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Mushroom biotech startups help address global challenges
An equilibrium rotator glass-forming phase for long-ranged repulsive colloidal rods
Behavioral shifts mask the success of legislation and outreach for endangered species recovery
Abstract A fundamental challenge in conservation is assessing the efficacy of recovery actions to optimize endangered species management. Considerable recent attention has focused on effective measures to counter the endangerment of avian scavengers, which have declined worldwide, primarily due to poisoning. One iconic example is efforts to recover the critically endangered California condor ( Gymnogyps californianus ), whose leading cause of death is poisoning from ingesting lead-based ammunition in carcasses. Despite enormous resources expended in California, USA, including implementation of public outreach campaigns and two legislative bans on lead ammunition, lead-related mortality of condors has increased. Here we show that two types of behavioral shifts explain the observed increases in condor lead exposure: wilder foraging and ranging by condors and increased shooting of wild pigs ( Sus scrofa ) by humans. After accounting for these trends, we show that both lead ammunition bans and public outreach efforts have significantly reduced condor blood lead levels in California, lowering mortality. Our analyses uncover a dynamic in which changing ecological conditions mask the true efficacy of legislation and outreach. Given rapid global change, such dynamics are likely operating in many settings, underscoring the importance of comprehensive evaluations of recovery actions, which can be obscured by shifting behaviors and threats.
Self-polymerized polyphenol-based platform for the management of dry eye pathogenesis
Switching Shapes: Reversible Three Species Photoisomerization of Substituted 1,2-Dihydro-1,2-azaborinines
FGFR signaling establishes spatial gradients of secretory cell identities along the airway proximal-distal axis
Abstract Secretory cells are major structural and functional constituents of the lung airways. Their heterogeneity, spatial organization and specification mechanisms are partially understood. Here, we analyze secretory lung cell-types at single-cell resolution. In the airway epithelium, we find opposing, partially overlapping gene-expression gradients along the proximal-distal airway axis superimposed on a general gene program encoding detoxification. One graded program is elevated proximally and relates to innate immunity, whereas the other is enriched distally, encoding lipid metabolism and antigen presentation. Intermediately positioned cells express moderate levels of both graded programs creating a differentiation continuum towards each end. Lineage tracing analysis during development reveals the sequential establishment of the gradients in common epithelial progenitors postnatally. We show that Fgfr2b regulates the airway patterning by inducing and maintaining high levels of lipid biosynthesis and vesicle trafficking in distal airways and down-regulating innate-immunity genes in vivo and in airway organoids. Our analysis offers a framework for studying epithelial and lung tissue organization to better understand cellular roles in tissue-level pathology.
Solvation-mediated isomerization of surface motifs tunes emissions and electron transfer dynamics in gold nanoclusters
Efficient control of enterochromaffin versus islet differentiation from human pluripotent stem cell-derived pancreatic progenitors
Prognostic impact of renal microcirculatory dysfunction in heart failure assessed by superb microvascular imaging
Impacts of local anthropogenic stressors outpace those of climate on coral reef collapse in the northern South China Sea
Failure assessment and evaluation of locomotive coil spring suspension system
Motor cortex somatostatin interneurons adaptively shape the structure of action sequences
Abstract The brain flexibly reorganizes action sequences to optimize behavioral outcomes through reinforcement learning and adaptive motor control. Although the primary motor cortex (M1) is essential for skill learning and dexterous movement, how cortical microcircuits refine the timing and structure of action sequences remains unclear. We show that M1 somatostatin interneurons (SST-Ins) display synchronized, action-locked calcium activity during acquisition of a lever-press task in freely moving mice, in contrast to the sequential activation of pyramidal neurons. Following extended training under a stable task schedule, SST-IN activity was no longer coupled to action execution. However, when task demands were modified to require faster and more temporally constrained action sequences, SST-IN activity redistributed and correlated with trial-by-trial changes in sequences, rather than diminishing. Inhibition of SST-INs disrupted temporal organization and impaired efficient motor execution. These findings highlight the unexpected role of M1 SST-INs in refining motor programs into more efficient and task-specific structures.
The snow meteorology and phenology classification (SnowMAP): global snow cover observations enhance snow’s representation
Abstract Snow is a vital water resource that regulates climate, supports ecosystems, and influences economies and transportation systems, making it essential to understand its physical properties and the seasonal timing of its presence (phenology). However, current snow classifications separate snow’s meteorological controls from its phenology, limiting its decision-relevance. This study introduces SnowMAP, a global snow classification system that combines snow meteorological and phenology classes. By integrating meteorological factors such as snowfall, temperature, and wind with seasonal dynamics like snow presence and melt timing, SnowMAP provides a more complete view of global snow conditions. The resulting 18 snow classes reflect notable variations in snow depth, geography, land cover, and infrastructure. SnowMAP provides a unified framework for describing how a snowpack forms and evolves, enabling scientists, planners, and communities to better understand snow conditions and their impact on the natural and built environments.
The hidden role of rhizospheric viruses in promoting nitrogen fixation in soils
High magnitude of carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in sepsis patients at Ethiopian referral hospitals: a whole genome analysis
Abstract Carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii (CP-Ab) is a critical priority pathogen. Between October 2019 and September 2020, a multicentre study was conducted at four Ethiopian hospitals: Tikur Anbessa and Yekatit (central), Hawassa (southern), and Dessie (northern). A total of 1416 sepsis patients were enrolled, and blood cultures were performed. Acinetobacter isolates were confirmed using MALDI-TOF and tested for carbapenem susceptibility. All Acinetobacter isolates were subjected to whole-genome sequencing. Selected isolates underwent nanopore sequencing through Plasmidsaurus. Forty-five Acinetobacter isolates were identified, mostly A. baumannii ( n = 38), with a few other species ( n = 7). Among the 38 A. baumannii isolates, 18 carried bla NDM−1 and either bla OXA−23 or bla OXA−58 carbapenemase genes concurrently. bla OXA−58 and bla NDM−1 were co-located on plasmids of sizes 80 kb to 113 kb. bla OXA−66 ( n = 13) and bla OXA−69 ( n = 12) were frequently identified chromosomally encoded carbapenemase genes. Several STs of A. baumannii were identified, with ST2 ( n = 14) and ST1 ( n = 13) being frequent. One A. nosocomialis carried bla NDM−1 and bla OXA−58 simultaneously. Several other genes were identified that confer resistance to aminoglycosides ( n = 37), phenicol ( n = 19), trimethoprim ( n = 16), macrolides ( n = 25), quinolones ( n = 10), tetracyclines ( n = 22), sulphonamides ( n = 36), and disinfectants ( n = 23). The high prevalence of carbapenemase-producing A. baumannii and other Acinetobacter species underscores the need for nationwide antibiotic stewardship.
Unlocking the reducing power of metal nitrides by mechanochemical hydrodefluorination of fluorinated compounds
A digital twin framework for forensic reconstruction of alcohol intake via fast and slow metabolite kinetics
Abstract Accurately determining the timing and/or amount of consumed alcohol is critical in healthcare and forensic contexts, yet self-reported data are often unreliable due to stigma and legal implications. Objective biomarkers are therefore essential. Commonly used markers such as blood- and breath alcohol concentrations (BAC, BrAC) decline rapidly, limiting their utility for reconstructing drinking scenarios. Such reconstructions are essential for legal assessments, including refuting the “hipflask” defence. Markers with slower kinetics, such as ethyl glucuronide (EtG), ethyl sulphate (EtS), and urine alcohol concentration (UAC) provide complementary temporal information; however, current approaches fail to fully exploit available data. Here, we introduce a unified physiological digital twin that mechanistically integrates BAC, BrAC, EtG, EtS, and UAC within a single framework. This model captures the joint dynamics of rapid- and slower markers, enabling personalized simulations of alcohol intake and metabolism. We show that this integrated approach substantially improves reconstruction of past drinking events and supports complex forensic assessments requiring high temporal precision. To ease practical application, we provide an interactive web tool that allows users to evaluate hypothetical drinking scenarios and visualise individualized biomarker trajectories. Our work establishes a foundation for precision modelling of alcohol kinetics, bridging gaps between clinical, forensic, and computational domains.
Tough asymmetric thermochromic ionogels via dynamic in situ phase separation for dual-modal smart optical switching
Abstract Despite significant advances in thermochromic materials (TCMs) for smart optical switching, achieving simultaneous optimization of optical switching, mechanical robustness, and environmental tolerance remains a critical challenge for their real-world implementation. Herein, we present tough asymmetric thermochromic ionogels (ATIs) fabricated via dynamic in situ phase separation. The ATIs integrate a thermoresponsive light-scattering layer (LCST: 28 °C to 41 °C) and a mechanically reinforced supporting layer through sequential free-radical polymerization. The resulting material exhibits high transparency (>85% at 20 °C), ultralow-temperature resistance (transparent at −70 °C, even at −196 °C), and exceptional toughness (tensile strength >5 MPa, toughness >17 MJ m -3 ). Leveraging hydrophobic ionic liquid as solvent, the ATIs achieve reversible optical switching (transmittance <10% at 40 °C) without encapsulation, with autonomous adhesion (>400 N m -1 peel strength on glass). Applied to smart cooling windows, ATIs reduce solar radiation by 56.8% while enabling aesthetic customization. Combined with indirect/direct Joule heating technology, ATIs enable active optical switching and even dynamic projection display, offering a scalable platform for all-weather adaptive optical systems.
Diagenesis as the main control of clayrock brittleness
Abstract Geological storage is expected to play an important role in the energy transition, in various forms spanning across CO 2 sequestration and nuclear waste storage to that of short-term energy (H 2 or compressed air energy storage, CAES). The efficiency of geological storage relies on the low permeability of clayrocks, whose integrity might be compromised if they exhibit brittle behavior. Therefore, identifying the geological conditions that lead to brittleness is essential to guide storage projects toward the safest options. Here, we show that diagenesis is the main control on clayrock brittleness and that it can be predicted using first order parameters accessible from exploration borehole data. We evidence a strong correlation between clayrocks unconfined compressive strength and burial-induced diagenesis, driven by compaction and cementation resulting from clay-mineral transformation. We suggest that mechanically-consolidated clayrocks may retain ductile, low-permeability behavior if they remain confined, while cementation favors their brittle behavior. The trend we present enables the estimation of brittleness and permeability behavior of clayrocks based on their burial history. We propose that this trend can help guide the selection of safe storage sites when integrated into a dedicated exploration framework.