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Bridging photocatalysis and artificial intelligence to maximize CH4 and CO production from CO2 reduction using synthesized g-C3N4/TNTAs photocatalysts

Quantum inspired feature engineering for explainable EEG signal classification

Eco-functional deployment of indigenous nitrogen-fixing microbes to enable temperate crop cultivation in tropical climates

Abstract Climate change and increasing food demand pose major challenges to agricultural productivity, particularly for temperate crops cultivated under tropical conditions. This study investigated whether indigenous bacterial isolates obtained from cooled tropical soils exhibit putative diazotrophic traits and promote the growth of lettuce, a representative temperate crop, under tropical greenhouse conditions without soil cooling. Seven bacterial isolates were initially screened using preliminary assays indicative of putative diazotrophic traits, including nitrogen-free semisolid medium, bromothymol blue assays, and PCR detection of nif -related genes. Two strains, Agromyces sp. C10 and Bacillus sp. C21, were selected for further evaluation. Inoculation with these strains enhanced lettuce biomass in the presence and absence of fertilizer and was associated with increased total soil nitrogen after harvest. Although these results do not provide direct functional evidence of biological nitrogen fixation, they indicate that indigenous bacteria from cooled soils may serve as promising plant growth-promoting candidates for temperate crop cultivation in tropical environments.

Single-cell and multi-omics analysis identifies mitophagy-related biomarkers and therapeutic targets in ischemic stroke

Daily briefing: How koalas escaped a genetic bottleneck

Uncharted: understanding women’s health across the body

Cracked, but still there: the glass ceiling persists for senior women in science

Genetically modified pig liver keeps man alive until human organ transplant

Briefing Chat: What Galileo’s scribbled margin notes reveal about his scientific journey

The missing pieces of menopause science

What a viral TikTok taught me about personal storytelling in science

Mental health acts and out-of-hospital care: Legislative boundaries and the paramedic role in Australian mental health legislation

Background Changes to Australian mental health legislation have expanded the role of paramedics in managing mental illness. Paramedics in most Australian states and territories can now temporarily detain and transport people suspected of being mentally ill for further assessment if these people are viewed as being at risk or as posing a risk to others and as lacking capacity for decision making. Aim This paper examines current mental health legislation from the eight Australian states and territories. We explore the conditions for transport to involuntary care and additional powers granted to paramedics across jurisdictions to identify the differences and implications of legislation in this space. Methods Current Australian mental health legislation was examined for: how mental illness is defined; how capacity is defined; how the Acts refer to paramedics; and the powers granted to paramedics under each Act. Results All jurisdictions but Western Australia and Victoria have made legislative changes to authorise paramedics to initiate transport for assessment. Although Victoria has made legislative changes to authorise paramedics to initiate transport for assessment, a subsequent Amendment has paused the introduction of this change. The power to authorise paramedics lies with the head of ambulance services in some states and territories and with senior health officials, e.g., the Chief Psychiatrist in others. Paramedics are required to judge patient capacity and level of risk prior to transport. Conclusion Legislation has expanded the role of paramedics working with people with mental illness and guides how paramedics conceptualise, interpret and enact their powers in responding to patients with mental illness.

Knockdown of miR-21-5P targets and regulates PDCD4-induced apoptosis in ovarian granulosa cells and ameliorates in sulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrom

This study examined the role of miRNA-21-5p in a rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome with insulin resistance (PCOS-IR) and its potential involvement in ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups, with the PCOS-IR model established using dehydroepiandrosterone combined with a high-sugar, high-fat diet. Lentiviral transduction was utilized to silence miRNA-21-5p. Serum hormone levels were assessed via ELISA, while the protein expression of PDCD4, Bcl-2, and Caspase-3 in ovarian tissues was analyzed through Western blotting. Granulosa cell apoptosis was evaluated using CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, and TUNEL staining. The targeting relationship between miRNA-21-5p and PDCD4 was confirmed via dual-luciferase reporter assay and further supported by AlphaFold3 and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) prediction. Compared to the PCOS-IR and si-NC groups, the si-miRNA-21-5p group displayed improved ovarian morphology, partially restored hormone levels, moderately enhanced insulin sensitivity, and reduced granulosa cell apoptosis, alongside altered PDCD4 expression. These findings suggest that miRNA-21-5p may play a role in the pathogenesis of PCOS-IR by regulating PDCD4 and influencing granulosa cell apoptosis. Inhibition of miRNA-21-5p shows potential in alleviating certain pathological features within this experimental model; however, further validation in human studies is needed to assess its clinical relevance and therapeutic applicability.

A prospective observational study of plasma concentrations and safety of combined intravenous lidocaine and epidural ropivacaine in laparotomy surgery

Intravenous lidocaine (IVL), an alternative to epidural analgesia (EA) for laparotomies, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperalgesic effects. However, its combination with EA raises concerns about systemic toxicity. This study aimed to assess the safety of this combination in patients undergoing laparotomy. We conducted a prospective observational study at Amiens University Hospital in France, involving adult patients scheduled for laparotomies. Intravenous lidocaine was administered at induction as a 1.5 mg/kg bolus (ideal body weight), followed by a continuous infusion of 2 mg/kg/h maintained until the end of surgery. An epidural catheter was inserted before surgery, prior to induction of general anesthesia, no local anesthetic was administered intraoperatively. Epidural analgesia was initiated at the end of surgery with a 5 mg bolus of ropivacaine, followed by a continuous infusion. The primary outcome was the occurrence of lidocaine and ropivacaine plasma concentrations outside established safety ranges. Lidocaine plasma concentrations were measured 30 minutes after bolus (LP1), at the end of surgery (LP2), and two hours after discontinuation of the infusion (LP3). Ropivacaine concentrations were measured two hours (RP1) and 24 hours after initiation of epidural infusion (RP2). The secondary endpoint the assessment of cardiac and neurological toxicity within 48 hours post-surgery. Fifty patients were included from March 2022 to March 2024. One patient exceeded the lidocaine threshold (LP2), and another exceeded the ropivacaine threshold (RP2). LP1 was 1.8 [1.5–2.4] µg/ml, LP2 was 2.1 [1.6–2.4] µg/ml, and LP3 was 1.2 [0.8–1.7] µg/ml. Ropivacaine plasma concentration was 126 [87–211] µg/L at RP1, and 785 [524–1318] µg/L at RP2. No cardiac or neurological adverse events were observed. The combination of EA and IVL appeared to be safe for major abdominal surgery. Clinical trials Number NCT05368753. EudraCT Number: 2021-005508-37.

Unraveling the therapeutic potential of Elaeagnus angustifolia extract on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC): An investigation using zebrafish model

Breast cancer is a widespread and aggressive disease, with 2.3 million new cases globally in 2022. Metastasis, the spread of cancer cells to distant organs, remains a leading cause of breast cancer-related mortality. Current treatment options, particularly traditional chemotherapeutic drugs, are often associated with severe side effects, emphasizing the urgent need for safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents one of the most aggressive breast cancer subtypes, characterized by the absence of estrogen receptors (ER), receptors (PR), and HER2 expression. The human TNBC cell line MDA-MB-231, was selected in this study due to its aggressive, metastatic phenotype and its well-established use in zebrafish xenograft models. This makes it a highly relevant platform for preliminary in vivo evaluation of novel plant-derived compounds, particularly those targeting hard-to-treat breast cancer subtypes such as TNBC. Elaeagnus angustifolia (EA), commonly known as Russian olive, has attracted interest for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. However, its potential anticancer activity, especially against TNBC, remains relatively unexplored. This research investigated the efficacy of EA extract against MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells using a wild-type AB zebrafish model. A key objective was to evaluate the toxicological profile of EA across multiple physiological parameters in zebrafish, including developmental, cardiovascular, neuromuscular, and hepatic functions. The study identified safe, non-toxic concentrations of EA extract (0.5 mg/mL and 0.75 mg/mL). Moreover, treatment with EA in zebrafish xenografts led to a dose-dependent reduction in fluorescence intensity of injected TNBC cells, suggesting suppression of tumor cell proliferation and survival.. These findings suggest that EA warrant further investigation as a potential anticancer agent for TNBC. The observed safety profile and preliminary anti-tumor effects in zebrafish provide a foundation for future mechanistic and mammalian studies.

Phosphorylations of serines 21/9 in glycogen synthase kinase 3α/β are dispensable for V600EBRAF-driven premalignant tumour development in the mouse intestine

Valine to glutamate substitution at residue 600 of the BRAF oncogene ( V600E BRAF mutation) is prevalent in human colorectal cancers with a serrated histopathology and is thought to be a founder mutation. Using a conditional knock-in mouse model we have previously demonstrated that V600E Braf drives crypt hyperplasia in the short term as well as shortened survival linked to increased tumour burden in the long-term. These phenotypes are associated with induction of gene signatures for E2F targets, MYC signalling, G2/M transition, canonical Wnt signalling, and cholesterol biosynthesis. Although these gene signatures are reverted by MEK inhibition, there remains a lack of understanding of the signalling pathways involved, particularly the mechanism of crosstalk between the MAPK and Wnt pathways. Here, we have examined a role for phosphorylation of GSK3αβ isoforms at residues S21/S9. By introducing homozygous knock-in mutations for Gsk3αβ S9A/S21A onto the V600E Braf background, we unexpectedly show a marginal effect of these mutations on further increasing crypt proliferation. However, this impact is lost in the long-term as there are no significant differences in mouse survival, tumour burden or tumour grade. Consistently, the Gsk3αβ knock-in mutations do not change the transcriptional programme induced by V600E Braf , except for 3 genes ( Ephx4 , Eif2b3 Ppp1r13l ) whose expression is significantly altered, potentially contributing to the short-term increase in crypt hyperplasia. Overall, our data show that therapeutic strategies targeting GSK3αβ phosphorylation at serines 21/9 are not worthwhile options for V600E BRAF colorectal cancers.

Differential modulation of haematopoietic and oxidative injury by PARP-1 and ATR kinase inhibition in a murine model of acute irradiation

Temporal Modulation of Acute Radiation Injury by Post-Exposure PARP-1 versus ATR Kinase Inhibition. Background PARP-1 and ATR inhibitors have been employed as radiosensitizers in cancer therapy. In addition to this, there is little evidence about the role of these chemicals after a dose of radiation, specifically in relation to reducing damage to healthy cells rather than increasing it. Objective The goal of this study was to determine if PARP-1 or ATR kinase inhibitors, when delayed administered, could decrease the severity of the condition caused by an acute dose of radiation and compare the impact of PARP-1 and ATR inhibitors. Methods Mice of the C57BL/6 strain were subjected to a total body irradiation dose of 2.5 Gy γ-rays. In each experiment, thirty minutes following exposure to IR, either the PARP inhibitor, olaparib at 50 mg/kg or the ATR kinase inhibitor VE-821 at 25 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally into the mice. The parameters of blood were measured at the same time as oxidative stress, including the activity of superoxide dismutase and levels of malondialdehyde. Examination of DNA damage and repair dynamics was done through the use of γ-H2AX immunofluorescence. Results Following exposure to ionising radiation, mice which had received a PARP inhibitor showed less marked haemoglobin reduction and less radiation-induced leucopenia than control mice exposed to radiation alone. The modifications were accompanied by a decrease in lipid peroxidation plus enhanced antioxidant activity. This observation that PARP inhibition enhances repair of DNA double-strand breaks is consistent with earlier data from other researchers. In contrast the protective effects of the ATR kinase inhibitor were not apparent when administered after the DNA damage had been inflicted in any of the parameters examined. Conclusion While administering PARP inhibitors following the exposure to ionising radiation was found to reduce the severity of the condition experienced by the subject, as a result of acute radiation syndrome, the same was not seen when the treatment with ATR inhibitors was given to affected subjects. The results of this study show the significance of administering therapeutic agents at the right time to stop the injury to normal cells when DNA repair pathways are activated by exposure to ionising radiation.

Anisotropic mechanical properties of Dodecanophene nanosheets with pre-existing cracks by molecular dynamics simulation: Uncovering orientation- and temperature-induced variations

This work presents a comprehensive molecular dynamics simulation study investigating the anisotropic mechanical response and fracture mechanisms of defective Dodecanophene nanosheets, a novel two-dimensional carbon allotrope. Using the AIREBO-M reactive force field validated against Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations, we systematically evaluate the effects of crack orientation (0°–90°), temperature-dependent behavior (200–1000 K), and pre-existing crack size (30–60 Å) on elastic modulus, tensile strength, fracture toughness, and energy absorption. The nanosheets exhibit clear anisotropy: the y-direction shows higher stiffness (562.41 GPa) and strength (148.38 GPa), while the x-direction shows superior toughness (34.53 GPa). Crack orientation plays a critical role, with perpendicular cracks causing severe degradation (48.0–54.0%) compared to moderate losses (16–24%) for parallel cracks. Temperature-dependent behavior is pronounced, as toughness rises 160% at 200 K but declines 65.0% at 1000 K. Increasing pre-existing crack length drastically reduces strength (75.0–86.0%) and toughness (79.0–86.0%). Distinct failure modes emerge: x-loading promotes ductile behavior with crack deflection and gradual bond breaking, while y-loading induces brittle catastrophic fracture with rapid crack propagation. This represents the first systematic investigation of pre-existing crack effects on Dodecanophene’s fracture mechanics across extreme thermal conditions (200–1000 K), providing critical insights for defect-tolerant design of 2D carbon materials.

Perception on blackflies and community ownership of the “Slash-and-Clear” vector control intervention in onchocerciasis-endemic communities along Edo-Ondo border in Southern Nigeria

Background Many communities along the Edo-Ondo border in southern Nigeria remain highly endemic for onchocerciasis. Despite more than two decades of mass drug administration (MDA), transmission persists, necessitating the National Onchocerciasis Elimination Committee (NOEC) to designate the zone as special intervention hotspots. Slash-and-Clear (S&C) has emerged as a promising, community-based approach that can be integrated with ongoing MDA campaigns. This study assessed community knowledge of blackfly, onchocerciasis and willingness to sustain S&C without external financial or logistical support. Method Structured questionnaire was administered to 79 key informants from Edo (n = 59) and Ondo (n = 20) communities along Ose River. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted pre- and post-intervention (April 2023 and April 2025, respectively) with participants from 76 communities that participated in slash-and-clear. Three communities declined due to security and socio-cultural reasons. Results Prior to intervention, all 79 (100%) key informants reported frequent blackfly bites and expressed the need for strategies to reduce the nuisance. FGD findings corroborated this, with participants recognizing blackflies and their biting burden but showing limited awareness of onchocerciasis as a disease. Common protective measures included wearing long clothing and applying chemical substances on skin to prevent bites. At post-intervention, participants collectively reported noticeable decline in blackfly activity, which reinforced community enthusiasm for sustaining the intervention. Although some communities expressed willingness to continue without monetary incentives, the provision of essential tools and materials was consistently emphasized by majority. Conclusion The reduction in blackfly nuisance was a motivator for community’s willingness to sustain the intervention. Continued support and routine monitoring by the Edo and Ondo State governments, especially for communities reluctant to participate without financial incentives, are critical to prevent reinfestation in committed areas. This supervision will ensure the broader success of the S&C strategy and the elimination of onchocerciasis in communities along the Edo-Ondo border.

Invasive Argemone mexicana’s suppressive effects on germination and early growth of Triticum aestivum and Hordeum vulgare in South-western Saudi Arabia

The invasion of exotic plant species has emerged as a global problem that impacts the ecosystems, economy, and human health, and is the reason for biodiversity loss. Argemone mexicana L. is one of the plants that was recorded as an invasive plant species in south-western Saudi Arabia. Allelochemical properties have been stated but not empirically evaluated on economically important staple crops. In the present study, the phenotype of the A. mexicana L. plant was described using major and minor phenotypic morphology, and morphological seed. Additionally, laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the allelopathic effects of water extract of A. mexicana L. on radicle and plumule length of Triticum aestivum and Hordeum vulgare . Results showed that the allelopathic potential of leaf and seed extracts of A. mexicana decreased the seed germination (until 66.66%), plumule length (93.94%−94.94%), and radicle length (96.68%− 96.96%) respectively for T. aestivum and H. vulgare with a rise in extract concentration. Moreover, it was observed that the A. mexicana seed extract is more allelopathically effective than leaf extract. Hence, it could be concluded that the seed and leaf aqueous extracts contain water-soluble allelochemicals, which could inhibit seed germination of T. aestivum and H. vulgare .