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The authors identify a chemical cocktail to generate totipotent-like cells, which they then use to build an embryo model. This model captures a developmental spectrum from early embryogenesis to post-implantation events.

A functional screening platform selects switchable aptamer beacons that undergo conformational changes and emit detectable signals when encountering target molecules.

Low-toxicity ZnSe–ZnS core–shell quantum dots show tunable and stable blue lasing in solution.

DNA is a promising medium for data storage but requires efficient sequencing methods for real-time data retrieval. Here, authors introduce Composite Hedges Nanopores (CHN), a nanopore-based codec scheme that improves sequencing efficiency and data accuracy, supporting real-time data retrieval.

Inflammatory immune cells are found in the synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here the authors use scRNA sequencing of synovial fluid cells from RA patients before and after treatment with adalimumab/tofacitinib and find changes in inflammatory SPP1+ macrophages and explore the function of these cells in mouse models.

Chemical modifications in DNA enable hidden messages for secure data transmission. Here, authors develop DeepSME, a nanopore sequencing and deep-learning framework that conceals data into DNA using 5-hydroxymethylcytosine and enables single-molecule private communication.

This study reports the genomic changes underlying the convergent and divergent agronomic improvement of the female and male heterotic groups during modern hybrid maize breeding, laying a foundation for the dissection and utilization of maize heterosis.

The authors propose an optical encryption platform that enhances security and throughput through scattering multiplexing ptychography, realizing encryption at a scale of 10-megapixel pixels with 1.23 µm resolution.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a predominant and critical component of the tumour microenvironment. Here, the authors integrate and analyse single-cell RNA-seq data of CAFs across 10 common solid cancer types, identifying their plasticity and interactions with other cell types.

Modulating the electrochemical interface at the atomic level is challenging due to the lack of efficient interfacial regulators. Here, the authors report using a porous amine cage as an interfacial modifier to enhance alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction kinetics by facilitating charge transfer.

Functional succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) complex is vital to mitochondrial homeostasis. Here the authors show that disruption of SDH assembly in the heart causes dilated cardiomyopathy via impairing the mitochondrial integrity and metabolism and that mitochondrial interventions can be an effective approach to ameliorate the disease progression.

The authors report a large-scale single-shot millimeter-wave imaging technique for low-cost high-fidelity security inspection. Experiments demonstrated successful detection of concealed centimeter-sized targets with order-of-magnitude cost reduction.

Tetrylones show unique electronic properties and display potantial as soluble molecular allotropes, but until now, the chemistry of Tetrylone homologs remains underexplored. Here, the authors describe the synthesis of a family of antimony(I) and bismuth(I) cations supported by a bis silylene ligand and explore their reactivity.

Thermal management in compact electrical devices is challenging due to limited space and complex geometries. Here, the authors present a flexible heat pipe that conforms to arbitrary shapes without space constraints, achieving an ultra-high thermal conductivity of 11,363 W/m·K.

Sympathetic innervation of brown and white adipose tissue is shown to be promoted by zinc released from thermogenic adipocytes, revealing a positive feedback mechanism for regulation of thermogenesis and thereby energy expenditure.

Structural health monitoring is crucial for ensuring the safety and longevity of infrastructure. Here, the authors introduce a “deploy-and-forget” system that uses passive sensors and a mechanics-informed autoencoder to autonomously detect and localize damage with significantly improved accuracy.

Quantifying chemical short-range order (CSRO) remains a formidable for volume-averaged or 2D microscopy methods. Here the authors introduce a machine-learning approach that breaks the resolution limitations of atom probe tomography to reveal the 3D atomistic architecture of CSRO in Fe-based alloys.

Hair-like sensilla are evolved widely in organisms that perceive mechanical signals. Here, the authors report an all-optical mechano-sensor that can detect the real-time, directional displacement and force at several nm and μN levels.

Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a neuroendocrine tumor that originates from thyroid parafollicular cells, generally associated with a poor prognosis. By comparing MTC with less aggressive papillary thyroid cancer, here the authors find that the neurotransmitter calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) promotes an immunosuppressive microenvironment in MTC.

Hypertension is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which represents the top cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Here, the authors show deletion of endothelial Sp1 and Sp3 leads to a disruption in endothelium-dependent vasodilation and the onset of hypertension, which abolishes the beneficial actions of captopril.

Halide perovskites feature highly dynamic lattices, but their impact on exciton fine structure remains unexplored. Here, the authors show that these lattices lead to a bright-exciton fine structure gap, enabling observation of quantum beats in a non-uniform ensemble.

B-cell activation reprograms the TCA cycle and reduces cellular fumarate levels. Increased fumarate caused by fumarase inhibition or dimethyl-fumarate treatment directly succinates and inhibits LYN, leading to impaired B-cell activation and function.

Mechanical force is critical for the development and remodeling of bones. Here the authors report that mechanical force regulates the production of the metabolite asymmetric dimethylarginine via regulating the expression of the hydrolytic enzyme dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 1 in osteoblasts.

The human CST complex (CTC1-STN1-TEN1) is essential for telomere homeostasis. Here the authors dissect the roles of individual CST subunits in telomere length maintenance through regulation of telomerase-mediated G-strand synthesis and DNA polymerase-mediated C-strand synthesis in colon cancer cells.

Signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) is a unique type of gastric cancer with no prognostic features. Here, the authors report a CLDN18-ARHGAP26/6 gene fusion in patients with a high signet-ring cell content, poor survival outcomes, and who experience no benefit from platinum/fluoropyrimidines-based chemotherapy.

Yin and colleagues show that the phosphatase PAC1 (DUSP2) acts as a checkpoint in cytotoxic T cells to restrain their antitumor function.

Little is known about the phosphatases involved in the control of TH17 cells. Yin and colleagues demonstrate that the phosphatase DUSP2 targets the transcription activator STAT3 to regulate the differentiation and function of TH17 cells.

A direct search for effective electromagnetic interactions between dark matter and xenon nuclei that produce a recoil of the latter is carried out and the first constraint on charge radius of dark matter is derived.

Skatole is a bacterial metabolite responsible for boar taint and the objectionable smell of manure. Here, the authors elucidate the final step of skatole biosynthesis, describing the discovery and biochemical characterization of the enzyme catalysing the conversion of indoleacetate into skatole.

A rice diterpenoid gene cluster is reported that controls the biosynthesis of 5,10-diketo-casbene, a phytoalexin that confers resistance to rice bacterial blight and blast fungus. It recently evolved in the japonica subspecies under artificial selection.

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.

PTEN is a potent tumour suppressor involved in cell growth, proliferation and survival. Here the authors identify an N-terminal extended isoform of PTEN, termed PTENβ that negatively regulates ribosomal DNA transcription and cell proliferation, expanding the pleiotropic functions of the PTEN family.