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To unlock the potential of Mn-based cathode materials, the fast capacity fading process has to be first understood. Here the authors utilize advanced characterization techniques to look at a spinel LiMn₂O₄ system, revealing that a combination of irreversible structural transformations and Mn dissolution takes responsibility.

Analysis of a set of 1,863 bursts from the repeating source FRB 20201124A provides evidence of a complicated magnetized site within about an astronomical unit from the source in a barred galaxy.

Vesicle associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP2) contains a conserved SNARE motif that interacts with syntaxin-1 and SNAP25 for SNARE complex assembly. Here authors use in-cell NMR spectroscopy to describe the dynamic membrane association of VAMP2 SNARE motif in mammalian cells at the atomic resolution.

A biocompatible and biodegradable mesostructured form of silicon is used to make lipid-bilayer-supported bioelectric interfaces that can optically modulate the electrophysiology of single dorsal root ganglia neurons.

A free-swimming soft robot inspired by deep-sea creatures, with artificial muscle, power and control electronics spread across a polymer matrix, successfully adapts to high pressure and operates in the deep ocean.

Semiconducting polymers with high-spin at their neutral ground state are rarely reported. Here the authors synthesize three semiconducting polymers with different spin ground states and high hole/electron mobility, by appropriate choice of the building blocks’ singlet-triplet energy gap, spin distributions and solid-state interchain interactions.

Dual-wavelength lasers are gaining importance for photonic applications. In this work the authors demonstrate that by incorporating a lanthanidedoped material into the size-mismatched coupled microcavities, it is possible to achieve laser switch with high uniformity, long-term stability, and an extremely wide spectral range up to 300 nm

A 3D‐ordered liquid crystal phase of regular right and left helically twisted columns self‐assembles from straight‐ and bent‐rod molecules. Here calculations indicate that, among four alternative models, the observed complex Fddd structure provides the lowest packing energy for twisted ribbons.

Amyloid fibrils extracted from brains of patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TAR DNA-binding-protein immunoreactivity (FTLD-TDP) are made up of transmembrane protein 106B.

Mechanical integrity issues are one of the main causes of limited long-term cycle stability for Ni-rich cathode materials. Here the authors analyse the roles of cobalt and manganese and utilise a concentration gradient design to mitigate these issues.

A major challenge in magnon based approaches to information processing lies in developing valves to allow or supress the magnon signal. Here, Chen et al demonstrate a van der Waals magnet based magnon valve which can be tuned electrically over an exceptionally wide range.

Here, we propose the integrated diffractive optical network for implementing parallel Fourier transforms, convolution operations and application-specific optical computing with reduced footprint and energy consumption.

The existence and properties of tetraquark states with two heavy quarks and two light antiquarks have been widely debated. Here, the authors use a unitarized model to study the properties of an exotic narrow state compatible with a doubly charmed tetraquark.

Molecular systems with rigid macrocyclic backbones self-assemble into synthetic nanopores that mimic the mass-transport characteristics of biological channels. Zhouet al. produce self-assembling hydrophobic nanopores that mediate highly selective transmembrane ion transport and highly efficient transmembrane water permeability.

Trivalent lanthanides possess similar chemical properties, making their separation from one another challenging. Here, Wang and colleagues demonstrate that their subtle chemical differences can be greatly amplified during borate crystallization, leading to a low cost and highly efficient separation strategy.

Metabolism changes can modulate immune responses in many contexts, and vice versa. Here the authors associate metabolomic, as well as cytokine and chemokine, data from stratified COVID-19 patients to find that arginine, tryptophan and purine metabolic pathways correlate with hyperproliferation, thus hinting at potential therapeutic targets for severe COVID-19 patients.

Van der Waals materials are characterized by two dimensional layers weakly held together by interlayer van der Waals forces. Here, the authors study how shear motions between these layers influence the magnetic properties of the van der Waals antiferromagnets FePS3, MnPS3, and NiPS3. ‘

Comparison of multiple genome assemblies from wheat reveals extensive diversity that results from the complex breeding history of wheat and provides a basis for further potential improvements to this important food crop.

Measurement-induced phases of quantum information have been observed in a system of 70 superconducting qubits.

GWAS have identified more than 500 genetic loci associated with blood lipid levels. Here, the authors report a genome-wide analysis of interactions between genetic markers and physical activity, and find that physical activity modifies the effects of four genetic loci on HDL or LDL cholesterol.

Chiea Chuen Khor, Tin Aung, Francesca Pasutto, Janey Wiggs and colleagues report a global genome-wide association study of exfoliation syndrome and a fine-mapping analysis of a previously identified disease-associated locus, LOXL1. They identify a rare protective variant in LOXL1 exclusive to the Japanese population and five new common variant susceptibility loci.

The ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider reports a search for charged-lepton-flavour violation in decays of Z bosons into a τ lepton and an electron or muon of opposite charge.

The nonopioid sigma-1 receptor (σ1R) is localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), interacts with multiple effector proteins and various synthetic ligands, and is implicated in many diseases. Here, authors provide structural and functional evidence to reveal the likely ligand entry pathway for σ1R.

In situ transmission electron microscopy can be used to study the dynamic lithiation of single-crystal silicon with atomic resolution.

The active sites of metal-free carbon catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction remain still elusive. Now, Yao, Dai and co-workers combine work-function analyses with macro/micro-electrochemical measurements on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite and conclude that pentagon defects are the main active sites for acidic oxygen reduction.

In this work, the authors report the utilization of nano-inhibito C3N nanodots to inhibit Aβ peptides aggregation and fibrils disassembly, and show how they induce a cognitive enhancement in treated AD mice.

There are few reports of ferroelectricity due to symmetry breaking transition in A-site-ordered quadruple perovskites. Here, the authors find one with phase transition from a high-temperature centrosymmetric paraelectric phase to a low-temperature non-centrosymmetric ferroelectric phase in a high pressure synthesized compound.

The ATLAS Collaboration reports the observation of the electroweak production of two jets and a Z-boson pair. This process is related to vector-boson scattering and allows the nature of electroweak symmetry breaking to be probed.

The ATLAS Collaboration reports a measurement of the ratio of the decay rates of W bosons to τ leptons and muons, in agreement with universal lepton couplings as postulated in the standard model of particle physics.

Analysis of mitochondrial genomes (mtDNA) by using whole-genome sequencing data from 2,658 cancer samples across 38 cancer types identifies hypermutated mtDNA cases, frequent somatic nuclear transfer of mtDNA and high variability of mtDNA copy number in many cancers.

Lithium cobalt oxides are used as a cathode material in batteries for mobile devices, but their high theoretical capacity has not yet been realized. Here, the authors present a doping method to enhance diffusion of Li ions as well as to stabilize structures during cycling, leading to impressive electrochemical performance.

Here, the authors present a resonance theory to describe the bonding configuration of flat boron materials without quantum calculation. Like aromaticity theory in carbon, it allows to intuitively understand the stability and properties of boron-related materials

Analysis of copy number alterations in 1,451 patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) and matched patient tumor samples shows strong conservation from patient tumors through late-passage PDXs and a lack of systematic copy number evolution driven by the mouse host.

The mechanisms regulating regeneration of the earthworm are unclear. Here, the authors use genomic and transcriptomic analysis of the earthworm Eisenia andrei together with Hi-C analysis to identify genes involved and show activation of LINE2 transposable elements on regeneration.

Separation of ⁹⁹TcO₄⁻ from nuclear waste at the Savannah River Site is hampered by the extreme conditions. Here, the authors propose a solution by developing an alkaline-resistant metal organic framework material featuring unique recognition sites for selective incorporation of ⁹⁹TcO₄⁻ anions.

Efficient control and measurement of qubits requires them to be strongly coupled to other degrees of freedom, but this can introduce additional decoherence. Now, parametric driving makes it possible to controllably introduce and remove interactions.

Human stem cell-derived cortical organoids transplanted into rats mature and integrate into sensory and motivation circuits to influence behaviour.

The calyx of Held synapse in the auditory brainstem is an unusually large and fast synapse. Using genome-wide screening and conditional deletion in mice, Xiao and colleagues identify BMP signaling as a crucial factor in the development of the functional and structural properties of this large central synapse.

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are attractive electrodes for supercapacitors but generally suffer from low electric conductivity and chemical stability. Here the authors report stable conductive MOFs based on hexaminobenzene linker with volumetric and areal capacitances in excess of 700 F per cm³ and 15 F per cm², respectively.

High temperature perpendicular ferroelectricity in nano thin films is crucial for miniaturization of electronic devices. Here the authors show the presence of stable and switchable out-of-plane ferroelectricity in tetragonal BiFeO₃ thin films at the two-dimensional limit and 370% tunneling electroresistance in ferroelectric tunnel junctions.

Genetic variants associated with susceptibility to pancreatic cancer have been identified using genome wide association studies (GWAS). Here, the authors combine data from over 9000 patients and perform a meta-analysis to identify five novel loci linked to pancreatic cancer.

A cryo-electron microscopy structure of fungal mitochondrial calcium uniporter shows that the channel is tetrameric and sheds light on channel assembly and function.

Chromosome-scale sequence assemblies of 20 diverse varieties of barley are used to construct a first-generation pan-genome, revealing previously hidden genetic variation that can be used by studies aimed at crop improvement

Luis Pérez-Jurado, Stephen Chanock and colleagues detect clonal chromosomal abnormalities in peripheral blood or buccal samples from individuals in the general population. They show that the frequency of such events increases with age and is associated with elevated risk of developing subsequent hematological cancers.

Analyses of data from high-throughput genomic technologies are challenging given large data dimensionality. Here, Liu and colleagues describe a method called MANCIE (Matrix Analysis and Normalization by Concordant Information Enhancement) that can conduct genomic data normalization and bias correction to detect biologically relevant information.

In metastatic lymph nodes, solid stress generated by metastatic growth prevents the infiltration of lymphocytes into the lesions.

Macrophage-mediated immune suppression contributes to poor outcome in liver metastasis. Here the authors show that CD36-expressing metastasis associated macrophages engulf tumor cell-derived extracellular vesicles enriched in long-chain fatty acids, acquiring a pro-tumorigenic phenotype in a preclinical liver metastasis model.

The Large Hadron Collider beauty collaboration reports a test of lepton flavour universality in decays of bottom mesons into strange mesons and a charged lepton pair, finding evidence of a violation of this principle postulated in the standard model.