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Climbing through the silver mine: my work as a geologist

Integrative metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses reveal flavonoid biosynthesis pathway in Eupatorium lindleyanum

Abstract Eupatorium lindleyanum , a medicinal plant from the Asteraceae family, is renowned for its diverse bioactive compounds, particularly flavonoids, which contribute to its various pharmacological activities. However, the biosynthetic pathway and regulatory mechanisms underlying flavonoid production in Eupatorium lindleyanum remain largely unexplored. In this study, an integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic approach was employed to investigate flavonoid biosynthesis in Eupatorium lindleyanum . Samples from four different tissues (roots, stems, leaves, and flowers) were analysed to identify variations in differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs). A total of 330 differentially accumulated flavonoid metabolites (DFMs) and 53,610 DEGs were identified. A total of 27 key structural genes involved in the flavonoid synthesis pathway, including PAL , 4CL , C3H , F3H , FLS , and ANS , and others were found to be significantly activated in specific tissues. Additionally, 69 transcription factors (TFs) from five families, including AP2/ERF , NAC , WRKY , MYB , and bHLH , were identified as potentially involved in regulating flavonoid biosynthesis. The findings of this study offer crucial information on the genes and metabolites involved in flavonoid metabolism in Eupatorium lindleyanum. The identification of key genes and TFs, along with an understanding of their regulatory networks, can facilitate the development of new cultivars with increased flavonoid contents and improved medicinal value.

Where to invest in neonatal survival programs in Nepal? A modelling study using Lives Saved Tool through scaling key interventions

Background Neonatal survival remains a major public health priority in many low and middle-income countries including Nepal, where the neonatal mortality rate (NMR) is 21 per 1,000 live births. To improve the neonatal health outcomes, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends scaling up coverage of quality antenatal care (ANC), skilled care at birth, immediate essential newborn care and resuscitation, postnatal care for mother and newborn, and specialized care of small and sick newborns. In this context, we aimed to estimate the potential impact of achieving the coverage targets for 35 interventions, identified as monitoring indicators under Nepal’s Every Newborn Action Plan (NENAP), on neonatal survival in Nepal by 2035. Methods We used the Lives Saved Tool (LiST) to estimate the number of neonatal deaths that could be prevented by 2035 if target intervention coverage level is achieved, starting from 2025 baseline values. Baseline data were drawn from demographic and health (DHS) survey and multiple indicator cluster survey (MICS). Where survey data were unavailable, proxy estimates were derived from available literatures to establish the baseline levels. Results By 2035, achieving the target coverage level could save an estimated 8,126 neonatal lives compared to the 2025 baseline. This achievement would reduce the NMR to about 14 per 1,000 live births and avert an additional 5,977 child deaths and 358 maternal deaths. More than two-third (70.4%) of neonatal lives saved would be attributable to four priority interventions: neonatal resuscitation (36.0%), promotion of breastfeeding practices (11.8%), case management of neonatal sepsis (11.7%) and case management of premature babies (10.9%). At this coverage level, approximately 26.9% of deaths due to prematurity, 17.9% from sepsis, and 16.1% from diarrhoea could be prevented. Conclusion Nepal must prioritize highly effective interventions: neonatal resuscitation, breastfeeding, management of neonatal sepsis and case management of premature babies to accelerate progress towards the NENAP target. Our analysis indicates that achieving the specific coverage targets of 35 NENAP interventions could reduce the NMR to 14 per 1,000 live births which fall short of the NENAP targets of reducing NMR to 11 per 1,000 live births by 2035. Strengthening special newborn care unit (SNCU) in line with WHO standard is critical to improving the quality of care for small and sick newborns (SSNB) in health facilities. While strengthening newborn resuscitation and SNCU services will substantially reduce NMR, attaining the NENAP targets will ultimately require comprehensive health system reforms and effective coverage of other maternal and newborn interventions.

Silver and polystyrene nanoparticles activate oestrogen signalling via cytoplasmic oestrogen receptor

Abstract This study explores the endocrine-disrupting potential of two commonly encountered nanomaterials, nanoplastic and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Many environmental pollutants, especially endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), such as bisphenol, heavy metals, interfere with hormone function, posing a serious risk for public health, e.g. prevalence of breast cancer, whose incidence correlates strongly with EDC exposure. However, the impact on hormonal homeostasis of many environmental contaminants, such as nanoplastic, is still unknown. Nanoplastic is a product of the weathering process of plastic goods, while AgNPs are released to the environment from everyday use items, such as health care products, food-related materials or medical devices. These nanoparticles penetrate biological barriers, accumulate in tissues, and may affect oestrogen signalling. Thus, this study investigated how AgNPs and nanopolystyrene (PSNPs) interact with oestrogen receptor (ESR1) signalling in breast cancer cells. The study revealed that in ESR1-positive (ER+) cells, AgNPs notably enhanced ESR1-mediated cell proliferation and progression through the S-phase of the cell cycle, particularly in oestrogen-deprived conditions. The observed effect was ESR1-dependent and effectively blocked by tamoxifen, revealing a ligand-independent activation mechanism. AgNPs downregulated ESR1 signalling-dependent genes, which are linked to cell cycle and proliferation pathways (e.g., IRS1, NCOR1, MED1). PSNPs showed a similar, but milder effect, stimulating ESR1 activation only in the presence of oestrogen (E2). Simultaneous treatment with AgNPs and PSNPs induced a distinct effect, namely, reduced CITED2 and BDNF expression, which was highly dependent on E2 status. The presence of PSNPs also mitigated AgNPs-induced reduction of BRCA1 expression. This study highlights how nanomaterial-induced ESR1 activation can lead to enhanced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cell cycle progression, suggesting potential adverse effects of nanomaterials in ER+ cancer proliferation via protein kinase-mediated ESR1 modulation.

Renal and hepatic function is preserved following inducible knockout of kynurenine pathway enzymes KMO or QPRT in adult mice

The kynurenine pathway (KP) is the canonical route by which tryptophan is metabolised, almost all of which occurs in the liver, with significant expression of its enzymes also known in the kidney. We generated two novel mouse models for inducible global knockout of midpoint KP enzyme kynurenine-3-monooxygenase (KMO) and endpoint enzyme quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase (QPRT; converts known neurotoxic KP metabolite Quinolinic acid to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) precursor via the de novo synthesis pathway). The KP is dysregulated in many renal and hepatic disorders, but as an essential step prior to use in disease studies, we set out to characterise their basal KP metabolome and investigate any changes to their overall phenotype in the liver and kidney, free of exogenous inflammatory stimuli. Both enzyme knockouts caused rapid alterations in accumulation of blood metabolite levels upstream of the affected enzyme, although downstream metabolite concentrations were surprisingly unaffected. KMO knockout elevated kynurenine, kynurenic acid and anthranilic acid, while QPRT knockout elevated quinolinic acid. Regardless of these significant metabolic alterations, histological examination of liver and kidney tissues, standard clinical blood chemistry and gross animal observations indicated no evidence of pathological changes in both the renal and hepatic systems. Our findings suggest that in a timeframe of 1–5 weeks and without evoked inflammation, robust homeostatic mechanisms can accommodate substantial fluctuations in KP metabolite concentrations in knockout mice without affecting renal or hepatic structure or function.

Spineless creatures, possibly the world’s oldest beer receipt and more: 2025’s best Books in brief

Hybrid genome sequence of Cryptococcus neoformans of Indian origin and comparative genome analysis

Effects of cotton straw biochar on methane emissions using rumen simulations

Context Cotton stalk valorization is limited by high lignification, resulting in waste and environmental issues. Biochar, a pyrolysis-derived material, shows promise in reducing ruminant methane emissions. Aims: This study investigates the effects of cotton stalk biochar (CSB) as a feed additive on rumen fermentation, methane emissions, microbial communities, and nutrient degradation in dairy cows. Methods Cotton stalks were air-dried, cut into 2–3 cm segments, oven-dried at 105°C for 6 h, ground through an 80-mesh sieve, and pyrolyzed under N 2 (0.5 L/min) at 13.3°C/min to 400°C with a 3 h hold to produce CSB. CSB was added to diets at 0%, 3%, and 6% levels. Each treatment was conducted in triplicate, with two fermentation bottles for each replicate. Rumen fermentation was simulated using an in vitro static culture method with rumen fluid from Holstein dairy cows. Fermentation parameters, gas production, nutrient disappearance, microbial populations, and metabolites were analyzed. Key Results CSB addition increased rumen pH and significantly reduced total gas, CH 4 , CO 2 , and H 2 production ( P  < 0.05). Total volatile fatty acid concentration decreased with increasing CSB levels. However, no significant changes were observed in microbial diversity or total DNA copy numbers of bacteria and methanogens. Metabolomics revealed that CSB altered key metabolites involved in amino acid (such as citrulline) and fatty acid metabolism (such as pyruvic acid and undecanoic acid). As CSB levels increased, cellulase activity decreased, thereby inhibiting dry matter and fiber loss rates and further reducing gas production. Conclusions: In conclusion, the addition of 3% or 6% biochar to the feed of cows was able to minimise ruminal gas production. However, it may act by inhibiting the ruminal fermentation (NDF degradation) pathway. Implication. The addition of 3% CSB can reduce in vitro gas production in the rumen of dairy cows.

David Baltimore obituary: virologist whose enzyme discovery transformed understanding of cancer and HIV/AIDS

Antifungal activities of Morinda lucida root extracts against Lasiodiplodia theobromae for post harvest disease management

Tardiness hair in transitional zone: Analysis between age and frontal forehead hairline in children aged below 5 years old

Objective This study aimed to investigate the morphological characteristics and distribution of frontal hairline patterns among Chinese infants and young children aged 0–5 years and to explore the correlation between age and hairline morphology. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 213 infants and young children aged 0–5 years in the Dermatology Department of the Third Hospital of Peking University between February 2017 and February 2023. Participants are divided into four types based on the angle formed between the line connecting the point at the frontotemporal angle of the hairline and the tragus and the coronal plane[greater than 30 degrees (Type I), 15–30 degrees (Type II), 0–15 degrees (Type III), and less than 0 degrees (Type IV)]. The presence of temporal peak and skin color phototypes were also recorded. Ordinal logistic regression and restricted cubic splines were used to analyze the relationship between age and hairline phenotype. Results Among the 213 participants, Type II (40.8%) and Type III (39.4%) hairlines were the most prevalent, while Type I (6.6%) was the least common. Multivariate regression analysis revealed a negative correlation between age and hairline type, which persisted after adjusting for potential confounding factors such as gender, temporal bulge, and skin phototype. Restricted cubic spline analysis further revealed a non-linear, inverse J-shaped relationship between age and hairline type. Conclusion In infants and young children aged 0–5 years old, Type II and Type III frontal hairline patterns were most relevant. A negative correlation between age and hairline type were observed in this population.

Evaluation of deep learning MRI reconstruction for dental implant crowns in a phantom study

Temperature-mediated shifts in feeding behaviour and metabolism in an omnivorous rock pool prawn

Temperature is a key factor influencing metabolic processes and ecological interactions in ectothermic organisms, and can determine pathways of energy flow in food webs. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that omnivore diets shift away from carnivory and towards herbivory at warmer temperatures. Specifically, we investigated the effects of temperature on the feeding behaviour and metabolic activity of the omnivorous rock pool prawn Palaemon elegans Rathke, 1837, across three temperature regimes (15°C, 20°C, and 25°C) commonly encountered in intertidal rockpools of the Azores. Palaemon individuals were offered either algae ( Ulva muscoides ), amphipods ( Hyale perieri ), or a choice of both to assess feeding preferences. Our results demonstrate that temperature significantly influenced both the consumption of Ulva and Hyale , as well as prawn oxygen consumption. At lower temperatures (15°C), Palaemon consumed less Ulva when given a choice, while at higher temperatures (25°C), the consumption of Hyale decreased. Oxygen consumption increased significantly with temperature, indicating heightened metabolic activity in warmer conditions. These findings suggest that as temperatures rise, Palaemon may shift its feeding preferences towards herbivory, with potential implications for intertidal food webs in a warming climate. This study highlights the importance of temperature in shaping trophic interactions and food web structure, and underscores the need for further investigation into the long-term impacts of climate change on coastal ecosystems.

AI finds signs of life in ancient rocks

Optimizing thermal radiation control with ultra-broadband metamaterials for high passive radiative cooling efficiency

Abstract Managing high energy consumption and thermal energy has become crucial for ensuring a sustainable and stable environment. Recently, passive radiative cooling (PRC) has emerged as an innovative method for reducing environmental energy density without requiring external energy input. This study focused on three wavelength ranges: 2.5–5 μm, 8–13 μm, and 16–27 μm, to optimize net cooling power. We acquired the optical and electrical properties of the materials utilized in this study through density functional theory (DFT). A honeycomb structure was designed as a spectrally selective emitter by using Finite Element Method (FEM) method to enhance radiative properties. We analyzed how geometric parameters affect absorbance and emissivity performance. With the optimal geometry, we achieved a net cooling power of 150.4 W/m² under 994 W/m² of direct solar irradiation during the day. At night, in the absence of sunlight, the net cooling power increased to 198 W/m². The system reached equilibrium temperatures of 256 K during the day and 244 K at night, assuming an ambient temperature of 300 K. Even when considering parasitic convection and conduction, the cooler successfully maintained sub-ambient temperatures. Furthermore, the designed cooler exhibited polarization independence and high emissivity across a wide range of incidence angles (from 0° to 75°).

Forced oscillation response of the dynamic surface tension of molten titanium

Background This study employed the molecular dynamics simulation method to systematically investigate the dynamic response behavior of the molten titanium liquid-vapor interface under high-frequency (50 GHz) and large-amplitude (5%) transverse mechanical cyclic impact. Methods Based on the theory of driven-damped oscillators, we analyzed the steady-state forced oscillation characteristics of dynamic surface tension. Through frequency analysis, the dependence of the system response on the impact frequency was revealed. And by using the liquid stratification method, we investigated the space-time correlation characteristics of the bulk and surface atomic dynamics. Results This study mainly found that the average value of dynamic surface tension increased by 7% compared to the equilibrium state, confirming that high-frequency mechanical impact has a regulatory effect on surface tension. Meanwhile, the peak and valley of instantaneous fluctuations reached 14% and 5% of the equilibrium state respectively, presenting a significant nonlinear oscillation characteristic. Theoretical analysis indicates that there is a coupling effect between the generalized natural frequency and the damping constant. Experimental observations show that the atomic dynamics behavior of the outermost layer is significantly different from that of the bulk liquid. Conclusion This study has deepened our understanding of the dynamics of the liquid-vapor interface under extreme conditions. It provides new theoretical basis for understanding the multi-scale behavior of liquid metals and has guiding significance for the surface control of high-frequency mechanical impacts and industrial applications.

A pilot study investigating immediate effects of vergence training on binocular function and reaction time in youth badminton athletes

Abstract This pilot study examined the immediate effects of a single session of vergence training using automatic dual-rotational Risley prisms (ADRRPs) on binocular visual function and reaction time in youth badminton athletes. Twenty-six participants were randomly assigned to a visual training (VT) group ( n  = 16) or a control group ( n  = 10). After a 15-minute ADRRPs session, the VT group showed greater short-term improvements in vergence facility (VF) and accommodative facility (AF) than the control group, and a reduction in reaction time was also observed. Other parameters, including amplitude of accommodation (AA), near point of convergence (NPC), and positive fusional vergence (PFV), showed minimal or non-significant changes, suggesting limited short-term oculomotor adaptation. These findings indicate that brief, automated vergence interventions may be feasible for enhancing specific visual functions and visuomotor responsiveness in athletes. However, given the small and uneven sample together with the short-term design, these preliminary results should be interpreted cautiously, and larger, longer-term studies are warranted.

Harnessing technology in education: The function of RIPPLES model in ICT utilization in public secondary schools of Amhara, Ethiopia

This study examined factors influencing the utility of ICT in enhancing teaching and learning effectiveness in secondary schools in the state of Amhara, Ethiopia. It specifically explored the effects of financial resources, infrastructure, personnel, policy, learning, evaluation, and support, as well as teachers’ and students’ perceptions of ICT utility. A correlational research design was employed, involving 739 teachers and 758 students selected through multistage sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire and then analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis, independent-samples t-tests, and multiple regression analyses. Findings showed that the specified antecedents explained 65.9% and 52.5% of the variance in ICT utility for teachers and students, respectively. Support and access to ICT infrastructure significantly predicted ICT use, while ICT policy was the least influential factor. The t-test indicated a small difference between teachers’ and students’ perceptions (t = 2.771, d = 0.143), with both groups reporting below-average confidence in ICT’s usefulness. The study concludes that while ICT has the potential to enhance teaching and learning in secondary schools, its effective utilization is hindered by inadequate infrastructure, limited support, and weak policy implementation. To maximize ICT’s educational impact, policymakers and school leaders must adopt practical, evidence-based strategies that bridge the gap between policy intentions and classroom realities. They should strengthen technical and administrative support, provide adequate infrastructure, and offer ongoing training. Policymakers and educational leaders must also review ICT policies to ensure alignment with practical implementation needs.

The mystery of emerald green — cracked

Biomechanical behavior of two different surface treatments on dental implants with healing chambers in osteoporotic rabbits: an experimental study

Abstract The aging global population is experiencing a growing prevalence of metabolic bone diseases, particularly osteoporosis, which compromises bone quality and poses challenges for dental implant osseointegration. Despite the systemic bone fragility associated with osteoporosis, the use of implants is not contraindicated, although it may be accompanied by increased risks. Recent advances in implant macrogeometry and surface treatment aim to enhance osseointegration in compromised bone conditions. This study aimed to biomechanically and histologically evaluate the performance of dental implants featuring healing chambers and two different surface treatments in an animal model with induced osteoporosis. Twenty female New Zealand white rabbits were used, with osteoporosis induced via ovariectomy and glucocorticoid administration. A total of 80 titanium implants (two surface types: Group A – titanium oxide-blasted; Group B – titanium oxide-blasted plus HCl-conditioned) were installed in both rabbit tibiae ( n  = 2 implant per tibia). Stability was measured by resonance frequency analysis (RFA) and maximum removal torque. Histological assessments included bone-to-implant contact (BIC%) and bone area fraction occupancy (BAFO%) at 14- and 28-days post-implantation. RFA revealed increased implant stability over time in both groups, with Group B showing significantly higher ISQ values in 28 days ( p  < 0.0001). Removal torque values also improved over time, with Group B showing significantly greater values at 28 days (30.1 ± 4.18 Ncm) compared to Group A (25.6 ± 3.95 Ncm). Histomorphometric analysis showed that BAFO% was significantly greater in Group B at 28 days, but no significant differences in BIC% were observed between groups at either time point. Within the limitations of this animal model, implants with acid-etched surfaces showed improved biomechanical stability and bone occupancy at later healing stages, but only at 28 days. These results suggest that surface modifications may play a role in enhancing osseointegration over time in compromised bone environments. However, the findings are limited to this preclinical model and do not allow direct clinical extrapolation.