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A structured system: the secrets of Germany’s scientific reputation

Structural and optical properties of Y3Al5O12 single crystals irradiated by swift heavy Xe ions

Similarity measure of time series based on Angle-distance Penalized Metric Dynamic Time Warping

Multi-qubit nanoscale sensing with entanglement as a resource

Improving quercetin solubility via structural modification enhances dual-target coronavirus entry: an integrated in-vitro and in-silico study

Detection of triboelectric discharges during dust events on Mars

Discerning cognitive domains through online assessment in aging participants in Norwegian Cohort 50+

Abstract Cognitive decline is a significant aspect of aging, varying across domains such as executive function, working memory, and attention. Identifying modifiable risk factors and their domain-specific effects is crucial to mitigating age-related decline. Advances in online cognitive assessments facilitate large-scale studies across diverse populations, offering new opportunities for understanding cognitive aging. This analytical study utilized baseline data from 3215 participants in the PROTECT Norge cohort (aged 50+). Participants completed six cognitive tasks, alongside questionnaires on lifestyle, health, and dementia risk factors. Multivariate analyses, including exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Independent Component Analysis (ICA), identified latent cognitive constructs. Regression models assessed the effects of aging and risk factors on cognitive performance, adjusting for demographic variables. Two latent cognitive constructs—executive function and working memory—were identified, alongside error-derived components reflecting focused attention and short-term spatial memory. Older age was associated with lower scores in all domains, with the largest effect observed for executive function [− 0.06 standard deviations (SD) per year], followed by working memory (− 0.05 SD per year), focused attention (− 0.03 SD per year), and short-term spatial memory (− 0.01 SD). Known dementia risk factors, such as stroke, smoking, and high blood pressure, significantly impaired cognitive domains, while higher education and employment provided protective effects. Moderate alcohol consumption correlated positively with cognitive outcomes, though excessive consumption had an adverse effect. The study highlights domain-specific associations between age and cognitive functions with age and the varied impact of dementia risk factors. These results highlight the value of multidimensional cognitive assessments in improving our understanding of age-related cognitive changes and the factors that influence them.

Expression of cytochrome P450 monooxygenase genes in pyrethroid-resistant Aedes albopictus

Expertise engineering of ternary Bi2S3/FeWO4/CoS2 nanocomposites for enhanced dye degradation towards environmental application

Why the world must wake up to China’s science leadership

Author Correction: The emergence of transcriptional identity in somatosensory neurons

National trends in stroke hospitalisations, mortality, and recurrent stroke in Australia and New Zealand

Macroplastic accumulation across different surface covers, a case study of two South African rivers

Abstract Plastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems is an escalating global concern, yet riverine macroplastic pollution and dynamics remain poorly understood in Southern Africa. This study investigated macroplastic accumulation across different surface covers in two rivers with contrasting anthropogenic inputs. We hypothesised that wood jams in the current study would contribute to high macroplastic loads across Bloukrans and Palmiet rivers and that the polymer composition of plastics would be diverse across all four surface covers. A total of 452 macroplastic items were collected, with significantly higher loads recorded in the Bloukrans River (3.5 items/m 2 ; 93.3 g/m 2 ) compared to the Palmiet River (0.8 items/m 2 ; 10.1 g/m 2 ). Multilayer plastics and soft polyolefins dominated across both rivers, particularly in herbaceous vegetation and wood jams. Significant differences were observed in macroplastic loads between rivers and among surface covers for Palmiet River. The increased macroplastic loads in the Bloukrans River were associated with untreated municipal effluent, stormwater runoff, and informal waste dumping, while in Palmiet River, macroplastic pollution was mainly linked to recreational littering and runoff. Wood jams emerged as an effective hotspot for macroplastic debris. These findings highlight the critical role of surface cover in enabling macroplastic accumulation and distribution thus the study further calls for targeted waste management, cleanup operations, and riparian protection strategies to safeguard river health and resilience in Southern Africa.

Shadow scholars: inside Kenya’s multibillion-dollar fake-essay industry

Evaluation of safety and health risk characterization of some baby foods in Ghana

District-level climate vulnerability assessment in Meghalaya using an IPCC AR5 framework

Author Correction: TNF-mediated inflammatory skin disease in mice with epidermis-specific deletion of IKK2

Immune responses after two inactivated COVID-19 vaccine doses, a heterologous third dose and subsequent boosting with bivalent mRNA in adults

Light-powered end-to-end neutron detection and imaging with an edge-deployed optical AI chip

Magnetically recoverable solid acid photocatalyst activated by white LED for sustainable high-yield synthesis of 5-ethoxymethylfurfural from biomass

Abstract The transition toward renewable energy demands innovative pathways for upgrading biomass into high-value biofuels with minimal environmental impact. Among various biofuel candidates, 5-ethoxymethylfurfural (EMF) has emerged as a superior green fuel additive due to its high energy density, low volatility, and compatibility with existing fuel infrastructure. However, achieving high yields from renewable carbohydrate sources remains challenging, particularly under environmentally benign conditions. Herein, we present a magnetically recoverable solid acid photocatalyst, Fe 3 O 4 @TiO 2 -diamine-SO 3 H, engineered through TiO 2 coating of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles followed by covalent immobilization of 1,4-butanesultone via 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid. This tailored nanoarchitecture synergistically integrates firm Brønsted acidity, visible-light photocatalytic activity, and magnetic separability, enabling efficient etherification of HMF with ethanol and direct one-pot dehydration etherification of sugars under white LED illumination. The optimized process (100 °C, 1.5 h) delivered remarkable EMF yields of 97% from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), 79% from fructose, and 65% from inulin in ethanolic solvent without any additional co-solvent. This approach offers several key advantages: (i) operational simplicity and minimal synthetic steps, (ii) use of abundant, inexpensive raw materials, (iii) mild, energy-efficient reaction conditions, and (iv) excellent catalyst reusability over six cycles with negligible activity loss. By uniting green solvent systems, visible-light activation, and magnetically assisted recovery, this work provides a scalable and sustainable platform for biomass-to-biofuel conversion. The exceptional performance and recyclability of Fe 3 O 4 @TiO 2 -diamine-SO 3 H underscore its strong potential for industrial application in next-generation renewable fuel production.