Browse Articles

Transient receptor potential vanilloid four in macrophages mediates TGF-β activation to drive myofibroblast differentiation and pulmonary fibrosis

O-GlcNAc transferase couples nutrient availability to synaptic plasticity in paraventricular neurons to regulate satiety

A revised model of nuclear actin import: Importin 9 competes with cofilin, profilin, and RanGTP for actin binding

Cantu syndrome–associated SUR2[H60Y] mutation confers selective gain of function on Kir6.1 ATP-sensitive potassium channels

Elevated adipose inflammation, but reduced hepatic triacylglycerol storage in diet-induced obese Plin4−/− mice

Quantitative systems toxicology: modelling to mechanistically understand and predict drug safety

Global discovery of RNA modifications and functional analysis of m5C methylome in cyanobacteria

Lipopolysaccharide induces HIF-1α accumulation via MAPK p38–mediated mRNA stabilization and dexamethasone-sensitive protein stabilization

In vivo chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy

Protein tyrosine kinase Src suppresses hepatitis C virus particle release through regulation of Ndrg1

Treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: current pipeline and new opportunities  

Enhancing the properties and environmental performance of fired clay bricks through lignocellulosic additives an investigation of oil palm mesocarp fibre (OPMF) as a sustainable alternative

Evaluation of heat warning thresholds with multiple lagged and cumulative health impacts based on a 20-year population database

Integrating network toxicology, machine learning, and molecular dynamics simulations to reveal tanshinone iia’s dual mechanisms in TNBC and doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity

Smart, automated junctional tourniquets leveraging AI-driven ultrasound guidance

Abstract Tourniquets are commonly used devices for hemorrhage control; however, their effectiveness is reduced in anatomical junctions such as the neck and inguinal region. Junctional tourniquets specifically require precise placement to be effective. This precision can be enabled with ultrasound technology to help locate and occlude the major vessels in the junctional regions properly. However, interpretation of ultrasound requires highly skilled personnel, who may not necessarily be available in emergency situations. To overcome this hurdle, we have developed two ultrasound-enabled, AI-driven junctional tourniquet prototypes. AI models can aid in guiding the end-user to the correct location and determine occlusion during and after pressure application. Proof-of-concept functionality of the developed prototypes integrated with AI models was successfully tested in a durable, ultrasound-compatible femoral tissue phantom and compared against commercially available tourniquet devices. Overall, time to occlusion was comparable between the tourniquet prototype designs and traditional junctional tourniquets, while each AI model achieved high performance metrics for this application. As such, the combination of AI and ultrasound can prove to be a viable solution to prevent further hemorrhaging at the point of injury.

Remodelling hierarchical NiCo2O4@ZnS nanorods with multi-walled carbon nanotubes as a counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cell applications

Abstract A hierarchical NiCo 2 O 4 @ZnS/MWCNT (NCO@Z-MWCNTs) nanocomposite was synthesized to serve as a platinum-free counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The nanocomposite comprised spinel NiCo 2 O 4 nanorods, ZnS associated with the surface of the nanorods, and an interconnected multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) network, and it was synthesized via a low-temperature solution-based hydrothermal method. XRD confirmed the presence of cubic NiCo 2 O 4 and zinc blende ZnS phases, while FESEM–EDS and XPS analyses verified the incorporation of ZnS and the formation of a conductive carbon framework interconnecting adjacent nanorods. ZnS, rather than acting as an isolated catalytic component, was considered to contribute additional sulfide-related surface sites and to modulate the interfacial electronic environment of the NiCo 2 O 4 nanorods, which likely facilitated redox reactions involving the I − /I 3 − couple. Meanwhile, the MWCNT network established continuous electron transport pathways, effectively reducing interfacial resistance and enhancing charge-transfer efficiency. Thermogravimetric and electrochemical analyses revealed enhanced thermal stability, improved redox kinetics, and a significant reduction in charge-transfer resistance compared with pristine NiCo 2 O 4 .The optimized NCO@Z–MWCNT 9wt% counter electrode achieved a power conversion efficiency of 10.03% under AM 1.5 G illumination, exceeding that of the Pt reference device (9.6%). Overall, the improved performance was attributed to the combined contributions of ZnS surface modification and the conductive MWCNT network, which together enhanced charge transport and electrocatalytic activity. This work demonstrates a scalable strategy for developing cost-effective, durable, and high-performance counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells.

Gait adaptations to walker-assisted locomotion in elderly: a principal component analysis of spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters

Uncovering the potential MTAs, candidate genes and microRNAs regulatory networks involved in salinity stress tolerance triggered in Iranian Aegilops tauschii

A spatial perspective on the impact of official development assistance on sustainable development goals

Abstract The United Nations (UN)’s 2030 Agenda for 17 Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a critical framework for advancing environmental sustainability and human development. Official Development Assistance (ODA) serves as a key source of financing for the SDGs, particularly in developing countries. This study investigates the impact of ODA on various aspects of SDG performance, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach that accounts for the diverse needs, uneven progress, and spatial interdependencies among UN member states between 2000 and 2021. Our findings show that ODA statistically significantly supports basic goals such as SDG 1 (no poverty) and SDG 2 (zero hunger), but has limited, or in some cases negative, effects on other goals, including SDG 8 (decent work), SDG 9 (industry and innovation), SDG 15 (life on land), and SDG 16 (peace and institutions). The results also reveal substantial heterogeneity across country groups, underscoring the need for ODA to broaden its focus to underfunded areas and adopt more context-specific strategies that recognize spatial dynamics, manage trade-offs, and prioritize SDG pathways aligned with country-specific capacities and priorities.

Disentangling the functional roles of pre-stimulus oscillations in crossmodal associative memory formation via sensory entrainment

Abstract The state of neural dynamics prior to the presentation of an external stimulus significantly influences its subsequent processing. This neural preparatory mechanism might be of particular importance for crossmodal memory formation. The integration of stimuli across different sensory modalities is a fundamental mechanism underlying the formation of episodic memories. However, the causal role of pre-stimulus neural activity in this process remains largely unclear. In this preregistered study, we investigate the direct relationship between transient brain states induced by sensory entrainment and crossmodal memory encoding. Participants ( n  = 105) received rhythmic visual stimuli at theta (5 Hz) or alpha (9 Hz) frequencies to evoke specific brain states. EEG recordings confirmed successful entrainment, with sustained increases in neural activity within the stimulated frequency bands persisting until stimulus onset. Notably, induced alpha oscillatory activity enhanced recognition memory performance reflected by increased sensitivity, and suggesting that alpha oscillations prepare the brain for optimal multisensory integration. These findings highlight the functional significance of distinct oscillatory brain states in facilitating memory encoding by increasing cortical excitability before stimulus presentation. Overall, our results emphasize the importance of pre-stimulus brain states in shaping the efficiency of memory formation across sensory modalities and shed light on how dynamic neural preparations support learning.