Search

Mixed-metal cluster generating reaction solutions contain several species of similar composition and structure that often result in hard-to-separate product mixtures. Here, the authors analyze elemental compositions obtained via high-resolution mass spectrometry with a computational permutative approach and assign individual structures of nickel gallium intermetalloid clusters without the need to isolate pure clusters.

Particle processing plays a critical role in advancing solid state batteries. Here, authors show how solvent-free mechanofusion enables mixed conducting matrix coatings on cathode particles and relate coating quality to macroscopic mixing stresses for scalable solid state battery manufacturing.

Molecular scaffolds bearing 1,1-diaryl-substituted four-membered rings remain difficult to access using traditional synthesis. Now it has been shown that a modular, nickel-electrocatalytic sequence enables the programmable, scalable and chemoselective synthesis of these high-value motifs, offering broad utility across drug discovery and showcasing strategic applications to patented intermediates.

Gold has a vital role in human society and the global economy, but its production currently causes high levels of environmental pollution. This work reports an approach that can effectively produce gold from both primary and secondary resources without the use of toxic substances such as mercury or cyanide.

The catalytic mechanism of [Fe]-hydrogenases is not well understood. Now a signal-enhanced nuclear magnetic resonance method based on parahydrogen is introduced to study [Fe]-hydrogenase under turnover conditions in situ, revealing intermediates of the catalytic cycle.

Xeno-learning uses preclinical data from one species to boost the performance of neural networks applied to another species when exploring physiological responses.

Photocatalytic efficiency can be limited by slow transfer of photoexcited holes and high charge recombination rates. Using a hydroxyl anion–radical redox couple leads to enhanced photocatalytic H₂ generation on Ni-decorated CdS nanorods.

Evolution separates complex modern enzymes from their hypothetical simpler early ancestors, which raises the question of how unevolved sequences can develop new functions. Here a library of non-natural protein sequences was subjected to ultrahigh-throughput screens in microfluidic droplets, leading to the isolation of a phosphodiesterase enzyme capable of hydrolysing the biological second messenger, cyclic AMP.

Gram-negative bacteria rely on the Ton system for nutrient uptake. Here, authors uncover how the ExbD protein acts as a conformational switch and the function of peptidoglycan in order to energize this transport process across the outer membrane.

Rechargeable magnesium batteries offer high volumetric capacity and safety advantages, but are limited by electrolyte instability and challenges in achieving reversible magnesium deposition. This Review examines the evolution of electrolytes, key design principles, interfacial chemistry, dendrite behaviour and sustainability aspects.

There are currently two types of antiviral drugs – neutralizing antibodies and small molecule inhibitors. Here, the authors report the development of bicyclic peptides that combine the advantages of both and show their antiviral capacity against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro as well as in small animal models.

Potassium-ion batteries are a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries. Here, authors characterise the solid-state diffusivities and exchange current densities of leading negative and positive electrode materials, enabling full-cell modelling to identify the properties limiting rate capability.

Battery production cost models are critical for evaluating cost competitiveness but frequently lack transparency and standardization. A bottom-up approach for calculating the full cost, marginal cost, and levelized cost of various battery production methods is proposed, enriched by a browser-based modular user tool.

The International Space Station is a unique habitat for humans and microbes. Here, Mora et al. analyze microbial communities from several areas aboard, finding similarities with those of ground-based indoor environments, as well as adaptations towards biofilm formation but not necessarily relevant to human health.

GPR88 is an orphan GPCR and regulates diverse brain functions. Here, the authors report two structures of the human GPR88-Gi complex, showing an allosteric ligand directly involved in the interaction interface between the receptor and G-protein, and a density which may represent an endogenous ligand of GPR88.

Pre-existing high-affinity antibodies alter germinal centre and memory B cell selection by lowering the activation threshold for B cells and through direct masking of their cognate epitopes, thereby permitting a diverse set of abundant lower-affinity clones targeting alternate epitopes to participate in the immune response.

Bacteriophages of the Siphoviridae family have a long, flexible, non-contractile tail that has been difficult to characterize structurally. Here, the authors present the atomic structure of the tail tube of one of these phages, showing a hollow flexible tube formed by hexameric rings stacked by flexible linkers.

The key challenge for rechargeable Ca batteries originates from the severe passivation of the calcium metal anode in electrolyte solutions. Here, the authors demonstrate the feasibility and elucidate the electrochemical properties of calcium-tin (Ca–Sn) alloy anodes for rechargeable Ca batteries.

Forced expression of C-X-C chemokine receptor type 6 in antigen-specific T cells enhanced the recognition and lysis of pancreatic cancer cells and the efficacy of adoptive cell therapy for pancreatic cancer.

The soluble bioactive form of the transmembrane protein fibronectin type III domain containing 4 (sFNDC4) has anti-inflammatory effects and improves insulin sensitivity. Here the authors show that liver derived sFNDC4 signals through adipose tissue GPCR GPR116 to promote insulin-mediated glucose uptake.

The discovery of hierarchies in biological processes is central to developmental biology. Here the authors propose Poincaré maps, a method based on hyperbolic geometry to discover continuous hierarchies from pairwise similarities.

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) have interesting properties, but the synthesis of uniform HEAs is challenging. Here design principles are established for the synthesis of core–shell nanoparticles, which can be thermally annealed to produce uniform HEA nanoparticles in a predictable manner.

SARS-CoV-2 antigen tests are commonly used point-of-care tests and provide rapid results but lack sensitivity. Here, the authors present a new point-of-care approach for COVID-19 diagnosis, “ADESSO”, which outperforms antigen tests on clinical samples and can be quickly adapted for different variants.

Selective autophagy helps to degrade aggregated proteins accumulating in neurodegenerative diseases. Here, the authors show that NEMO, a ubiquitin binding protein previously linked to innate immune signaling, is recruited to misfolded proteins and promotes their autophagic clearance by forming condensates with the autophagy receptor p62.

Self-derived DNA may trigger interferon-driven autoinflammation mediated by the cGAS-STING axis. Here, the authors find that mutations in the GTPase ARF1 cause an interferonopathy by promoting aberrant mitochondrial DNA release and impairing STING recycling.

Bourdon et al. demonstrate the possibility to ectopically synthesize callose, a polymer restricted to primary cell walls, into Arabidopsis and aspen secondary cell walls to manipulate their ultrastructure and ultimately reduce their recalcitrance.

The GID E3 ligase regulates glucose-induced degradation in yeast, and key physiology. This study unveils E3 ligase regulation by reshaping the substrate binding site, blocking substrate access to ubiquitination active sites, and a Cage-like assembly.

Chimeric antigen receptor T cells in the clinic currently target cell-type-specific extracellular antigens on malignant cells. Here, authors engineer tumor-specific chimeric antigen receptor T cells that target human leukocyte antigen-presented neoantigens derived from mutant intracellular proteins.

State-of-the-art industrial methods for transforming P₄ into useful phosphorus compounds currently rely on indirect, multi-step strategies. It has now been shown that straightforward one-pot reactions can convert P₄ directly into industrially relevant products while requiring only mild conditions and simple, inexpensive reagents—and can also functionalize P₄ catalytically.

Single-particle tracking (SPT) has revolutionised studies of protein interactions but is often limited by photobleaching. Here, the authors evolve DNA-PAINT-SPT to enable simultaneous dual-colour detection for the quantification of protein dimerization and live cell membrane protein tracking.

Hartl et al. demonstrate how metabolism and the cell cycle are coupled in prokaryotic cells by analysing the metabolome during the cell cycle in Caulobacter crescentus. Whereas the levels of most metabolites are independent of the cell cycle, glutathione fluctuates and is required for coordinated cell cycle progression.

In contrast to steels, fusion welding high strength aluminum alloys such as AA7075 is notoriously difficult. Here, the authors add nanoparticles to a weld filler rod to successfully weld AA7075 without hot cracks or loss of strength at the weld.

Structural characterization of B6, a monoclonal antibody that cross-reacts with eight β-coronavirus spike proteins from three viral lineages, reveals a conserved cryptic epitope that could serve as a target for structure-guided design of a pan-β-coronavirus vaccine.

New World hantaviruses—which cause a severe human respiratory disease—use surface glycoproteins to bind to the human protocadherin-1 protein and enter endothelial cells in vitro; depleting protocadherin-1 in Syrian golden hamsters largely protects against disease.

N-Heterocyclic carbenes are versatile ligands that can be used to modulate the properties of metallic surfaces. This Review focuses on efforts to tune the reactivity of metal-based heterogeneous catalysts by such molecular species, providing an overview of the techniques to study carbene–surface interaction and examples of successful catalytic reactions based on this approach.

Isabel Ernst et al. use single-molecule FRET measurements and in silico analyses to show the conformational changes of bacterial SecA. They show that the Preprotein Binding Domain is highly dynamic in the absence of ATP and moves toward the Helical Wing Domain when ATP is bound into the “wide open” position.

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.

Electrocatalysis is now being used for many oxidation reactions in organic synthesis. This protocol describes how to set up an electrolytic cell for use in cobalt-catalyzed C–H/N–H alkyne annulations and C–H oxygenations.

Although saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) are the most commonly used conduit in coronary artery bypass graft surgery, vein graft failure (VGF) occurs in almost half of all patients with SVGs by 10 years after surgery. In this Review, Caliskan and colleagues discuss approaches to prevent saphenous VGF, including optimal harvesting techniques and intraoperative preservation strategies.

This Review describes how whole-genome sequencing of pooled DNA from many individuals (Pool-seq) is an economical alternative to sequencing the genomes of individuals separately. The authors outline the strengths and pitfalls of Pool-seq, and provide example applications across diverse species and biological questions.