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Qifa Zhang and colleagues report the map-based cloning of the quantitative trait locus GS5, which regulates grain size and yield in rice. GS5 encodes a putative serine carboxypeptidase and increased expression is associated with larger grain.

Galectins play vital roles in cellular functions, yet their unconventional secretion mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, Zhang et al. report that ATG9A vesicles, typically linked to autophagy, serve as carriers for galectin-9 secretion.

In the IMpower151 trial, the drug combination previously shown to be effective in the IMpower150 trial was not significantly effective in a Chinese population.

Peptides encoded by noncanonical open reading frames play important roles in cancer. Here the authors identify that a microprotein HDSP derived from the long non-coding RNA HOXA10-HOXA9 is overexpressed in gastric cancer and forms a positive feedback loop with MECOM to drive EGFR signaling in gastric cancer progression.

Wastewater treatment plants are important reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Here, the authors analyze ARGs in a global collection of samples from wastewater treatment plants across six continents, providing insights into biotic and abiotic mechanisms that appear to control ARG diversity and distribution.

GY3 encodes a LOG-like protein that acts as a 5′-ribonucleotide phosphohydrolase in cytokinin synthesis. A Gypsy solo-LTR insertion downregulates GY3 expression and shows the potential to enhance grain yield in rice.

Kagome materials host 2D planes which give rise to kagome physics, but these are typically embedded in the bulk. Huang et al. demonstrate a strategy for generating surface kagome electronic states by vertical p-d electronic hybridization between surface atoms and the buried Co kagome network in Co₃Sn₂S₂.

Global sampling of microbial communities associated with wastewater treatment plants and application of ecological theory revealed a small, core bacterial community associated with performance and provides insights into the community dynamics in this environment.

Accurate organ at risk (OAR) segmentation is critical to reduce the radiotherapy post-treatment complications. Here, the authors develop an automated OAR segmentation system to delineate a comprehensive set of 42 H&N OARs.

The authors examine how mutations combine to alter phenotypes in biophysical models of proteins and conclude that non-additive interactions (epistasis and dominance) are frequent, context-dependent and so challenging to predict in even the simplest of biological systems.

Grain protein content (GPC) contributes to the nutritional quality of cereals. Here, the authors show that the OsAAP6 quantitative trait locus in rice controls GPC by regulating the synthesis and accumulation of several grain storage proteins and starch.

Flexible Ag₂Se possesses promising near-room-temperature thermoelectric performance, while trade-off in thermoelectric performance and flexibility enhances its practical utility. Here, the authors fabricate polycrystalline Ag₂Se-based thin film with a high ZT of 1.27 at 363 K by Te doping.

Human RNA editing enzymes ADAR1 and ADAR2 are required for innate immune functions and neurological functions, respectively. Here, the authors show that Drosophila Adar has both innate immune and brain functions, despite being the homolog of mammalian ADAR2.

Non-additive genetic interactions are plastic and can complicate genetic prediction. Here, using deep mutagenesis of the lambda repressor, Li et al. reveal that changes in gene expression can alter the strength and direction of genetic interactions between mutations in many genes and develop mathematical models for predicting them.

The energy density of dielectric ceramic capacitors is limited by low breakdown fields. Here, by considering the anisotropy of electrostriction in perovskites, it is shown that <111>-textured Na_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃–Sr_0.7Bi_0.2TiO₃ ceramics can sustain higher electrical fields and achieve an energy density of 21.5 J cm⁻³.

Moso bamboo is an economically and ecologically important nontimber forestry species. Here, the authors analyze 427 genomes collected from 15 representative geographic areas, and identify genes under balancing selection, putative patterns of historic demography, and candidate genes associated with important traits.

In quantitative genetics, it is widely assumed that mutations combine additively or epistasis can be predicted with statistical or mechanistic models. Here, the authors use the phage lambda repressor model to show how biophysical ambiguity and non-monotonic functions confound phenotypic prediction.

Grain size is a major determinant of cereal yield. Here the authors characterize five subunits of the rice heterotrimeric G proteins and find that manipulating the three Gγ proteins can achieve designed grain size, which provides a predictable approach to improving grain yield and quality.

Miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements (MITEs) are common components of eukaryotic genomes. Here the authors show that a stowaway-like MITE in the 3′-untranslated region of the riceGhd2gene can suppress translation in a DCL3a-dependent manner representing a novel role for transposons in translation.

The rice resistance gene Xa4, which protects rice against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, is widely used in global rice production. Now, a study reveals that Xa4 encodes a cell-wall-associated kinase that improves multiple agronomic traits by regulating cell wall strength.

Dongfeng Gu and colleagues report a genome-wide association study for coronary artery disease in Han Chinese individuals. They identify four loci newly associated with coronary artery disease.

Two rice WRKY45 alleles show enigmatically opposite effects on resistance to Xanthomonas oryzae. A study now finds that an allele-specific transposon-derived small RNA abolishes WRKY45-mediated resistance by repressing the ST1 gene through DNA methylation.

Yuqing He and colleagues show that Chalk5, a major quantitative trait locus for grain chalkiness in rice, encodes a vacuolar pyrophosphatase with H⁺ translocation activity. They find that elevated expression of Chalk5 disturbs the endomembrane trafficking system in developing seeds, leading to an accumulation of vesicle-like structures and increased chalkiness.