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Bisacodyl relieves constipation by enhancing intestinal fluid movement. Here, the authors show that its metabolite, deacetyl bisacodyl, directly activates the ion channel TRPM4 in epithelial cells to drive fluid secretion.

TRPM5 activation requires Ca²⁺ binding at an S1–S4 pocket in the transmembrane domain (TMD) and a modulatory site in the intracellular domain (ICD). Structural and functional analyses of TRPM5 with Ca²⁺, the agonist CBTA and the inhibitor triphenylphosphine oxide—all engaging the S1–S4 pocket—reveal how modulation of channel activity is communicated across the TMD and ICD.

ATP release through large-pore channels is essential for cell communication. Here, the authors reveal how structural flexibility in the PANX1 pore enables selective passage of molecules like ATP and identify mefloquine as a positive modulator acting through a newly identified binding site.

Halide perovskites are promising for next generation photovoltaic technology but their environmental impact has not been fully evaluated. Here Li et al. show that the lead from perovskites is ten times more dangerous than lead-containing electronics while tin perovskites are much less bioavailable.

TRPM3 is an ion channel that helps the body sense heat and contributes to pain. The authors show that both heat and small chemical molecules switch it on through similar changes inside the protein.

Current-driven dynamic atomic rearrangements in layered In₂Se₃ are visualized. The authors identify an intralayer ‘unzipping’ and interlayer ‘zipping’ phase-transition pathway in which bond formation across the van der Waals gaps drives bond cleavage within covalent layers.

The structure of the Ca²⁺-activated, non-selective ion channel TRPM4 bound to the agonist Ca²⁺ and a modulator decavanadate, solved using electron cryo-microscopy.

An all foam-structured asymmetric water evaporation generator independent of water evaporation direction is designed to address performance limitation caused by traditional metal sheet electrodes.

Analysis of 11 flatfish genomes indicates that Pleuronectoidei and Psettodoidei are not a monophyletic group. Genomic and transcriptomic data suggest that the WNT and RA pathways played a role in the evolution of the specialized body of flatfish.

Time-dependent phosphorescence colour is desirable but challenging to achieve. Here, the authors report the use of carbon dots with varying phosphorescence colour in the core and shell.

Cold atom clocks are among the most precise measuring devices and play key roles in everyday life and scientific explorations. Here the authors demonstrate the first in-orbit atomic clock using cold Rb atoms operating in microgravity and opening possibilities of space surveys and tests of fundamental physics.

A large-scale field experiment in Mongolia, paired with a meta-analysis of 92 global studies, evaluates how nitrogen enrichment affects diversity across multiple trophic levels and related ecosystem functions. Responses vary by trophic group and function, highlighting the value of using a broad nitrogen-addition gradient to identify threshold levels at which these responses shift.

The death of massive stars has traditionally been discovered by explosive events in the gamma-ray band. Liu et al. show that the sensitive wide-field monitor on board Einstein Probe can reveal a weak soft-X-ray signal much earlier than gamma rays.

Rooftop photovoltaic systems are often seen as a niche solution for mitigation but could offer large-scale opportunities. Using multi-source geospatial data and artificial intelligence techniques, the authors map their potential for reducing global temperatures and analyse regional differences.

The authors find multiple topological transitions and a composite topological phase by two mutually exclusive topological orders, strong topological order and high-order topological order, in a quasi-1D system.

A temperature-dependent Ca²⁺-binding site in the intracellular domain of TRPM4 is essential for TRPM4 function in physiological contexts.

A high-resolution electron cryo-microscopy structure of the zebrafish α1 glycine receptor bound to agonists or antagonists reveals the conformational changes that take place when the channel transitions from closed to open state.

Cryo-electron microscopy structures of the bacterial protein machinery that is involved in the production and function of nitrous oxide provide insight into the assembly pathway of this enzyme and the mechanisms of copper transport.

This study presents the hydrovoltaic electricity generation induced by living leaf transpiration. It emphasizes the hydrovoltaic effect in various plant species, showcasing a new, untapped source of green energy from natural transpiration processes.

New study shows forests with ectomycorrhizal strategies accumulate more carbon stocks than forests dominated by arbuscular mycorrhizal or mixed mycorrhizal strategies in high-latitude.

Using time-resolved cryo-EM, the authors capture complete structural snapshots of the enzymatic cycle coupled with channel gating in a TRPM-type channel enzyme.

X-ray crystal structures are presented of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, a calcium-permeable ion channel that opens upon binding of glutamate and glycine; glutamate is a key excitatory neurotransmitter and enhanced structural insight of this receptor may aid development of therapeutic small molecules.

Isotopic constraints reveal that soil nitrogen contribution to global plants is temperature-controlled, not by precipitation or nitrogen deposition. As temperatures rise, inorganic nitrogen becomes more important and preferred over organic nitrogen.

Cryo-electron microscopy structures of the active and inhibited human CALHM2 channel suggest a two-stage gating mechanism in which the S1 helix adjusts the pore size, which is then fine-tuned by the N-terminal helix.

Cryo-electron microscopy structures of the human proton-activated chloride channel (PAC) shed light on its pH-dependent gating mechanism and anion selectivity.

Cryo-electron microscopy structures of the ATP-permeable channel pannexin 1 reveal a gating mechanism involving multiple distinct ion-conducting pathways.

Castor is an important industrial oil crop, but knowledge on its genetic diversity is limited. Here, Fan et al. show geographic pattern of Chinese castors that have developed during domestication by population genetic analyses, and reveal candidate genes associated with agronomically important traits.

The integration of porous metal-organic frameworks into devices for electronic applications is in its infancy. Here, the authors deposit metal-organic framework films onto conductive metal plate electrodes, and show that the resulting films exhibit enhanced dielectric properties.

This study uncovers the specialized function of previously elusive BCL7 subunits of SWI/SNF complexes in eukaryotes and reveals the mechanism whereby plants memorize the juvenile identity through SWI/SNF-mediated control of chromatin accessibility.

Cryo-EM structures of zebrafish TRPM5 reveal closed and Ca²⁺-bound open states, a unique Ca²⁺ binding site that modulates voltage sensitivity and the mechanism of antagonist action.

Structures of the human P2X₃ receptor in its open, closed, desensitized and antagonist-bound states show the receptor’s gating mechanism and the basis of antagonist binding.

The mechanisms by which plant age regulates flowering remain incompletely understood. Here the authors show that age dependent regulation of SPL transcription factors by miR156 influence flowering via control of NF-YB8 expression in Chrysanthemum.

Structures of the transient receptor potential melastatin 2 channel in the apo resting (closed) state and in the ADP-ribose/Ca²⁺-bound active (open) state are determined by cryo-electron microscopy.