Browse Articles

The effect of probiotic supplementation on sexual function in premenopausal and menopausal women: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Variability of annual polar motion and its relationship to the Chandler wobble

Given the large amplitude of prograde annual polar motion, we are able to quantify year-to-year variability of prograde annual excitation amplitude since pre-1900 observations. We obtain a Prograde Annual Amplitude Modulation (PAAM) time series and use it to investigate several key topics, including variability in annual excitation amplitude, its climatic sources, and its potential role in Chandler wobble (CW) excitation. An important finding is that the PAAM series undergoes multiyear episodes of a near six-year oscillation (SYO). This provides observational evidence for a SYO in Earth’s climate and rotational dynamics seen in recent data and confirms SYO behavior in the climate system over the past century. Using climate model and other data, we find that several fluid components of Earth’s climate system contribute to the SYO, with atmospheric sources playing the dominant role. A SYO [~0.16 cycles per year (cpy)] modulation of the annual component introduces variations at the sum and difference frequencies (1 + 0.16 cpy and 1 − 0.16 cpy). Because the difference frequency 0.84 cpy is near the Chandler frequency, the SYO may be important in understanding CW excitation. Our results show the SYO contributes significantly to the excitation of CW. Year-to-year variability of the annual excitation was originally proposed as an excitation mechanism by Harold Jeffreys in 1940, and we confirm that more than half the CW excitation power can be attributed to this cause. We also found annual excitation modulation at a period near 17 mo (~0.7 cpy) that is a source of excitation power near 1 ± 0.7 cpy.

HMOA-GNN: adaptive adversarial GraphSAGE with hierarchical hybrid sampling and metric-optimized graph construction for credit card fraud detection

Understanding the strengths and limitations of community-based responses to misinformation

Morphological crypsis within a crustacean species complex is driven by within-species phenotypic diversification

Abstract Cryptic species complexes-genetically divergent lineages with similar phenotypes may appear cryptic not due to true similarity, but because high within-species morphological variation masks interspecies differences, particularly in heterogeneous environments. This study tests whether such lineages exhibit morphological convergence across similar environmental gradients or context-dependent divergence, challenging their cryptic status. We propose a theoretical framework to assess phenotypic differentiation and apply it using the amphipod complex Gammarus roeselii , which diversified in the Balkan Peninsula before one lineage expanded into Central Europe. We examined five lineages across similar environmental gradients to evaluate their phenotypic divergence. Our findings confirmed their cryptic status. However, phenotypic differentiation along environmental gradients revealed MOTU-specific adaptive trajectories: traits under strong selection (e.g., anti-predator defences) showed convergent responses, while morphological (e.g., body length) and physiological traits (e.g., gill area) diverged, likely due to local selection. Some MOTUs exhibited distinct, partially divergent sexual dimorphism, suggesting varied reproductive or ecological strategies within cryptic lineages. Phenotypic variation was greater within than between MOTUs, reinforcing their cryptic status and revealing strong local adaptive responses. This complex exemplifies how adaptive divergence and biogeographic history jointly shape biodiversity, with morphological stasis despite genetic and ecological differentiation exposing hidden speciation and environmental responses.

Genetic testing predicts appearance but not behavior in dogs

Genetic tests for behavioral and personality traits in dogs are now being marketed to pet owners, but their predictive accuracy has not been validated. To evaluate the reliability of such tests, we analyzed data from Darwin’s Ark, a community science initiative that includes over 3,000 dogs with both genetic data and individual-level behavioral phenotypes. None of the candidate variants had significant associations or predictive power for behavioral traits as previously reported. However, we found strong associations with aesthetic traits that differentiate breeds, such as height, leg length, and ear shape. Our results suggest that earlier studies using breed-average phenotypes, rather than individually measured phenotypes, were confounded by population structure. Behavior in dogs is polygenic and complex, and thus cannot be accurately predicted using tests that consider only a few genetic variants. Furthermore, behavior in dogs is only moderately heritable, and environmental influences inherently limit the potential accuracy of genomic predictions. Developing meaningful, accurate genetic predictions for complex traits that can improve dog health and welfare will require very large cohorts of individually phenotyped dogs.

DHX36 plays an oncogenic role in breast cancer progression and invasiveness

Exercise suppresses DEAF1 to normalize mTORC1 activity and reverse muscle aging

Skeletal muscle is essential for movement, respiration, and metabolism, with mTORC1 acting as a key regulator of protein synthesis and degradation. In aging muscle, mTORC1 becomes overactivated, contributing to sarcopenia, though the mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we identify DEAF1, a FOXO-regulated transcription factor, as a key upstream driver of mTORC1 in aged muscle. Elevated Deaf1 expression increases mTOR transcription, leading to heightened mTORC1 activity, impaired proteostasis, and muscle senescence. Remarkably, exercise suppresses Deaf1 expression via FOXO activation, restoring mTORC1 balance and alleviating muscle aging. Conversely, FOXO inhibition or Deaf1 overexpression blocks exercise benefits on muscle health. These findings highlight DEAF1 as a critical link between FOXO and mTORC1 and suggest that targeting the FOXO–DEAF1–mTORC1 axis may offer therapeutic potential to preserve muscle function during aging.

Nutritional status and determinants among primary school students in the challenging terrain of northern mountainous Vietnam

Abstract Malnutrition remains a significant public health challenge among primary school students in the northern mountainous region of Vietnam. We conducted a cross-sectional survey in two primary schools in Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province (Trung Khanh Town: n  = 476; Dam Thuy: n  = 296). Anthropometry followed WHO protocols, and nutritional status was classified using the WHO 2007 growth reference (5–19 years) based on BMI-for-age Z-scores. A parent/guardian questionnaire captured household sociodemographics, parental nutrition knowledge, children’s dietary habits, and physical activity. In total, 772 students participated. Thinness prevalence was 18.1% (95% CI: 15.4–21.0), and overweight/obesity was 1.2% (95% CI: 0.5–2.3). In multivariable models, lower household income was associated with higher odds of thinness (aOR 0.57, 95% CI 0.36–0.88), while sugary-drink and snack consumption were key correlates of BMI status. Findings highlight the double burden of malnutrition in ethnic-minority settings and point to school- and household-level targets for intervention.

Sugar caps protect mRNAs from decay

On equivalence of algebraic and finite element formulations of prestressed bar structures

Abstract The equivalence of the finite element method and the algebraic formulation of the equations of moderately thick and thin elastic frames, beams, trusses, and grillages within the Timoshenko and Euler-Bernoullie theory derived earlier by Pełczyński, Gilewski (2019) is presented. The proposed algebraic formulas lead to the same systems of algebraic equations as in the finite element method approach with the use of exact shape functions. Furthermore, in order to extend the applicability of the formulation, derivations of equations for prestressed structures are presented. The formulations are supplemented with algorithms for building selected matrices, which are crucial for performing calculations using the derived formulation. In addition to the analyses performed, the benefits of the existence of a global deformation matrix $$\textbf{B}$$ are shown.

Inhibition of fusidic acid resistance through restricting conformational flexibility in domain III of EF-G

Fusidic acid (FA) is one of few remaining antibiotics active against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus . FusB confers resistance to FA by rescuing the translocation factor Elongation Factor-G (EF-G) from FA-stalled ribosome complexes. FusB induces allosteric effects on dynamics in EF-G, causing significant changes in the conformational flexibility of domain III that result in an increase in a minor, more disordered state, overcoming the steric block induced by FA. We show that restraining flexibility in the two central β-strands of EF-G domain III prevents the FusB-induced increase in this minor state population, preventing FusB-mediated release of EF-G from the ribosome and thereby reinstating FA-induced stalling of protein synthesis. We further identify a region controlling access to the minor state population, potentially pinpointing the allosteric mechanism within domain III by which FusB acts. Our findings suggest a possible region that could be targeted for rational design of an inhibitor of FusB-mediated conformational flexibility, reinstating FA sensitivity even in the presence of FusB, which could rejuvenate the efficacy of this clinically important antibiotic.

Innovation of entrepreneurship education in auxiliary instruction system for college aesthetic course teaching under BPNN model

Overestimated natural biological nitrogen fixation translates to an exaggerated CO ₂ fertilization effect in Earth system models

CO 2 fertilization of the terrestrial biosphere is limited by nitrogen. Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is the dominant natural nitrogen source to the terrestrial biosphere and can alleviate nitrogen limitation but is poorly constrained in Earth system models (ESMs). Here, we compare terrestrial BNF from an ensemble of ESMs of the 6th Coupled Model Intercomparison Project to a new global synthesis of observations across natural and agricultural biomes. We find that compared to observations, ESMs underestimate agricultural BNF but overestimate natural BNF in the present day by over 50%. Natural BNF is overestimated in the most productive ecosystems that contribute most to the terrestrial carbon sink (forests and grasslands). ESMs with different BNF representations yield a range of BNF responses to CO 2 enrichment. Some ESMs with phenomenological representations of BNF predict a natural BNF increase in response to a doubling of CO 2 that aligns with a meta-analysis of CO 2 enrichment experiments (31% increase) but fail to account for the substantial carbon cost of BNF. In contrast, ESMs with mechanistic representations of BNF account for its carbon cost as well as its regulation by nitrogen limitation but overestimate the BNF response to a doubling of CO 2 (135% increase). Overall, all current BNF representations in ESMs fall short of fully capturing its response to rising atmospheric CO 2 . Finally, we find a positive correlation between modeled present-day natural BNF and the CO 2 fertilization effect across ESMs, suggesting that overestimated natural BNF translates to an exaggerated CO 2 fertilization effect of approximately 11% in ESMs.

Morphological resemblance to injections elicits fear, disgust, and reduced conservation intent toward insects

Woodlands of Antiquity: A millennium of dendrochronological data on forest exploitation and timber economy between the Alps and the Atlantic

The Roman Empire dominated large parts of western and central Europe for over half a millennium, leaving a lasting cultural imprint on the continent. In the densely forested regions north of the Alps, material culture was characterized by the use of wood as a primary raw material. Yet, the drivers behind the Roman timber economy and its impact on woodland exploitation and forest dynamics remain poorly understood. To address this, we investigated a unique collection of 20.397 dendrochronologically dated archaeological woods spanning a millennium of European Antiquity (300 BCE–700 CE). Our results reveal significant increases in exploitation during Roman occupation, with regional differences in onset, intensity, and duration. Due to rising civilian and military demand for wood, Roman logging increasingly extended into primary forests far from settlements, which indicates a significantly improved infrastructure, professionalism, and organization of lumbering. The 3rd century CE marks a tipping point, with sharp declines in wood use and long-distance transport, alongside evidence of overexploitation of old-grown forests (trees aged over 200 y). Late Antiquity is characterized by an overall decline in felling activities during the 4th and 5th centuries and a reestablishment of old-grown forests, manifested by increased tree ages thereafter. These findings demonstrate how Roman imperial expansion fundamentally reshaped woodlands north of the Alps and contribute to the environmental and economic history of European Antiquity.

Development of a pH-responsive pegylated chitosan nanocarrier for targeted delivery of 17-AAG and synergistic therapy in HER2+ breast cancer

Abstract A pH-responsive PEGylated chitosan nanocarrier was developed for the targeted delivery of 17-(Allylamino)-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) to HER2 + breast cancer cells. The nanoparticle formulation was prepared using ionic gelation with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP), followed by post-loading of 17-AAG. The resulting nanoparticles exhibited a spherical morphology, an average size of ~ 152 nm, and a positive zeta potential (+ 28.60 mV). Drug encapsulation efficiency reached 80%, with sustained release under acidic conditions (pH 5.50), mimicking the tumor microenvironment. In vitro cytotoxicity assays demonstrated a significant enhancement in potency, with an IC 50 of 2.30 µM after 72 h, representing a threefold increase compared to free 17-AAG. The nanoformulation induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in T47D cells. qRT-PCR analysis revealed a 72.10% downregulation of HSP90 mRNA, indicating effective intracellular delivery and target engagement. Furthermore, combination with trastuzumab showed synergistic effects, suggesting disruption of the HER2 signaling pathway. These findings highlight the potential of this nanoplatform as a strategy with therapeutic potential for improving the therapeutic efficacy of 17-AAG in HER2 + breast cancer.

Large drainage systems produced half of Mars’ ancient river sediment

Large, continental-scale drainage systems occupy nearly half of Earth’s land, shaping diverse ecosystems, with their activity primarily driven by climate and tectonism. Here, we investigate whether Mars, which lacks Earth’s tectonism, has similarly large drainage systems that could have impacted the extent of habitable environments, sediment transport, and the formation of large sedimentary basins. We reconstruct large drainage systems using globally mapped ancient martian water-formed topography—valley networks, outlet canyons, and fluvial depositional systems—revealing large drainage systems (>10 5 km 2 ) similar in scale to those on Earth. However, collectively these systems cover only ~5% of ancient martian terrain (>3.7 Ga), approximately nine times less than their counterparts on Earth. This estimate is conservative due to erosion, burial, and impact cratering, which have likely modified their preservation. Nevertheless, when quantifying the eroded sediment volumes from these large drainage systems, we show that they contributed nearly half (42%) of Mars’ ancient river-sediment budget. We further calculated the sediment eroded from large drainage systems surrounding the largest known fluvial depositional landforms on Mars and found that they potentially contributed ~21% of the planet’s river sediment budget, which we hypothesize facilitated the buildup of these sedimentary features. Our results indicate that although a substantial portion of Mars’ fluvial sediment was routed through large-scale drainage systems, sediment transport was predominantly accomplished within smaller-scale local basins. This drainage structure likely created a mosaic of habitable environments across the surface and facilitated significant sediment accumulation in a limited number of large sedimentary basins.

Single-cell transcriptomic analysis of the heterogeneity of mesenchymal and stromal cells and their regulon alteration during airway remodeling in asthma

Neuroplastin-55 is a receptor of Manf and protects against diet-induced obesity by promoting adipose browning

The browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) enhances thermogenesis and holds great potential in obesity treatment. Membrane receptors have been proven as essential factors during WAT browning. In this study, we found that transmembrane receptor neuroplastin-55 (Np55) was markedly upregulated in the adipose tissue of both obese individuals and mice. Fat-specific Np55 knockout (Np55 FKO ) sensitized mice to high-fat diet-induced obesity and metabolic disorders, which was attributed to impaired energy expenditure and WAT browning. We identified that mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (Manf) acts as a ligand for Np55 with high binding affinity. Mechanistically, Np55 forms a complex with tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor-2 (TRAF2) and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) to activate p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and conduct WAT browning after Manf stimulation. Additionally, we identified a single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs2470738600) in Manf compromised the binding affinity to Np55 and thermogenic capacity. Finally, we showed that Np55 is indispensable for Manf-induced thermogenesis and weight loss in obese mice. Our results underscore the pivotal role of Np55 as a receptor of Manf in maintaining metabolic homeostasis, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for obesity and related disorders.