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Future strategies for phosphorus sustainability amid worsening global cycle imbalances

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Wei Liu, Haijun Wang, Zhiwen Li et al. Mar 31, 2026 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2512673123

Global anthropogenic phosphorus (P) cycle changes require active management with differentiated sustainability strategies across countries. This study developed a universal framework that integrates the comprehensive P flow process with sustainability scenarios to assess global anthropogenic P flow patterns and explore future sustainability pathways and potential. The results indicated that the global P flow imbalance intensified from 1961 to 2022, with over 80% attributed to croplands. Crucially, global trade serves as a significant driving force, redistributing P resources and reinforcing the global complexity of P-pollution footprints, driven by 35 key countries. Our model projects that by 2050, individual measures like reducing fertilizer applications, improving feed conversion efficiency, and recycling organic fertilizers could save 50% of P and reduce P losses by 39%. Crop–livestock integration significantly improved P use efficiency, potentially extending the global phosphate rock extraction period by 400 ± 87 y (mean ± SD). However, due to the low baseline P use efficiency in cropping systems, P recovery from waste in developing countries remains limited, necessitating additional measures alongside the above high-leverage measures. These findings underscore the indispensable role of human consumption and the transformative potential of dietary shifts, which are essential given that no country can achieve significant P sustainability gains solely by reducing food waste or processing losses. Coordinated supply and demand-side measures linking cropping, livestock, and consumption offer key strategies and benefits for systematically and differentially advancing P sustainability at both global and national levels.

Quantitative comparison of explainable AI methods for interpreting deep learning–based classification of 3D gait kinematics

Scientific Reports Zhengyang Lan, Mathieu Lempereur, Abdeldjalil Aïssa-El-Bey et al. Mar 31, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-46243-0

Triggering dynamically disordered lithium sublattice in superionic conductors

Nature Communications Chaohong Guan, Jiawei Zong, Jiacong Li et al. Mar 31, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-71304-3

Early identification of persistent progressive myocardial injury in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a prospective, single-center cohort study

Scientific Reports Dan Zhou, Yang Li, Qin Hu et al. Mar 31, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-46507-9

Strong nickel enrichment co-located with redox-organic interactions in Neretva Vallis, Mars

Nature Communications H. T. Manelski, R. C. Wiens, A. Broz et al. Mar 31, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-70081-3

Evaluating the correlation between fecal and serum calprotectin in inflammatory bowel disease

Scientific Reports Luisa Agnello, Caterina Maria Gambino, Fabio Del Ben et al. Mar 31, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-45724-6

Sialic acid exacerbates polycystic ovary syndrome in mice by modulating gut microbiota-mediated bile acid metabolism and FXR activation

Nature Communications Caijun Zhao, Yue Zhang, Ke Chen et al. Mar 31, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-71365-4

The epigenetic role of ADRB3 DNA methylation in post-bariatric energy expenditure for women with obesity: a longitudinal observational study

Scientific Reports Luísa Maria Diani, Lígia Moriguchi Watanabe, Natália Yumi Noronha et al. Mar 31, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-46559-x

Abstract Bariatric surgery induces profound metabolic changes that may influence epigenetic mechanisms regulating genes involved in energy metabolism. Given the global burden of obesity on women’s health, understanding molecular responses to surgical treatment is essential. This study investigated the effect of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) on DNA methylation of the β-3 adrenergic receptor ( ADRB3 ) gene and its influence on energy expenditure in women with obesity. Sixteen participants were evaluated before and six months after surgery, including measurements of body composition, resting metabolic rate (RMR), and metabolic biomarkers. After RYGB, significant reductions were observed in body weight, fat mass, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and absolute RMR. DNA methylation analysis revealed two differentially methylated CpG sites within ADRB3 , and significant global hypomethylation. Postoperatively, ADRB3 methylation correlated positively with RMR, explaining 38% of its variance, along with oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production. Functional analysis supported ADRB3 ’s role in thermogenesis and lipid metabolism. These findings demonstrate that RYGB not only improves metabolic parameters, but also induces epigenetic remodeling of ADRB3 , potentially influencing postoperative energy expenditure. This work provides new insights into the epigenetic regulation of metabolism and highlights ADRB3 as a potential target for personalized obesity treatment in women.

Small intestinal microbial fiber metabolism dysfunction in celiac disease

Nature Communications Mark Wulczynski, Marco Constante, Heather J. Galipeau et al. Mar 31, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-70644-4

Correction: An integrative approach to identify novel miRNA-mRNA interaction networks in LMNA-cardiomyopathy

Scientific Reports José Córdoba-Caballero, Fernando Bonet, Oscar Campuzano et al. Mar 31, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-45043-w

Theoretical morphospace reveals mixed optimisation of the avian wing planform for flight style

Nature Communications Benton Walters, Yuming Liu, Emily J. Rayfield et al. Mar 31, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-70692-w

Abstract Bird wings exhibit a broad degree of functional and shape variation, though the exact nature of the form-function relationship is uncertain. Recent analysis suggests that functional variability is explained by linear non-shape-based traits and that shape variation is largely explained by phylogeny. We assay the relationship between wing planform shape and functional performance using a theoretical morphospace approach that eschews assumptions of the functional optimality of empirical morphologies. Hypothesised empirical properties are considered post hoc relative to their positions in performance surfaces. We produce a theoretical morphospace of wing planform shape and deduce the functional performance and optimality of 1139 extant taxa. Functional tests cover metrics and combinations with a hypothesised link to 7 flight niches. Metrics pertaining to agile flight strongly constrain shape, with hovering, diving and hawking birds developing optimal planforms. Marine soarers are suboptimal for metrics linked with low cost of transport and manoeuvrable flight. Many taxa, principally passerines, are suboptimal for all studied metrics and combinations demonstrating uneven constraint on flight performace across birds. Phylomorphospace analysis suggests planform shape is only weakly influenced by phylogeny and functional optimality correlates closely with flight styles. This suggests wing shape remains a determining factor in how birds fly.

Optimization of infectious disease intervention measures using reinforcement learning with UK COVID-19 epidemic data

Scientific Reports Baida Zhang, Yakai Chen, Huichun Li et al. Mar 31, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-39377-8

Lattice strain-mediated MoSe2 enable superior piezocatalysis activity for upcycling of organic pollutants

Nature Communications Qiang Zhong, Yue Sun, Shao-Gui Yang et al. Mar 31, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-71183-8

Invertebrate miRNA pva-small RNA-11881/pva-miR-11881 as a potential RNA-based therapeutic against white spot syndrome virus in infected shrimp

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Pun Sangchai, Peter Sarnow, Kunlaya Somboonwiwat Mar 31, 2026 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2525793123

Small RNAs and microRNAs (miRNAs) play diverse roles in host virus interactions and hold promise for therapeutic applications. An uncharacterized shrimp miRNA with potent activity against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), a major double-stranded DNA pathogen in aquaculture, was identified and characterized. Among the 1,239 differentially expressed unannotated small RNAs in Penaeus vannamei hemocytes, one of the most strongly downregulated candidates, termed pva-small RNA-11881 or pva-miR-11881, was predicted to target multiple WSSV genes. A pva-small RNA-11881/pva-miR-11881 isomir that originates from the 5′ untranslated region of a host lipase 3-like gene was identified. Its primary transcript contains Drosha and Dicer processing sites, and the precursor exhibits canonical pre-miRNA features. In vivo administration of its primary transcript, pva-pri-miR-11881, significantly reduced WSSV copy number and improved shrimp survival. Mechanistically, pva-miR-11881 directly suppresses crucial WSSV genes WSSV004 , WSSV164 , and WSSV419 and modulates the host immune response against WSSV infection by enhancing phenoloxidase activity, thereby reducing apoptosis and necrosis, and promoting caspase-1-mediated cell death. These findings reveal that the pva-miR-11881 in P. vannamei holds strong potential as a biotherapeutic agent for managing viral diseases in shrimp.

Modifying VEGF-A mRNA by combinatorial optimization to enhance therapeutic efficacy for myocardial infarction

Scientific Reports Wei Wang, Zhenping Zhan, Lan Chen et al. Mar 31, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-46680-x

Flexible active-matrix micro-LED display with 1T-1FeMFET architecture featuring scaling-limit-free design

Nature Communications Tingrui Huang, Guangan Yang, Yimeng Sang et al. Mar 31, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-71182-9

Abstract The advancement of flexible electronics necessitates displays that combine bendability, high resolution, and energy efficiency. Nevertheless, conventional pixel architectures impose critical limitations in power consumption and scaling, hindering the development of such displays. Here, we demonstrate a flexible active-matrix micro light-emitting diode display using a ferroelectric metal field-effect transistor with hafnium-based gate stack and an indium tin oxide channel, functioning as driver and memory element, fabricated below 400 °C on polyimide. The 400°C-activated ferroelectric capacitors in transistors exhibit a remnant polarization of 47 μC/cm 2 . The resulting devices achieve a record normalized memory window of 0.63 V/nm (7.5 V), an on/off ratio of 4 × 10 8 , and robust flexibility, retaining performance after 10 5 bending cycles at a radius of 4 mm. The proposed pixel circuit supports dual-mode driving schemes, enabling precise grayscale control at a 200 kHz refresh rate. This pixel architecture achieves a high resolution of 428 pixels per inch and dynamic power consumption of 0.68 nW, highlighting its potential for next-generation wearable and portable displays.

Sustainable performance enhancement of a heat recovery ground source heat pump system using field data and machine learning

Scientific Reports Ying Cui, Wen Tong Chong, Mahendra Varman et al. Mar 31, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-45353-z

Emergent surface magnetic ordering and surface electronic dipole layers in a two-dimensional spin=1/2 La2CuO4 film

Nature Communications Anjali Jain, Caozheng Diao, Bin Leong Ong et al. Mar 31, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-69457-2

Metagenomic profiling reveals distinct signatures of pathogens, antibiotic-resistance genes and human viruses in urban river mouths of the north-western Adriatic coast

Scientific Reports Lucia Foresto, Elena Radaelli, Daniela Leuzzi et al. Mar 31, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-45229-2

PD-1 blockade plus tyrosine kinase inhibitor remodels the tumor microenvironment in advanced renal cell carcinoma

Nature Communications Liangyou Gu, Qi Zhang, Qiyang Liang et al. Mar 31, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-70978-z