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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).

MUTYH removes A mis-incorporated opposite oxidized guanine to thwart mutations. Here, the authors present crystal structures and assess functional impacts and molecular dynamics of cancer-linked variants to illuminate how the [4Fe-4S] cofactor and active site are allosterically connected with significance for fidelity and clinical impact.

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.

Hubble observations of the TRAPPIST-1 system exclude the presence of H₂-dominated cloud-free atmospheres for the three planets within or around the system’s habitable zone. This result supports the hypothesis that these planets are terrestrial in nature.

Atmospheres within the Solar System are known to exhibit seasonal changes. Observations with the Kepler spacecraft hint at analogous periodic weather variations in an exoplanet atmosphere.

Mid-infrared emission spectra and simulated JWST observations of basaltic rocky exoplanets show that the telescope can, in theory, observe the mineralogy and chemical composition of rocky exoplanet surfaces and detect the presence of water-bearing minerals.

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.

Laboratory experiments explore aerosol formation at conditions that can be found on planets with radii between Earth and Neptune that do not exist in the Solar System but are common elsewhere. Photochemically generated hazes are produced in most cases.

Observations of the warm Neptune WASP-107b show that the planet has a hot interior with an intrinsic temperature of about 460 K.

Time-series observations from the JWST of the transiting exoplanet WASP-39b show gaseous water in the planet’s atmosphere and place an upper limit on the abundance of methane.

The reported optical properties of organic hazes produced in water-rich exoplanet atmospheres differ from those in nitrogen-rich atmospheres. Such differences have a detectable effect on the spectra, impacting interpretation of JWST observations.

Photochemical hazes in exoplanet atmospheres work as opacity barriers, hindering characterization of the atmospheres themselves. Here laboratory experiments quantify the haze surface energies that factor into the removal of hazes from atmospheres, which, when added to existing data on haze production, give a greater understanding of haze properties.

Laboratory experiments show that the inclusion of even small quantities of sulfur in the atmospheres of exoplanets at 800 K significantly increases photochemical complexity, both in the vapour and in the solid phase: many sulfur gas products are created (including potential biosignature gases) and the production of organic haze particles increases threefold.

Transmission spectroscopy observations from the James Webb Space Telescope show the detection of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of the gas giant exoplanet WASP-39b.

Ultrahot giant planet WASP-121b has a stratosphere that warms up with altitude during the day and cools down with altitude during the night. This trend is in agreement with predictions from circulation models in chemical equilibrium. Efficient vertical mixing hinders condensation of at least some refractory materials.

Observations of the gas-giant exoplanet WASP-121b reveal near-infrared emission lines of water, suggesting that the planet has a stratosphere—a layer in the upper atmosphere where temperature increases with altitude.

A longitudinal thermal brightness map of the super-Earth exoplanet 55 Cancri e reveals strong day–night temperature contrast, indicating inefficient heat redistribution consistent with 55 Cancri e either being devoid of atmosphere or having an optically thick atmosphere with heat recirculation confined to the planetary dayside.

Quiescent galaxies have similar amount of cool gas to star forming galaxies, yet why galaxies stop forming stars remains an open question. The authors investigate why passive galaxies remain quiescent using a gravitationally lensed background galaxy to probe the faint, diffuse cool gas around a massive quiescent galaxy, and use lensing configuration to constrain the total mass and geometry of this gas reservoir.