Core Insights - An international team led by Chinese scientists has discovered a new species of gibbon, named "Imperial Gentleman Gibbon," through ancient DNA sequencing technology, published in the journal Cell [1][5]. Group 1: Discovery and Research Findings - The Imperial Gentleman Gibbon was found in the burial site of Empress Xia, the grandmother of Qin Shi Huang, during excavations in 2004, where gibbon remains were uncovered in a burial pit [1][6]. - Initial morphological studies in 2018 suggested it was a new genus and species, but further DNA analysis in 2025 confirmed it as a new species within the Hoolock genus, closely related to the Hainan gibbon [5][8]. - The burial site also contained remains of other animals such as leopard cats, lynxes, Asian black bears, and red-crowned cranes, along with bronze chains and feeding tools, indicating a diverse collection of animals [6][8]. Group 2: Cultural and Historical Context - The findings suggest that Empress Xia had a fondness for rare animals, which were likely kept in royal gardens and buried with her, reflecting ancient beliefs about life and death [8]. - The research also reinforced the classification of the "Tianxing Gibbon" as an independent species and identified the gene "SHH" that regulates the length of gibbons' arms [8].

Core Viewpoint - The research highlights the critical role of the maternal transcription factor OTX2 in initiating human embryonic genome activation (EGA) and its implications for early human development [2][6]. Group 1: Research Findings - OTX2 is identified as an essential maternal PRD-like homeobox protein transcription factor necessary for EGA and early development in humans [5]. - At the 4-cell stage, OTX2 activates key EGA genes, including TPRX1 and TPRX2, as well as EGA-related repetitive sequences HERVL-int and MLT2A1 [5]. - OTX2 directly binds to promoters and presumed enhancers at EGA target sites, many of which overlap with OTX2 motif-containing Alu and MaLR repetitive elements, enhancing chromatin accessibility [5]. Group 2: Implications and Significance - The findings establish OTX2 as a key maternal transcription factor that awakens the genome at the beginning of human life, providing insights into molecular regulatory mechanisms in developmental biology and reproductive medicine [6]. - A related article in Nature Genetics emphasizes the largely unknown transcription factors responsible for initiating EGA in humans, underscoring the significance of the new research on OTX2 [6].

Core Insights - The research confirms that bumblebees possess the ability to transmit positive emotions without physical contact or chemical signals, simply through visual observation [1][2] Group 1: Research Findings - Bumblebees trained to associate specific colored flowers with rewards demonstrated a tendency to explore uncertain flowers after interacting with "happy" bumblebees that had just received a sugar water reward [2] - This indicates that positive judgment tendencies can be transmitted among individual bumblebees, akin to how good moods can be shared among social animals [2] Group 2: Implications - The study suggests that emotional contagion may be a shared mechanism between social vertebrates and insects, indicating its evolutionary significance [2] - The findings highlight the complex social emotional processing capabilities of bumblebees, which possess approximately one million neurons, suggesting that the roots of emotional and social cognition may have emerged early in the evolution of life [2]

Core Viewpoint - The research reveals that specific mutations in the cGAS protein of naked mole-rats enhance DNA repair mechanisms, potentially leading to extended lifespan and healthspan, suggesting a new strategy for aging intervention in humans [2][3][9]. Summary by Sections Research Findings - The study identifies four specific amino acid mutations in the cGAS protein of naked mole-rats that convert it from a DNA repair inhibitor to a repair enhancer, thereby promoting DNA repair and delaying aging [3][6]. - Compared to humans and mice, naked mole-rat cGAS improves the efficiency of homologous recombination repair, which is crucial for maintaining genomic stability [6][9]. Mechanism of Action - The mutations in cGAS alter its interaction with ubiquitin, extending its retention time on chromatin after DNA damage, which enhances the formation of complexes necessary for DNA repair [6][9]. - The study demonstrates that the naked mole-rat cGAS mitigates stress-induced cellular aging and organ degeneration, contributing to increased lifespan [6][9]. Experimental Validation - Delivery of naked mole-rat cGAS to aged mice using adeno-associated virus (AAV) alleviated signs of frailty, reduced inflammation markers, and decreased cellular aging indicators, thereby extending healthspan [7][9]. Implications for Human Aging - The findings suggest that mimicking the unique mutations of naked mole-rat cGAS through small molecules or gene editing could offer new avenues for delaying aging and enhancing healthspan in humans [3][9].

Core Viewpoint - Recent research from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute reveals that changes in lysosomes in Caenorhabditis elegans (a type of nematode) that extend parental lifespan can be transmitted to offspring, resulting in increased longevity without altering DNA sequences [1] Group 1: Research Findings - Lysosomes, previously considered as cellular "recycling centers," are now shown to influence lifespan through epigenetic mechanisms, specifically chemical markers that regulate gene expression [1] - The study indicates that lifespan-extending changes in somatic cells can be passed to germ cells via histone modifications, allowing offspring to inherit longevity advantages [1] - Overexpression of a specific enzyme in the lysosomes of nematodes led to a 60% increase in lifespan, and even unmodified offspring exhibited extended lifespans, demonstrating the transgenerational effect [1] Group 2: Mechanism of Transmission - The transgenerational transmission of lifespan extension relies on histones, with lysosomal changes activating cellular processes that increase specific histone variants [1] - These histones are transported from somatic cells to germ cells via nutrient transport proteins, allowing the lysosomal information to be modified and passed on to subsequent generations [1]

Core Viewpoint - The research introduces a revolutionary toolset of time-resolved fluorescent proteins (tr-FP) that expands the application of fluorescent microscopy in both temporal and spectral domains, providing a new solution for integrating system complexity and quantitative accuracy in biological research [4][6]. Group 1: Research Findings - The study reports a series of time-resolved fluorescent proteins (tr-FP) with rationally tunable lifetimes, developed without affecting the spectral properties of the fluorescent proteins [5]. - These tr-FPs enable temporal-spectral resolved microscopy, achieving simultaneous imaging of nine different proteins in live cells and correlating various cellular activities with the cell cycle [5]. - The tr-FPs facilitate multiplexing super-resolution microscopy, allowing the visualization of four proteins simultaneously and enabling quantitative studies in cellular proteomics [5][7]. Group 2: Technical Advancements - The research demonstrates that mutations can alter the non-radiative decay of tr-FPs, which span the visible spectrum and possess a wide range of fluorescence lifetimes suitable for microscopy [7]. - The tr-FPs support advanced imaging techniques such as STED-FLIM (Stimulated Emission Depletion Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy) and protein chemometrics for quantitative analysis [7].

Core Viewpoint - The research published by Professor Yang Chonglin's team from Yunnan University reveals that the mitochondria-associated condensates (MATO) formed by the RNA-binding protein LARP-1 through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) play a crucial role in maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis and promoting lifespan extension [3][5]. Group 1 - The study demonstrates that MATO mediates the local synthesis of proteins necessary for maintaining mitochondrial structure and function [5]. - In Caenorhabditis elegans, LARP-1 coordinates the translation mechanism and the fusion of various RNA-binding proteins to form MATO, which is dependent on the mitochondrial outer membrane complex transport enzyme [5]. - A deficiency in LARP-1 significantly reduces mitochondrial protein levels, disrupts the organization of mitochondrial cristae, and affects ATP production [5]. Group 2 - The research identifies that the synthesis of MICOS subunit IMMT-1 (MIC60) and ATP synthase β subunit ATP-2, which are critical for mitochondrial cristae organization, is decreased in LARP-1 deficient worms [5]. - During aging and starvation, LARP-1 MATO dissociates from the mitochondria; however, its persistent presence in mitochondria can protect mitochondrial health and greatly extend lifespan [5][7].

Group 1 - The article highlights seven research papers published in the prestigious journal Cell during the week of September 1 to September 7, 2025, with four of them authored by Chinese scholars [3] - The first study discusses a newly discovered gene SCREP that drives the diversification of rose scent, revealing a multi-step process of its origin and its role in inhibiting the synthesis of the key aromatic compound eugenol [5][8] - The second study presents a breakthrough in the reprogramming of microspore fate, establishing a new technique for efficient in vivo haploid induction without stress treatment, highlighting the roles of the transcription factors BBM and BAR1 [10][12][13] Group 2 - The third study uncovers how cancer cells hijack iron-rich macrophages to promote bone metastasis and anemia, providing insights into potential therapies to mitigate these conditions [15][18] - The fourth study introduces a high-throughput, high-precision single-cell DNA and RNA multi-omics technology called wellDR-seq, which decodes the mechanisms of breast cancer progression by integrating single-cell genomes and transcriptomes [20][23]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses various methods for weight loss, including low-carb diets, intermittent fasting, weight loss surgeries, and medications like semaglutide, highlighting the increasing interest in these approaches for achieving weight loss goals [6]. Research Findings - Recent studies indicate that reducing food intake can positively impact health and aging in both animal models and humans. A new study published in the journal "Science" suggests that the sensation of hunger alone can slow aging, opening new avenues in the field of anti-aging [7][8]. - A study from the University of Michigan published in May 2023 found that inducing a state of hunger in fruit flies, either through dietary restriction or brain stimulation, resulted in increased lifespan. This suggests that hunger triggers epigenetic changes in the brain that regulate gene expression, influencing eating behavior and aging processes [7][8]. - The research distinguishes the effects of dietary restriction from nutritional interventions, indicating that the mere perception of hunger can lead to longevity benefits [8]. Mechanisms of Hunger and Longevity - Further investigations revealed that changes in neuronal activity related to foraging might be key to extending lifespan. For instance, a low branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) diet induced hunger in fruit flies, leading to increased food intake but also significantly extending their lifespan [11]. - The study employed optogenetics to activate neurons controlling hunger, confirming that inducing hunger sensations, regardless of food intake, can enhance lifespan. The findings suggest that epigenetic regulation plays a crucial role in this process, with hunger perception enhancing foraging behavior and potentially lowering the threshold for hunger over time, contributing to aging delay [13].

Core Findings - Inner Mongolia University announced significant research findings published in major journals (CNS) regarding unique metabolic changes in maternal liver during pregnancy and lactation [1][3] - The study demonstrated that despite genetic differences, both mice and sheep exhibited highly consistent metabolic adaptation patterns in the liver during pregnancy and lactation, indicating a universal mechanism among mammals [1] Industry Implications - The research places liver function within the broader context of reproductive system studies, providing a new model for exploring organ adaptability and plasticity [3] - It suggests that metabolic imbalances during pregnancy, restricted fetal development, or insufficient postpartum milk supply may be linked to inadequate liver regulation, offering new directions for disease prevention and treatment [3] - In the livestock industry, this research promotes a shift from traditional breeding practices to precise molecular and metabolic regulation, establishing a scientific foundation for "molecular animal husbandry" and marking a new era of precision development in grassland livestock [3] - In the dairy and nutrition sectors, regulating key metabolic factors could improve the nutritional structure of milk, enhance its health value, and help reduce production costs in animal husbandry [3]