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Commodity polymer upcycling methods that transform plastic waste into new functional polymers represent an important approach to reducing the burden of plastic on the environment but functionalization of polymers using ball milling remains challenging. Here, the authors report the Birch reduction of polystyrene, polystyrene derivatives, and several types of polystyrene waste using a ball-mill grinding method.

Cold tolerance at the booting stage is critical for the expansion of rice cultivation area. Here, the authors report that a CAMTA family transcription factor encoding gene CTB3 positively regulates japonica rice booting stage cold tolerance and its upstream and downstream interactors to fulfill the functionality.

A reinforcement learning-based virtual reality system, implementing a series of sport sessions with coaching, was as effective as standard physical activity in reducing fat mass in adolescents, with positive effects on cognition.

Mechanisms confer to the enhanced cold tolerance in japonica rice have not been fully elucidated. Here, the authors report a homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-Zip) I transcription factor encode gene CTB5 is responsible for japonica rice cold tolerance by interacting with genes in gibberellin and abscisic acid pathways.

The Einstein Probe has discovered a fast X-ray transient, EP240414a, associated with a broad-lined type Ic supernova. Its unusually soft spectrum and weak jet add to the diversity of stellar deaths and suggest a previously unknown Wolf–Rayet star explosion mechanism.

Zhang et al. show that the activation of RIPK1 is suppressed by acetylhypusination in a spermidine-dependent manner. Disruption of this axis contributes to RIPK1-mediated vascular pathology to promote insulin resistance and diabetic kidney pathology.

Controlling Li nucleation and growth is crucial to avoid dendrite formation. Here, Li₂S(111)@Cu is used as Li metal electrode substrate, where a substrate-dependent Li nucleation process and a facet-dependent growth mode are identified, enabling dense Li deposition and improved battery performance.

Single-cell RNA sequencing, whole-exome sequencing and spatial transcriptome sequencing of gallbladder adenocarcinomas from 75 patients stratifies the disease into groups with distinct clinical outcomes.

Yu et al. developed a programmable RNA acetylation system using dCas13–eNAT10 to specifically install N⁴-acetylcytidine on target RNAs in cells and in vivo, enabling functional studies of RNA acetylation, and revealed the unique role of RNA acetylation in transcript localization.

The inactivation of electrodes triggers the loss of capacity and decreases the lifetimes of batteries, especially for high-capacity systems. Here the rejuvenation chemistry for re-activating electrodes, aimed at prolonging the lifetimes of lithium-based batteries and similar energy-storage systems, is discussed. Li, lithium; Cu, copper; e^–, electrons; RM_red, reduced redox mediator; RM_ox, oxidized redox mediator.

The authors report an ultra-broadband ptychography method, suitable for dispersive samples, by exploiting structured illumination and a novel joint deconvolution algorithm.

Covalent organic frameworks have emerged as a robust platform for enzyme immobilization, but mimicking biofilm structures for in-situ enzyme immobilization is challenging. Here, the authors immobilized enzymes using vesicular covalent organic frameworks synthesized with Gemini surfactants providing enzyme stability and activity.

Cao et al. report an A-site co-doping strategy by substituting Cs+ cation by alkali metals for perovskite quantum wires embedded in nanoporous alumina template, stabilising the crystal structure and enabling high-colour purity LEDs spanning from blue to green spectral region.

The epigenetic mechanisms underlying phenotypic diversity across different metastatic sites in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) remain to be characterised. Here, multi-omic profiling across metastatic lesions identifies regulatory networks driving tumour lineage programs and potential therapeutic targets.

Porous graphene integrated into graphene oxide membranes yields smart molecular sieves that switch separation based on the solvent. This allows for graded separations of different-sized molecules.

Large language models (LLMs) can be useful tools for science, but they often lack expert understanding of complex domains that they were not trained on. Zhang and colleagues fine-tuned a LLaMA-2-7b-based LLM with questions on organic chemistry reactions.

Atomically thin graphene membranes with sub-1-nm pores show promise for ion/molecular separation, osmotic energy generation, and energy storage. Here the authors present the fabrication of large-area nanoporous atomically thin graphene membranes with narrow pore size distributions and positive charges via a bottom-up molecular anchoring approach.

A three-dimensional metal stamp can be used to selectively exfoliate two-dimensional materials, allowing the remaining material to be patterned into two-dimensional arrays without leaving chemical or polymer residues.

The heart relies on fatty acid oxidation as its main energy source. Here they show that impaired fatty acid metabolism disrupts mitophagy in the heart and that enhancing mitophagy via USP30 inhibition can restore heart function in models of fatty acid oxidation deficiency.

The epidemic of fat-related metabolic disorders necessitates innovative therapies. Here, the authors show adipose-resident c-kit⁺ cells are crucial brown adipocyte progenitors and provide a promising way to manipulate adult brown adipose tissue for combating obesity and metabolic disorders.

Li et al. uncover a lysosomal surveillance response whereby intestinal lumen deacidification induces a transcriptional programme that boosts lysosomal activity and improves protein aggregate clearance in multiple worm disease models, extending healthspan.

Whether multimorbidity accelerates brain Aβ deposition in humans remains largely unknown. Here, the authors demonstrate that higher self-reported multimorbidity burden predicts increased brain Aβ accumulation rates in the ADNI cohort.

R9AP is a key receptor for entry of Epstein–Barr virus into human epithelial and B cells, and interacts directly with the viral glycoprotein gH/gL complex to mediate virus–host membrane fusion.

Integrated optical frequency combs are powerful tools for optical spectroscopy. Here, authors demonstrate low-power, detectable-rate soliton microcombs from telecom to visible bands, including wavelength-multiplexed operation, using ultra-low-loss silicon nitride waveguides.

Spectral inhomogeneity of solid-state quantum emitters hinders their application in scalable quantum networks. Here the authors use in-situ 3D strain engineering at cryogenic temperatures to independently tune emission energy and suppress fine structure splitting in quantum dots embedded in photonic structures.

Natural deep-mantle peridotites from eastern China reveal Fe-Ni alloys and Fe³⁺-rich olivine, providing direct evidence of iron disproportionation and slab recycling from the mantle transition zone beneath the eastern Asia big mantle wedge.

Cytoplasmic stress granules (SG) regulate cell fate and are involved in several physiological and pathological processes. Here, using mouse models of allergic rhinitis (AR), the authors reveal the formation of SGs within macrophages of the nasal mucosa and implicate SGs in the regulation of Lrp1-mediated efferocytosis and Type 2 cytokine production, aggravating AR symptoms.

Rosmarinol quinone (RQ) induces β-catenin phase separation, suppressing Wnt/β-catenin signaling and tumorigenesis. Abroquinone (albumin–RQ complex) was developed for targeted delivery and improved biosafety.

To ensure the reliable operation of anode-less solid-state lithium metal battery, herein, the authors report the role of metal interlayer as the interface control strategy for achieving the stable lithium plating and stripping using the multiple operando and in-situ analysis.

Xiang et al. use patient samples and mouse models of osteoarthritis to examine the link with muscle atrophy. They identify that, in osteoarthritis, senescent macrophages promote ferroptosis in skeletal muscle cells, and they show the therapeutic value of targeting this pathological mechanism.

Extending the endurance of mushroom-type phase change memory remains challenging. Here, the authors design a nano-confined cell with an embedded heater, achieving a 1000 × improvement and attributing failure to carbon-induced collapse of the switching volume.

The decadal changes in the response time of El Niño-Southern Oscillation to the tropical Atlantic Sea Surface Temperature (SST) forcing are primarily influenced by the meridional shift of the tropical Atlantic SST dominant mode.

Conventional doping with hygroscopic dopants could lead to compromised device stability in perovskite solar cells. Here, the authors employ a combination of metal salt dopants to enhance doping efficiency and remove hygroscopic contaminants, realizing efficiency of over 25% for stable devices.

Electrification is a promising way to decarbonize the chemical industry but could also have important effects on power systems. Here the authors assess the impact of electrifying the production of methanol and ammonia on the Chinese power system in terms of emissions and potential security risks.

Ultrafast magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging enables non-invasive high-resolution metabolic imaging of the whole human brain under healthy and diseased conditions.

Nano-kirigami is a promising approach to transform 2D precursors into complex 3D architectures. Here, the authors report plastic, elastic, and hysteretic deformations of silicon-based nano-kirigami structures and demonstrate applications in dynamic optical information encryption.

Ferromagnetic systems produced by the transition metal doping of semiconductors may be used as components of spintronic devices. Here, a new ferromagnet, Li_1+y(Zn_1-xMn_x)As, is prepared in bulk quantities and shown to have a critical temperature approaching 50 K.

It is important to understand cellular uptake of nanoparticles, but the effects of cell cycle and autophagy are underexplored. Here, the authors construct a multi-functional, multi-dimensional platform, and use this to characterise the effects of cell cycle- and autophagy-associated cellular accumulation of clinically used lipid-based nanoparticles.

How the brain adapts to rising working memory demands remains unclear. Here, the authors show that entorhinal cortex power features contributed more under medium-to-high loads than hippocampus and lateral temporal cortex, serving as a bridge between these regions.

The use of Li or Na as electrodes in Li-Na alloy–O₂ batteries creates formidable challenges for both safety and stability because of their oxidative corrosion and the growth of dendrites and cracks on their surface. Now, an aprotic bimetal Li-Na alloy–O₂ battery with high cycling stability has been developed using a Li-Na eutectic alloy anode and an electrolyte additive.

In this work, authors show that O-redox in 4d and 5d transition metal oxides involves the formation of molecular oxygen trapped in the particles. These results are in accord with observations in 3d oxides and show that the greater covalency of the 4d and 5d oxides does not stabilise peroxo-like species.

The effects of non-reacting components on polyatomic reactions are still largely unclear. Here, the authors show through a combined experimental and theoretical study of the D + CH₄ reaction that the CH₃ umbrella bending mode serves as a reporter mode, revealing how the D atom dynamically approaches CH₄.

Lampreys are jawless vertebrates that can offer unique insights into vertebrate evolution. Here they generate a comprehensive cell atlas of the lamprey, uncovering 70 distinct cell types across 14 tissues, and identify pancreas-like cells in the lamprey small intestine.

A facile and cost-effective synthesis of MXenes is not yet available. Here, the authors propose a one-pot molten salt-based method of MXenes synthesis from elemental precursors in an air atmosphere. Li-ion storage properties of the MXenes are also reported and discussed.

Europium halide perovskitoids are new class of lead-free emitters with high efficiency due to symmetry allowed 5d−4f transitions. Here the authors design europium bromides with narrow emission through suppressing electron-phonon coupling.

The authors report a dual photothermal-electrocatalysis interface which enables efficient ammonia extraction and purification from air and wastewater, thereby advancing sustainable waste-to-fuel conversion.

In a reverse-translational study followed by a clinical trial, the targeting of antigen-presenting mast cells was identified as a therapeutic approach to overcome anti-PD-1 resistance in patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer who experienced clinical benefit when treated with the mast cell stabilizer cromolyn.

Breast cancer cells interact with cancer-associated adipocytes in the microenvironment. Here, the authors report that the cross-talk between these two cell types is dependent on Zeb1, which remodels the tumor-associated adipose microenvironment to confer breast cancer progression.