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The ultraviolet (UV) radiation triggers a pigmentation response in human skin, wherein, melanocytes rapidly activate divergent maturation and proliferation programs. Using single-cell sequencing, we demonstrate that these 2 programs are segregated in distinct subpopulations in melanocytes of human and zebrafish skin. The coexistence of these 2 cell states in cultured melanocytes suggests possible cell autonomy. Luria–Delbrück fluctuation test reveals that the initial establishment of these states is stochastic. Tracking of pigmenting cells ascertains that the stochastically acquired state is faithfully propagated in the progeny. A systemic approach combining single-cell multi-omics (RNA+ATAC) coupled to enhancer mapping with H3K27 acetylation successfully identified state-specific transcriptional networks. This comprehensive analysis led to the construction of a gene regulatory network (GRN) that under the influence of noise, establishes a bistable system of pigmentation and proliferation at the population level. This GRN recapitulates melanocyte behaviour in response to external cues that reinforce either of the states. Our work highlights that inherent stochasticity within melanocytes establishes dedicated states, and the mature state is sustained by selective enhancers mark through histone acetylation. While the initial cue triggers a proliferation response, the continued signal activates and maintains the pigmenting subpopulation via epigenetic imprinting. Thereby our study provides the basis of coexistence of distinct populations which ensures effective pigmentation response while preserving the self-renewal capacity. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation triggers a pigmentation response in human skin, wherein melanocytes rapidly activate divergent maturation and proliferation programs. Here, the authors identify distinct melanocyte sub-populations with maturation and proliferation programs initiated by stochastic gene expression in response to external pigmentation cues such as UV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cannabis misuse and opioid use disorder (OUD) are highly comorbid but under-treated and associated with poorer outcomes. This paper reports a double-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial to determine the efficacy of single-session, clinician-delivered screening and brief intervention (SBI) for reducing cannabis risk. The primary outcome was the cannabis-specific Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) scores, measured at three-month post-intervention. The secondary objectives were to determine the efficacy of SBI in reducing the frequency of cannabis use, in risk transition from moderate to low risk, and in prescription and non-prescription opioid use. One hundred forty-three participants were randomly allocated to receive either SBI (n = 72) or control (n = 71) interventions. We performed Per-protocol (PP) (n = 125) and Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis (n = 143). We adjusted our analysis for age, sex, and baseline ASSIST score. The ITT showed that the SBI group had a significant reduction (F = 39.46, p <.001, Effect size 0.22) in the mean ASSIST at follow-up. PP analyses too revealed a similar positive effect of SBI (F = 53.1; p <.001, Effect size 0.31). At follow-up, the SBI group had a higher number of days of cannabis abstinence. Care providers and policymakers may consider SBI for cannabis use in individuals on medications for OUD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a 2024 Indian study which identified a Fibulin 7 peptide and its possible therapy for inflammation in sepsis. Topics covered include the procedures of the study on the peptide's mechanism of action, and trials with mice which showed that peptide-treated mice had lower immune cell count in blood, and more viable innate cell populations in their bone marrow. Also noted is the need to further study the peptide's application as therapy for sepsis in humans.

The article discusses a 2024 Indian study on the consumption of edible and nutritious snail meat with findings that one bivalve and three gastropod species of snails had high amounts of polyunsaturated acids with possible low cholesterol meat.

The article discusses the expansion of aquaculture in India as of 2024. Topics covered include the profile of aquaculture production and the cultivation of exotic and native tiger shrimps, and the factors of high profitability and freedom from climatic vagaries and irrigation water scarcity in the shift from agriculture to aquaculture. Also noted are the environmental concern of irreversible conversion of agricultural land and the promotion of rainwater harvesting to rejuvenate agriculture.

The article discusses the possible use of a nano copper oxide, titanium oxide, and carbon dots combination for the control of biofouling that reduces water flow through cage nets and harm fish health in aquatic environments in India as of 2024.

The article discusses a 2024 Indian study which showed that four drug molecules have potential to inhibit the dual leucine zipper kinase and its downstream signalling pathways which then can help overcome neurodegeneration.

The article discusses the Indian sugarcane planthopper pest that sucks the sap of sugarcane plants and weakens them as of 2024. Topics covered include the possible use of certain fungi to check the pest, their incorporation into crop management, and the varying year to year number of fungus-killed planthoppers. Also noted is the projected development of effective fungi use in sugarcane fields.

The article discusses a 2024 Indian study on how students and faculty are adapting artificial intelligence (AI) in education and how the AI generative tool ChatGPT could boost students' critical thinking with ethical considerations. Topics covered include the occasional use of ChatGPT by more than half of students and faculty for academic tasks, and the close relation of critical thinking, creativity, and learning improvement. Also noted is the need to balance AI with human instruction.

The article discusses the wildlife threats posed by stray dogs in India. Topics covered include the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve's reports on the preying of free-ranging dogs with bluebulls being the main target alongside spotted deer, sambars, peafowls, and Indian hares, and their attacks on sheep and goats that villagers raise. Also noted is the immediate need to take mitigation measures against the stray dogs.