Browse Articles

Bridging data gaps to support the Global Plastics Treaty

Reporting should consider data harmonization, supply chain metrics, and pollution hotspot identification

Silicon-mediated drought tolerance in Vigna mungo through coordinated regulation of aquaporin genes, plant water relations and photosynthetic processes

Abstract Drought stress restricts growth and productivity in grain legumes, yet the integrative mechanisms underlying silicon-mediated drought tolerance in Vigna mungo (mash bean) remain poorly understood. The present study aimed to investigate the role of silicon in mitigating drought-induced damage in two mash bean cultivars. To evaluate this effect, plants were subjected to different drought regimes with and without silicon. Data on growth traits, biomass accumulation, reproductive attributes, photosynthetic gas exchange parameters, water relations, antioxidant enzyme activities, phenolic compounds, nutrient dynamics, and expression of drought-responsive genes were collected and statistically analyzed. Multivariate analyses, including PCA and structural equation modeling (SEM), were used to elucidate relationships among measured variables. Drought significantly reduced plant growth, biomass production, and reproductive traits, accompanied by marked declines in net assimilation rate (up to 35–40%), stomatal conductance, and transpiration under 25% field capacity (FC). In contrast, drought increased WUE (49.7–56.2 µmol CO₂ mmol⁻ 1 H₂O), antioxidant enzyme activities, and phenolic accumulation. Silicon supplementation substantially improved plant growth, restored photosynthetic performance, and enhanced antioxidant defense under drought conditions. Si-treated plants exhibited increased activities of SOD, CAT, and APX, higher phenolic content, improved water status, and upregulated expression of DREB2A , PIP2-1 , and TIP4-1 compared with non-supplemented plants. Multivariate analyses clearly separated drought and Si treatments, while SEM revealed strong relationships linking gene expression, biochemical defense systems, physiological processes, and plant growth responses. In conclusion, silicon supplementation significantly enhances drought tolerance in mash bean by improving photosynthetic efficiency, antioxidant capacity, and molecular regulation of water transport.

Scientists fight back against far-right plans to restrict academic freedom in Germany

Long-range extended chains arising from polymerization-driven spontaneous assembly

A central challenge for conjugated polymers is to achieve long-range order while remaining solution processable, which is essential for matching the electrical performance of their counterparts of crystalline inorganic semiconductors. In this work, we show that n-doped poly(benzodifurandione) (n-PBDF) can undergo polymerization-driven spontaneous assembly (PSA), in which chain growth, chemical doping, and structural ordering are intrinsically coupled, yielding long-range chain extension over hundreds of nanometers. We reveal that the spontaneously formed n-PBDF nanoribbons arise from a self-initiated, convergent growth mechanism driven by cooperative monomer-polymer interactions and stabilized by proton-coupled duplex chains and the polymer’s intrinsic polyelectrolyte character. With long-range extended chains in the nanoribbons, the aligned n-PBDF thin films demonstrate metallic-level conductivity (>10 4 siemens per centimeter).

A geometry-process-property framework for FDM-fabricated TPU energy-absorbing metamaterials

EU horse legislation compromises ecosystem restoration efforts

Selection of technological parameters for the polypropylene film impulse sealing process based on seal strength

The poetry of twilight and the awe-inspiring magic of eclipses: Books in brief

Degron-independent recruitment of KAT2A expands the target space of CRBN molecular glues

Lysine acetyltransferases (KATs) cooperate with oncogenes such as c-Myc, estrogen receptor, and lysine methyltransferase 2A (KMT2A) fusions to sustain malignant programs. Targeting of KAT proteins has shown clinical efficacy; however, achieving homolog selectivity for most KATs remains a major challenge. By extending cereblon (CRBN)–based molecular glues beyond the canonical degron space, we developed an exquisitely selective degrader of KAT2A. Cryo–electron microscopy revealed that CRBN recruits KAT2A independently of a degron; instead, the molecular glue engages a surface-exposed tyrosine, mimicking antibody-like molecular recognition. Selective KAT2A degradation leads to potent ablation of histone H3 lysine 9 acetylation (H3K9Ac), antiproliferative effects in acute myeloid leukemia cell lines, and in vivo efficacy in a patient-derived xenograft model, establishing KAT2A as a targetable vulnerability to treat a wide range of malignancies. More generally, degron-independent recruitment extends the CRBN-targetable proteome.

Anodal tDCS attenuates hippocampal neurodegeneration and cognitive deficits after traumatic brain injury via glutamatergic and redox modulation

MicroSight-DETR: spatial-preserving real-time transformer with multi-domain fusion for UAV micro-object detection

Uncertainty analysis of spatiotemporal wake characteristics in groove-flap wind turbines based on turbulence intensity

Dementia risk in middle-aged people linked to a blood protein

Warming of the high-mountainous climate sensitive Jammu and Kashmir during the period 1980–2024

Europe’s record heatwave: does the continent have a new climate?

Genetic parameters and genome-wide association for social network traits based on feeder replacement events in beef cattle

Quantifying temperature and salinity effects on real-time moisture dynamics of clay-sand liners via explainable machine learning

Attitudes of specialist memory-clinic patients with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease towards lecanemab: results from a multicenter survey in Europe

Abstract Lecanemab approval in the European Union (EU) was granted after a delay. This delay resulted in concerns from many stakeholders, but attitudes of patients with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease receiving specialist memory-clinic care remained insufficiently assessed. Therefore, we evaluated attitudes of specialist memory-clinic patients with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease towards lecanemab in Europe. In this anonymous, international, multicentre, cross-sectional survey conducted from October 14, 2024 to February 18, 2025, a standardized, expert-developed questionnaire assessed attitudes towards lecanemab treatment and EU approval. Before answering four binary questions, participants received brief explanatory information on expected clinical benefit, amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), and the increased ARIA risk associated with APOE ε4 homozygosity. The survey was conducted in specialist memory clinics within the European Alzheimer’s Disease Consortium (EADC), the German memory clinic network (DNG), and Austrian memory centers. Available recruitment-flow data were limited to completed questionnaires because the survey was anonymous and distributed locally. 281 patients with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease completed the survey. Network-level sample sizes were EADC n = 202, DNG n = 60, and Austria n = 19; country-specific sample sizes within the EADC and response rates were not available. Endorsement was high for both individual treatment with lecanemab (81.9%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 76.8–86.2) and general EU approval (91.8%, 95% CI 87.9–94.7). Endorsement remained substantial, but was lower, in the context of APOE ε4 homozygosity (treatment: 61.2%, 95% CI 55.2–66.9; approval: 76.5%, 95% CI 71.1–81.3). Approval-related questions received higher endorsement than treatment-related questions (84% vs. 72%; p  < 0.001). Support for approval for APOE ε4 homozygotes declined after regulatory recommendations excluded this group (from 87% to 73%; p  = 0.025); this comparison reflects independent respondents completing the anonymous survey before versus after November 14, 2024. Network-level comparisons were descriptive and underpowered for geographic inference. High endorsement within this specialist memory-clinic sample suggests perceived value of access to lecanemab. Greater endorsement for approval than for individual treatment may reflect support for treatment access beyond personal treatment choice, but alternative explanations such as social desirability, acquiescence, misunderstanding, or effects of the survey information cannot be excluded. The findings should not be generalized beyond specialist memory-clinic patients and should be interpreted in view of potential selection and response biases, absent response-rate data, and the brief, non-validated binary questionnaire.

Molecular metabarcoding reveals an omnivorous diet in Smaragdinella haminoeid snails and sheds light on their unique evolution

Abstract Smaragdinella marine snails are the only members of the family Haminoeidae and the order Cephalaspidea that inhabit hard substrates in the upper tidal zone, making them of special evolutionary interest. To investigate whether possible novel trophic adaptations coupled with unique morphological traits may underlie this ecological shift, we analysed the gut contents and microbiota of Smaragdinella viridis using DNA metabarcoding (COI and 16S rRNA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). COI metabarcoding revealed a diverse assemblage of dietary components dominated by diatoms, rotifers, small arthropods, and fungi. SEM observations partially corroborated these findings, indicating an omnivorous feeding strategy rather than strict herbivory. The gut bacterial community was dominated by Firmicutes ( Mycoplasma ), Proteobacteria ( Vibrio , Photobacterium ), and Fusobacteriota ( Psychrilyobacter , Propionigenium ), taxa associated with the degradation of complex carbohydrates and proteins. Morphological traits in Smaragdinella , including an increased number of gizzard plate ridges, a flattened ovoid shell, and an enlarged foot, most likely facilitate the processing of diverse food items and survival in wave-exposed environments. In addition, the functionality of the gut microbiome may contribute to dietary flexibility enhancing survival in dynamic, resource-variable tidal habitats. The adaptation of these snails to tidal hard bottom habitats could have been prompted by the acquisition of novel morphological features and by a diet shift, but the data do not permit to establish a causal relationship and alternative hypotheses may have to be considered.

Early childhood caries at its start: oral health disparities in Thai toddlers