Resolving and correcting for kinetic biases on methane seep paleotemperature using carbonate ∆/∆ analysis.

Methane-derived authigenic carbonate often constitutes the sole remaining record of relic methane seeps. The clumped (∆) and oxygen isotopic composition of seep carbonates often yield inaccurate temperatures, attributed to kinetic isotope effects and modification of seawater isotope composition by hydrate water. Here, we analyzed the dual-clumped isotope (∆/∆) composition of authigenic carbonate from a modern methane seep.

Challenges of Robust RNAi-Mediated Gene Silencing in Mosquitoes.

In this study, we report the complexities and challenges associated with achieving robust RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated gene knockdown in the mosquitoes and , a pivotal approach for genetic analysis and vector control. Despite RNAi's potential for species-specific gene targeting, our independent efforts to establish oral delivery of RNAi for identifying genes critical for mosquito development and fitness encountered significant challenges, failing to reproduce previously reported potent RNAi effects. We independently evaluated a range of RNAi-inducing molecules (siRNAs, shRNAs, and dsRNAs) and administration methods (oral delivery, immersion, and microinjection) in three different laboratories.

Clumped isotope analysis of (bio)apatite using a Kiel IV device in long-integration dual-inlet mode.

Rationale: Clumped isotope (Δ ) analysis of bioapatite-derived CO is a powerful tool to determine body temperatures of extinct vertebrates. The common acid bath technique in combination with dual-inlet-based mass spectrometric measurements has been the preferred method of choice for this purpose, but the large amount of material necessary and the presence of secondary calcite represent obstacles.

Methods: We analyzed the Δ composition of carbonate-bearing (bio)apatites using a Kiel IV device, which - in general - allows a reduction of sample replicate size by a factor of ~40 over dual-inlet-based techniques.

Design of Glycoengineered IL-4 Antagonists Employing Chemical and Biosynthetic Glycosylation.

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) plays a key role in atopic diseases. It coordinates T-helper cell differentiation to subtype 2, thereby directing defense toward humoral immunity. Together with Interleukin-13, IL-4 further induces immunoglobulin class switch to IgE.