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Time-course analysis of rice imprinted genes revealed persistent and stage-specific imprinted genes. These two classes showed differences in the degree of epigenetic status and biased expression in a temporal and spatial manner in the endosperm.

MicroRNA2118 induces the production of phased small interfering RNAs (phaisRNAs) in plants. Here the authors show that rice miR2118 is required for both male and female fertility and supports the production of atypical U-rich 21 nt phasiRNAs that are abundant in anther walls.

Ken Ishimaru and colleagues show that loss of function of the rice gene TGW6 enhances rice grain weight and increases yield. TGW6 encodes a protein with IAA-glucose hydrolase activity.

Here the authors report asperigimycins, fungal ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides with a heptacyclic scaffold. After chemically modifying them for nanomolar anticancer activity, CRISPR screening identifies SLC46A3 as a key transporter for their uptake in cells.

Most eukaryotic genomes harbour numerous transposable elements which contribute to gene and genome evolution; however, how genomic integrity is maintained in the face of high transposition is not completely understood. High-throughput sequencing of individual rice plants is now used to assess the impact of insertion on gene expression. The vast majority of transposable element insertions are found either to upregulate or to have no detectable effect on gene transcription.

The paralogous NLR proteins, Pit1 and Pit2, exhibit distinct functions in rice immunity, where Pit1 induces cell death on the plasma membrane and Pit2 inhibits this function by sequestering Pit1 to the cytosol.

Modeling analysis from the Global Dietary Database estimated that 70% of new global cases of type 2 diabetes are attributable to suboptimal intake of 11 dietary factors, with substantial differences in dietary risks across world regions and nations.

The long-read metagenome of rice phyllosphere microbiome shows novel complete chromosomes, plasmids, bacteriophages, and novel bacterial species. Notably one complete chromosome belongs to the difficult-to-culture bacterium Candidatus Saccharibacteria.

Parasitic plants are able to grow towards potential hosts. Here the authors show that strigolactones produced by the host plants can act as chemoattractants for the root parasites Phtheirospermum japonicum and Striga hermonthica.

Honma et al. have developed a method of producing high-sugar rice grains using gene knock-out technology. This grain has the potential to advance development of alternative sugar crops in the future.

A ‘triangulation’ approach combining linguistics, archaeology and genetics suggests that the origin and spread of Transeurasian family of languages can be traced back to early millet farmers in Neolithic North East Asia.

Shoot branching is regulated by hormones. Branching mutants in several plant species suggests the existence of a plant hormone that is released from the roots and prevents excessive shoot branching. This paper reports on one of two studies that show that a class of chemical compounds called strigolactones found in root exudates are reduced in the branching mutants and that external application of these chemicals inhibits shoot branching in the mutants. It is proposed that strigolactones or related metabolites are the sought after class of hormones.

A long- and short-read barley pan-transcriptome assembled from 20 diverse barley genotypes offers insights into genotype- and tissue-dependent gene expression and function.

Wetland methane emissions contribute to global warming, and are oversimplified in climate models. Here the authors use eddy covariance measurements from 48 global sites to demonstrate seasonal hysteresis in methane-temperature relationships and suggest the importance of microbial processes.

Wireless bioresorbable stimulators are promising therapeutic implants that naturally dissolve after use. Here, the authors developed a device that operates for months and enables simultaneous multi-site stimulation, preventing early muscle atrophy and accelerating reinnervation in nerve injury models.

Auxin inactivation plays important roles in plant development. Here the authors show that the main route of IAA inactivation in Arabidopsis is via conjugation by GH3 IAA-amidosynthetases followed by DAO1 dioxygenase-mediated oxidation of the conjugated forms and hydrolysis by ILR1 to release inactive oxIAA.

The cofactor iron is essential for cellular energy metabolism. Proteomics reveals how the interplay of iron limitation with glucose signaling underlies how a green alga turns off photosynthesis during lipid accumulation.

The authors solve the crystal structure of OsGA3ox2 and predict that of OsGA3ox1. These enzymes catalyze the final step in the biosynthesis of gibberellin, one of the plant hormones. Evolutionary analysis combined with the new structure reveal important aspects of the OsGA3ox1’s function in plant male reproduction.

A rash of failures for hepatitis C drugs, conflicting theories about the immune system's role and the looming issue of drug resistance make it impossible to predict when or how new therapies will make an impact. Ken Garber reports.

Analyses of genome and exome sequencing data identify rare coding and structural variants associated with atrial fibrillation and highlight genetic links between atrial fibrillation and cardiomyopathies.

Following approval of hepatitis C virus protease inhibitors Incivek and Victrelis, companies are partnering to devise all-oral combination antiviral regimens without interferon α. But the virus is a long way from vanquished. Ken Garber investigates.

Using biobank data from over 250,000 participants, the authors present a detailed picture of regional and individual variation in the tripartite ancestral structure of modern Japanese populations and demonstrate its impact on elevated body mass index.

Valley depolarization processes in 2D transition metal dichalcogenides have been linked to acoustic phonons, but optical verification is ambiguous, due to the nearly degenerate acoustic phonon frequencies at the zone-edge. Here, the authors determine the phonon momentum of the longitudinal acoustic (LA) phonons at the K point as responsible for the ultrafast valley depolarization in monolayer MoSe₂.

Geospatial estimates of the prevalence of anemia in women of reproductive age across 82 low-income and middle-income countries reveals considerable heterogeneity and inequality at national and subnational levels, with few countries on track to meet the WHO Global Nutrition Targets by 2030.

Mitigation pathways allowing for temperature overshoot often ignore the related climate and macroeconomic impacts. Net-zero pathways with limited overshoot could reduce low-probability high-consequence risks and economic loss.

Active research involving many different aspects of genetics has led to exciting discoveries at the National Institute of Genetics.

A peptide display method was developed, revealing that a kinase important for infection by Salmonella and related pathogens detects specific human antimicrobial peptides, possibly reflecting bacterial adaptation to distinct host locations.

A global network of researchers was formed to investigate the role of human genetics in SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity; this paper reports 13 genome-wide significant loci and potentially actionable mechanisms in response to infection.

By growing graphene in patterned hexagonal boron nitride layers, planar heterostructures can be fabricated and used to create two-dimensional devices.

We must mine the biodiversity in seed banks to help to overcome food shortages, urge Susan McCouch and colleagues.

Allophagy eliminates paternal mitochondria in C. elegans embryos. This study reveals that an autophagy adaptor, ALLO-1, recognizes cargos and initiates autophagosome formation by gathering with the ULK complex in an IKKE-1 kinase-dependent manner.

Genome-wide data from 166 East Asian individuals dating to between 6000 bc and ad 1000 and from 46 present-day groups provide insights into the histories of mixture and migration of human populations in East Asia.

Plant cell-surface receptors perceive both self- and nonself-molecules to regulate biological processes. Here the authors show that a subclass of phytohormone and immune receptors share a common origin, which have diverged to perceive distinct ligands and activate differential downstream responses.

Claudia Langenberg, James Meigs and colleagues apply a joint meta-analysis approach that accounts for differences in body mass index to identify variants associated with glycemic traits. They report six new loci associated with fasting insulin levels and provide insights into the genetic basis of insulin resistance.