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Niche theory is often invoked to explain biodiversity, but it does not explain how species evolve to exploit unique niches. Using a combination of experimental and computational approaches, this study shows that resource competition can deform fitness landscapes, opening new pathways that promote ecological speciation.

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).

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.

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.

A class of chimeric synthetic antibiotics that bind to lipopolysaccharide and BamA shows potent activity against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, with the potential to address life-threatening infections.

A large-scale mouse study reveals that while existing epigenomic data detect many developmental enhancers, a substantial fraction is missed - highlighting the need for expanded resources to fully annotate enhancers genome-wide.

Limited data on household cooking practices are an obstacle to estimating the contribution of home cooking to climate change. Based on a survey with over 700 respondents, this study estimates GHG emissions associated with different cooking methods and appliances in the UK, as well as strategies to reduce them.

Toxoplasma gondii can develop into dormant bradyzoites that persist in tissue and can be reactivated. Here the authors identify an RNA binding protein that they call Regulator of Cystogenesis 1 (ROCY1), and show that it is required for bradyzoite development in vitro and in vivo but is not required for long term persistence of parasites that reactivate in a mouse model of recrudescence.

Photoselective sequencing combines targeted illumination and photocaged fragment libraries to enable the spatial analysis of genomic sequence and chromatin accessibility profiles with subcellular resolution in the context of complex tissues.

This study used AI to map ~29,000 CDR studies—3–4 times more than expected—showing rapid but uneven growth. The map supports stronger evidence synthesis for climate goals and the IPCC. #CDR

Vaccination is effective in protecting from COVID-19. Here the authors report immune responses and breakthrough infections in twice-vaccinated patients receiving anti-TNF treatments for inflammatory bowel disease, and find dampened vaccine responses that implicate the need of adapted vaccination schedules for these patients.

Electric fields in the solar atmosphere are not studied as widely as the magnetic fields mainly due to small, short living signals. Here, the authors show measurement of an electric field associated with magnetic diffusion triggering an energetic event in the solar atmosphere.

Plant-based diets and shifting from meat to dairy food are two pathways by which British households reduced their dietary greenhouse gas emissions, according to an analysis that uses food purchasing and greenhouse gas emissions data and a statistical approach.

Streptomyces secondary metabolites provide a chemical defence against phage predation.

Single-nucleus and single-cell RNA sequencing plus spatial profiling with four methods of core biopsies from 60 patients with metastatic breast cancer reveal patient-specific gene expression programs of breast cancer metastases that are maintained across time, site of metastasis and spatial profiling method, with spatial phenotypes correlating with microenvironmental features.

The thymus is essential for T cell maturation and selection, and thymic defects result in severe immune problems. Here the authors identify a thymus cell population that is expandable in vitro, and can repopulate natural thymic matrix to generate tissue that supports mature T cell development in vitro and in vivo.

Statins are effectively used to prevent and manage cardiovascular disease, but patient response to these drugs is highly variable. Here, the authors identify two new genes associated with the response of LDL cholesterol to statins and advance our understanding of the genetic basis of drug response.

The beta variant (B.1.351) is to date the most resistant to neutralization of the SARS-CoV-2 variants. Using nonhuman primates, Seder and colleagues demonstrate that double vaccination with a high dose of the lipid nanoparticle vaccine mRNA-1273 protects against infection with the beta variant.

Next-generation tissue-engineered heart valves (TEHVs) are a promising therapeutic option for patients with valvular heart disease. In this Review, Emmert and colleagues discuss the current heart valve replacement options, describe the design of TEHVs and summarize the data from preclinical and clinical studies on the use of TEHVs.

An ensemble of climate model simulations, as well as hydrological modelling and flood risk mapping, are used to show the role of anthropogenic warming on the extreme rainfall that caused the 2013/14 floods in southern England.

Turajlic and colleagues assess longitudinal antibody and cellular immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in patients with cancer, following either recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination, in two back-to-back reports from the CAPTURE study.

As populations age, falls are an increasing public health problem; strategies to prevent them should incorporate new technologies and insights into the sensory, perceptual and motor systems controlling balance.

In this study the authors identify a possible link between the gene FAM222A and brain atrophy. The protein it encodes is found to accumulate in plaques seen in Alzheimer’s disease, and functional analysis suggests it interacts with amyloid-beta.

SPIRIT 2025 provides updated guidance to authors, reviewers and editors, when preparing clinical trial protocols to enhance their transparency and completeness.

CONSORT 2025 provides updated guidance to authors, reviewers and editors, when writing and evaluating manuscripts of randomized trials to ensure that trial reports are clear and transparent

Necroptosis is a regulated form of inflammatory cell death driven by activated MLKL. Here, the authors identify a mutation in the brace region that confers constitutive activation, leading to lethal inflammation in homozygous mutant mice and providing insight into human mutations in this region.

Native mass spectrometry is a powerful technique for studying intact proteins and protein complexes. Using this protocol, meaningful structural information on protein complexes ejected from sonicated native membrane vesicles can be obtained.