Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by So-Won Park
Permafrost carbon release scales linearly with overshoot warming mediated by AMOC tipping
Abstract Overshooting global warming targets risks irreversible Earth system changes. However, uncertainties remain in how critical Earth system components such as permafrost and the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) respond to and interact under warming.
VARP binds SNX27 to promote endosomal supercomplex formation on membranes
Abstract Endosomes are vital cellular hubs for sorting protein cargoes. Retromer (VPS26/VPS35/VPS29) binds multiple sorting nexin (SNX) proteins on endosomal membranes, but assembly mechanisms of metazoan SNX/Retromer complexes remain elusive. We combine biochemical and biophysical approaches with AlphaFold modeling to identify a previously unidentified direct interaction between SNX27 and VARP.
Self-supervised machine learning methods for protein design improve sampling but not the identification of high-fitness variants
Abstract Machine learning (ML) is changing the world of computational protein design, with data-driven methods surpassing biophysical-based methods in experimental success. However, they are most often reported as case studies, lack integration and standardization, and are therefore hard to objectively compare.
MAGE-A4 induces non-small cell lung cancer and tumor-promoting plasma cell accumulation
Abstract Adaptive immunity is critical in eliminating tumors, but cancer-intrinsic factors can subvert this function. Melanoma antigen-A4 (MAGE-A4), a cancer-testis antigen, is expressed in solid tumors and correlates with poor survival, but its role in tumorigenesis and antitumor immunity remains unclear. We found that expression of MAGE-A4 was highly associated with the loss of PTEN, a tumor suppressor, in human non–small cell lung cancers (NSCLC).
Inverse conjugate additions of acrylic amides and esters with F/Cl/O/N-nucleophiles and CF3+ reagents
Abstract The conjugate additions of nucleophiles to conjugate acceptors are among the most powerful hetero-carbon bond formation reactions. The conjugate addition normally occurs via a β-nucleophilic addition, resulting in the formation of a stabilized α-carbanion intermediate that can be subsequently quenched by electrophiles or protons. Nevertheless, the inverse conjugate addition involving an α-specific nucleophilic addition remains less explored because of the electronic mismatch.
Listerin promotes α-synuclein degradation to alleviate Parkinson’s disease through the ESCRT pathway
Abstract Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive accumulation of abnormal α-synuclein (α-syn) within dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra region of the brain. Despite excessive accumulation of α-syn being key to the pathogenesis of PD, the mechanisms governing its clearance remain elusive.
Rapidly self-healing electronic skin for machine learning-assisted physiological and movement evaluation
Abstract Emerging electronic skins (E-Skins) offer continuous, real-time electrophysiological monitoring. However, daily mechanical scratches compromise their functionality, underscoring urgent need for self-healing E-Skins resistant to mechanical damage. Current materials have slow recovery times, impeding reliable signal measurement. The inability to heal within 1 minute is a major barrier to commercialization. A composition achieving 80% recovery within 1 minute has not yet been reported.
Diffuse scattering from correlated electron systems
Abstract The role of inhomegeneity in determining the properties of correlated electron systems is poorly understood because of the dearth of structural probes of disorder at the nanoscale. Advances in both neutron and x-ray scattering instrumentation now allow comprehensive measurements of diffuse scattering in single crystals over large volumes of reciprocal space, enabling structural correlations to be characterized over a range of length scales from 5 to 200 angstroms or more.
Alexander Pines and the end of an era
Alexander Pines (1945–2024), the Glenn T. Seaborg Professor of Chemistry Emeritus at the University of California Berkeley, passed away on November 1. His legacy, over more than half a century, includes extraordinary accomplishments driving the physical principles of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). I had the privilege of being one of Alex’s first PhD graduates in 1980. On his passing, I want to take the opportunity to reflect on how the research enterprise has changed during his remarkable career.
Fully analog iteration for solving matrix equations with in-memory computing
Abstract Memristive in-memory computing has demonstrated potential for solving matrix equations in scientific computing. However, the inherent inaccuracies of analog mechanisms create challenges in achieving high-precision solutions while maintaining low-energy consumption. This study introduces a memristive matrix equation solver that considerably accelerates solutions by performing mathematical iterations directly within an analog domain.
Turning antagonists into allies: Bacterial-fungal interactions enhance the efficacy of controlling Fusarium wilt disease
Abstract Intense microbial competition in soil has driven the evolution of resistance mechanisms, yet the implications of such evolution on plant health remain unclear. Our study explored the conversion from antagonism to coexistence between Bacillus velezensis (Bv) and Trichoderma guizhouense (Tg) and its effects on Fusarium wilt disease (FWD) control.
Exogenous bacterial cellulose induces plant tissue regeneration through the regulation of cytokinin and defense networks
Abstract Regeneration is a unique feature of postembryonic development extensively observed in plants. The capacity to induce regeneration exogenously is limited and usually confined to meristematic-like tissues. We show that bacterial cellulose (BC), but not other structurally similar matrixes, induces postwounding regeneration in nonmeristematic plant tissues via a distinctive route to callus-mediated regenerative programs.
Phase separation of the poplar microtubule-associated protein PagPCaP1a aids microtubule depolymerization in response to high salt
Abstract Woody plants must acclimate to environmental stresses, including soil salinity, for proper growth and development. Microtubule reorganization supports plant survival in saline-rich soils, but the underlying molecular mechanism in tree species remains unclear. In this study, we identified a salinity stress response mechanism in hybrid poplar seedlings.
Reduced RG-II pectin dimerization disrupts differential growth by attenuating hormonal regulation
Abstract Defects in cell wall integrity (CWI) profoundly affect plant growth, although, underlying mechanisms are not well understood. We show that in Arabidopsis mur1 mutant, CWI defects from compromising dimerization of RG-II pectin, a key component of cell wall, attenuate the expression of auxin response factors ARF7-ARF19. As a result, polar auxin transport components are misexpressed, disrupting auxin response asymmetry, leading to defective apical hook development.
The role of electronic excited states in the spin-lattice relaxation of spin-1/2 molecules
Abstract Magnetic resonance is a prime method for the study of chemical and biological structures and their dynamical processes. The interpretation of many of these experiments relies on understanding how the spin of unpaired electrons exchanges energy with their environment, or lattice, and relaxes to equilibrium.
Targeted approach to determine the impact of cancer-associated protease variants
Abstract Several steps of cancer progression, from tumor onset to metastasis, critically involve proteolytic activity. To elucidate the role of proteases in cancer, it is particularly important to consider single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) that affect the active site of proteases, thereby influencing cleavage specificity, substrate processing, and thus cancer cell behavior.
Double-opponent spiking neuron array with orientation selectivity for encoding and spatial-chromatic processing
Abstract Color spiking encoding and opponent preprocessing are critical for energy-efficient object perception in the human visual system. Emulating the retina and brain’s integration of spatial and chromatic spiking signals holds promise for enhancing the efficiency of vision sensors. Here, we introduce an artificial visual neuron array that generates excitatory or inhibitory spiking responses to specific wavelengths with orientation selectivity.
Nonstop mutations cause loss of renal tumor suppressor proteins VHL and BAP1 and affect multiple stages of protein translation
Abstract Nonstop extension or stop-loss mutations lead to the extension of a protein at its carboxyl terminus. Recently, nonstop mutations in the tumor suppressor SMAD Family Member 4 (SMAD4) have been discovered to lead to proteasomal SMAD4 degradation. However, this mutation type has not been studied in other cancer genes. Here, we explore somatic nonstop mutations in the tumor suppressor genes BRCA1 Associated Protein 1 (BAP1) and Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) enriched in renal cell carcinoma.
Quantifying CO2 forcing effects on lightning, wildfires, and climate interactions
Abstract Climate change affects lightning frequency and wildfire intensity globally. To date, model limitations have prevented quantifying climate-lightning-wildfire interactions comprehensively. We exploit advances in Earth System modeling to examine these three-way interactions and their sensitivities to idealized CO2 forcing in 140-year simulations. Lightning sensitivity to global temperature change (+1.6 ± 0.1% per kelvin) is mitigated by compensating atmospheric effects.
Molecular spin-probe sensing of H-mediated changes in Co nanomagnets
Abstract The influence of hydrogen on magnetization is of substantial interest to spintronics. Understanding and controlling this phenomenon at the atomic scale, in particular in nanoscale systems, is crucial. In this study, we used scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) combined with a nickelocene molecule to sense the spin of a hydrogen-loaded nanoscale Co island grown on Cu(111).
Flexible pyroelectric energy harvesters from nanocomposites of liquid crystal elastomers/lead zirconate titanate nanoparticles
Abstract Pyroelectric materials that can generate electric charges when subjected to temperature changes are of interest for renewable energy. However, current flexible pyroelectric energy harvesters suffer from low output. Here, we present a nanocomposite of liquid crystalline elastomer (LCE) and pyroelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanoparticles and demonstrate a flexible heat harvesting device with high output.
Canalization-based super-resolution imaging using an individual van der Waals thin layer
Abstract Canalization is an optical phenomenon that enables unidirectional light propagation without predefined waveguiding designs. Recently demonstrated using phonon polaritons in twisted van der Waals (vdW) layers of α-MoO3, it offers unprecedented possibilities for controlling light-matter interactions at the nanoscale. However, practical applications have been hindered by the complex sample fabrication of twisted stacks.
Blue light restores functional circadian clocks in eyeless cave spiders
Abstract Evolution in profound darkness often leads to predictable, convergent traits, such as the loss of vision. Yet, the consequences of such repeated evolutionary experiments remain obscure, especially regarding fundamental regulatory behaviors like circadian rhythms. We studied circadian clocks of blind cave spiders and their sighted relatives. In the field, cave spiders exhibit low per expression and maintain constant activity levels.
Diabetes potentiates the emergence and expansion of antibiotic resistance
Abstract Individuals with diabetes mellitus frequently develop severe skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) that are recalcitrant to antibiotic treatment. We examined how diabetes affects the emergence of antibiotic resistance in a Staphylococcus aureus SSTI. We determined that S. aureus evolves antibiotic resistance rapidly in diabetic mice, while resistance did not occur in nondiabetic mice over the course of infection.
Correlation-driven attosecond photoemission delay in the plasmonic excitation of C60 fullerene
Abstract Extreme light confinement in plasmonic nanosystems enables novel applications in photonics, sensor technology, energy harvesting, biology, and quantum information processing. Fullerenes represent an extreme case for nanoplasmonics: They are subnanometer carbon-based molecules showing high-energy and ultrabroad plasmon resonances; however, the fundamental mechanisms driving the plasmonic response and the corresponding collective electron dynamics are still elusive.
Intercellular NETwork-facilitated sarcoplasmic reticulum targeting for myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury treatment
Abstract Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) often leads to irreversible myocardium dysfunction, while existing therapies are palliatives that transiently alleviate the disease symptoms. Repairing sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) could reverse MIRI, which, however, requires precise drug delivery to the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR).
Human camouflage and expression via soft mask from reprogrammable chemical fluid skin
Abstract Developing a wearable, active, dynamic face-changing mask for human camouflage and expression is a substantial challenge. Many organisms achieve camouflage and expression through skin deformation and color change. Inspired by this, we report a reprogrammable chemical fluid skin, which achieves deformation through fluids like the skin of a pufferfish and achieves color change function like the skin of a chameleon.
Humoral responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in vasculitis-related immune suppression
Abstract Immune suppression poses a challenge to vaccine immunogenicity. We show that serum antibody neutralization against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron descendants was largely absent post-doses 1 and 2 in individuals with vasculitis treated with rituximab. Detectable and increasing neutralizing titers were observed post-doses 3 and 4, except for XBB. Rituximab in vasculitis exacerbates neutralization deficits over standard immunosuppressive therapy, although impairment resolves over time since dosing.
Continued permafrost ecosystem carbon loss under net-zero and negative emissions
Abstract The loss of ecosystem carbon (the sum of vegetation, litter, and soil carbon) may occur in a permafrost region under mitigation pathways, which could reduce the efficiency of carbon dioxide removal. Here, we investigate changes in permafrost under net-zero and negative emissions, based on idealized emission-driven simulations using a state-of-the-art Earth system model.
A thallus-forming N-fixing fungus-cyanobacterium symbiosis from subtropical forests
Abstract Fungi engage in diverse symbiotic relationships with phototrophs. Lichens, symbiotic complexes involving fungi and either cyanobacteria, green algae, or both, have fungi forming the external layer and much of the interior. We found an erect thallus resembling a lichen yet with an unexpected thallus structure composed of interwoven cyanobacterial filaments with numerous fungal hyphae inserted within individual cyanobacterial sheaths, contrasting with typical lichen structure.
Laboratory observation of ion drift acceleration via reflection off laser-produced magnetized collisionless shocks
Abstract Fermi acceleration is believed to be the primary mechanism to produce high-energy charged particles in the Universe, where charged particles gain energy successively from multiple reflections. Here, we present the direct laboratory experimental evidence of ion energization from single reflection off a supercritical collisionless shock, an essential component of Fermi acceleration, in a laser-produced magnetized plasma.
Gut IgA functionally interacts with systemic IgG to enhance antipneumococcal vaccine responses
Abstract The gut microbiota enhances systemic immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses to vaccines, but it is unknown whether this effect involves IgA, which coats intestinal microbes. That IgA may amplify postimmune IgG production is suggested by the impaired IgG response to pneumococcal vaccines in some IgA-deficient patients. Here, we found that antipneumococcal but not total IgG production was impaired in mice with IgA deficiency.
Disentangling climate’s dual role in dengue dynamics: A multiregion causal analysis study
Abstract Dengue fever poses major public health challenges, with climate change complicating control efforts. Yet, the full extent of climate change’s impact on dengue remains elusive. To investigate this, we used an advanced causal inference method to 16 diverse climatic regions in the Philippines. This method is capable of detecting nonlinear and joint effects of temperature and rainfall to dengue incidence.
Anti-TCP1 Antibody Is a Potential Biomarker for Diagnosing Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
All articles published by MDPI are made immediately available worldwide under an open access license. No special permission is required to reuse all or part of the article published by MDPI, including figures and tables. For articles published under an open access Creative Common CC BY license, any part of the article may be reused without permission provided that the original article is clearly cited. For more information, please refer to https://www.mdpi.com/openaccess.
How Does Plant CO2 Physiological Forcing Amplify Amazon Warming in CMIP6 Earth System Models?
1 Introduction Since the start of the Industrial Revolution, the atmospheric CO2 concentration has steadily increased (Pörtner et al., 2022), leading to changes in the global climate. It is well known that the greenhouse effect causes global warming (CO2 radiative forcing). In addition, the physiological response of plants to the rising CO2 also affects global temperature (CO2 physiological forcing) (Park et al., 2021; Zarakas et al., 2020).
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with So-Won
Contact So-Won, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack