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Spatial transcriptomic studies and lineage tracing reveal that, after brain injury, transient profibrotic fibroblasts develop from existing brain fibroblasts, infiltrate lesions, regulate the local immune response and lead to beneficial scar tissue formation.

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).

TGFβ is secreted in an inactive form in the tumor microenvironment. Authors here show that although TGFβ is produced mainly by cancer cells, regulatory T cells are necessary for its activation via expression of the b8 chain of avb8 integrin. Thus, both cell types contribute to TGFβ dependent tumor growth.

How traits specific to modern humans have evolved is difficult to study. Here, Gokhman et al. compare measured and reconstructed DNA methylation maps of present-day humans, archaic humans and chimpanzees and find that genes that affect vocal tract and facial anatomy show methylation changes between archaic and modern humans.

In wildlife tagging, stress from capture and handling can alter post- release behavior and potentially study interpretations. This study of 42 mammal species shows that these effects diminish within 4–7 days, and quicker for animals in high human activity areas indicating adaptation to disturbance.

Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is an anti-inflammatory drug proposed as a treatment for COVID19. Here the results are reported from a randomised trial testing DMF treatment in 713 patients hospitalised with COVID-19. DMF was not associated with any improvement in day 5 outcomes.

Bioinspired vascular networks transport heat and mass in multifunctional materials but lengthy multistep fabrication processes hinder large-scale application of structural vascular materials. Here, the authors report rapid, scalable, and synchronized fabrication of vascular thermosets and fiberreinforced composites under ambient conditions.

The SI units, some of which were initially defined using physical objects, have come to rely on more stable and reproducible forms of measurement in order to improve accuracy. Here, the authors integrate a quantum Hall resistance array and programmable Josephson voltage standard in a circuit to quantum mechanically determine current and, via a Kibble balance, measure the unit of mass as well.

Bennu’s surface presents evidence of a variety of particle sizes, from fine regolith to metre-sized boulders. Its moderate thermal inertia suggests that the boulders are very porous or blanketed by thin dust. Bennu’s boulders exhibit high albedo variations, indicating different origins and/or ages.

Temozolomide therapy seems to lead to mismatch repair deficiency and hypermutation in gliomas, but not to an increase in response to immunotherapy.

A study provides evidence for a shared lymphatic circuit that connects the posterior eye and the brain, allowing the generation of immune responses to protect the CNS against pathogens and tumours following intravitreal immunization.

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.

Bennu’s surface has experienced continuous changes, mostly induced by its accelerating spin rate, which could have resulted in a collapse of its interior in the past. This scenario is also supported by the heterogeneity of Bennu’s internal mass distribution.

Clinical studies have suggested that the therapeutic potential of polyclonal convalescent plasma is highest in the first days of symptoms. Here, the authors present results from a pooled analysis of two clinical trials in COVID-19 outpatients that did not provide conclusive evidence in favor of convalescent plasma.

Concern exists about the possible link between intrauterine exposure to analgesics and congenital malformations. Here, Bernard Jégou and colleagues discuss the effects of mild analgesics (paracetamol and NSAIDs) on endocrine homeostasis and the reproductive system in animals and humans of both sexes, from fetal life to adulthood.

Vicinity of small bodies might be dangerous to the spacecrafts and to their instrumentation. Here the authors show the operational environment of asteroid Bennu, validate its photometric phase function and demonstrate the accelerating rotational rate due to YORP effect using the data acquired during the approach phase of OSIRIS-REx mission.

Near-Earth asteroid Bennu has a top-like shape with longitudinal ridges, macroporosity, prominent boulders and surface mass wasting, suggesting that it is a stiff rubble pile, according to early observations by the OSIRIS-REx mission.

Near-Earth rubble-pile asteroid Bennu has an unexpectedly old surface, with numerous candidate impact craters and morphologically diverse boulders, according to early observations by the OSIRIS-REx mission.

Senescence of mammalian cells is characterized by proliferative arrest and expression of an inflammatory phenotype. Here the authors show the H2A variant H2A.J, found only in mammals, accumulates following persistent DNA damage or natural aging.

Signatures of phyllosilicate-like hydrated minerals are widespread on Bennu’s surface, indicating significant aqueous alteration. The lack of spatial variations in the spectra down to the scale of ~100 m indicates both a relatively uniform particle size distribution and a lack of compositional segregation, possibly due to surficial redistribution processes.

A study demonstrating increasing error suppression with larger surface code logical qubits, implemented on a superconducting quantum processor.

Frontal polymerization of dicyclopentadiene is used to generate thermoset polymers and composite materials with much lower energy requirements and cure times than are needed in conventional oven or autoclave curing approaches.

Observations of asteroid (101955) Bennu with NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft reveal an unexpected surficial diversity that poses a challenge to the success of the sample-return mission.

The identification of superconductivity and strong interactions in twisted bilayer 2D materials prompted many questions about the interplay of these phenomena. This Perspective presents the status of the field and the urgent issues for future study.

Five experts discuss the challenges of making pharmacogenomics a reality.

Refractory cardiogenic shock carries a poor prognosis, with an inhospital mortality of ∼50%. In this Review, Reyentovich and colleagues discuss the current therapeutic and management options available for patients with refractory cardiogenic shock.