Search

An optical detection and analysis platform quantifies aggregate density, distribution and size in fluorescently labelled post-mortem human brain tissue.

Defining the spatial organization of tissues and organs like the brain from large datasets is a major challenge. Here, authors introduce CellTransformer, an AI tool that defines spatial domains in the mouse brain based on spatial transcriptomics, a technology that measures which genes are active in different parts of tissue.

Data from over 2,500 reefs worldwide is used to identify 15 bright spots—sites where reef biomass is significantly higher than expected—and surveys of local experts in these areas suggest that strong sociocultural institutions and high levels of local engagement are among the factors supporting higher fish biomass.

Chemical engineering principles will continue to help scientists design and optimize new medical devices, treatments and modalities. This Comment reflects on historical developments and potential opportunities in medicine for chemical engineering.

The dorsal peduncular area of the mouse brain functions as a network hub that integrates diverse cortical and thalamic inputs to regulate neuroendocrine and autonomic responses.

The products and dynamics in mutual neutralisation of \({{{{\rm{O}}}}_{2}}^{+}\) with O⁻ occurring in atmospheric sprites are unknown. Here, the authors reveal a dissociative two-step mechanism via intermediate Rydberg states and a dependence on the \({{{{\rm{O}}}}_{2}}^{+}\) vibrational state.

Using JWST, more than 40 individual stars have been detected in a distant galaxy, dating back to when the Universe was only half of its current age. The stars appear to be red (super)giants that are magnified by factors of hundreds.

During membrane fusion, lipid bilayers come into direct contact but rearrangements of lipid domains during fusion have not been thoroughly examined. Here the authors observe and correlate membrane morphology, interaction forces and domain rearrangements during hemifusion of two model membranes.

The controlled functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes has been shown to brighten their photoluminescence up to 28 times, which challenges our current understanding of how chemical defects affect low-dimensional carbon materials. This significantly improved photon conversion efficiency promises to advance a broad range of optoelectronic and imaging applications based on carbon nanotubes.

New field measurements and modeling show meltwater refreezing in Greenland’s bare ice may reduce runoff to surrounding oceans, highlighting a process climate models can incorporate for improved predictions of future sea-level rise.

Federated learning (FL) algorithms have emerged as a promising solution to train models for healthcare imaging across institutions while preserving privacy. Here, the authors describe the Federated Tumor Segmentation (FeTS) challenge for the decentralised benchmarking of FL algorithms and evaluation of Healthcare AI algorithm generalizability in real-world cancer imaging datasets.

Understanding the mechanisms of chemoresistance in multiple myeloma (MM) remains elusive. Here, the authors identify a long non-coding RNA termed as PLUM that is overexpressed in NF-ĸB mutant high-risk MM and interacts with EZH2 to mediate PRC2 complex formation promoting chemoresistance via the activation of the UPR pathway.

The use of single cell sequencing has enabled more detailed analysis of the immune response to infection. Here the authors characterise the immune response to malaria infection in an endemic region using single cell transcriptomics indicating regulatory signatures associated with infection.

By investigating the paradoxical retention of a photolyase gene in a light-deprived blind cavefish, the authors reveal a novel light-independent function for CPD photolyase in the repair of oxidative stress-induced DNA damage

Here, the authors present fossilized neural traits from the lower Cambrian euarthropod Jianfengia multisegmentalis, including structured eyestalks and compound eyes, that resolve multiple phylogenetic relationships within Euarthropoda.

The enzyme ABHD18 is shown to have a key role in cardiolipin metabolism in mitochondria, offering a potential route for a small-molecule treatment of the rare genetic disease Barth syndrome.

The authors demonstrate that the band structure of graphene nanoribbons is modulated by cove edges, brightening the luminescence 4-fold via emission from otherwise dark twilight states. High spectral resolution of the optical response reveals strong vibron-electron coupling

The visible–near-infrared spectrum of the dark spot that appeared on Neptune in 2018 indicates the presence of material that makes the aerosol layer at 5 bar darker at visible wavelengths. Such material can come from deeper layers via upwelling or by sublimation of H₂S ice that reveals the darker condensation nuclei.

The quantum nature of light has been harnessed in a photonic chip to perform machine-learning tasks. For specifically designed problems, the approach outperforms established classical methods.

JWST and Keck II spectral observations of Saturn’s moon Titan reveal methyl (CH₃) as well as non-local thermodynamic equilibrium emission bands of CO and CO₂. Imaging shows clouds in Titan’s northern hemisphere at several epochs, with some appearing to evolve in altitude.

Chronic care manages long-term, progressive conditions, while acute care handles short-term ones. Here, authors show chronic conditions account for most of the global health burden, with 68% of DALYs and 93% of YLDs attributed to chronic care needs.

The role of glutamate-driven inhibition in neural computations and animal behavior is not fully understood. This study reveals that group III metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) mediate inhibition in the habenula, shaping sensory processing and defensive behaviors, highlighting a key role for glutamate-driven inhibition in the brain.

Although synthesis of high-quality MoS₂ has been demonstrated, growth of monolayer MoS₂at controlled locations is highly desirable for applications. Here, the authors introduce a method where patterned seeds of molybdenum source material are used to grow isolated flakes at predetermined locations.

X-ray synchrotron measurements reveal heterogeneities at electrode|electrolyte interfaces of lithium metal batteries operating at high potentials. Here the authors demonstrate the rearrangement of ionically conductive phases in polymer electrolytes that lead to battery performance degradation.

Research on the gut microbiota would benefit from improved methods to study microbial population growth. Here, Myhrvold et al. present a ‘mark and recapture’ method that uses genetically encoded fluorescent particles to measure the growth rates of gut microbes in live animals.

A manufacturable platform for quantum computing with photons is introduced and a set of monolithically integrated silicon-photonics-based modules is benchmarked, demonstrating dual-rail photonic qubits with performance close to thresholds required for operation.

A liquid-crystal-in-oil emulsion system exhibits bistable opacity or transparency, with rapid switching between the two, faster than, for example, electrochromics that can be found in smart windows.

Here, the authors identify mechanistic differences in the dependence on co-transcription factors between orthologous TFs from two related yeast species, S. cerevisiae and C. glabrata. The investigation into intrinsically disordered regions sheds light on the role of autoinhibition in the reliance on co-TFs.

Internet of things (IoT) sensors can collect, store and communicate large volumes of information, which require effective security measures. Here, the authors report the realization of low-power edge sensors based on photosensitive and programmable 2D memtransistors, integrating sensing, storage and encryption functionalities.

A study reports the measurement of the polarization degree and angle of X-rays from Sagittarius A^* reflected off a nearby cloud, indicating an X-ray flare about 200 years ago.

We report the outcome of an international optical observation campaign of a prototype constellation satellite, AST SpaceMobile’s BlueWalker 3, which features a 64.3 m² phased-array antenna and a launch vehicle adaptor.

Proteins SegA and SegB are important for chromosome segregation and organization in archaea of the order Sulfolobales, but mechanisms are unclear. Here, Kabli et al. uncover patterns and mechanisms that the SegAB system employs to link chromosome organization to genome segregation.

Transancestral GWAS meta-analysis in 160,420 individuals identifies 139 loci associated with refractive error, including myopia. Newly identified genes implicate pathways involved in eye growth and light signaling cascades.

JWST observations of the planetary nebula NGC 3132 reveal a rich molecular environment containing evidence of multiple stellar interactions on a variety of scales.

Understanding the process of exciton fission, which occurs in certain organic materials, could lead to the development of more efficient photovoltaic devices. Here, an expression derived from first principles is used to accurately characterize the singlet fission rate of a wide array of materials, reproducing a transition from weak to strong coupling as a function of molecular separation.

Brains and neuromorphic systems learn with local learning rules in online-continual learning scenarios. Designing neural networks that learn effectively under these conditions is challenging. The authors introduce a neural network that implements an effective, principled approach to local, online-continual learning on associative memory tasks.

Regulation of the actin cytoskeleton is essential for blood-brain barrier integrity and immune cell transmigration. Here, the authors show that the ion channel K2P2.1 regulates this process by shielding key signaling lipids and modulating actin dynamics.

A report giving direct evidence of moonlets embedded in the bright core of Saturn's F ring, and showing that most of the F ring's morphology results from the continual gravitational and collisional effects of small satellites, often combined with the perturbing effect of Prometheus.

Inorganic polyphosphates have been identified in the central nervous system. Holmström and colleagues examine neuroglial cultures in vitro and cardiorespiratory responses in vivo, and find that inorganic polyphosphates trigger calcium-dependent activation of astrocytes and increase cardiorespiratory activity.

Understanding the dynamics of light-induced carriers is vital for employing two-dimensional materials in optoelectronic applications. Here, the authors use a sub diffraction-limit optical technique to reveal the excitonic properties of monolayer molybdenum disulfide at the nanoscale.

Deuterated amines play a crucial role as building blocks in drug synthesis and in identifying metabolites of novel pharmaceuticals. This study introduces a dual-functional phosphorus-doped iron single-atom catalyst that efficiently enables both reductive amination and deuteration in a one-pot process, utilizing H₂ as the reducing agent and cost-effective D₂O as the deuterium source.

Understanding how fungal pathogens deliver proteins to diverse plant compartments is critical for developing disease control. Giraldo et al. demonstrate that the blast fungus possesses distinct secretion systems for proteins targeted to compartments inside or outside living rice cells.

An extreme Einstein ring ~10,000 times as bright as the Milky Way in the infrared is studied with VLT/ERIS and ALMA, and the authors find that the lensed galaxy is a starburst with a fast-rotating disk, rather than being driven by a major merger.

Combining the infrared capabilities of JWST and synthetic tracking techniques, the detection of some of the smallest asteroids ever observed in the main belt is reported; their large abundance reveals a population driven by collisional cascade.