse embryos at single-cell resolution provided significant insights into early organogenesis and a unique platform for studying development and disease [26] - The research on Denisovans successfully extracted ancient DNA from dental calculus, linking it to a nearly complete skull fossil and enhancing understanding of human evolutionary history in East Asia [30]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the significant contributions of Huang Zhiwei, a returning scientist, in advancing basic research in life sciences at Harbin Institute of Technology, emphasizing the importance of foundational research for achieving high-level technological self-reliance and building a world-class scientific power [1][4]. Group 1: Research Achievements - Huang Zhiwei established a laboratory from scratch at Harbin Institute of Technology in 2012, focusing on basic research in immunology and infectious diseases [1]. - In 2014, his team discovered the structure of the HIV virus virulence factor, which had been elusive for over 30 years, providing a foundation for developing anti-HIV drugs [2]. - The research findings were published in the journal "Nature," attracting international attention and collaboration [2]. Group 2: Research Environment and Philosophy - Huang Zhiwei created a supportive research environment at the Life Sciences Center, allowing researchers to explore innovative ideas freely [3]. - He emphasizes the importance of hands-on involvement in experiments and meticulous record-keeping to ensure reproducibility and high-quality research outcomes [2][3]. - The center has produced significant breakthroughs in gene editing and metabolic disease mechanisms, establishing a competitive research platform internationally [3]. Group 3: Future Aspirations - Huang Zhiwei expresses a commitment to tackling unresolved scientific questions in life sciences, maintaining a beginner's mindset to explore frontiers and contribute to the field's advancement [4].

Core Viewpoint - Bio-Rad reported a decline in Q1 2025 revenue to $585.4 million, a 4.2% decrease compared to Q1 2024, primarily due to lower sales in the life sciences segment [2][3]. Financial Performance - Q1 2025 total net sales were $585.4 million, down from $610.8 million in Q1 2024, reflecting a 4.2% year-over-year decline. On a currency-neutral basis, sales decreased by 1.5% [5]. - Life sciences segment net sales for Q1 2025 were $228.6 million, a 5.4% decrease from the same period in 2024. In currency-neutral terms, sales fell by 3.5% [5]. - Clinical diagnostics segment net sales for Q1 2025 were $356.8 million, down 3.2% year-over-year. On a currency-neutral basis, net sales were nearly flat, decreasing by 0.1% [5]. Profitability Metrics - The gross margin for Q1 2025 was 52.3%, compared to 53.4% in Q1 2024 [6]. - Non-GAAP gross margin for Q1 2025 was 53.8%, down from 54.2% in Q1 2024 [9]. - Q1 2025 operating income was $23.7 million, significantly lower than $44.6 million in Q1 2024 [7]. Net Income and Earnings Per Share - Net income for Q1 2025 was $64.0 million, a sharp decline from $383.9 million in Q1 2024. Diluted earnings per share were $2.29, down from $13.45 [4][7]. - Non-GAAP net income for Q1 2025 was $71.0 million, with diluted earnings per share of $2.54, compared to $65.3 million and $2.30 in Q1 2024 [10]. Tax Rate - The effective tax rate for Q1 2025 was 23.3%, compared to 21.8% in Q1 2024, influenced by the geographic mix of earnings [8]. Full-Year Outlook - Bio-Rad is updating its full-year 2025 financial outlook, now expecting non-GAAP, currency-neutral revenue growth between 1.0% and 1.5%, down from a previous forecast of 1.5% to 3.5%. The non-GAAP operating margin is now projected to be around 10.0% to 12.0%, reduced from an earlier estimate of 13.0% to 13.5% [11].