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Minimalist terahertz wireless transceiver in integrated photonics
China approves brain chip to treat paralysis — a world first
Adapalene, an RAR agonist, exerts anti-inflammatory effects by regulating macrophage polarization through RAR$$\upbeta$$-mediated signaling pathways
Amplifying metabolic profiling of extracellular vesicle dynamics with ACTIVITY
Abstract Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as promising circulating biomarkers for liquid biopsy due to their abundant molecular information, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and metabolites. However, the metabolic profiling of EVs remains largely unexplored, much less exploiting their intrinsic metabolic features for disease diagnosis. In this study, we demonstrate that the metabolic-related inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity of macrophage-derived EVs serves as an effective biomarker for phenotypic profiling and further evaluating lung inflammation. By integrating a cascade amplification strategy that combines the biocatalysis of EV iNOS activity with the electrocatalysis of defective tungsten disulfide quantum dots (WS 2 QDs), we develop an ACTIVITY (Amplified Cascade-catalysis TestIng for VesIcular meTabolic activitY) method for rapid assaying of metabolically active EVs. When applied to bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples, this activity-based EV profiling differentiates pneumonia patients from healthy controls and further facilitates the monitoring of disease treatment, suggesting the potential of EV metabolic activity for diagnostics.
Effects of immersive training on motor competence: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) immersive training have gained attention for enhancing motor skills and rehabilitation, yet evidence on their effects in specific motor competence domains remains inconsistent due to outcome heterogeneity. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the impact of immersive AR and/or VR training on domain-specific motor competence (stability and functional mobility; object control and visuomotor skills) in healthy individuals and athletes. We searched Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, CNKI, and EBSCO from inception to October 2025 for randomized controlled trials and controlled intervention studies comparing immersive AR and/or VR training with conventional training or no-intervention controls. The review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251238825). Eligible studies involved healthy or athletic participants reporting motor performance outcomes, classified into domain-specific constructs: stability and functional mobility (e.g., locomotor skills/mobility, postural stability) and object control and visuomotor skills (e.g., complex sport-specific skills, fundamental visuomotor abilities). These domains were further grouped by skill type, predominantly closed skills (predictable environments) versus open skills (unpredictable, dynamic environments). A random-effects model was used to compute standardized mean differences (SMD; Hedges’ g), with heterogeneity assessed via I 2 statistics and robustness via leave-one-out sensitivity analysis. Eighteen studies contributing 20 independent effect sizes were included (total participants = 678; intervention group = 341; control group = 337). Domain-specific analyses revealed moderate beneficial effects: stability and functional mobility (8 studies) SMD = 0.68 (locomotor skills/mobility subgroup SMD = 0.71; postural stability subgroup SMD = 0.62); object control and visuomotor skills (11 studies) SMD = 0.72 (complex sport-specific skills subgroup SMD = 1.15; fundamental visuomotor abilities subgroup SMD = 0.39). Sensitivity analyses confirmed robustness, with no single study substantially altering pooled estimates. Immersive AR/VR training demonstrates moderate beneficial effects in targeted motor competence domains, particularly stability/functional mobility and object control/visuomotor skills. Current evidence suggests these technologies serve as effective alternatives or complementary adjuncts to conventional training rather than superior replacements. However, substantial heterogeneity in some domains (e.g., I 2 = 79% in locomotor skills/mobility) limits interpretability and warrants caution in generalization. Future research should prioritize standardized outcome measures and address methodological inconsistencies. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. The study protocol was prospectively registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under registration number CRD420251238825.
Meta-analysis reveals widespread negative associations between species richness and ecological uniqueness
Atlas-guided discovery of transcription factors for T cell programming
Abstract CD8 + T cells differentiate into diverse states that shape immune outcomes in cancer and chronic infection 1–4 . To define systematically the transcription factors (TFs) driving these states, we built a comprehensive atlas integrating transcriptional and epigenetic data across nine CD8 + T cell states and inferred TF activity profiles. Our analysis catalogued TF activity fingerprints, uncovering regulatory mechanisms governing selective cell state differentiation. Leveraging this platform, we focused on two transcriptionally similar but functionally opposing states that are critical in tumour and viral contexts: terminally exhausted T (TEX term ) cells, which are dysfunctional 5–8 , and tissue-resident memory T (T RM ) cells, which are protective 9–13 . Global TF community analysis revealed distinct biological pathways and TF-driven networks underlying protective versus dysfunctional states. Through in vivo CRISPR screening integrated with single-cell RNA sequencing (in vivo Perturb-seq) we delineated several TFs that selectively govern TEX term cell differentiation. We also identified HIC1 and GFI1 as shared regulators of TEX term and T RM cell differentiation and KLF6 as a unique regulator of T RM cells. We discovered new TEX term -selective TFs, including ZSCAN20 and JDP2, with no previous known function in T cells. Targeted deletion of these TFs enhanced tumour control and synergized with immune checkpoint blockade but did not interfere with T RM cell formation. Consistently, their depletion in human T cells reduces the expression of inhibitory receptors and improves effector function. By decoupling exhaustion T EX -selective from protective T RM cell programmes, our platform enables more precise engineering of T cell states, accelerating the rational design of more effective cellular immunotherapies.
3D ultrasound assessment of the central sulcus in very preterm infants: feasibility and reproducibility of opening metrics study
Frequent floods in the Yangtze River basin linked to a shifted Indian Ocean wave regime
China intensifies push to become world leader in tech and AI
Distinct 72-hour fluid balance trajectories are associated with 28-day mortality in a multicenter cohort of sepsis patients
A multifaceted model of Entamoeba histolytica KERP2 regulating gene expression and host cell responses
ResSeMo: deep convolutional neural network integration for high-accuracy waste classification and efficient processing
Prediction of strong Cu(I)–He interaction at open metal sites enables isotope-selective helium adsorption
Abstract Helium is generally known as an inert element due to its high ionization potential, zero electron affinity, and low polarizability. Here, we demonstrate that Cu(I) sites with favorably coordinated ligands reach unexpectedly large He binding energies, up to 19 kJ mol -1 , due to He polarization and charge accumulation along the Cu-He bond. First, we perform accurate electronic structure calculations on a series of Cu(I)-He gas phase clusters to elucidate the nature of the Cu-He interaction. Then, we establish a predictive model to study larger systems hosting Cu(I) sites, including crown ethers, zeolites and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The strong Cu(I)-He interaction induces significant differences in the 4 He/ 3 He zero-point energies, allowing prediction of selective isotope adsorption at technologically relevant temperatures (20–77 K). In particular, undercoordinated Cu(I) sites found in zeolites and MOFs emerge as promising materials with a predicted 4 He/ 3 He separation factor approaching three at 20 K.
Predictive accuracy of clinical, laboratory, and radiological scores for severe acute pancreatitis
Optically driven control of mechanochemistry and fusion dynamics of biomolecular condensates via thymine dimerization
Abstract Phase-separated biomolecular condensates are functional elements in cells, contribute to protocell formation in prebiotic systems, and represent a distinct class of soft matter. Controlling condensate mechanochemistry is critical for function and material properties. Although photochemical processes are widespread in nature and can be harnessed in engineering, it remains unclear how condensate formation affects photochemistry, and conversely how photochemistry alters condensate dynamics. Using scanning probe microscopy combined with UV-controlled photochemistry and optical imaging, we develop assays to probe mechanical transitions and fusion dynamics in condensate droplets, revealing that UV-induced thymine dimerization alters condensate nucleation and coalescence. Depending on the frequency and topological arrangement of thymine dimers, particularly the balance between inter- and intrachain crosslinks, UV can drive transitions from liquid-like to solid-like states or induce aggregates. UV also promotes arrested fusion and stable compartmentalization of droplets, resilient to environmental changes and with implications for prebiotic chemistry and bio-inspired engineering.