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Muscularis macrophages, housekeepers of enteric nervous system integrity and intestinal homeostasis, modulate α-synuclein pathology and neurodegeneration in models of Parkinson’s disease, and understanding the accompanying mechanisms could pave the way for early-stage biomarkers.

This work introduces a solvent-free method to directly synthesise MOF glasses without needing a crystalline precursor, enabling device integration, magnetic studies, and functional tuning.

Here authors demonstrate how a 2D hybrid perovskite melts and forms glass, uncovering atomic-scale structural and dynamic evolution across the crystal–liquid–glass transition. Local structural motifs are retained, advancing understanding of amorphous hybrid materials.

MK-7762 is a new oxazolidinone antitubercular agent that is structurally similar to linezolid, and demonstrated in vivo efficacy, lesion penetration and limited toxicity compared to linezolid, indicating it could be used in broad tuberculosis regimens.

Half a century ago, two theoretical papers were published that together sparked major new directions — conceptual, mathematical and practically applicable — in several previously disparate fields of science. In this Comment, the authors of one of those papers expose key aspects of the thinking behind them, their implementations and implications, along with sketches of several subsequent and consequential developments.

Soil microbial populations bloom and then die-off in ecosystems with seasonal snowpack. This study showed that distinct taxa utilize different N sources for growth or energy during the microbial bloom and alter the fate of N after snowmelt.

JWST’s COSMOS-Web survey is used to create an ultra-high-detail dark matter map, revealing hidden filaments, clusters and distant structures. By tracing features out to z = 2, this map shows how dark and luminous matter build the cosmic web across cosmic time.

Understanding how biosilica forms is crucial to our knowledge of this important biomaterial. Now, the role of collagen as structuring agent for the metre-long spicules of a primitive glass sponge has been revealed and found to have an unusual peptide motif.

Here they demonstrate a therapeutic intervention elevating levels of CYP450-derived lipids to control the expansion of intermediate monocytes in tissue and peripheral blood, presenting a first in class therapeutic approach for treating chronic inflammatory disease.

Fractional Chern insulators have been observed in moiré MoTe₂ at zero magnetic field, but the expected zero longitudinal resistance has not been demonstrated. Now it is shown that improving device quality allows this effect to appear.

A cavity-array microscope is realized using intra-cavity lenses to create a two-dimensional array of over 40 modes, each coupled to a single atom in free-space.

Here authors demonstrate a strategy of enhancing the porosity of MOF glasses through topological engineering. Unlike the production of inorganic porous glasses by leaching, the pore structures in MOF glasses were controlled by using a highly porous topology of the crystalline precursor.

This study detects Chlamydia pneumoniae in human retina and brain, increasing with AD severity. Retinal pathogen load with Aβ₄₂ may predict AD stage. In models, infection drives Aβ deposition and NLRP3 activation, worsening pathology and cognition.

Two-dimensional poly(arylene vinylene) frameworks are promising polymer semiconductors, yet obtaining highly crystalline materials is a major challenge. Now a series of 11 highly crystalline or single-crystalline 2D poly(arylene vinylene)s have been prepared—from 2D imine-linked covalent organic frameworks through a Mannich-elimination strategy—with diverse lattices, enhanced conjugation and specific surface areas up to 2,000 m² g⁻¹.

Prior hypoglycemia alters the paracrine interaction between islet α and δ cells, leading to impaired counter-regulatory glucagon secretion through somatostatin hypersecretion, increasing the risk of recurrent hypoglycemia.

Copper is well known for its high antimicrobial efficacy; however, cost, appearance and metallic properties limit application. Here the authors describe a stable, water dispersible copper-glass ceramic powder with long-term antimicrobial activity as an additive for antimicrobial surfaces.

After spinal cord injury, lesion-remote astrocytes acquire heterogeneous, spatially restricted reactivity states that shape neuroinflammation, neural repair and neurological recovery.

Thendral et al. describe a mitophagic programme that removes deleterious mtDNA during the oocyte-to-zygote transition in Caenorhabditis elegans, promoting mitochondrial health and offspring survival. Loss of this mitophagy leads to mutant mtDNA accumulation.

Piol et al. uncover that impaired eukaryotic initiation factor 5a (Eif5a) hypusination disrupts axonal translation and neuronal activity in fused in sarcoma-amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FUS-ALS) by applying spatial transcriptomics in motor axons. In vitro and in vivo targeting Eif5a hypusination via spermidine supplementation improves ALS model phenotypes.

iGluSnFR4f and iGluSnFR4s are the latest generation of genetically encoded glutamate sensors. They are advantageous for detecting rapid dynamics and large population activity, respectively, as demonstrated in a variety of applications in the mouse brain.

Most high-loading silicon-based anodes for lithium-ion batteries suffer from low efficiency and volumetric capacity. Here, the authors show that a paper-like electrode of silicon oxycarbide glass and graphene at mass loading of >2 mg cm⁻²can efficiently deliver high energy density for over 1,000 cycles.

A histone ubiquitin-dependent regulatory hub governs stimulus-dependent heterochromatin propagation, with important implications for understanding mechanisms governing rapid changes in the epigenetic landscape in physiology and disease.

Methods for the systematic synthesis and evaluation of large numbers of transition metal complexes at a time are still limited. Here, the authors report a high-throughput method to create and test hundreds of metal complexes, revealing potent new metalloantibiotics and a highly active iridium catalyst.

De novo domestication was performed on the brassica Thlaspi arvense (pennycress) by identifying and stacking CRISPR-induced mutations to create a new intermediate oilseed crop that can be grown in the off-season, with seed compositions similar to canola (low erucic acid and reduced glucosinolate).

An in-depth analysis of tissue biopsies from patients with multiple myeloma and CAR T cell therapy-associated immune-related adverse events (CirAEs) after treatment with commercial BCMA-targeted CAR T cell therapy shows that CD4⁺ CAR T cells mediate off-tumor toxicities and that high CD4:CD8 ratio at apheresis, robust early CAR T cell expansion, ICANS and ciltacabtagene autoleuce treatment are independently associated with the development of CirAEs.

Ribosomal translation is coupled to cotranslational protein folding, process assisted by dedicated chaperones. Here, authors present structures of the ribosome-bound yeast Hsp70 chaperone Ssb, identifying its ribosomal binding site and revealing its interactions with a model nascent chain.

The relation between magnetooptical activity and chirality has previously been confused. Chiral polymer films are presented with state-of-the-art Verdet constants, revealing the role of chirality, and a strategy to enhance the magnetooptical B term.

Polymer thin films that emit and absorb circularly polarised light are promising in achieving important technological advances, but the origin of the large chiroptical effects in such films has remained elusive. Here the authors demonstrate that in non-aligned polymer thin films, large chiroptical effects are caused by magneto-electric coupling, not structural chirality as previously assumed.

Genomic and transcriptomic analysis of samples from patients with multiple myeloma, followed by in vitro validation, indicate mechanisms of antigen escape in response to GPRC5D T cell-engager talquetamab, including biallelic deletions, small nucleotide variants, insertion-deletions and chromatin silencing.

Albumin selectively inhibits Mucorales growth through the release of bound free fatty acids.

This work identifies ERECTA–EPFL genes as major regulators of maize meristem activity and the development of maize shoots and ears. The findings highlight genetic targets that influence kernel row number and plant architecture to increase maize yield.

Following its internalisation, active endosomal GLP-1R engages with VAPB and SPHKAP at ER membrane contact sites to assemble a local cAMP/PKA condensate for the control of MICOS complex phosphorylation, mitochondrial remodelling and β-cell function.

Microfluidic-generated polymer microparticles have been shown to have superior pharmacological performance; yet, mass production remains a challenge to industrial application. Here, the authors present and test a device that incorporates arrays of microparticle generators for mass production.

Large-system molecular dynamics simulations of films of glass-forming polymers reveal spatially long-range tails of interface-driven gradients of the glass transition temperature, suggestive of a combined local caging and long-range collective elasticity origin of relaxation and vitrification in glass-forming liquids.

Metal-organic frameworks constitute a family of glass formers that is distinct from those that are polymeric, metallic, or inorganic. Here the authors show that they can be combined with different inorganic aluminophosphate glasses to produce a composite with mechanical properties intermediate between the two end-members.

The reconstitution of complex biological processes in cell-free systems can support the detailed characterisation of biochemical mechanisms which are difficult to probe in vivo. Here authors present an all-cell-free T7 phage cycle, consisting of cell-sized liposomes encapsulating a cell-free gene expression reaction and a phage receptor at the membrane.

During the Last Glacial Maximum, the deep Northwest Atlantic was only about 2 °C colder than today, suggesting sustained production of relatively warm North Atlantic Deep Water during the Last Glacial Maximum.

Sivanandan, Leitmann, and colleagues present the CellPaint-POSH platform, which combines pooled CRISPR screening with Cell Painting. Using self-supervised deep learning on cell images, the method enables discovery of gene function and biological networks.

This study reports highly selective Li⁺Mg²⁺ separation via concentration gradient-driven transport using negatively charged membranes with high charge content. The separation mechanism involves selective partitioning of Li⁺ ions into the membrane and uphill transport of Mg²⁺ ions. Bench-scale diffusion dialysis experiments with model brine solutions demonstrate effective monovalent/divalent ion separation.

In mice, a SPOCD1–TPR-dependent ‘nowhere-to-hide’ mechanism is required for complete non-stochastic piRNA-directed LINE1 DNA methylation by preventing transposons from escaping surveillance within heterochromatin.

CaBLAM is a bioluminescent genetically encoded calcium indicator that delivers high-contrast signals as shown in cell culture, in the in vivo mouse brain and in zebrafish larvae.

David Adam reports on a bizarre trial that trapped volunteers in a world of mirror images.

A multi-institute, multi-platform initiative generates standard metrics and best practices for spatial transcriptomics analysis.

Proteomics must target specific synapse types to reveal how molecules shape their unique functions. Here, authors show that hippocampal synapses differ in proteome and that neuron-specific glutamate receptor regulation shapes synaptic diversity.

Quantifying ecosystem dynamics is critical in the face of rapid environmental change. This study uses airborne eDNA to quantify changes in organism abundances across the tree of life and reveal a regional decline in biodiversity over three decades.