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Daily briefing: Key coral species are functionally extinct after record-breaking heatwave

Zr-MOF-glutaraldehyde-Adn@Fe3O4 nanocomposite: as a new adsorbent for removal of methylene blue and heterogeneous nanocatalyst for the synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyran derivatives

Mechanical performance of buried pipe under traffic load-internal pressure coupling action: Experimental and numerical study

With the accelerated progress of urbanization, there is an increasing occurrence of buried flexible water distribution pipelines subjected to high internal pressure and heavy loads. The probability of damage to these pipelines is magnified due to traffic load-internal pressure coupling action. Hence, investigating the mechanical performance of buried pipelines under such conditions is a topic of significant research importance. The pipe made of acrylate polymer blended with polyvinyl chloride resin for water supply (ABR pipe) is modified from PVC pipe, exhibiting high toughness, low temperature, and impact resistance. Experimental and numerical studies were conducted to investigate the mechanical performance of buried ABR pipe by applying traffic load, internal pressure, and a combined traffic load-internal pressure on the buried ABR pipe. The experimental and numerical anlyses were aimed to study the mechanical performance and deformation characteristics of the buried ABR pipe under varying loading conditions. The research results indicated that the mechanical performance of buried ABR pipe was superior, with the most critical sections occurring at 90° and 180°. The circumferential stress of the ABR pipe increased with the growth of internal pressure and traffic load, and the influence of internal pressure was significantly higher than that of traffic load. Additionally, with the increased pipe diameter to thickness ratio, the circumferential stress of the ABR pipe was significantly decreased. Furthermore, a theoretical calculation model for the buried ABR pipe under soil pressure, traffic load, and internal pressure was established based on the prism load method and Moore’s method. Finally, the circumferential stress calculation theory for buried ABR pipe was proposed based on safety factors. This theory was crucial for enhancing the safety and reliability of buried flexible water distribution pipelines under various load conditions.

Longitudinal parametric response mapping on CT in assessing functional small airway disease and emphysema in COPD

Predicting species assemblages at wildlife crossing structures using multivariate regression of principal coordinates

Wildlife populations are in decline due to human threats, including highways. Strategies for reducing road impacts on wildlife include wildlife fencing which keep animals off roads and wildlife crossing structures (WCSs) which provide safe passage across roads. Wildlife crossing structures are diverse and transportation managers are often interested in identifying which WCS designs are effective for target species so a model that predicts target species usage of WCSs is likely to be beneficial to managers and biologists. Wildlife crossing structures are typically built for select species but are utilized by other species, so it may be beneficial to examine WCS use at the community level. We used camera trap data to develop a predictive model of mammal community composition at WCSs built for ocelots ( Leopardus pardalis ) to predict total detections, successful crossings, and failed crossings using spatial, temporal, structural, environmental, and anthropogenic characteristics. During the first-year after construction of WCSs, structural and anthropogenic characteristics of the WCSs were more important than the environmental characteristics although we expect environmental characteristics to become more important with time. Our models reasonably predicted total detections but were less effective at predicting successful and failed crossings, likely due to potential finer-scale, more dynamic effects like noise or microclimate conditions that may drive an animal’s decision to use a WCS. While our study focused on WCSs built for ocelots, to our knowledge, our model is the first model of WCS effectiveness for mammal communities and provide a generalized framework for predicting WCS use which can be applied anywhere where WCSs are being built.

Audio long read: How to get the best night’s sleep — what the science says

Association between biological rhythm disturbances and suicidal ideation in mood disorders: A cross-sectional study in China

KEDformer: Knowledge extraction seasonal trend decomposition for long-term sequence prediction

Time series forecasting is essential in energy, finance, and meteorology. However, existing Transformer-based models face challenges with computational inefficiency and poor generalization for long-term sequences. To address these issues, this study proposes the KEDformer framework. It integrates knowledge extraction and seasonal-trend decomposition to optimize model performance. By leveraging sparse attention and autocorrelation, KEDformer reduces computational complexity from O(L 2 ) to O(L log L), enhancing the model’s ability to capture both short-term fluctuations and long-term patterns. Experiments on five public datasets covering energy, transportation, and weather tasks demonstrate that KEDformer consistently outperforms traditional models, with an average improvement of 10.4% in MSE prediction accuracy and 2.9% in MAE prediction accuracy.

Paper or plastic?

Manipulation of information type and task constraints during observational learning improve coordination but not accuracy and control parameters

This study aimed to determine what information is used during observational learning and how this depends on task constraints using a mixed-design (between- and within-subjects) experimental approach. Specifically, the study aimed to examine whether full-body information or limited-body information enhances observational learning, and whether the influence of information is mediated by task constraints. For this purpose, participants (N = 48, mean age = 24 ± 5.3, male) were assigned to one of three demonstration conditions, each observing a point-light display (PLD) of a throwing action with varying kinematic information: full-body motion (BODY, 17 markers across major joints), right-arm motion (ARM, 4 markers on the throwing arm), or wrist-only motion (WRIST, 1 marker on the wrist). Each condition was divided into two sub-groups: one replicating the throwing action with a ball to a target (BODY-ball, ARM-ball, WRIST-ball) and one replicating the action without a ball, focusing on movement form (BODY-no ball, ARM-no ball, WRIST-no ball). These conditions manipulated the scope of visual kinematic cues and the presence of object-related task constraints to investigate their effects on motor learning outcomes. During the acquisition phase, participants performed 20 acquisition trials where a demonstration was shown five times on the first trial and then once again before each of the remaining trials. Twenty-four hours later, a retention test (5 trials with no demonstration) was performed. After retention, participants performed 10 further trials as re-acquisition. All participants observed a full-body PLD model in this period. Movement outcome, the similarity of intra-limb coordination, and wrist peak velocity in relation to the model were calculated. Results showed that in shoulder-elbow coordination, the BODY-ball group performed less like the model than the other groups in the retention test, all P < 0.05. In wrist-elbow coordination, a significant difference was observed in the ball condition, and the BODY group performed less like the model than the ARM and WRIST groups, all P < 0.05. Additionally, the no ball groups performed more like the model than the ball groups, all P < 0.05. In wrist peak velocity, the WRIST group performed less like the model than the BODY and ARM groups, all P < 0.05, and also, the ball groups performed more like the model than the no ball groups, all P < 0.05. These findings highlight that learning coordination patterns benefits from focused visual cues and minimal task demands, whereas learning velocity-related parameters depends on object interaction and more comprehensive kinematic information. This suggests that effective observational learning requires matching the type of visual information to the specific motor control demands of the task, offering insights for designing motor skill training protocols.

Sequencing Therapy for Optimal Response in Mirikizumab (STORM)-study: A tertiary referral center study on patients with therapy-refractory ulcerative colitis

Background Optimized drug sequencing is an emerging area of interest in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). Comparative real-world data on treatment response to mirikizumab in a cohort with exposure to multiple biologic agents, particularly tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-naïve versus TNF-treated patients, remain limited. This study evaluated the therapeutic response to mirikizumab treatment in a cohort of patients with UC who were refractory to biologic therapy. Methods Consecutive patients with UC treated with mirikizumab between July 01, 2023, and May 31, 2025, at a tertiary university referral center were retrospectively analyzed. The primary endpoint was 12-week clinical remission. The secondary endpoints included clinical remission and biochemical remission between weeks 24 and 50 and between weeks 60 and 80. Results This study included 52 patients. Among them, 17 (32.7%) had previous exposure to ≥3 biologic agents/small molecules. The 12-week clinical remission rate was 35 of 52 patients (67.3%). There was a significant association between the treatment duration and clinical and biochemical remission. The likelihood of achieving clinical remission was 5.583 times higher after 12 weeks of intravenous mirikizumab treatment (odds ratio [OR] = 5.583, p = 0.002). Anti-TNF pretreatment had a positive effect on biochemical remission (OR = 3.489, p = 0.021). Janus kinase inhibitor pretreatment had a negative effect on clinical remission (OR = 0.19, p = 0.019). Conclusion Mirikizumab treatment had good short- and long-term efficacy in patients with UC who previously received biologic therapy. In particular, patients with prior anti-TNF therapies had favorable biochemical remission outcomes.

Trends and characteristics during 17 years of naloxone distribution and administration through an overdose prevention program in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Objective Describe time trends during 17.5 years of community-based naloxone distribution Methods Analysis of administrative records from a harm reduction program in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, collected during encounters for overdose education, naloxone dispensing and refills. Monthly time trends were analyzed using segmented regression. Programmatic context aided interpretation of quantitative findings. We also evaluated impacts of 2014 state legislation loosening naloxone prescribing requirements and providing Good Samaritan protections. Results From July 2005 to January 2023 there were 16,904 service encounters by 7,582 unique participants, resulting in 70,234 naloxone doses dispensed, with 5,521 overdose response events (OREs), utilizing 8,756 naloxone doses. After legislation, new participants increased from 10.4 to 65.9 per month. New participants tended to be older (46 vs. 37 years), female (58% to 35%), White race, and more likely to be family/friends as opposed to people who use drugs themselves. Consequently, ORE per participant fell from 1.46 to 0.47 in the year after enactment. On average, 1.63 (95% CI: 1.60, 1.65) naloxone doses were administered per ORE, which did not change substantially over 17 years ( χ 2  = 0.28, 3 df, p  = 0.60) during evolution from prescription opioids, to heroin, to illicitly manufactured fentanyl. In 98.0% of OREs the person who experienced overdose “was okay”, i.e., survived. Emergency medical services were called in 16% of OREs overall, but <7% since 2019. There were 106 more emesis events per 1,000 OREs with 4 mg nasal spray compared to intramuscular injection; and 48 per 1,000 more reports of anger. Titration of intramuscular naloxone was associated with lower rates of adverse events. Conclusions While state legislation created the environment for expansion, reaching previously underserved communities required intentional new programmatic development and outreach. Long-term consistency of <2 doses per ORE, high survival rate, and robust utilization all lend confidence in prioritizing naloxone distribution directly to people who use drugs and their social networks. Trial registration: This investigation was pre-registered https://osf.io/b2f4h

The sci-fi films that physicists love to watch — from Interstellar to Spider-Man

Understanding rice production stagnation in the Philippines: Regional evidence and development implications

Despite decades of investment in agricultural research and rice development, the Philippines continues to face stagnation in domestic rice production. This persistent trend, occurring despite a sizable arable land base and large rural workforce, has contributed to the country’s growing reliance on rice imports to meet national food needs. In response, the government has implemented a tariff-based import system designed to fund domestic productivity improvements. While previous studies have explored the technical and environmental constraints affecting rice production, such as irrigation shortfalls, land degradation, and climate variability, few have examined recent national trends using regionally disaggregated data alongside qualitative insights. This study fills that gap by analysing official production statistics from 2013 to 2023 across all regions of the Philippines, complemented by contextual data from farming communities and policy reviews. The results reveal that widespread stagnation is primarily driven by limits to both land expansion and yield growth. However, a handful of regions have significantly increased output in recent years, largely due to targeted public investment in irrigation, improved seed technologies, and institutional support. These cases offer important lessons for policy, while also underscoring the risks posed by climate shocks and competing land uses. By identifying both barriers and enablers of rice sector performance, this research contributes to more regionally responsive and inclusive policy strategies aimed at strengthening food security, rural livelihoods, and agricultural resilience in the face of evolving development challenges.

A multi-epitope vaccine targeting a key virulence factor ClfA: An In-silico approach to combat Staphylococcus aureus infections

Staphylococcus aureus, a gram-positive opportunistic pathogen, presents a growing global threat due to the rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. To counter this, we designed a multi-epitope vaccine (MEV) targeting the ClfA virulence protein using an integrative in silico approach. Sixty-one conserved epitopes (19 CTL, 36 HTL, 6 LBL) were selected based on antigenicity, immunogenicity, non-toxicity, and lack of homology to human proteins. These epitopes demonstrated strong HLA-binding affinities and over 50% global population coverage, indicating broad immunological applicability. Molecular docking revealed the strongest binding between the MEV and TLR4, with a ΔG of –17.1 kcal/mol and an exceptionally low dissociation constant (2.6 × 10 ⁻ ¹² M). HADDOCK 2.4-supported docking scores corroborated these results. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and MM/GBSA analysis further assessed the structural behavior of the MEV in complex with TLR2, TLR3, and TLR4. While TLR2 and TLR3 complexes showed greater structural stability (RMSF ~0.2–0.5 nm), the TLR4 complex exhibited higher flexibility (RMSF ~2.5 nm) but yielded the most favorable binding free energy (ΔG = –174.41 kcal/mol), suggesting stronger overall interaction. The TLR2–vaccine complex formed ~370–400 hydrogen bonds on average, while the unbound vaccine maintained ~60–70 internal hydrogen bonds, confirming structural integrity. Radius of gyration (Rg) and solvent-accessible surface area (SASA) analyses revealed that TLR2 and TLR3 binding induced compact and stable structures, whereas the TLR4 complex was more solvent-exposed and flexible. Disulfide bond engineering (VAL32–THR37 and PHE45–ASN64) enhanced vaccine stability, further supported by favorable physicochemical parameters (MW 54.67 kDa, pI 7.78, instability index 19.78). The low eigenvalue (3.63 × 10 ⁻ ⁶) indicated high structural mobility, associated with efficient energy absorption. Codon optimization (GC content 53.33%, CAI 0.96) predicted high expression potential in E. coli , and in silico cloning was successfully performed using the pET-28a(+) vector. Immune simulation demonstrated robust humoral and cellular responses, including elevated levels of IgM, IgG1, IFN-γ, and increased B and T cell populations. Collectively, these findings suggest that the designed MEV is structurally stable, immunogenic, and capable of eliciting a potent immune response, with TLR4 emerging as a promising innate immune target. Further experimental validation and in vivo studies are essential to confirm its efficacy and safety as a vaccine candidate against S. aureus infections.

Gyroscope-constrained magnetometer PDR/Wi-Fi indoor positioning algorithm

To address the issue of low precision in sensor data measured by smartphones, we propose a gyroscope-constrained magnetometer Pedestrian Dead Reckoning (PDR)/Wi-Fi indoor positioning algorithm, focusing on improving the PDR heading angle. We utilize the heading angle constrained by the gyroscope and magnetometer and enhance fingerprint data using Kriging interpolation, effectively doubling the signal fingerprint density. We combine the optimized PDR algorithm and Wi-Fi fingerprint positioning results through an Extended Kalman Filter. Experimental results show that the traditional PDR algorithm has an average positioning error of 2.02 meters, with 90% of errors below 3.71 meters. The improved PDR algorithm reduces the average positioning error to 1.07 meters, with 90% of errors below 2.12 meters. Integrating Wi-Fi and the improved PDR algorithm further reduces the average positioning error to 0.71 meters, with 90% of errors below 1.42 meters.

Association between thyroid hormone and cardiovascular health: A cross-sectional study

Background Large-sample clinical research evidence in humans regarding the association between thyroid hormones and cardiovascular health is limited. The American Heart Association introduced the Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) as a novel metric for assessing cardiovascular health. This study aimed to explore the plausible connection between thyroid hormone levels and LE8. Methods This study employed data extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey spanning from 2007–2012, focusing on individuals aged 20 and above. To investigate the association between thyroid hormone and LE8, diverse analytical methods, including weighted multivariate linear regression, restricted cubic spline curves, and stratified analysis, were utilized. Results A total of 3,019 participants were enrolled in this study. The highest LE8 score group (≥ 80) comprised 610 participants (20.21%). In the fully adjusted linear regression analysis, elevated levels of ln(FT3), ln(TT3), and ln(Tg) were significantly associated with a reduced level of LE8 ( β (95% Confidence Interval): −6.31 (−12.13, −0.49), p = 0.035; −5.18 (−8.22, −2.15), p = 0.002; −0.98 (−1.74, −0.22), p = 0.014). The analysis revealed nonlinear relationships between ln(Tg), ln(TgAb), ln(TPOAb), and LE8. In the group with normal thyroid hormone levels, ln(TT3), ln(TT4), and ln(Tg) correlated with LE8 in the stratified analysis. Conclusion Alterations in FT3, TT3, TT4, Tg, TgAb, and TPOAb levels correlated with variations in LE8. Adherence to cardiovascular health recommendations may be pertinent to the preservation of thyroid health.

Exploration of African natural products as VP35 inhibitors to combat Marburg virus infection: Molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and quantum mechanical computations

Marburg virus (MBV) is a highly lethal filovirus responsible for hemorrhagic fever with case fatality rates of up to 88%. MBV was first recognized in 1967 during simultaneous outbreaks in Marburg and Frankfurt, Germany, and Belgrade, then part of Yugoslavia (now Serbia), following exposure to infected African green monkeys imported from Uganda. Currently, no approved treatment exists for MBV infection. The viral protein (VP35) plays a critical role in viral replication, transcription, and nucleocapsid assembly, making it a promising antiviral target. Consequently, obstructing the function of VP35 offers a potential strategy for combating MBV. Herein, the African Natural Products (ANP) database, which encompasses over 6,500 compounds, was subjected to virtual screening against VP35 employing docking computations. For inhibitors exhibiting a docking score <−8.0 kcal/mol against VP35, molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) were conducted, along with binding energy assessment utilizing the MM/GBSA approach. Upon the MM/GBSA//250 ns MDS, ANPDB6426, ANPDB5109, and ANPDB6357 demonstrated promising binding affinities toward the VP35, with Δ G binding values of −37.9, −34.6, and −34.2 kcal/mol, respectively. The post-MD analyses demonstrated that all three ANPs remained remarkably stable within the VP35 binding pocket over the full 250 ns MDS. Furthermore, the identified ANPs unveiled favorable oral bioavailability, pharmacokinetic, and safety profiles. Density functional theory calculations further supported the chemical reactivity of the identified ANPs. Compared to galidesivir and favipiravir, reference inhibitors, the estimated MM/GBSA binding energies of the identified ANPs with VP35 were about two times lower than galidesivir and favipiravir. These results highlighted the efficacy of computational methods in recognizing putative VP35 inhibitors, providing promising avenues for additional experimental research and prospective curative advancement toward MBV.

A biogeographic comparison of two convergent bird families

Convergence between species and entire clades can occur due to shared environmental conditions and shared resource use. Comparisons of biogeography between convergent clades and taxa may reveal some of these properties unique to each taxon. We sought to characterize and compare the global scale biogeography of hummingbirds (family Trochilidae), which possess unique adaptations for nectar feeding, with sunbirds (family Nectariniidae), which also feed on nectar but are more generalist in their feeding ecology. We collected the latitudinal and elevational range of all species in both clades to create species distributions along those gradients by way of empirical cumulative distribution functions. We compared those distributions to see 1) if they differed, by way of minimum difference estimation and 2) how they differed, by way of non-linear regression. Hummingbirds are shown to extend into higher elevations and latitudes compared to sunbirds, and better maintain their species number in these more extreme environments. We provide possible reasons for these patterns including dispersal limitation, land area, diversity of resources, and climatic conditions. In one particularly interesting hypothesis, we propose that hummingbirds’ unique adaptations for nectar feeding allow them to exploit resources more efficiently, gain higher intrinsic fitness, and therefore speciate and spread into more extreme climates than less efficient nectar feeding sunbirds.

Chaetomium, Chlonostachys, and Pseudogymnoascus isolates from tomato tissues significantly suppress Phytophthora infestans in tomato

Late blight is a disease whose causative agent is the oomycete Phytophthora infestans. It is one of the most destructive pathogenic oomycetes and a major challenge to global tomato production. The pathogen is difficult to manage because of its ability to evolve thereby evading host resistance. The aim of this study was to screen for potential antagonists of P. infestans using a combination of culture and microbiome-based approaches. Samples were collected from healthy and P. infestans -infected tomato plants grown in soil collected from two organic tomato growers in the Rhine-Main area in Germany. A total of 246 fungal isolates were screened for their antagonistic activity against P . infestans . Most of the isolates that exhibited in vitro antagonistic activity were from the genera Penicillium, Trichoderma, Chlonostachys, Mortierella, and Pseudogymnoascus . Following a stepwise in vitro screening strategy that accounted for growth features, ecological aspects, taxonomic data, potential health risks, commercial properties, and antagonistic efficacy, five fungal isolates were eventually selected for plant trials. Chaetomium subaffine showed the highest inhibitory effect against P. infestans across three trials whereby the percentage of diseased leaf area reduced by 90% compared to the control. Chlonostachys and Pseudogymnoascus spp. were effective in two trials, while Trichoderma and Ctenomyces spp. showed weak disease suppressive effects. In parallel, we characterized the fungal microbiome of the rhizosphere, phyllosphere, and endosphere from healthy and diseased tomato plants using ITS-rRNA sequencing. The fungal community differed significantly between the two soil origins, but P. infestans did not significantly influence fungal microbiota composition. Notably, 70% of our antagonistic fungi from the culture collection were detected in the tomato microbiome. This work identified isolates of Chaetomium subaffine, Clonostachys sp., and Pseudogymnoascus sp. as potential biocontrol candidates promoting plant health. The findings highlight the importance of combined functional screening and microbiome profiling for identifying fungal antagonists.