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In vitro propagation of the pathogenic bacterium Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, leads to attenuated virulence and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) truncation. Here, Long et al. show that a strain considered to be avirulent (NMII) can be recovered from infected animals, and these isolates display increased virulence and an elongated LPS due to reversion of a 3-bp mutation in a gene.

Radiation reaction (RR) on particles in strong fields is the subject of intense experimental research, but previous efforts lacked statistical significance due to the extreme regimes required. Here, the authors report a 5σ observation of RR and obtain strong, quantitative evidence favouring quantum models over classical, using an all-optical setup where electrons are accelerated by a laser in a gas jet before colliding with a second, intense pulse.

A global network of researchers was formed to investigate the role of human genetics in SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity; this paper reports 13 genome-wide significant loci and potentially actionable mechanisms in response to infection.

A van der Waals heterostructure made from atomic layers of ferroelectric CuCrP₂S₆ and ferromagnetic Fe₃GeTe₂ can offer reversible, non-volatile ferroelectric control of two-dimensional magnetism.

Whole-genome sequencing, transcriptome-wide association and fine-mapping analyses in over 7,000 individuals with critical COVID-19 are used to identify 16 independent variants that are associated with severe illness in COVID-19.

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).

The identification of cellular targets for natural products that potently inhibit the growth of cancer cell lines implicates oxysterol-binding proteins in the growth of cancer cells. These natural products, termed ORPphilins, also affect sphingomyelin biosynthesis.

Kraft, Murphy, Jones et al. identify extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA)-interacting elements (EIEs) enriched for transposable elements within ecDNA in colorectal cancer cells. They show that EIE 14 integrated within ecDNA acts as an enhancer to promote cancer fitness.

Elevated levels of IL-33 induce the production of autoantibodies through an unknown mechanism. Here, the authors show that IL-33 disrupts splenic architecture and germinal center organization, causing an expansion of antibody-secreting plasmablasts and plasma cells. In multiple mouse models of inflammation, administration of IL-33 exacerbates the pathology, increasing the production of autoantibodies, whereas IL-33 blockade reverses autoantibody production in a model of lung inflammation.

As presented at the ESMO Congress 2025: Results of the phase 2/3 AGITG DYNAMIC-III trial show that de-escalated chemotherapy based on ctDNA-negative status in patients with stage III colon cancer did not meet non-inferiority for 3-year recurrence-free survival when compared to standard of care, although it enables better informed treatment decisions.

PU.1^low CD28-expressing microglia may act as suppressive cells in Alzheimer’s disease, mitigating its progression by reducing neuroinflammation and amyloid plaque load, indicating potential immunotherapeutic approaches for treatment.

Analysis of the panchromatic transmission spectrum of the warm, low-density, Neptune-sized exoplanet WASP-107b from instruments aboard the HST and JWST suggests that tidal interaction with its host star led to changes in its atmospheric chemistry.

A transition from carbon sink to source for the aboveground woody biomass of moist tropical Australian forests has occurred, driven by increasingly extreme climate anomalies.

The response to infectious and inflammatory challenges differs among people but the reasons for this are poorly understood. Here the authors explore the impact of variables such as age, sex, and the capacity for controlling inflammation and maintaining immunocompetence, linking this capacity to favourable health outcomes and lifespan.

Experimental measurements of high-order out-of-time-order correlators on a superconducting quantum processor show that these correlators remain highly sensitive to the quantum many-body dynamics in quantum computers at long timescales.

Across 13 longitudinal studies (3,737 adults), the authors show that brain atrophy parallels memory loss, with a stronger coupling in later life. APOE ε4 increases decline, yet genetic risk does not modify the brain–memory relationship.

Jayavelu, Samaha et al., apply machine learning models on hospital admission data, including antibody titers and viral load, to identify patients at high risk for Long COVID. Low antibody levels, high viral loads, chronic diseases, and female sex are key predictors, supporting early, targeted interventions.

Openshaw and colleagues find myeloid inflammation and complement activation signatures in patients with long COVID who were previously hospitalized.

Allelic variants for the HIV-1 co-receptors chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) and CCR2, as well as the ligand for the co-receptor CXCR4, stromal-derived factor (SDF-1), have been associated with a delay in disease progression. We began this study to test whether polymorphisms in the CCRS regulatory regions influence the course of HIV-1 disease, as well as to examine the role of the previously identified allelic variants in 1,090 HIV-1 infected individuals. Here we describe the evolutionary relationships between the phenotypically important CCRS alleles, define precisely the CCR5 regulatory sequences that are linked to the CCR5-Δ32 and CCR2-64I polymorphisms, and identify genotypes associated with altered rates of HIV-1 disease progression. The disease-retarding effects of the CCR2-64I allele were found in African Americans but not in Caucasians, and the SDF1-3′A/3′A genotype was associated with an accelerated progression to death. In contrast, the CCR5-Δ32 allele and a CCR5 promoter mutation with which it is tightly linked were associated with limited disease-retarding effects. Collectively, these findings draw attention to a complex array of genetic determinants in the HIV-host interplay.

Here, the authors perform large trans-ancestry fine-mapping analyses identifying large numbers of association signals and putative target genes for colorectal cancer risk, advancing our understanding of the genetic and biological basis of this cancer.

Data collected from more than 2,000 taxa provide an unparalleled opportunity to quantify how extreme wildfires affect biodiversity, revealing that the largest effects on plants and animals were in areas with frequent or recent past fires and within extensively burnt areas.

In this work, authors show that Salmonella uses its SPI-1 injectisome to infect macrophages, triggering rapid translational upregulation of transcription factors, such as EGR1 which suppresses the inflammatory response, aiding the bacteria in establishing systemic infection

Phylogenomic analysis of 7,923 angiosperm species using a standardized set of 353 nuclear genes produced an angiosperm tree of life dated with 200 fossil calibrations, providing key insights into evolutionary relationships and diversification.

COVID-19 can be associated with neurological complications. Here the authors show that markers of brain injury, but not immune markers, are elevated in the blood of patients with COVID-19 both early and months after SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly in those with brain dysfunction or neurological diagnoses.

Viral vector integration can affect the safety of gene and cell therapies. Here, authors introduce MELISSA, a regression-based statistical tool that quantifies integration site risks and clone growth effects, aiding the safety evaluation of therapies in both research and clinical settings.

The role of IgG glycosylation in the immune response has been studied, but less is known about IgM glycosylation. Here the authors characterize glycosylation of SARS-CoV-2 spike specific IgM and show that it correlates with COVID-19 severity and affects complement deposition.

Glucocorticoid (GC) induced osteoporosis (GIOP) remains a significant clinical problem. Here, the authors find that GCs disrupt skeletal stem cell–endothelial crosstalk via Basigin that can be targeted as a potential therapy for GIOP.

Transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) have identified colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility genes. Here, the authors combine two multi-tissue TWAS methods, Mendelian randomisation, and genetic colocalization to identify 37 likely causal CRC susceptibility genes.

Comparing infection routes and subsequent transmission of MPXV in the multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis) indicates increased susceptibility, shedding and transmission via the genital mucosae.

In this study, Aggarwal and colleagues perform prospective sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 isolates derived from asymptomatic student screening and symptomatic testing of students and staff at the University of Cambridge. They identify important factors that contributed to within university transmission and onward spread into the wider community.

Solid organ transplant recipients are at increased risk of infectious disease and have unique molecular pathophysiology. Here the authors use host-microbe profiling to assess SARS-CoV-2 infection and immunity in solid organ transplant recipients, showing enhanced viral abundance, impaired clearance, and increased expression of innate immunity genes.

Integrated multi-omic analyses using samples from the TRACERx study highlight cross-talk between DNA hypermethylation and genomic lesions in non-small cell lung cancer.

Hypoimmune gene editing in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) provides a promising platform for cellular therapies. Here, the authors report that CRISPR mediated deletion of ICAM-1 in hPSC-derived grafts reduces immune cell adhesion, dampens T cell activation, and protects against immune rejection.

Evidence of a large temperature difference between dawn and dusk has been observed on the exoplanet WASP-107 b. This planet is so cool that it was not expected to exhibit this phenomenon, implying a need to further explore the exoplanet population.

Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) is still not well understood. Here the authors provide patient reported outcomes from 590 hospitalized COVID-19 patients and show association of PASC with higher respiratory SARS-CoV-2 load and circulating antibody titers, and in some an elevation in circulating fibroblast growth factor 21.

Net energy implications of the energy transition have primarily been assessed at the final energy stage to date. New research considers the useful-stage energy return on investment and finds that wind and solar photovoltaics outperform fossil fuels, shedding light on their investment potential.

Genomic analysis of Plasmodium DNA from 36 ancient individuals provides insight into the global distribution and spread of malaria-causing species during around 5,500 years of human history.

Dynamics of type I interferon (IFN) following infection with SARS-CoV-2 are critical in determining disease severity in humans but have been difficult to model in mice. Here, infection of genetically diverse mice reveals how delayed or immediate IFN signaling coordinates antiviral immunity.

Multiomic analysis of blast-phase myeloproliferative neoplasms identifies a chromosome 21 amplicon harboring DYRK1A as a clonal and therapeutically targetable event in around a quarter of cases.

Leveraging enzymatic selectivity, a single reaction stream provides a single diastereomer of the cyclic dinucleotide MK-1454, a promising immune-oncology drug candidate, without the use of protecting groups or chiral auxiliaries.

The role of glioma cellular metabolism in response to oncolytic herpes virus (oHSV) therapy remains to be studied. Here the authors report that oHSV induces metabolic reprogramming in IDH wildtype glioma cells, leading to ferroptosis and anti-tumor immune response. Pharmacological blockade of mutant IDH enhances glioma cell sensitivity to oHSV therapy.

Quantum supremacy is demonstrated using a programmable superconducting processor known as Sycamore, taking approximately 200 seconds to sample one instance of a quantum circuit a million times, which would take a state-of-the-art supercomputer around ten thousand years to compute.