Browse Articles

Observational evaluation of children’s respirator donning ability in Indonesia and Nepal

Abstract Certified respirators, like KN95 N95, FFP2 and KF94, can offer strong protection against airborne particulates, but their effectiveness relies on proper fit and donning. This study evaluated how well children aged 6–13 years in Kathmandu, Nepal, and Bandung City, Indonesia, could independently don two child-marketed KN95-style respirators without guidance. Among 348 participants, only 21.8% met all seven essential donning criteria, though 79.6% successfully completed at least five steps. While this suggests a promising baseline, the most frequent mistake, improperly shaping the nose clip, could potentially compromise respirator effectiveness. Older children and girls generally performed better, and prior experience with KN95-style respirators was linked to greater confidence and improved technique. Respirator design also played a role in donning success. These findings reveal a critical gap between general mask-wearing familiarity and the specific skills needed for effective respirator use. The study highlights the urgent need for child-friendly respirator designs and accessible training materials, especially in regions where air pollution poses serious health risks.

When coordination is avoidable: A monotonicity analysis of organizational tasks

Organizations devote substantial resources to coordination, yet which tasks actually require it for correctness remains unclear. The problem is acute in multiagent AI systems, where coordination cost is directly measurable and can exceed the cost of the work itself. Distributed systems theory provides a precise criterion: Coordination is required when a task specification is nonmonotonic, meaning that as histories grow, new information can invalidate prior conclusions. Here we show that Thompson’s classic taxonomy of interdependence maps to that criterion, yielding a decision rule for when coordination is required for correctness. We formalize the correspondence in a bridge theorem, apply the rule to 65 workflows from the American Productivity & Quality Center (APQC), and (with a calibrated large language model (LLM), 13,417 Occupational Information Network (O*NET tasks), and illustrate it in multiagent AI simulations. Under our decompositions, 74% of workflows and 42% of O*NET tasks are monotonic, implying that up to 24 to 57% of coordination spending is unnecessary for correctness.

A large-scale in silico chimera-based strategy for engineering low-immunogenic L-asparaginase from Penicillium cerradense

Sources of technological innovation

Stress-induced cortisol clouds the gut feeling in decision-making: a randomized controlled study

Abstract The advice to “follow your gut” reflects the idea that instinctive feelings can guide decision-making. Indeed, anticipatory emotional bodily signals, such as skin conductance responses, have been shown to help people avoid risky choices. Yet, stress increases risk-taking, casting doubt on gut feelings’ reliability under stress and whether emotions are always beneficial to decision-making. In a study of 109 young adults (54 women), we randomly exposed half of the participants to a psychosocial stressor or a non-stressful control condition and assessed their cortisol reactivity levels. We then measured their performance on the Iowa Gambling Task alongside anticipatory skin conductance responses before each decision. We showed that stress-induced cortisol reactivity moderated the relationship between anticipatory skin conductance responses and risk-taking in the gambling task, but only in men. Greater anticipatory skin conductance responses were associated with increased risk-taking among men with low cortisol reactivity, whereas the opposite pattern emerged among men with high cortisol reactivity, suggesting that cortisol may alter the relationship between somatic signals and decision-making. Women showed no such effect and, on average, took more risks than men. These findings reveal a sex-specific pathway through which cortisol may impair the gut feeling that normally protects against risky decisions. [Study registration ID: NCT07702747; retrospectively registered on 2026-07-14; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07702747 ]. .

Correction for Meng et al., Rethinking energy transition strategies for the European Union amid rising energy prices

Endemic Lilium ciliatum as a novel biogenic platform for microwave-assisted green synthesis of antioxidant and antimicrobial silver nanoparticles

Lexical change is not a calibrated measure of LLM prevalence or its determinants

5-Fluorouracil exacerbates oral mucositis through inflammation and fibroblast-mediated matrix imbalance

Abstract Oral mucositis (OM) is a critical complication of cancer chemotherapy that can lead to treatment interruption or discontinuation and adversely affect patient prognosis. Here, we established a 5-fluorouracil (5FU)-exacerbated OM model to elucidate the mechanism underlying chemotherapy-associated OM aggravation and evaluate the effects of a mouthwash (MW) containing antimicrobial (cetylpyridinium chloride) and anti-inflammatory components (glycyrrhizin, tranexamic acid, and Equisetum arvense extract). In this model, 5FU markedly enhanced subepithelial inflammation at the wound site, whereas MW treatment reduced inflammation and promoted mucosal healing. RNA sequencing and in vitro fibroblast analyses demonstrated that 5FU significantly upregulated Gremlin 1 ( Grem1 ), matrix metallopeptidase 3 ( Mmp3 ), and plasminogen activator, urokinase ( Plau ), while suppressing fibroblast growth factor 10 ( Fgf10 ). Scratch assays further revealed that 5FU impaired fibroblast migration and proliferation, which were restored by anti-inflammatory MW components, accompanied by normalization of Grem1 and Fgf10 expression. Collectively, these findings provide mechanistic insight into 5FU-exacerbated OM and suggest that modulation of fibroblast-associated inflammatory and regenerative pathways by MW may represent a promising strategy for OM management during chemotherapy.

speed-induced passive depth stabilization in a biomimetic underwater vehicle with a swim bladder

Abstract A nonlinear mathematical model describing the vertical motion of a biomimetic underwater vehicle equipped with a swim bladder is developed. For a passive bladder that changes its volume under hydrostatic pressure, the system can achieve depth stabilization through a speed-induced mechanism when the lever-arm geometry (relative positions of the swim bladder and lifting surfaces) is favorable; otherwise stabilization is not possible. Using the Routh–Hurwitz criterion, analytical stability conditions are obtained in closed form, revealing a lower onset speed that is set by a simple coupling between forward speed and geometry. Numerical simulations confirm the theoretical predictions and reveal the dominant loss-of-stability scenarios: loss of effective stiffness at the onset threshold and oscillatory instability when the mixed speed–geometry factor changes sign. The results demonstrate the feasibility of passive swim-bladder-based depth stabilization and provide practical guidelines for selecting the lever arms of the buoyancy and lift forces and operating speeds in autonomous underwater vehicles.

PLK1-mediated phosphorylation of PHGDH reprograms serine metabolism in advanced prostate cancer

Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer, enabling tumor cells to meet their increased biosynthetic and energetic demands. Although cells possess the capacity for de novo serine biosynthesis, most transformed cancer cells preferentially rely on exogenous serine uptake to sustain their growth, yet the regulatory mechanisms driving this metabolic dependency remain poorly understood. Here, we uncover a mechanism by which Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1), frequently overexpressed in prostate cancer, orchestrates a metabolic shift in serine and sphingolipid metabolism through phosphorylation of phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH), the rate-limiting enzyme of the serine synthesis pathway (SSP). Specifically, PLK1 directly phosphorylates PHGDH at S512, S513, and S517, leading to a marked reduction in its protein level and enzymatic activity. This downregulation of de novo serine biosynthesis forces cancer cells to increase their reliance on exogenous serine uptake via the ASCT2 transporter, which in turn fuels the biosynthesis of lipids, including sphingolipids essential for tumor growth and survival. Our findings suggest that targeting the SSP, serine uptake, or downstream lipid biosynthesis pathways may represent promising therapeutic strategies in advanced cancers characterized by PLK1 dysregulation.

Unraveling pathogenicity inheritance in Ganoderma boninense: insights from mating compatibility and virulence variation among dikaryons

Abstract The spread of Ganoderma boninense in field plantings has been historically presumed to be via root-to-root contact between diseased and healthy palms, but does not explain the sporadic incidences recorded in the field. While monokaryons must successfully mate to initiate the infection, the extent to which specific parental genetic backgrounds dictate the virulence of the resulting dikaryons is poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the inheritance patterns underlying variation in pathogenicity among G. boninense isolates through mating as a prerequisite. Twelve monokaryons were isolated from G. boninense PER71, and 66 reciprocal crosses were conducted. The results showed that only 14 dikaryons were generated (11 A1B1/A2B2 and 3 A1B2/A2B1) (21%), consistent with the established tetrapolar heterothallic compatibility system of G. boninense. The successfully generated dikaryons revealed significant variation in disease severity among dikaryons derived from sibling monokaryons, ranging from 14.2% to 89.9%. Spearman’s correlation demonstrates that mycelial growth rate does not inherently dictate the outcome of the host-pathogen interaction. Instead, the parental effect analysis revealed a significant parental effect on virulence, in which the crosses involving the monokaryon PER/10 − 9 exhibiting higher virulence (mean severity of 62.96%) compared to crosses lacking this specific genetic background. Dikaryons derived from sibling monokaryons exhibited variation in pathogenicity, suggesting that mating-partner combinations might contribute to virulence diversity in G. boninense. Overall, mating compatibility constraints and partner-dependent variation in virulence may assist in explain the limited success of basidiospore-derived infections under field conditions. This is the first report to observe the virulence spectrum within a single culture of G. boninense and its compatible dikaryotic combinations.

Insights into hominin body size, locomotion, and behavior from Early Pleistocene trackways in northern Kenya

The Early Pleistocene fossils of the Koobi Fora Formation, northern Kenya, record two well-documented hominin genera, Homo and Paranthropus , preserved in the same deposits. Evidence for their ecological sympatry consists of co-occurring footprints of diverse morphologies, suggesting that Homo erectus and Paranthropus boisei were present in the same lake margin habitats over hundreds of thousands of years. Here, we report on a ~1.43 Ma fossil footprint assemblage that sheds light on Early Pleistocene hominin paleobiology and behavior. The internal morphologies of the hominin tracks align with others previously attributed to P. boisei , indicating patterns of foot morphology and locomotion different from modern Homo and more consistent with those seen in earlier Australopithecus species. However, the tracks indicate body sizes that exceed the largest skeletal estimates for P. boisei , raising the possibility that they may belong to H. erectus . Depending on their attribution, the tracks demonstrate a) larger body sizes and greater size variation in P. boisei than previously recognized, or b) levels of intraspecific anatomical and locomotor variation in H. erectus that far exceed those yet observed in modern humans or other fossil taxa. Regardless of their attribution, these tracks indicate larger than average body sizes. This supports the hypothesis that they capture a group that included multiple adult males and offers rare direct evidence for hominin social behavior. The ecological context of the tracks suggests that hominins were accessing resources in a deltaic lake margin habitat.

Generative Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property Rights: A Comparative Analysis of Copyright, Patents and Trade Secrets

The unprecedented development of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has fundamentally transformed the global intellectual property (IP) landscape. Unlike previous technological innovations, modern large language models (LLMs) and multimodal AI systems are capable of autonomously generating literary works, software code, music, images, inventions and commercially valuable information that increasingly resemble products of human creativity. These developments challenge traditional concepts of authorship, inventorship, ownership and confidentiality, requiring legislators and courts to reconsider long-established legal doctrines. This article examines the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and intellectual property rights through a comparative legal analysis of copyright, patent law and trade secret protection. Particular attention is devoted to the regulatory approaches adopted by the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Japan and Singapore. The research evaluates recent legislative initiatives, judicial decisions and policy documents adopted between 2024 and 2026, including the implementation of the European Union AI Act, developments within the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the OECD and leading national intellectual property offices. The paper argues that contemporary intellectual property systems are experiencing a transition from human-centred protection towards hybrid governance models that increasingly recognize the role of AI-assisted creativity while preserving human responsibility. The article proposes a balanced regulatory framework that distinguishes between AI-generated and AI-assisted outputs, strengthens transparency obligations concerning training data, enhances protection of confidential business information and promotes international harmonization of intellectual property rules in the era of generative AI.

Compliance with guidelines for antibiotic therapy in infective endocarditis in older adults: a national-based real life retrospective cohort study

ICE arrests, 2015–2026: Variation in targeting, method, and geography

We analyze and decompose administrative data on all 1.6 million US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests from October 2015 to March 2026. Our results reveal that the reality of immigration enforcement diverges sharply from the public narrative that ICE arrests are necessary to protect public safety by removing people who commit crimes: Although arrests spiked at the outset of both Trump presidencies, the share of arrested individuals with criminal convictions fell significantly, with especially marked declines in 2025. A shift in ICE tactics partly explains this pattern, but even conditional on tactic, the share with a criminal conviction declined as arrests rose. Moreover, we find substantial geographic heterogeneity in ICE methods, despite nearly universal declines in the criminal conviction rate. Our findings provide important evidence for policymakers, the general public, and researchers studying this period of immigration policy.

Uterine artery bulldog clamping versus tourniquet for reducing blood loss in open myomectomy: a randomized controlled trial

MORC2 controls HIF-1α stability via an HDAC4-dependent mechanism to regulate erythropoiesis

The hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) signaling pathway is essential for cellular adaptation to low oxygen. Although the canonical PHD-pVHL pathway that mediates HIF-α degradation under normoxia is well established, alternative regulatory mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we identify Microrchidia family CW-type zinc-finger 2 (MORC2) as a negative regulator of HIF-α. In zebrafish, CRISPR/Cas9-generated morc2 mutants developed polycythemia, systemic hypoxia, and constitutive activation of the HIF pathway. Mechanistically, MORC2 counteracts histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) by competing for HIF-1α binding. Loss of MORC2 enhances HDAC4 recruitment to HIF-1α, reducing acetylation at lysine 629 and preventing proteasomal degradation of HIF-1α. These results define a regulatory mechanism in which MORC2 modulates HIF-1α stability via HDAC4 mediated deacetylation, shedding light on hematopoiesis and HIF-related disorders.

Interrupted time-series analysis of trends in Gram-negative antimicrobial-resistant pathogens across different COVID-19 control phases in Gansu Province, China

Abstract This study aimed to analyze the temporal dynamics of isolation frequencies and resistance rates among Gram-negative multidrug-resistant organisms across different COVID-19 control phases in over 80 hospitals in Gansu Province, China. We extracted patient demographics and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) results for clinical bacterial isolates collected between September 2018 and September 2023. A three-phase interrupted time-series analysis (ITSA) utilizing segmented linear regression models was employed to evaluate temporal changes in five key Gram-negative species and their corresponding resistant phenotypes across different pandemic control phases. Stratified analyses using Chi-square tests for trend were conducted to assess annual resistance trends across various patient subgroups. Overall, carbapenem-resistant organisms (CROs) did not exhibit consistent significant changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the resistance rate of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) showed a downward trend during the pandemic period ( P  < 0.05). The resistance rate of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) also showed a downward trend, but the difference did not reach statistical significance ( P  = 0.053). Notably, the resistance rate of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) demonstrated a marked downward trend after the pandemic control measures ended ( P  < 0.001). The resistance rate of third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales remained stable during the pandemic but showed a significant upward trend after the control measures were adjusted ( P  < 0.05). Stratified analyses revealed that the resistance rates of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) and third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales (3GCephRE) were significantly higher in the intensive care unit (ICU) compared to other clinical wards. During the COVID-19 control period, resistance rates of various bacteria exhibited different patterns, with some species remaining stable and others showing downward trends. Following the adjustment of control measures, both bacterial counts and resistance rates to third-generation cephalosporins showed upward trends, highlighting the imperative for continuous antimicrobial resistance surveillance. This study provides evidence for optimizing antimicrobial stewardship and hospital infection prevention and control strategies in a regional multi-center healthcare setting in Gansu Province.

Palindrome in the sequence of the ribosomal peptidyl transferase center suggests a protoribosome emergence scheme

The emergence of a simple version of the modern ribosome represents an indispensable step in the evolution of life as we know it. Standalone dimeric protoribosome models, derived from the peptidyl transferase center of the modern ribosome, have been shown to perform the primary ribosomal function of catalyzing peptide bond formation. However, the likelihood of the random occurrence of a suitable 70-mer RNA strand capable of serving as the monomer sequence remains questionable. Here, what initially appeared to be a “hallucinatory” AlphaFold3 prediction of a putative protoribosome, was found to express the presence of a palindrome spanning most of the ribosome-derived monomer sequence. The framework of this sequence suggests a simple, experimentally testable molecular mechanism by which an analog of the ribosome-derived protoribosome could have self-assembled from a few copies and complementary strands of a single 10-mer RNA segment. This scenario significantly reduces the complexity attributed to the autonomous emergence of a protoribosome and provides a plausible starting point for a continuous evolutionary pathway, leading from inanimate matter to life as we know it.