Browse Articles

Global mining has undermined forest conservation within and beyond protected areas

Abstract Protected areas are widely regarded as a cornerstone of global forest conservation, yet growing mineral demand intensifies mining pressure on them. Here, we present a global assessment of mining-induced forest loss within and beyond protected areas from 2001 to 2020. We find that approximately 11% (~1372 km 2 ) of global mining-induced forest loss occurs within protected areas, with this proportion increasing to ~19% during 2016–2020. Furthermore, ~27% (544) of mines associated with forest loss within protected areas remain active throughout the study period. Mining impacts also extend beyond protected area boundaries, where forest loss in the surrounding 10-km buffer zones (~4113 km 2 ) is nearly three times that observed within protected areas. Temporal analyses further reveal that mining increasingly affects forests with higher biomass density over time. These findings demonstrate growing mining pressure on protected forests and highlight the need to mitigate impacts both within and beyond protected area boundaries.

Correction: The impact of continuous intravenous administration of heparin on coagulation dysfunction and organ failure in patients with sepsis

The Oplopanax elatus genome reveals dammaradienol synthase evolution enabling reconstruction of RK type ginsenosides biosynthesis

Abstract RK-type ginsenosides are a subgroup of dehydrated dammarane saponins with valuable bioactivities, but they are not naturally produced in cultivated ginseng. The ginseng relative Oplopanax elatus accumulates dammaradienol, the precursor scaffold of RK-type ginsenosides, but does not produce RK-type ginsenosides. Here, we identify OeOSC14 as a specialized dammaradienol synthase that evolved through duplication and neofunctionalization of an ancestral multifunctional triterpene synthase by combining chromosome-level genome assembly, comparative genomics and biochemical analyses. Consistent with this evolutionary transition, a single N260Y substitution converts OeOSC14 from a dammaradienol-specific enzyme back into a multifunctional triterpene synthase. We further show that loss of functional C12 hydroxylase blocks the downstream oxidative step required for RK-type ginsenoside biosynthesis in O. elatus . Reconstitution of the pathway in Nicotiana benthamiana enables de novo production of ginsenosides Rk1, Rk2, and Rk3, providing evolutionary insight into triterpene diversification and establishing a plant-based route for producing these compounds.

Feasibility of MR angiography and DSA fusion for visualization of brain arteriovenous malformations and dural arteriovenous fistulas

Multi-metric evaluations of acute psychedelic effects on fMRI brain entropy

Abstract A prominent theory of psychedelics is that they increase brain entropy. Thirteen studies have evaluated psychedelic effects on fMRI brain entropy, each applying a distinct measure. Here we evaluated these metrics in an independent 28-participant healthy cohort with 121 pre- and post-psilocybin fMRI scans. We assessed relations between brain entropy and objective and subjective psychedelic drug effects using linear mixed-effects models. All metrics were evaluated using two parcellation strategies and 7 denoising pipelines. We observed consistent significant positive associations for Shannon entropy of the spatial eigendistribution of the time by voxel matrix, path-length, instantaneous correlations, brain-state switching, and sample entropy at short time-scales. We consistently did not observe significant effects for 8 of 14 entropy metrics and observe inconsistent positive effects for Lempel-Ziv complexity of the BOLD signal. Brain entropy quantifications showed limited inter-measure correlations. Our observations support a nuanced acute psychedelic effect on brain entropy, empirically demonstrating that these metrics do not reflect a singular construct.

Biomechanical comparison of porous fusion cages and fixation plates for high tibial osteotomy using finite element analysis

A mechano-integrated gradient electrolyte for long-cycling solid-state lithium metal batteries

Abstract Overcoming interfacial mechano-electrochemical failure remains a fundamental challenge in solid-state lithium metal batteries, where polymers offer conformal interfacial contact but suffer from low ionic conductivity, while oxides/sulfides provide high ionic conductivity but face severe interfacial issues. Here we show a mechano-integrated gradient electrolyte based on a hydrogen-bonded polyurethane matrix with dual chain extenders. The polyurethane matrix exhibits high viscoelasticity (>5000% fracture strain) and self-healing, allowing high filler loading and continuous triphasic lithium-ion percolation networks. A spatially graded Li 1.3 Al 0.3 Ti 1.7 (PO 4 ) 3 architecture (10–100 wt%) decouples interfacial requirements: conformal contact with lithium metal negative electrode, high ionic conductivity (~10 −4 S cm −1 ), and an electrochemical stability window up to 4.9 V. The homologous polymer framework eliminates chemo-mechanical degradation while providing mechanical strength (>80 MPa) and solution processability. This integrated design suppresses interfacial delamination and dendrite growth (>7500 h of stable lithium plating/stripping), and mitigates positive electrode degradation (74% capacity retention after 1000 cycles in Li | |LiFePO 4 cells at 0.5 C and stable operation in stack-pressure-free NCM811 pouch cells). This work provides a scalable platform for high-energy-density, long-lifespan solid-state lithium metal batteries.

Progression of hindfoot valgus and its association with foot- and ankle-related quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a retrospective study from KURAMA cohort

Regional, functional and transcriptomic decoding of multidimensional brain structure alterations in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Oligophenylene Tuning from Monomer to Trimer Enables Ultrafast Excited-State Dynamics and Ultrahigh Emission Cross Sections

Diffusion of the alpha-particle emitting daughters of alpha-DaRT sources in an orthotopic murine model of colorectal adenocarcinoma

Circumventing the wettability issue of heterogeneous metal catalysts for solvent-free organic transformations

VEGFA and VEGFR-1 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to sepsis and organ dysfunction

Abstract Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors regulate vascular permeability and inflammation, processes central to sepsis pathophysiology. Genetic variation in VEGF pathways may influence host response, but evidence in sepsis remains limited and inconsistent. This study aimed to investigate associations between VEGFA and VEGFR-1 polymorphisms and sepsis susceptibility in critically ill adults. Four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped from whole blood samples: VEGFA rs833061, rs2010963, rs699947, and VEGFR-1 rs9508032. Logistic regression under multiple genetic models was applied, adjusting for age, sex, acute organ dysfunctions and comorbidities. Analyses were stratified by sex and clinical subgroups. Bonferroni correction addressed multiple testing, and haplotype analyses were conducted. The VEGFR-1 rs9508032 variant was significantly associated with sepsis in dominant and overdominant models after Bonferroni correction. VEGFA rs2010963 showed nominal associations across dominant and overdominant models. Other SNPs demonstrated nominal associations in subgroup analyses but did not remain significant after multiple testing corrections. Exploratory sex-stratified analyses were stronger among men. Haplotypes combining VEGFA SNPs displayed consistent, but non-significant trends after correction. The VEGFR-1 rs9508032 polymorphism may be a potential contributor of sepsis susceptibility, supporting a role for VEGF signalling in sepsis pathophysiology. While exploratory findings require validation in larger, multi-ethnic studies, these results suggest that VEGF pathway variants could contribute to personalised risk stratification in critical care.

Spatiotemporal flux breathing and topological sculpting in structured transverse orbital angular momentum lattices

Mechanisms of proppant transport diversion and confluence in fracture networks of unconventional reservoir

National pathways of land-use CO₂ emissions in the 21st century

Abstract Land-use and land-cover change (LULCC) is a major source of anthropogenic CO₂ emissions, yet projections remain scarce. Here, we use the reduced-complexity Earth system model OSCAR to generate national LULCC carbon emission trajectories through 2100, across 150 socioeconomic and policy-relevant scenarios. Deforestation and forest regrowth dominate variability in LULCC carbon emission, with policy timing and ambition exerting strong control. Ending gross deforestation by 2030 yields large, persistent removals (about −30 Pg C by 2100), whereas net forest area balance still emits 4–9 Pg C. The strongest sinks are projected to emerge in China and Indonesia, while Brazil and the Democratic Republic of the Congo dominate global sources. The accompanying open dataset enables country-level scenario assembly and policy evaluation. Our findings underscore that early and ambitious land governance, particularly in tropical regions, is essential for transforming the land sector into a durable carbon sink aligned with global temperature goals.

Machine learning-driven modelling and optimization of callus induction and biomass accumulation in Lavandula × intermedia

Abstract Callus formation in Lavandula × intermedia varies widely depending on explant type, plant growth regulator composition, and cultivation duration, yet their combined effects remain insufficiently characterized. Here, 57 growth regulator treatments were evaluated using root- and stem-derived explants over a 15-week culture period. Callus induction occurred on most media and was typically initiated within the first three weeks, while biomass accumulation followed a biphasic pattern with a pronounced increase after week six, reaching up to 35 g depending on treatment. A combination of 0.5 mg L⁻¹ 2,4-D and 0.5 mg L⁻¹ kinetin consistently produced the highest biomass. To model system behavior, five statistical and machine learning approaches were applied. XGBoost achieved the highest predictive accuracy on experimental data (R² ≈ 0.94), whereas Random Forest showed the most stable performance across independent validation datasets. Feature importance analysis identified culture duration as the dominant factor influencing biomass, while hormonal composition significantly affected both responses and explant type had only a minor contribution. Multi-objective optimization using NSGA-II revealed multiple high-performing solutions, while induction converged to a single near-optimal condition. These findings demonstrate that integrating experimental data with machine learning enables robust prediction and optimization of callus responses in Lavandula × intermedia .

Effectiveness of the BALatrine intervention on soil-transmitted helminth infections in Central Java, Indonesia: a cluster-randomised controlled trial

Multivariate time-series modeling and forecasting of groundwater level fluctuation in the Erbil basin, North of Iraq

Abstract Groundwater constitutes a critical supply for domestic, agricultural, and industrial needs. Understanding the dynamic interplay between rainfall, river discharge, and groundwater levels remains challenging due to the complexity of hydrogeological structures and variable recharge conditions. This study investigates the temporal relationships among rainfall, river stage-discharge, and groundwater levels in the Erbil Basin, North Iraq. A multivariate time series framework was employed for the data series spanning 2004–2022, combining wavelet coherence analysis to identify dominant periodicities and temporal correlations, with a vector autoregression (VAR) model to forecast future groundwater fluctuations. The wavelet analysis revealed strong monthly-scale variability during the wet season and a pronounced rainfall-groundwater coherence with a dominant 1-month periodicity, particularly after 2008. Spatial differences in coherence strength across monitoring wells indicate regionally consistent hydrogeological conditions, with stronger coupling observed in wells situated closer to the Lesser Zab River. The impulse response function (IRF) analysis additionally demonstrated positive groundwater responses within 2–6 months following rainfall events, consistent with regional recharge patterns. However, persistent groundwater declines identified in the VAR forecasting model reflect the combined effects of reduced recharge and continuous abstraction pressures. The integrated approach provides a comprehensive assessment of hydroclimatic interactions and groundwater dynamics in the Erbil regional aquifer. The findings emphasize the need for adaptive groundwater management strategies and demonstrate the potential of combining wavelet and VAR models for sustainable water resource planning in data-limited, semi-arid environments.

Structural basis of nucleosome remodeling by Cockayne syndrome B homologue Komagataella phaffii Rad26

Abstract Rad26, a yeast homologue of mammalian Cockayne syndrome protein B (CSB), plays an essential role in transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER). Rad26/CSB binds RNA polymerase II stalled at DNA lesions and recruits DNA repair factors, functioning as a molecular scaffold. In addition, Rad26/CSB possesses nucleosome-remodeling activity that may help restore transcription after DNA repair. Here we determine the cryo-electron microscopy structure of the Rad26/CSB-nucleosome complex. Rad26/CSB binds near the nucleosomal entry/exit region (superhelical location ±6) through a unique mechanism in which its ATPase domains, Lobe 1 and Lobe 2, engage nucleosomal DNA in a reverse orientation compared with other remodelers such as Snf2 and Ino80. Mutational, biochemical, and crosslinking mass-spectrometric analyses demonstrate the requirement of the KR loop for nucleosome binding and remodeling. Furthermore, we show that N-terminal auto-inhibition involves long-range contacts between the disordered N-terminus and the Lobe 2 region, and is relieved by mutations of Leu8 and Leu11. These findings reveal the structural basis of Rad26/CSB-mediated nucleosome remodeling in TC-NER.