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Decentralized electric vehicle charging enables large-scale photovoltaic integration in tropical cities
Nanoscale infrared spectroscopy reveals complex organic–mineral assemblages in asteroid Bennu
Asteroid Bennu preserves primitive material from the early solar system, and returned samples allow direct examination of how organics and minerals were assembled and altered. We applied nanoscale infrared spectroscopy together with Raman spectroscopy to the Bennu sample OREX-800066-3 to characterize chemical variability at ~20 nm scales. Analysis of nano-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy spectra identifies three recurring compositional domains; aliphatic-rich, carbonate-rich, and nitrogen-bearing organic-rich regions. Statistical evaluation shows that these domains are compositionally and spatially distinct at the nanoscale, with strong negative correlations between aliphatic signatures and both carbonates and N-bearing organics, and negligible correlation between carbonates and N-bearing organics. Organosulfur compounds are spatially restricted to carbonate-rich regions, indicating organic-sulfate interactions during late-stage brine evolution. Raman spectra indicate highly disordered, thermally minimally metamorphosed carbonaceous matter, consistent with preservation of labile functional groups. These results demonstrate that Bennu’s angular lithology (characterized by planar facets and sharp edges) is not chemically uniform and records heterogeneous aqueous alteration rather than pervasive uniform processing. N-bearing organic functional groups are widely preserved despite extensive alteration, and carbonate-rich areas show intimate nanoscale mixing of different carbonate species. The coexistence of distinct organic- and carbonate-rich domains suggests contributions from both primordial compositional diversity and subsequent rock–fluid interaction. Comparison with Ryugu samples highlights shared features but key differences in organic-carbonate associations and carbonate distributions. Overall, Bennu’s nanoscale heterogeneity provides constraints on organic preservation, carbonate formation, organic-sulfate chemistry, and parent-body evolution in volatile-rich early solar system materials.
Lignocellulose-mediated selection of potential halophilic PET-degrading enzymes from mangrove soil
Abstract Mangroves are ecosystems located at land–sea transition zones, where they are continuously exposed to plant biomass and plastic pollution. Their soils harbor extensive microbial diversity with potential for discovering polymer-degrading enzymes. Here, we perform a microcosm experiment to examine how mangrove soil microbial communities respond to inputs of lignocellulose or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in the presence and absence of seawater, and to explore the selection of putative PET-active enzymes (PETases) using gene- and genome-resolved metagenomics. Incubation conditions lead to a gradual increase in salinity, resulting in the enrichment of halophilic taxa, including spore-forming bacteria and archaeal species, particularly in seawater-depleted treatments. Lignocellulose input is the primary driver of soil microbial community restructuring, followed by seawater presence. In dry, lignocellulose-amended microcosms (L treatment), microbial diversity is significantly reduced, while lignocellulolytic taxa within the phyla Bacillota and Actinomycetota are enriched. Twelve potential PETases are identified in the L treatment, sharing >70% sequence similarity with known PETases, and three are predicted to be thermostable. Two putative PETases from Microbulbifer species display distinct sequence and structural features, thereby expanding the currently limited PETase sequence landscape. This study demonstrates that perturbing environmental microbiomes with plant-derived polymers represents a promising strategy for capturing novel PETases.
Cellular antibody affinity–based CRISPR screening identifies JUNB as a broadly acting antiviral factor
CRISPR screening is a powerful approach to identify genetic perturbations that impact viral infection. However, most virus-focused CRISPR screens utilize selection strategies that limit the ability to identify genes important for infection. Here, we developed a CRISPR screening pipeline to identify cellular determinants of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection based on virally induced remodeling of cellular antibody affinity (VIRCAA), which is scalable for large libraries and can identify cellular genes that impact HCMV infection at different life cycle stages. We utilized this pipeline to interrogate proteomic and transcriptomic datasets associated with the HCMV UL26 protein, which blocks antiviral signaling during infection. We find that JUNB drives antiviral gene expression, induces protein ISGylation, and suppresses diverse viral infections. Further, UL26 interacts with JUNB and suppresses JUNB-mediated condensation of viral DNA replication compartments. These results highlight the VIRCAA pipeline’s utility for identifying important determinants of viral infection.
Scalable Ni‑driven synthesis of Pt single‑site catalysts for hydrogen evolution
Regulation of STK38 by autophagy governs YAP1 activity during paligenosis
Paligenosis is a conserved cellular plasticity program that allows mature cells to reenter the cell cycle in response to tissue injury. Paligenosis progresses via three stages: autodegradation (with dramatic increase in autophagy and lysosomes), induction of metaplastic or fetal-like genes, and cell cycle entry. Hippo signaling, particularly the downstream effector YAP1, regulates cellular plasticity, but its role in paligenosis has not been studied. Here, we examine YAP1 dynamics during paligenosis in digestive-enzyme-secreting chief cells from the mouse stomach. We identified Serine/Threonine Kinase 38 (STK38) as a noncanonical YAP1 kinase that phosphorylates and deactivates YAP1 in uninjured chief cells. During paligenosis, STK38 was degraded by autophagy in stage 1, dephosphorylating and activating YAP1. YAP1 activation was necessary and sufficient for paligenosis-driven conversion of chief cells into metaplastic, proliferating progenitors. Additionally, we show that STK38, like canonical Hippo kinases, interacts with Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (Merlin), a scaffold that recruits Hippo kinases to phosphorylate YAP1. We also observed the same pattern of YAP1 induction via autophagic destruction of STK38 in other tissues and cell types, suggesting injury-induced activation of autophagy in differentiated cells during tissue damage may be a more general feature by which Hippo effectors induce plasticity for regeneration.
OMNI-P2x universal neural network potential for excited-state simulations
Abstract Photo-active molecular systems play an essential role in modern science and technology, finding applications in solar cells, organic light-emitting diodes, reaction catalysis, photodynamic therapy, and beyond. The rational design of photo-responsive molecules requires an understanding of the photophysical and photochemical processes underlying their operation, which can be gained via the first-principles quantum-mechanical calculations that are prohibitively expensive for high-throughput investigations. To break through this limitation, here we introduce OMNI-P2x: a universal neural network potential for molecular excited and ground electronic states. OMNI-P2x can be used, directly or after fine-tuning, to perform a wide range of photophysical and photochemical simulations. OMNI-P2x approaches the accuracy of time-dependent density functional theory methods at a fraction of the computational cost, while being more accurate and faster than established semiempirical methods for excited-state simulations. Here, we demonstrate its use in UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, real-time photodynamical simulations, and in the rational design of visible-light-absorbing azobenzene systems.
Versatile SMAD2 and SMAD3 epitope–tagged mouse models for genomic profiling of TGFβ signaling: Uncovering GDF9–SMAD2/3 targets
Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling pathways are integral for a plethora of biological processes. SMAD2 and SMAD3 are the principal transcriptional effectors of TGFβ superfamily ligands, yet quantitative, genome-wide mapping of their DNA-associated complexes under physiological contexts has remained limited due to the lack of specific, robust models. Here, we generated two versatile epitope–tagged mouse models in which endogenous SMAD2 and SMAD3 proteins are globally tagged with hemagglutinin (HA) and podoplanin (PA) sequences, respectively, enabling high-fidelity profiling of SMAD2 and SMAD3 binding across tissues. To demonstrate the broad application of our models, we exemplified the usage of our lines in ovarian biology, where we defined the transcriptional programs downstream of GDF9, a key oocyte-derived ligand in folliculogenesis from the TGFβ superfamily. By integrating genomic and transcriptomic analyses, we identified direct genes induced by the GDF9-SMAD2/3 axis and identified gene sets suppressed by this signaling cascade, highlighting a previously underappreciated role of GDF9 in attenuating competing pathways to ensure proper ovarian granulosa cell fate transitions. Short-term GDF9 stimulation shifts SMAD2/3 cofactor recruitment toward lineage- and differentiation-associated transcription factors, without significant global changes in H3K27ac landscapes, indicating that GDF9 signals through targeted SMAD recruitment to preacetylated chromatin regions. Network analyses further demonstrated that GDF9-SMAD2/3 direct targets align with luteinizing hormone-driven preovulatory signaling. Together, our study generated epitope-tagged mouse models that provide extensive and applicable in vivo genetic toolkits for tissue-specific dissection of TGFβ family signaling and reveal a comprehensive, direct transcriptional network through which GDF9 coordinates granulosa cell differentiation and follicular maturation.
Restarting Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors After ICI Myocarditis: A Prospective Cohort
Metasurface-enhanced mid-infrared imaging spectroscopy with broadband quantum cascade lasers
Earth’s biodiversity: How much is there?
Minimum dataset with integrated scoring and indexing methods for soil quality assessment
Soil quality (SQ) is a key determinant of agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability, yet its assessment is challenged by the diverse functions of soil and the absence of universally accepted indicators. This study aimed to develop a crop yield-correlated minimum dataset (MDS Corr ) for SQ assessment and evaluate its performance across multiple U.S. regions. Over a five-year period, data (n = 576) from geo-referenced composite soils at 0–30 cm depth were collected from gypsum amended cover crop integrated corn-soybean rotation experimental sites at Shorter (Alabama), Farmland (Indiana), and Hoytville and Piketon (Ohio). Using the available soil and crop yield data, six scoring functions (four linear and two nonlinear) and three indexing approaches (additive, weighted additive, and Nemoro) were evaluated to calculate the SQ index (SQI). The MDS Corr identified a reduced set of key soil properties most strongly associated with corn productivity, including total organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, active carbon, total nitrogen, and aggregate-related physical indicators explaining SQ. Using different scoring and indexing approaches, the calculated SQI values at the Indiana site, used as a reference ranged from 0.31 to 0.6. Among the approaches, linear scoring with threshold limits and additive indexing produced the most consistent SQI values, reducing variability to within ±1% compared to the total dataset (TDS). The MDS Corr -based SQI showed strong positive correlations with the TDS-derived SQI (R² = 0.53 to 0.93) and outperformed the principal component analysis-based MDS (MDS PCA ) in terms of reliability and consistency. Based on MDS Corr -derived SQI values, the relative SQ rankings for the four study sites were: Hoytville > Indiana > Alabama > Piketon. While calibration and validation are recommended across geographic regions and cropping systems, the MDS Corr approach, when combined with linear scoring and additive indexing, has the potential to provide a simplified and transferable framework for SQ assessment.
Letter by Zheng et al Regarding Article, “Ponatinib, But Not the New Abl-Kinase Inhibitor Asciminib, Activates Platelets, Leukocytes, and Endothelial Cell TNF Signaling to Induce Atherosclerotic Plaque Inflammation, Myocardial Infarction, and Stroke”
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Transfer-learning guided design of high-performance conjugated polymers for low-voltage electrochemical transistors
Projected changes in tropical instability wave activity in the Pacific Ocean under greenhouse warming
Tropical Instability Waves (TIWs) dominate intraseasonal variability in the tropical Pacific Ocean, strongly impacting climate variability and marine ecosystems. However, their response to greenhouse warming remains uncertain because most current climate models cannot resolve them well. Using a suite of high-resolution climate model simulations capable of representing TIWs, we identify two consistent and distinct mechanisms driving the response of TIWs to CO 2 increases. North of the equator, TIW activity intensifies under higher CO 2 due to enhanced meridional shear of the prevailing zonal currents during boreal fall. Along the equator, TIW activity weakens and shifts slightly westward, driven by a reduced meridional temperature gradient and shoaling of the Equatorial Undercurrent. These changes result in a robust decrease in TIW-driven temperature variability and associated eddy dynamical heating along the equator, underscoring their importance for constraining both the magnitude and spatial pattern of future tropical Pacific warming.
Cervical mucus viscoelasticity and sperm velocity are correlated and concentration-dependent in Vitro
Background Mucus in the endocervix serves as fertility gatekeeper in the reproductive tract through hormonally regulated changes in biophysical properties. Cervical mucus can thicken to prevent ascension of sperm into the upper reproductive tract or thin to permit fertilization. Current reproductive studies of mucus viscoelastic properties rely on subjective visual appraisal of cervical mucus changes. Our goal was to use particle tracking microrheology (PTMR) to objectively assess cervical mucus viscoelastic properties and associate these measurements with in vitro measures of sperm velocity. Methods Using cervical mucus obtained from rhesus macaques ( Macaca mulatta ) at necropsy, we used to PTMR to measure viscoelasticity (η*) under stepwise, serial dilutions. In parallel we measure sperm velocity using custom sperm tracking and analysis workflows. Results We report that both mucus η* and sperm velocity displayed a concentration-dependent behavior, where η* increased as mucus concentration increased, and sperm velocity correspondingly decreased. Viscoelasticity and sperm velocity were strongly negatively correlated (p < 0.001). Conclusions PTMR and sperm tracking in mucus provide quantitative measure of viscoelastic mucus changes. PTMR is potentially a method for quantitatively assessing fertility potential in the cervix that could be applied to both infertility and contraceptives studies.
Genome and Transcriptome-Wide Analyses Identify Multiple Candidate Genes and a Significant Polygenic Contribution in Bicuspid Aortic Valve
BACKGROUND: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a frequent congenital heart defect with a high heritability. Despite this, only a limited number of genes have been associated with the disease, and the molecular mechanisms remain unexplained in most cases. This study aimed to further understand the genetic architecture of BAV. METHODS: A genome-wide association study meta-analysis including 9631 cases among 65 677 participants was performed. Genes were prioritized using transcriptomic analyses based on RNA sequencing in relevant tissues, including human fetal and adult aortic valves. The impact of the knockdown or knockout of 4 candidate genes on cardiac development was verified in zebrafish. A polygenic risk score was developed, its association with BAV was evaluated in an independent cohort, and its association with a wide range of phenotypes (n=976) was evaluated in UK Biobank (n=355 618 individuals). RESULTS: Thirty-six genomic loci were identified, including 32 that were not described previously. Among the prioritized genes, KANK2 and ERBB4 were identified as potentially causal through transcriptomic analyses, colocalization, and Mendelian randomization based on gene expression in human aortic valves (n=484), whereas PRDM6 and STRN were prioritized using similar analyses from aortic (n=326) and left ventricular tissues (n=326), respectively. Targeting 4 candidate genes ( WNT4 , LEF1 , STRN , and KANK2 ) in zebrafish led to disruption in cardiac development. A polygenic risk score was associated with an odds ratio of 2.07 (95% CI, 1.90–2.25; P =5.43×10 -62 ) per SD for BAV and significantly associated with thoracic aortic aneurysm and atrial fibrillation in UK Biobank. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports a significant polygenic contribution to BAV, where the combination of multiple common variants in genes involved in heart morphogenesis disrupts aortic valve development.