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The jumbo phage ΦKZ constructs a proteinaceous nucleus-like compartment around its genome that protects phage DNA from degradation by DNA-targeting immune effectors of the host, including CRISPR–Cas and restriction enzymes.

Capsule-specific human monoclonal antibodies are protective against bloodstream infection by Klebsiella pneumoniae sequence type 147 in a mouse model of septicaemia, and could provide a useful strategy against pathogens with antimicrobial resistance.

A new study models the potential effects of preferentially deploying recovered individuals, who are seropositive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, into the community to reduce the number of interactions between susceptible and infected people, thereby limiting transmission of the virus.

Rizzollo et al. show that BDH2 participates in iron distribution between cellular compartments, which sets the threshold for the ferroptosis vulnerability of the melanoma cell phenotypes, ultimately affecting their metastatic capacity

Managing power exhaust in fusion reactors is a key challenge, especially in compact designs for cost-effective commercial energy. This study shows how alternative divertor configurations improve exhaust control, enhance stability, absorb transients and enable independent plasma regulation.

An analysis of 24,202 critical cases of COVID-19 identifies potentially druggable targets in inflammatory signalling (JAK1), monocyte–macrophage activation and endothelial permeability (PDE4A), immunometabolism (SLC2A5 and AK5), and host factors required for viral entry and replication (TMPRSS2 and RAB2A).

A global network of researchers was formed to investigate the role of human genetics in SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity; this paper reports 13 genome-wide significant loci and potentially actionable mechanisms in response to infection.

Networking remote superconducting quantum computers requires low-noise microwave-to-optical photon conversion. A transducer based on an integrated silicon electro-optomechanical resonator now achieves below one photon of added noise referred to the transducer input while operating continuously under laser drive.

DNAJC12 variants cause parkinsonism. Here, the authors show that DNAJC12 stabilizes tyrosine hydroxylase, a crucial enzyme in dopamine synthesis, and identify key structural motifs for this interaction, explaining the pathogenesis of truncated variants.

KtrAB is a major potassium uptake system that has been linked to the pathogenesis of many infectious bacteria. Here the authors show that KtrB from Vibrio alginolyticus contains an intrinsically disordered N-terminus that is key to its regulation.

Tumours acquire new vasculature through angiogenesis or through alternative pathways including the less understood vasculogenesis mimicry. Here the authors identify a vasculogenic mimicry-competent subpopulation of melanoma cells that expresses the vascular cell adhesion molecule PECAM1, but not VEGFR-2.

Studies on the essentiality of Ku in human cells reveal that Ku interacts with diverse double-stranded RNA molecules, including antisense Alu, and enables tolerance of Alu sequence expansion in primates.

Serotonergic enterochromaffin cells of the intestine exhibit distinct sensory, secretory and physiological properties depending on their location within the complex crypt–villus architecture of the gut.

Using a global dataset of traded species, it is found that the highest levels of traded phylogenetic and functional diversity are from tropical regions, where high numbers of evolutionary distinct and globally endangered species occur.

Native mass spectrometry of membrane proteins in commonly used detergents are not ideal for preserving non-covalent interactions. Here, the authors develop new detergents for native MS of intact membrane proteins, opening new opportunities to study membrane proteins in various detergents.

During eukaryotic ribosome biogenesis, the nascent 60S subunit is activated by SBDS and GTPase EFL1. Cryo-EM and mutational analyses reveal how SBDS–EFL1 evicts antiassociation factor eIF6 from 60S and explain the effects of disease-related SBDS mutations.

Santorini Volcano in Greece was thought to be continually charged by small injections of magma. Measurements of surface deformation show that magma equivalent to 10–50% of that emitted in previous small eruptions has been injected beneath Santorini since January 2011, implying that the volcano is instead charged by rapid, episodic fluxes of melt.

BRCA2 has essential roles in suppressing genome instability at stalled replication forks, but how this is achieved remains unclear. Here, the authors apply Okazaki-fragment sequencing to predict sites of genomic instability caused by head-on transcription-replication conflicts upon BRCA2 loss.

Whole-genome sequencing, transcriptome-wide association and fine-mapping analyses in over 7,000 individuals with critical COVID-19 are used to identify 16 independent variants that are associated with severe illness in COVID-19.

Yang and colleagues have previously reported a clinically guided culture method to generate allogeneic CAR-NKT cells by engineering human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. As potential application, here the authors describe the design and characterization of allogeneic CD33-targeting CAR-NKT cells, showing anti-tumor activity in preclinical models of bone marrow-resident myeloid malignancies.

Manipulation of spins in the solid state is a promising avenue for quantum information and field sensing applications. Bennett et al. demonstrate voltage tunability of single-spin states in a quantum dot as a step towards universal control of a single spin with a single electrical gate.

By enriching productive mutational paths, a Kemp eliminase that speeds up proton abstraction >10⁸-fold was developed in only five evolution rounds. Recombining it with a variant differing by 29 substitutions revealed the underlying fitness landscape.

Retinoblastoma is a rare tumour of the eye that affects infants and children and is associated with the loss of both retinoblastoma gene (RB1) alleles. In this Primer, Gallie and colleagues describe the pathophysiology and management of this disease from a global perspective and discuss the remaining challenges to its treatment.

Stabilized, native-like trimers of the HIV envelope protein, such as SOSIP trimers, are potential antigens for an HIV vaccine. Here, the authors generate a SOSIP trimer based on the consensus sequence of group M isolates, determine its structure and exposure of common epitopes, and show immunogenicity in rabbits and non-human primates.

A single species of electric eel, Electrophorus electricus, has been described. Here, de Santana et al. show that there are three major lineages of Electrophorus distributed across Greater Amazonia and describe two new species, one with a much stronger electric discharge than was previously known.

Cryo-electron microscopy reveals the mechanism of human translation initiation from codon scanning to subunit joining. The structures show the roles of the Kozak sequence, GTP hydrolysis by eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2) and eIF5B in 48S remodeling, as well as that of eIF3 in the control of 60S docking.

Analysis of over 6000 single-site variants of SARS-CoV-2 Papain-Like protease uncovers critical mutations involved in enzymatic function and highlight the potential for drug-escape.

Developing superior structural materials has been challenging because of the inherent conflict between their strength and toughness. Here, the authors use 3D-printing to produce a high-entropy alloy with a microstructure resembling nano-bridged honeycomb structure with good strength and toughness.