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Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) frequency and risk factors vary considerably across regions and ancestries. Here, the authors conduct a multi-ancestry genome-wide association study and fine mapping study of HNSCC subsites in cohorts from multiple continents, finding susceptibility and protective loci, gene-environment interactions, and gene variants related to immune response.

Spatial cell distribution within a tissue microenvironment is a rapidly advancing field. Here, authors assess three commercially available single-cell resolution spatial transcriptomics approaches (CosMx, MERFISH, and Xenium) to inform which technology outperforms for immune profiling of solid tumors using patient samples.

Two-qubit operations exceeding 99% fidelity have been demonstrated by silicon devices made with standard semiconductor tooling in a 300-mm foundry environment.

Achieving phosphorus circularity is a key challenge to realizing sustainable phosphorus use, and recycling is a major route to accomplish this goal. This Review explores global barriers to phosphorus recycling and discusses approaches to overcome the technical, economic and societal challenges in attaining sustainable phosphorus management.

Zaman, Yang and Huang et al. demonstrate MDK’s suppressive effect on amyloid-β and its impact on amyloid burden and microglial activation in Alzheimer disease mice, highlighting its protective role in pathogenesis.

CSF α-synuclein seed amplification assays detect Lewy body pathology accurately but are invasive and costly. Here, the authors show that a two-step workflow using smell-function prescreening maintained 94% accuracy while reducing CSF testing by 43%.

How tree diversity effects on ecosystem functioning vary along climatic gradients is unclear. Here, analysing data from 15 experimental forest sites, the authors show that tree growth responses to neighbourhood species diversity are stronger in wetter climates but are unaffected by interannual climatic variation within sites.

Using well-calibrated statistical methods the authors jointly analyze Undiagnosed Diseases Network genomes, identifying known and novel disease genes. Software is publicly available to support future cross-cohort rare disease discovery efforts.

Noise is inherent in gene expression, and can lead to sizeable fluctuations in the concentrations of expressed RNA and proteins. But many biological processes, such as circadian rhythms, are predictable and must be robust to internal noise. New simulations and studies of synthetic gene networks indicate that negative feedback may counteract noise.

The ESCRT-III complex is implicated in the reformation of the nuclear envelope; the CHMP2A component of ESCRT-III is directed to the forming nuclear envelope through classical ESCRT-assembly mechanisms, with the help of the p97 complex component UFD1, and provides an activity essential for nuclear envelope reformation.

Ossenkoppele, Coomans and colleagues analyzed the tau PET data of 12,048 individuals from 42 cohorts worldwide. They found that age, amyloid-β status, presence of an APOE ε4 allele and female sex are key contributors to tau PET positivity, which should aid clinical decision-making and trial designs.

The antisense oligonucleotide rugonersen has acceptable safety and tolerability in children with Angelman syndrome and shows partial normalization of electroencephalogram abnormalities and clinical improvements relative to natural history.

Lipoprotein uptake dependent on sulfated glycosaminoglycans linked to cell-surface proteoglycans is a key determinant of ferroptosis sensitivity in cancer.

CMOS-based circuits can be integrated with silicon-based spin qubits and can be controlled at milli-kelvin temperatures, which can potentially help scale up these systems.

Parhizkar et al. show that lemborexant, an orexin receptor antagonist, protects against neurodegeneration in male tau transgenic mice by preventing tau protein build-up and inflammation, highlighting its potential for preventing neurodegeneration.

Peripheral nerves slowly regrow after injury, but often fail to form functional synapses. Here, authors use NANOG, a pluripotency factor, to induce denervated muscle to a pro-regenerative state improving muscle reinnervation after nerve transection.

Mycobacterium abscessus is considered an emerging pathogen, given its prevalence in patients with pulmonary diseases, such as cystic fibrosis. Here, authors perform a genomic analysis on sequential isolates obtained from patients with persistent infections of M. abscessus.

Silicon-based spin qubits are promising candidates for a scalable quantum computer. Here the authors demonstrate the violation of Bell’s inequality in gate-defined quantum dots in silicon, marking a significant advancement that showcases the maturity of this platform.

Genomic analysis of Plasmodium DNA from 36 ancient individuals provides insight into the global distribution and spread of malaria-causing species during around 5,500 years of human history.

Here the authors identify TNIP1 as a risk factor for a fatal neurodegenerative disorder and discover specific genetic loci associated with the three main subtypes of this disorder. The findings highlight distinct disease mechanisms, emphasizing the roles of immunity and the notch signaling pathway.

Seagrass meadows are some of the most productive ecosystems on Earth. An analysis of organic carbon data from just under one thousand seagrass meadows indicates that, globally, these systems could store between 4.2 and 8.4 Pg carbon.

Wood density is a key control on tree biomass, and understanding its spatial variation improves estimates of forest carbon stock. Sullivan et al. measure >900 forest plots to quantify wood density and produce high resolution maps of its variation across South American tropical forests.

Using single-nucleus RNA sequencing from 32 donors, researchers identified distinct astrocytic gene expression programs activated across brain regions and Alzheimer’s disease stages. They also found unique subclusters of astrocytes that appear to vary over time, highlighting the complexity of astrocytic responses in AD.

The relationship between lipid dyshomeostasis and tau pathology in FTLD and AD remains unclear. Here, the authors demonstrate that GRAMD1B contributes to lipid dyshomeostasis, autophagy impairment, and tau hyperphosphorylation in neurons.

Meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias identifies new loci and enables generation of a new genetic risk score associated with the risk of future Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

A new algorithm can predict the propensity of proteins to aggregate.

The degree to which biogenic volatile organic compounds released by the Amazon canopy impact oxidation capacity remains uncertain. Here, the authors evaluate the vertical distribution of total hydroxyl radical reactivity and individual trace gases in the Amazon rainforest, and determine seasonal variations.

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).

Known genetic loci account for only a fraction of the genetic contribution to Alzheimer’s disease. Here, the authors have performed a large genome-wide meta-analysis comprising 409,435 individuals to discover 6 new loci and demonstrate the efficacy of an Alzheimer’s disease polygenic risk score.