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The genome sequence is presented for the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), providing information about a rediploidization following a salmonid-specific whole-genome duplication event that resulted in an autotetraploidization.

Benjamin et al. construct polygenic indexes (DNA-based predictors) for 47 phenotypes and make them available to researchers in 11 datasets. They also present a theoretical framework and estimator to help interpret analyses using polygenic indexes.

The integration of artificial neuromorphic devices with biological systems plays a fundamental role for future brain-machine interfaces, prosthetics, and intelligent soft robotics. Harikesh et al. demonstrate all-printed organic electrochemical neurons on Venus flytrap that is controlled to open and close.

The single-cell gene expression changes during spinal cord formation and neurogenesis in mice are unclear. Here, the authors use a HES5 reporter to live image, then mathematically model, oscillations in single cells in presumed progenitors and neurons of the developing spinal cord.

Evan Eichler and colleagues use single-molecule molecular-inversion probes to sequence the coding and splicing regions of 208 candidate genes in more than 11,730 individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders. They report 91 genes with an excess of de novo or private disruptive mutations, identify 25 genes showing a bias for autism versus intellectual disability, and highlight a network associated with high-functioning autism.

DNA methylation quantitative trait locus (mQTL) analyses on 32,851 participants identify genetic variants associated with DNA methylation at 420,509 sites in blood, resulting in a database of >270,000 independent mQTLs.

Simon Harris and colleagues report whole-genome sequencing of 36 Chlamydia trachomatis representative strains from temporally and geographically diverse sources and use this to construct a genome-wide phylogeny of the species. They find that epidemic spread can be driven by clonal expansion from a single source and also report evidence for recombination in recent clinical strains both within and between biovars.

Genome-wide association analysis of irritable bowel syndrome identifies genetic susceptibility loci and highlights shared pathways with mood and anxiety disorders.

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells facilitate anti-microbial responses, but their functions in cancer protection is unclear. Here the authors show that activated MAIT cells induce an IFN-γ transcriptome in natural killer (NK) cells and enhance NK-dependent anti-cancer immunity in mice, thereby hinting a new avenue for cancer therapy.

Goldman-Pham et al. introduce a quantitative index of early-life growth adversity to investigate the developmental origins of longevity and improve health throughout the life course. Findings in multiple cohorts show that the precision index is associated with targetable adverse early-life growth conditions and are linked to later-life mortality.

A genome-wide association study in 293,723 individuals identifies 74 genetic variants associated with educational attainment, which, although only explaining a small proportion of the variation in educational attainment, highlights candidate genes and pathways for further study.

The pathogenesis of Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) causing scarlet fever has been associated with the presence of prophages, such as ΦHKU.vir, and their products. Here, the authors characterize the exotoxins SpeC and Spd1 of ΦHKU.vir and show these to act synergistically to facilitate nasopharyngeal colonization in mice.

Winter warming in the Arctic will increase the CO₂ flux from soils. A pan-Arctic analysis shows a current loss of 1,662 TgC per year over the winter, exceeding estimated carbon uptake in the growing season; projections suggest a 17% increase under RCP 4.5 and a 41% increase under RCP 8.5 by 2100.

Development of vaccines remains challenging because viral antigens can be unstable or aggregate. Here, authors present ancestral sequence reconstruction as a method to generate stable and soluble antigens using exclusively available sequence information.

The results of the Fifth RNA-Puzzles contest highlights advances in RNA three-dimensional structure prediction and uncovers new insights into RNA folding and structure.

Previous genome-wide association studies have identified loci associated with the risk of multiple myeloma. Here, the authors present a meta-analysis of six genome wide association studies of the disease and identify eight new loci; functional studies identify genes as candidates for the basis of these associations.

A modern version of Newton's 'dusty 'mirror' experiment is made, whereby X-ray pulses are focused on a thin membrane with polystyrene particles placed in front of an X-ray mirror. After a pulse traverses through the sample, triggering the explosion of a particle, it is reflected back on to the sample by the mirror to probe this reaction. The resulting diffraction pattern contains accurate time and spatially resolved information about the exploding particles.

Birthweight has been found to associate with later-life health outcomes. Here the authors perform a meta-analysis of epigenome-wide association studies of 8,825 neonates from 24 birth cohorts in the Pregnancy And Childhood Epigenetics Consortium, identifying differentially methylated CpGs in neonatal blood that associate with birthweight.

Human population genomic studies, including whole‐genome sequencing, were undertaken to identify determinants of bone mineral density (BMD), a major predictor of osteoporotic fractures. Non‐coding variants with large effects on BMD and fractures were identified near the EN1 locus and mouse studies confirmed this gene has an important role in skeletal biology.

Methods to monitor osmolarity-dependent changes in cell are currently lacking. Here the authors use the Arabidopsis intrinsically disordered AtLEA4-5 protein, which is expressed in plants under water deficit, to develop a FRET biosensor (SED1) to monitor osmotic stress.

Aerotaxy, an aerosol-based growth method, is used to produce gallium arsenide nanowires with a growth rate of about 1 micrometre per second, which is 20 to 1,000 times higher than previously reported for traditional nanowires and allows sensitive and reproducible control of the nanowires’ optical and electronic properties.

Many studies assess epigenetic marks in white blood cells, but it is unclear how much immune factors affect the epigenome. Here, the authors show that fine-scale blood cell composition and cytomegalovirus infection affect the DNA methylome of adults.

Hall effect measurement set-up on a single core–shell semiconductor nanowire enables spatially resolved determination of carrier concentration and mobility in the nanowire shell.

An analysis of 16 health-related quantitative traits in approximately 350,000 individuals reveals statistically significant associations between genome-wide homozygosity and four complex traits (height, lung function, cognitive ability and educational attainment); in each case increased homozygosity associates with a decreased trait value, but no evidence was seen of an influence on blood pressure, cholesterol, or ten other cardio-metabolic traits.

Transport assays using purified glucose transporters (GLUTs) have proven to be difficult to implement, hampering deeper mechanistic insights. Here the authors have optimized a transport assay in liposomes that will provide insight to study other membrane transport proteins.

PI 3-kinase is a major regulator of inflammatory responses. In this study, the authors show that inhibition of the delta isoform of PI 3-kinase attenuates the release of tumour necrosis factor from microglia as well as the signs and symptoms associated with cerebral stroke in an in vivomouse model.

Gurwitz and colleagues propose that consortia dedicated to archiving and analysing data on associations between genotypes and drug-response phenotypes could allow the potential of personalized medicine to be realized, and discuss the associated practical and ethical issues that need to be addressed.

Traykova-Brauch et al. have developed a new approach to modeling renal diseases such as polycystic kidney disease, renal fibrosis and renal cancer in transgenic mice. In contrast to currently available tools, Pax8-rtTA–transgenic mice have high levels of transgene expression in a highly kidney-specific, uniform and tetracycline–dependent manner. The usefulness of the Pax8–rtTA system, which is both inducible and reversible, has been shown in three different settings.

Emerging findings identify important roles for brain lipoprotein receptors in the control of whole-body energy homoeostasis. Here Lee et al. reveal that IDOL-mediated regulation of VLDLR abundance in neurons, but not in peripheral metabolic tissues, regulates food intake and energy expenditure.

In mice, oral tolerance to food antigens can break down after enteric infection, and this leads to food-induced pain resembling irritable bowel syndrome in humans.

Paul Thompson and colleagues report a genome-wide association study for hippocampal, intracranial and total brain volume. They identify a locus at 12q24 associated with hippocampal volume and a locus at 12q14 associated with intracranial volume.

Genetic risk scores derived from GWAS of psychotic disorders are greater in creative professionals unaffected by psychosis. This association cannot be explained by shared environment or education. Thus, a shared genetic architecture underlies the propensity for creativity and psychosis.

Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the aggregation of the Abeta peptide and the tau protein. Here the authors track the formation of wild-type or mutant tau oligomers through to large aggregates and gain insights into the molecular basis of how tau mutations cause disease by altering the aggregation pathway.

Vertical organic electrochemical transistors demonstrating unprecedented performances in both p- and n-type operation modes have been synthesized from new electro-active and ion-permeable semiconducting polymers by the interface engineering of electro-active blend layers.

Ribosomal DNA transcription is essential for cell growth and division. Here, the authors show that EMT is accompanied by Snail binding to rDNA operons and Rictor association with nucleoli to fuel an induction of ribosome biogenesis during G1/S cell cycle arrest and inhibition of ribosome biogenesis hampers EMT, differentiates primary tumors and reduces metastasis.

The atmosphere has dried across most regions of Europe in recent decades, a trend that can be attributed primarily to human impacts, according to tree ring records spanning 400 years and Earth system model simulations.

A polymer semiconductor/ionic-liquid nanocomposite exhibiting mixed conduction is reported. Using operando X-ray scattering, dynamic structural changes are observed on electrochemical charging, which enables efficient electronic transport.

An emerging topic of research into conducting polymers revolves around their integration with living tissue. Using an organic electronic ion pump enables cell responses to be controlled, providing an intriguing avenue to further this area.

Microbial communities are responsible for biological wastewater treatment. Here, Dueholm et al. generate more than 5 million high-quality, full-length 16S rRNA gene sequences from wastewater treatment plants across the world to construct a database with a comprehensive taxonomy, providing insights into diversity and function of these microbial communities.

Clinical insights from patients with a rare genetic skeletal disorder led to the discovery of the first case of a pathogenic gain-of-function miRNA mutation.

Intracellular potassium (K+) homeostasis is achieved by activity of both ion channels and transporters. Here, the authors report structures of E. coli glutathione (GSH)-gated K+ efflux transporter KefC with bound K+ and conclude that the ion-binding site is adapted for binding a dehydrated ion.

Patrick Sullivan and colleagues report a multi-stage genome-wide association study for schizophrenia in a Swedish population. They identify 13 loci newly associated with schizophrenia.