Princeton University researchers have found that the roundworms Caenorhabditis elegans have a sure-fire method of ensuring a steady supply of a bacteria they eat — they grow their own. The worms carry the bacteria Escherichia coli along with them, and drop bacteria along the way to create thriving new bacterial colonies that the worms later return to "harvest" and eat.

The C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) form a family of pattern recognition receptors that recognize numerous pathogens, such as bacteria and fungi, and trigger innate immune responses. The extracellular carbohydrate-recognition domain (CRD) of CLRs forms a globular structure that can coordinate a Ca2+ ion, allowing receptor interactions with sugar-containing ligands. Although well-conserved, the CRD fold can also display differences that directly affect the specificity of the receptors for their ligands. Here, we report crystal structures at 1.8–2.3 Å resolutions of the CRD of murine dendritic cell-immunoactivating receptor (DCAR, or Clec4b1), the CLR that binds phosphoglycolipids such as acylated phosphatidyl-myo-inositol mannosides (AcPIMs) of mycobacteria. Using mutagenesis analysis, we identified critical residues, Ala136 and Gln198, on the surface surrounding the ligand-binding site of DCAR, as well as an atypical Ca2+-binding motif (Glu-Pro-Ser/EPS168–170). By chemically synthesizing a water-soluble ligand analog, inositol-monophosphate dimannose (IPM2), we confirmed the direct interaction of DCAR with the polar moiety of AcPIMs by biolayer interferometry and co-crystallization approaches. We also observed a hydrophobic groove extending from the ligand-binding site that is in a suitable position to interact with the lipid portion of whole AcPIMs. These results suggest that the hydroxyl group-binding ability and hydrophobic groove of DCAR mediate its specific binding to pathogen-derived phosphoglycolipids such as mycobacterial AcPIMs.

Fucosylation of the innermost GlcNAc of N-glycans by fucosyltransferase 8 (FUT8) is an important step in the maturation of complex and hybrid N-glycans. This simple modification can dramatically affect the activities and half-lives of glycoproteins, effects that are relevant to understanding the invasiveness of some cancers, development of mAb therapeutics, and the etiology of a congenital glycosylation disorder. The acceptor substrate preferences of FUT8 are well-characterized and provide a framework for understanding N-glycan maturation in the Golgi; however, the structural basis of these substrate preferences and the mechanism through which catalysis is achieved remain unknown. Here we describe several structures of mouse and human FUT8 in the apo state and in complex with GDP, a mimic of the donor substrate, and with a glycopeptide acceptor substrate at 1.80–2.50 Å resolution. These structures provide insights into a unique conformational change associated with donor substrate binding, common strategies employed by fucosyltransferases to coordinate GDP, features that define acceptor substrate preferences, and a likely mechanism for enzyme catalysis. Together with molecular dynamics simulations, the structures also revealed how FUT8 dimerization plays an important role in defining the acceptor substrate-binding site. Collectively, this information significantly builds on our understanding of the core fucosylation process.

The discovery of an inhibitory memory circuit could lead to novel treatments for conditions such as PTSD

In order to remember, we must forget. Recent research shows that when your brain retrieves newly encoded information, it suppresses older related information so that it does not interfere with the process of recall. Now a team of European researchers has identified a neural pathway that induces forgetting by actively erasing memories. The findings could eventually lead to novel treatments for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

We’ve known since the early 1950s that a brain structure called the hippocampus is critical for memory formation and retrieval, and subsequent work using modern techniques has revealed a great deal of information about the underlying cellular mechanisms. The hippocampus contains neural circuits that loop through three of its sub-regions – the dentate gyrus and the CA3 and CA1 areas – and it’s widely believed that memories form by the strengthening and weakening of synaptic connections within these circuits.

Related: Light switches memories on and off | Mo Costandi

Related: The Homer Simpson effect: forgetting to remember

A thriving youth group and an Italian-language event encourage a team from OM Italy during a recent visit to OM’s ministry in Montenegro.

A new OM Italy team member participates in an English Scout Camp, which brings the Gospel to children and gives her new cultural insight.

Goran’s decision to follow Jesus challenged the cultural values and traditions he grew up with, causing him to live differently in his community.

Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences has published an article written about Carolyn Mahan's newest research grant.

Fourteen from three countries participated in the cross-cultural missions training programme hosted by OM Andean Region.

HUL's investment case rises above this short-term disruption: HUL's structural appeal lies beyond the defensiveness it offers amid Covid-19 disruption, in our view.

If Digital India delivers on its promise, rural Indians are likely to outnumber urban Indians online.

In the long term, the govt will have to deepen its procurement operations, expanding from the wheat-paddy complex.

In an interactive online session organised by All India Management Association (AIMA) on post-COVID-19 scenario for Indian economy, he listed healthcare, education, mobility, genomics, AI, 5G network, fintech and manufacturing as high priority areas for rapid and radical structural reforms.

Ending a year-long race that had been nip-and tuck every month, renewable energy sources cumulatively provided more new electric generating capacity in 2014 than did natural gas.

U.S. President Barack Obama says natural gas can be a bridge from coal to a cleaner energy future. Investors are showing it’s more likely a bridge to nowhere.

In the Buckeye State, the large furry mammals are back, but are humans ready for them?

Lori Vallow, the Idaho mother jailed in connection to the disappearance of her two missing children, is also under investigation with her current husband in the death of his former wife.

“Deep-speare” crafted Shakespearean verse that most readers couldn’t distinguish from human-written poems

Max Verstappen says his early elevation to Formula One feels perfectly normal after he received some pearls of wisdom ahead of his debut from some of the sport's most experienced drivers

Education is considered to a basic necessity. It helps us to face the world and it widens our mind and improves the quality of our thinking. Education provides us better quality of life. From an independent study it has been shown that...

NRMC India was established in 2004 as a wholly owned subsidiary of DD International, the contracting agency for the UK Government’s Department of International Development (DFID), The European Community, The World...

1.Unappropriate arrangements of supper: Many people have the habit of eating simple for breakfast and lunch. However, when comes to time of eating with families in the evening, they will take no scruples of whether it is chicken,...

This public consultation was held to gather comments on the draft FAO-OECD guidance for responsible agricultural supply chains which is designed to help enterprises observe standards of responsible business conduct along their agricultural supply chains. The deadline for comment was 20 February 2015.

Chairman's statement of the OECD Steel Committee's 78th session, Paris, 11-12 May 2015.

11 March, Paris, France: This high-level launch event included a panel discussion that addressed the potential impacts of companies operating in agricultural supply chains on human, labour and tenure rights.

A High-Level Meeting on excess capacity and structural adjustment in the steel sector was convened on 18 April 2016, at the Palais d’Egmont in Brussels, co-organised by the OECD and the Belgian government.

The global steel industry continues to face difficult conditions due to excess capacity, weak global demand and growing trade tensions, the OECD Steel Committee said after meeting this week. While global steel trade remains relatively robust, there has been a sharp increase in steel trade actions by governments, it said, noting that trade actions should respect international obligations.

Sound macroeconomic policies and favourable external conditions have enabled Iceland’s economy to emerge stronger from a decade of post-crisis management. Yet the impact on growth from a drop in tourist arrivals and seafood exports underlines the need for reforms to open up and diversify the economy and improve its resiliency to sectoral shocks, according to the latest OECD Economic Survey of Iceland.

This report describes key recent developments based on new and anticipated satellite broadband deployments in extending services to underserved areas in relation to other broadband options. It investigates important policy challenges to be considered in light of such innovation.

This paper examines recent policy and technology approaches to bridging the digital divide in rural and remote areas in OECD countries. It also includes a summary of common challenges and good practices to bring improved communication services to individuals and communities in rural and remote regions.

Behavioural insights have the potential to enhance the effectiveness of financial literacy and investor education initiatives. This IOSCO/OECD report explores the extent to which they are being used, reviews the available literature and presents various approaches for policy makers and practitioners to consider when seeking to change financial behaviour.

For World Environment Day on 5 June 2014, the OECD Environment Directorate looks at how we use and manage natural resources.

This series is designed to make available to a wider readership selected studies on environmental issues prepared for use within the OECD. Two recent working papers: sustainable Consumption Dilemmas and Tender Instruments: Programme Participation and Impact in Australian Conservation Tenders, Grants and Volunteer Organisations.

This joint OECD/France conference to be held in Paris on 16 September 2015 will aim to lay the foundation for the international effort which is needed on public policy options and economic incentives to support food security, the fight against climate change and adaptation to climate change while integrating soil issues in that effort.

Every visitor thinks about the Taj Mahal when they make any trip to India. Regularly considered to be one of the seventh wonder of the world, Taj Mahal should be explored by all visitors at least once in the whole life. About this...

This new publication looks at how renewable energy can bring the greatest benefits to host regions.

Natural resources provide essential raw materials and other commodities, and are an important source of income and jobs. They also support the provision of ecosystem services necessary to develop human and social capital.

Register for the Green Growth Knowledge Platform (GGKP) Webinar on Sustainable Cities and Structural Transformation through a presentation of this year's African Economic Outlook (AEO). The webinar will take place on 20 July 2016, 2:00-3:30pm (Geneva time).

Structural reforms and income distribution

In a majority of OECD countries, GDP growth over the past three decades has been associated with growing income disparities.

This document describes and discusses a new supply side framework that quantifies the impact of structural reforms on per capita income in OECD countries.

The OECD LEED Trento Centre organised a working group session on "Cultural heritage as catalyst of local development " on Thursday, 22 June, 2017 - 12.30 to 15.30 in the context of ArtLab 17 in Milan.

The Summer Academy, a three-year project 2018-2020, provides training for policy makers and representatives of cultural and creative industries (CCIs). The first edition will take place 11-15 June 2018 in Trento and Bolzano, Italy. The final conference on Friday 15 June is open to local as well as to national and international stakeholders interested in the event themes, upon registration.

Behavioural economics is being applied increasingly in the regulatory policy cycle. This report captures the current trends across OECD member countries.

This document describes and discusses a new supply side framework that quantifies the impact of structural reforms on per capita income in OECD countries.

The OECD Behavioural Insights Conference brings together behavioural practitioners and policy makers from around the world to discuss how using behavioural insights can affect policy change.

Structural reforms and income distribution

Parents’ level of education still greatly influences that of their children: individuals are 4.5 times more likely to attend higher education if one of their parents has a higher education degree than if both their parents have below upper secondary education.

In a majority of OECD countries, GDP growth over the past three decades has been associated with growing income disparities.