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Could flies sniff out contraband chemicals?

2’-5’ Oligoadenylate Synthetase-Like 1- (OASL1-) deficient mice promote antiviral protection against pseudorabies virus infection associated with enhanced production of type I interferon

Lessons learned from manual curation of thousands of gene models in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus

Continuous developments in sequencing technologies have led to the generation of chromosome-scale genome assemblies across the whole tree of life, but our ability to annotate genomes has lacked behind. One major problem consists in the fact that typically not all genes are expressed at detectable levels at any given life stage or environment. Therefore, available transcriptome data needs to be complemented by gene prediction programs and protein homology evidence. However, how to optimally combine these different data types is not well understood. Here, we present a case study, where we community curated gene annotations of the Pristionchus pacificus strain RSC011. By incorporation of new Iso-seq and RNA-seq data and genome-wide screening, we identified and corrected more than 7,500 (~24%) gene models. While the improved gene annotation for the RSC011 strain will be useful for the P. pacificus community, our study reveals several gene annotation problems that may affect data from other species. Among these, we identified assembly errors, artificial transcript fusions resulting from overlapping genes and polycistronic RNAs, falsely called open reading frames, and error propagation based on homology data as frequent sources of gene annotation errors. Thus, our findings may be helpful in guiding future efforts to annotate genomes across different taxonomic groups.

Stop the use of AI in war until laws can be agreed

Terahertz emission from a spintronic stack nanodecorated with plasmonic nanoparticles

Abstract Spintronic emitters promise to revolutionise terahertz (THz) sources by converting ultrafast optical pulses into broadband THz radiation without phase-matching constraints. Because the conversion relies on spin-current injection across a nanometre-thin magnetic layer, its efficiency is ordinarily limited by weak optical coupling. Here, we present a demonstration of a drop-casting based approach to introduce ultrafast plasmonic-mediated coupling: a sparse-layer of silica–gold core–shell nanoparticles is deposited directly onto a W/Fe/Pt spintronic trilayer. This sparse (≈ 6%) decoration leads to a measured enhancement of the emitted THz peak field between 1.1x and 1.6x relative to the bare stack as the angle is increased from 0° to 75°, pointing to a very high local conversion enhancement for this low-coverage spintronic emitter compared with the bare stack, with the maximum emission reached at 0°. This demonstration points to a viable pathway toward highly efficient spintronic terahertz emitters with potential applications in spectroscopy, imaging, and ultrafast technologies.

A cluster of acidic residues in the cytoplasmic domain of SARS-CoV-2 Spike is required for virion-incorporation and infectivity

Like all coronaviruses, the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles (virions) requires incorporation of the Spike glycoprotein. Yet, the mechanisms that support the virion-incorporation of Spike are incompletely defined. We noted an unusual feature of human sarbecovirus Spike proteins: their cytoplasmic domains (CDs) contain a stretch of acidic amino acids (DEDDSE). This sequence resembles a cluster of acidic residues, or acidic cluster (AC) motif, found in the cytoplasmic domain of the cellular endoprotease Furin. In Furin, the acidic cluster acts as a protein sorting signal, supporting its intracellular localization at the trans -Golgi network (TGN). We tested the contribution of the acidic cluster motif in the Spike CD to protein interactions and to the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2. We used virus-like particles (VLPs) as a model for viral “infection” (transduction). The SARS-CoV2 VLPs were produced by co-expressing Spike (S), Membrane (M), Envelope (E) and Nucleocapsid (N) proteins and deliver an RNA encoding luciferase to target cells expressing the ACE2 receptor. Remarkably, when all five acidic residues of the DEDDSE sequence were replaced with alanines, the VLPs were rendered non-infectious. The N-terminal DE residues provided most of the activity of the acidic cluster. These virologically-impaired Spike mutants were able to reach the cell surface and induce the formation of syncytia, indicating that they are fusogenic and capable of anterograde traffic through the biosynthetic pathway to the plasma membrane. Despite this, they failed to efficiently incorporate into virions. We observed acidic cluster motif-dependent interactions of the Spike CD with several cellular proteins that could potentially support its role in virion-incorporation, including the ERM proteins Ezrin, Radixin, and Moesin; the retromer subunit Vps35, and the medium subunits of the clathrin adaptor complexes AP1 and AP2. While the key cofactor and mechanism of action remains to be defined, this region of acidic residues in the Spike CD appears to be a novel determinant of SARS-CoV-2 infectivity.

How pollutants and poo paint a picture of past civilizations

The effects of climate and land cover on hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) body mass over space and time

Abstract Climate and land-use change are driving global biodiversity declines, impacting species’ distributions, behaviours, and physiology. The hazel dormouse ( Muscardinus avellanarius ) is highly sensitive to environmental change, yet little is known about how climate change and land-use change influence its body mass. Using data from a 30-year citizen science monitoring programme, we investigated spatiotemporal trends in dormouse body mass across Britain and assessed the roles of climate and land cover as potential drivers. Furthermore, we tested whether changes in body mass vary between sexes and across seasons due to differences in energetic requirements. We show that post-hibernation body mass (May-June) has declined over time, in line with the general observed trend of body size decreasing with rising ambient temperatures to support thermoregulation. In contrast, pre-hibernation body mass has increased over time, potentially indicating increased resource availability linked to increased summer rainfall. Post-hibernation body mass was higher in warmer and wetter sites, while pre-hibernation body mass was higher at cooler and wetter sites. Landscape analysis showed a positive correlation between dormice body mass and the presence of hedgerows 4–6 m tall, while there was a negative effect of overgrown hedgerows. This study provides the first insights into how climate and landscape affect hazel dormouse body mass, offering crucial guidance for conservation strategies amidst ongoing environmental change. Differences in response to climate change across the year highlight the importance of accounting for seasonal variability when studying impacts of climate change on heterothermic animals.

Effectiveness of the influenza and Tdap vaccination educational module (InTroDuce-Programme) on knowledge and intention for antenatal vaccination: A cluster randomised controlled trial protocol among pregnant women in Malaysian primary care clinics

Background Vaccination during pregnancy represents a critical public health strategy to safeguard both mothers and infants against infections such as influenza and pertussis. However, uptake remains suboptimal both globally and in Malaysia, with influenza vaccine coverage persistently low and limited awareness of Tdap recommendations. These gaps are of concern given the heightened risk of severe illness and adverse pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women, and the vulnerability of infants under two months to pertussis-related morbidity and mortality. Aims This study aims to develop, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of a theory-driven digital education module (InTroDuce-Programme) in improving maternal knowledge, attitudes, and intention to receive influenza and Tdap vaccines during pregnancy. Methods This is a cluster randomised controlled trial to be conducted between 15 July 2025 and 14 July 2027 across four public primary care clinics in Hulu Langat, Malaysia. Two clinics will be randomly allocated to the intervention arm and two to the control arm. A total of approximately 351 pregnant women aged 18 years or older and up to 27 weeks’ gestation will be recruited. The intervention group will receive the InTroDuce-Programme, a web-based video module in Bahasa Melayu, delivered during antenatal visits, while the control group will receive standard care. Data will be collected at baseline, immediately post-intervention (intervention group only), and one-month follow-up using a validated questionnaire. Primary outcomes are changes in vaccination knowledge and intention to vaccinate. Secondary outcomes include attitudes, perceived barriers, and associations with sociodemographic and clinical factors. Data will be analysed using descriptive statistics and Generalised Estimating Equations to account for cluster effects and repeated measures. Conclusions This study will provide context-specific evidence on whether a digital, culturally tailored, Health Belief Model-based intervention can improve maternal vaccination literacy and intention in Malaysia. If effective, the InTroDuce-Programme could be integrated into routine antenatal care and inform broader maternal immunisation strategies in similar middle-income settings. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06815250 dated 7th February 2025.

Variability analysis of a low-cost paper dipstick nucleic acid extraction method for wastewater surveillance using gage repeatability and reproducibility

Early administration of renin–angiotensin system inhibitors improves survival and cardiac remodeling in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a major cardiovascular disease that accounts for 50% of all cases of heart failure. Patients with HFpEF have limited therapeutic options because of the complex pathogenesis of this disease. Decreased nitric oxide (NO) levels and increased renin–angiotensin system (RAS) activity may be associated with HFpEF pathogenesis. However, whether soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators and RAS inhibitors protect against HFpEF remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the preventive effects of RAS inhibitors captopril (Cap) and/or sacubitril/valsartan (Sac/Val) and sGC stimulator vericiguat (Ver) on HFpEF progression. HFpEF was induced in 8-week-old male Wistar rats through intake of L-arginine methyl ester and a high-fat diet. Results showed that the survival rate after 8 weeks of treatment was 100% in the normal diet (Cont group), Cap, and Sac/Val groups, whereas it was approximately 20% in the HFpEF and Ver groups. No significant differences in the left ventricular systolic function were found. In addition, histochemistry revealed that myocardial hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis obviously increased in the HFpEF group but not in the Cap and Sac/Val groups compared with the Cont group. Furthermore, RNA sequencing analysis showed that the expression of genes related to inflammatory response, hypertrophy, and extracellular matrix–receptor interaction increased in the HFpEF group and decreased in the Cap and Sac/Val groups. In conclusion, early administration of Cap or Sac/Val may reduce the risk of developing HFpEF by inhibiting the RAS pathway rather than the NO-sGC-cGMP pathway.

My PhD student is stuck. How do I teach them perseverance and problem solving?

Spatial heterogeneous relationship between environmental quality and human disturbances: a case study in Ili Valley, China

Higher serum zinc micronutrient levels are associated with reduced susceptibility to Group B Streptococcus rectovaginal colonisation in pregnant women

Background Maternal recto-vaginal colonisation by Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a major risk factor for severe invasive GBS disease in newborns. Zinc is a key micronutrient known to promote defence against bacterial infections. We hypothesized that adequate zinc micronutrient levels in pregnant women would negatively affect GBS colonisation and persistence during pregnancy. Objective To determine the association between serum zinc levels and risk of recto-vaginal GBS colonisation acquisition in pregnant women, as well as the potential for clearance of colonisation later in pregnancy. Methods Zinc concentrations were analysed in serum samples from women who acquired rectovaginal GBS colonisation and from women who cleared GBS colonisation between 20 weeks and 37–40 weeks of gestational age. Zinc concentration at 20–25 weeks and 37–40 weeks gestational age was measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results Higher baseline serum zinc concentration was associated with a lower risk of new GBS acquisition [Odds ratio (OR) 0.15, p = 0.001]. Zinc geometric mean concentration was higher in women who were persistently un-colonised by GBS compared with those with a new acquisition of GBS (20.18 vs 13.68 µmol/L; p = 0.03). The lowest zinc threshold ≥15 µmol/L was associated with significantly reduced odds of new GBS acquisition (27.2% in new acquisition vs 40.5% in persistently un-colonised; OR 0.55; 95%CI 0.31–0.96; p = 0.03). An association was also evident between 15–20 umol/L serum zinc levels and greater odds of GBS colonisation clearance. Conclusions This study demonstrates a potential role of serum zinc nutrition in the reduced risk of recto-vaginal GBS colonisation during pregnancy.

Beyond diagnosis: a network approach to the emotional and control processes involved in the binge eating spectrum disorders

Beyond writing machines: A Kano model analysis of researchers’ hierarchical needs for AIGC services across the research lifecycle

The proliferation of AI-Generated Content (AIGC) tools presents both opportunities and challenges for the academic service ecosystem. However, a systematic understanding of researchers’ multifaceted demands for AIGC functionalities remains underdeveloped, hindering the strategic design and optimization of these services. This study addresses this gap by investigating three core questions: (1) What specific AIGC service functions do researchers desire across the research lifecycle? (2) How can these needs be categorized hierarchically? (3) What is their relative importance in influencing user satisfaction? Employing an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design, this research first identified a comprehensive list of 15 service demands through semi-structured interviews with 45 expert researchers (N = 45). Subsequently, these demands were prioritized through a large-scale questionnaire survey involving 412 researchers (N = 412), utilizing the Kano model and Importance-Performance Analysis. The results reveal a clear hierarchy of needs: we identified three must-be attributes (e.g., data security, citation accuracy), seven one-dimensional attributes (e.g., automated literature summarization, language polishing), and five attractive attributes (e.g., generating novel research hypotheses, smart journal recommendation). These findings provide a detailed framework for AIGC service development and offer an evidence-based model for academic institutions to prioritize resource allocation, thereby enhancing the value and adoption of AIGC in scholarly research.

Diagnostic efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology in pancreatic lesions

Editorial Note: Data augmentation-assisted deep learning of hand-drawn partially colored sketches for visual search

Sleep awake detection from leg-worn wearables using deep sensor fusion

Cosmopolitan no more: Phylogenetics and reproductive mode reveal a global species complex in a marine mollusk (Teredinidae)

Quantifying biodiversity is challenging when morphology is conserved in taxa with extensive geographic distributions generated in part by human activities. Shipworms, xylophagous wood-boring clams, have been dispersed throughout the world’s oceans by wooden vessels, aquaculture equipment, and in ballast water. Consequently, many species are considered cosmopolitan, with their geographic origin obscured by their extensive distribution. Several cryptic species pairs possessing different reproductive modes are known in the Teredinidae. However, the genetic, ecological, and geographic relationships within these pairs remain unexplored. Members of the Lyrodus pedicellatus complex, both long- and short-term brooders, are found on coastlines of five continents. Phylogenetic, anatomical, ecological, and geographic data were collected on shipworms extracted from test panels, fixed submerged natural wood and driftwood, from multiple locations, primarily in the Hawaiian Archipelago, a center of wooden vessel traffic since the 1400s. Phylogenetic analysis, using multiple loci of L. pedicellatus from Hawaiʻi, Europe, the Mediterranean, Japan, Florida (USA), and California (USA), revealed seven genetically distinct cryptic species comprised of short- and long-term brooders. Reproductive mode was determined to be an inherited trait within the species in this study. Herein we discuss these findings and describe a new member of this complex, Lyrodus reginae sp. nov., from Hawaiʻi. Historically, L. pedicellatus was considered a cosmopolitan species. Our integrative approach reveals a more complicated story, indicating the evolution of multiple cryptic species with different reproductive strategies.