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Ninjurins regulate hematopoietic stem cell amplification through canonical WNT signaling independent of plasma membrane rupture
Hybrid AI-Geo-informatics framework for river course change prediction and disaster risk mitigation
Quantifying UK coastal flood exposure under future sea-level rise to 2300
Abstract The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessment report highlighted the potential for more than 15 m of global sea-level rise by 2300. In this study, we explore the implications for UK coastal flood exposure by combining national-scale flood modelling with physically-based storylines of UK sea-level rise. By 2100 all storylines show broadly similar results with at least an additional 0.5 million people exposed to the 1-in-200 year undefended flood extent, which represents a 25% increase compared to present day. Under the most pessimistic storyline by 2300 involving significant ice-sheet instability, an additional 13 million people could be exposed to the 1-in-200 year undefended flood event. This would imply the potential need for large-scale movement of populations and settlements away from the coast in the coming centuries. Given current global emissions pledges, exposure increases by 1.7 million people by 2300, however up to 1 million could be avoided if Paris Agreement targets for greenhouse gas emissions are met.
Impact of processing methods on glycemic indices of food products from three yam cultivars consumed in eastern D.R. Congo
Abstract Yam ( Dioscorea spp.) is a key staple food with significant nutritional and therapeutic value; however, its glycemic properties vary with genotype and processing methods. This study assessed how genetic differences and processing methods affect glycemic index of yam-based food products. Tubers from three local yam cultivars—Kasakura from Dioscorea dumetorum (Kunth) Pax, and Kitende Mauve and Bigeja, representing purple and yellow Dioscorea alata L., respectively—from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), were boiled, blanched, and soaked before being used to make boiled yam, fufu, and bread. Yam-based food products from each cultivar were assessed for glycemic index using 10 healthy fasting individuals. Capillary blood glucose levels were measured with a glucose meter before ingestion, and at regular intervals after consuming the test food products and a glucose reference. The glycemic index was determined based on the postprandial glycemic response relative to glucose. The results showed significant differences in glycemic indices among the cultivars and processing methods, with boiling yielding the lowest indices (44.15 for cultivar Bigeja to 56.20 for cultivar Kitende Mauve). Yam fufus exhibited moderate indices, ranging from 60.00 for soaked Bigeja to 69.32 for blanched Kitende Mauve. Panification significantly diminished the yam’s hypoglycemic properties. This study highlights the yam’s potential as a dietary food, especially when consumed as boiled food. Future studies should focus on optimizing processing methods and screening a wider range of yam cultivars to develop low-glycemic-index products suitable for metabolic diseases prevention.
Sleep reveals dynamics integrating and segregating movement and stimulus representations in V1
Abstract The primary visual cortex (V1) encodes multidimensional representations of ongoing movements, raising the question of how these signals are organized and interact with sensory representations within the same population. Here we addressed this question by using extracellular recordings in deep layers of mouse V1 to explore the relationship of movement and stimulus representations to intrinsic local circuit dynamics observed during non-REM (NREM) sleep. NREM revealed low-dimensional dynamics corresponding to an “on-manifold” subspace associated with the intrinsic manifold and an “off-manifold” subspace comprising dimensions suppressed by intrinsic dynamics, with remaining dimensions forming an “unstructured” subspace not systematically related to these dynamics. Movement and stimulus representations are both concentrated on-manifold, where they interact additively. However, stimulus representations are also concentrated off-manifold, where interference from movement-evoked activity is minimized. Off-manifold coding comprises population-sparse stimulus-evoked activity in chorister neurons, revealing an unexpected link between dimensionality, chorister/soloist cells, and sparse coding. Our findings suggest that intrinsic dynamics constrain neuronal activity in V1 and provide a structured substrate balancing the integration and segregation of movement and stimulus representations.
Constrained speed reducer design optimization using a novel Scuba Diver Optimization Algorithm
Thymulin restrains age-associated myeloid inflammation and enhances cancer immunotherapy
Abstract Chronic inflammation increases with age and contributes to cancer progression and therapeutic resistance, yet the mechanisms underlying this process remain incompletely understood. Here, we identify an increased frequency of pro-inflammatory myeloid cells in aged mice and humans, characterized by elevated production of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. These cells are enriched in the breast tumor microenvironment and are associated with accelerated tumor progression. Using heterochronic parabiosis and bone marrow chimeras, we show that age-associated myeloid cell inflammatory activation is suppressed by non-bone marrow-derived circulating factors present in young hosts. Integrative analyses identify thymulin, a thymus-derived peptide that declines with age, as a mediator that suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokine production by inhibiting NF-κB signaling. Furthermore, thymulin enhances antitumor T-cell immunity, improves tumor control and survival, and sensitizes tumors to anti-PD-L1 therapy in an age-dependent manner. Together, these findings uncover a thymus–myeloid cell regulatory axis linking aging, inflammation, and cancer immunity, and suggest thymulin as a potential strategy to improve cancer immunotherapy in older individuals.
CLIC4 inhibits the progression of non-small cell lung cancer by suppressing the MAPK pathway
Integrated device for optoacoustically-guided ultrasound surgery
Abstract High-intensity focused ultrasound has emerged as a promising tool for treating tumors and other pathologies by inducing localized thermal lesions. However, treatment outcomes depend strongly on accurate coverage of the treated region and monitoring lesion formation in real time. While magnetic resonance imaging has successfully been used to guide high-intensity focused ultrasound therapy, it significantly increases the cost and complexity of the treatment. To address these limitations, we have developed a system that integrates real-time three-dimensional tomographic optoacoustic imaging with concurrent focused ultrasound emission using a high-frequency spherical array transducer. We evaluated the performance of the system in the mouse brain ex vivo and further assessed its clinical translatability in a living sheep, demonstrating successful induction of a confined thermal lesion beneath the cortical surface, as confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging and histology. The system enabled precise treatment targeting, while optoacoustic signal changes during sonication provided a reliable indicator of thermal lesion progression. This capability allowed on-the-fly adjustment of the thermal dose, helping to minimize the risk of vascular damage or adverse effects on off-target structures.
Synthesis of flavonoid-stabilized gold nanoparticles using Citrullus colocynthis for anticancer therapy: experimental and molecular insights
In-tandem electrocatalysis via Ni single atoms and reconstructed Cu single clusters for CO2-to-acetone reduction
Seasonal and spatial assessment of aquatic pollution in the Mediterranean crab Callinectes sapidus
Abstract Pollution in the Mediterranean Sea driven by heavy metal contamination, declining water quality, and rising parasite prevalence seriously threatens marine life and ecosystem health. This study examined the spatial and temporal variation of seawater pollution on the Mediterranean crab Callinectes sapidus . Seawater, sediment, and crab samples were seasonally collected from June 2023 to May 2024 at two sites (El Bogus, Site1, and El Matar, Site2) in Port Said, Egypt. Heavy metals analysis showed elevated levels in the sediments compared to those in the water and crab muscles. Fortunately, Cd was undetected. However, Pb showed higher concentrations compared to Cu. Its concentration was the highest at Site 2 in all seasons. The current study proved that Cu concentration was within the safe limits in the crab muscles. Whereas Pb exceeded the WHO limit, but was still within the FAO limit. MDA and comet assays revealed elevated oxidative stress. The recovered parasites collected from C. sapidus belonged to Ciliphora, Rotifera, and Nematodes. The total parasitic infection was higher at Site1 (62.8%) than at Site 2 (38.4%). Male crabs and those that were larger in size and greater in carapace length exhibited the highest infection dominance compared to females. This study highlighted the impact of spatial and temporal variations of seawater pollution on the Mediterranean crab C. sapidus , with respect to external (heavy metals) and internal (parasitic infection) stressors. Hence, regular monitoring and pollution control, especially targeting lead contamination and parasitic infections, are essential to protect the aquatic ecosystem and public health.
Enhancing Phonon Group Velocities and Interfacial Heat Conduction for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Sucrose-derived carbon spheres for rapid solid-phase extraction and trace cadmium removal from aqueous media
Ammonia at the net-zero crossroads
Abstract Ammonia is indispensable for food production and an emerging carbon-free energy vector, yet its synthesis via the fossil-fuelled Haber–Bosch process makes it a major source of carbon dioxide. We introduce the Ammonia Rainbow, a classification framework combining physics-based modelling, learning-curve analysis, and life-cycle sustainability assessment to evaluate net-zero transitions across eight ammonia production technologies. Here we show that, assuming global ammonia demand doubles to meet projected food and energy needs, net-zero ammonia is not achievable by 2050 under any current policy or technological scenario. Even optimistic deployment of green routes demands extensive infrastructure, consuming over 40 percent of available green hydrogen alongside large fractions of carbon capture and renewable energy capacity. Electrochemical routes offer long-term promise but are unlikely to reach commercial viability before 2070 without disruptive innovation. By exposing these hidden systems-level burdens, we challenge the prevailing assumption of unchecked demand growth and argue for demand-side measures, efficiency improvements, and alternative decarbonisation strategies.