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Integrating heterogeneous single-cell multi-omics as well as spatially resolved transcriptomic data remains a major challenge. Here the authors report a unified single-cell data integration framework using an unbalanced optimal transport-based deep network.

Valleytronic devices employ the electronic valley degree of freedom to realize potential low-power electronic applications. Here, the authors utilize a topological semiconductor to engineer valley polarization transistors with long lifetimes and demonstrate low-power neuromorphic functionality at room temperature.

Here, the authors discover that NGF, upregulated by transcription factor ZBTB46 in prostate cancer exposed to androgen therapy, promotes neuroendocrine differentiation. They show that NGF interacts with the GPCR CHRM4, that both NGF and CHRM4 are upregulated in highly metastatic prostate cancer and that targeting NGF reduces therapy resistance in a mouse xenograft model.

While recurrence is frequent in ependymoma, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be explored. Here, the authors investigate epigenetic, genetic and tumorigenic changes in 30 patient-matched repeated relapses over 13 years and identify distinct patterns of DNA methylation.

Detailed quantification of nanoparticle distribution in tumor tissues can provide the prediction of drug delivery efficacy and therapeutic outcome. Here the authors develop a pH/light dual responsive monochromatic ratiometric-imaging nanoparticle which can quantify extracellular and intracellular nanoparticle distribution in several tumor models.

The intracellular topology of a nanostructure plays a major role in its interactions with the cell and accordingly, its biological applications. Here, the authors design peptides that intracellularly polymerize into elastin-like polypeptides and assemble into various topologies, each of which exhibits a distinct set of biological functions.

As part of the modENCODE initiative, which aims to characterize functional DNA elements in D. melanogaster and C. elegans, this study uses RNA-Seq, tiling microarrays and cDNA sequencing to explore the transcriptome in 30 distinct developmental stages of the fruitfly. Among the results are scores of new genes, coding and non-coding transcripts, as well as splicing and editing events.

Diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) has poor long-term survival rates with limited therapy options. Here Witkiewicz et al.use microdissection and whole-exome sequencing to identify novel recurrent PDA mutations, highlighting the genetic diversity of this aggressive cancer.

Battery cycling induces various changes in the electrode. Here, the authors propose a generalized hypothesis based on metal–metal bonding to rationalize the lattice changes of layer-structured cathode materials including lithium molybdenum trioxide which exhibits abnormal lattice change behaviour.

A microRNA, miR-34a, is a novel and critical suppressor of osteoclastogenesis, bone resorption and the bone metastatic niche.

This report from the 1000 Genomes Project describes the genomes of 1,092 individuals from 14 human populations, providing a resource for common and low-frequency variant analysis in individuals from diverse populations; hundreds of rare non-coding variants at conserved sites, such as motif-disrupting changes in transcription-factor-binding sites, can be found in each individual.

Using long reads to probe RNA structure reveals differences between transcript isoforms.

Vascular endothelial growth factor increases the profibrotic activity of atrial fibroblasts by activating the currents through transient receptor potential channels and intermediate-conductance calcium-activated K⁺ (K_Ca3.1) channels and by enhancing Ca²⁺ entry-induced phosphorylated Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) signaling. These findings suggest a novel strategy targeting atrial myopathy and arrhythmofibrosis.

Layered double hydroxides of transition metals are known to be highly active for water oxidation, but the nature of their active sites and reaction mechanism are still elusive. Now, a monolayer NiCo hydroxide catalyst, in situ prepared on the working electrode, is reported to exhibit valence oscillation and dynamic generation of active sites during water oxidation.

Styrene is one of the most important industrial monomers and is traditionally synthesized via the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene. Here, the authors report a photo-induced fluorination technique to generate an oxidative dehydrogenation catalyst through the controlled grafting of fluorine atoms on nanodiamonds.

Spontaneous migration of H-atoms from metal particles to a nonreducible oxide support is generally limited by thermodynamics. Here, small oxygenate molecules are found to act as effective H-carriers to promote this process and lead to much improved hydrodeoxygenation rates on Pt-Fe/SiO₂ catalysts.

Despite its importance in the context of natural gas engines emissions treatment, methane oxidation remains challenging. Now, the authors introduce an approach to stabilize PdO_x rafts on ceria by trapping Pt single atoms in the support resulting in a superior catalyst for this transformation.

Recent studies have suggested that long genes (>100 kb) are more likely to be misregulated in some neurological diseases, such as autism and Rett syndrome. Here the authors find that the apparent length-dependent trends previously observed in MeCP2 microarray and RNA-sequencing datasets disappeared after controlling for baseline variations.

For materials composed of light elements the spin-orbit interaction is typically weak, due to their low atomic number. In this theoretical work, Li et al show how crystal symmetry and electron correlation can lead to an enhanced spin-orbit interaction and predict materials to realise this effect.

The challenge in non-oxidative coupling of methane lies in the activation of the first C–H bond while avoiding further dehydrogenations, which lead to the formation of coke. Here, atomically thin platinum nanolayers on two-dimensional molybdenum titanium carbides are reported as a superior catalyst for this reaction owing to reduced coke formation.

Harnessing the entanglement of different ionic species could bring new flexibility in quantum computing, and now two groups independently demonstrate entanglement between different atomic species; Tan et al. achieve entanglement between different elements, whereas the related paper by Ballance et al. shows entanglement between different atomic isotopes, together demonstrating a first step towards mixed-species quantum logic.

Strigolactones (SLs), key regulators of plant growth, are believed to mediate their responses through a proposed receptor (D14) that interacts with an F-box protein (D3) to form a D14–SCF^D3 protein complex; here the perception of SLs by the D14–SCF^D3 complex and the control of gene expression are linked by the finding that DWARF 53, a repressor protein of SL function, interacts with the D14–SCF^D3 complex and is ubiquitinated and degraded in a SL-dependent manner.

Silica-coated silver nanocube suspensions provide an easy, rapid and label-free way to quantify protein binding to supported lipid bilayers by localized plasmon resonance measurement with a standard laboratory UV spectrophotometer.

The realization of high-quality van der Waals contacts on monocrystalline halide perovskite thin films enables the probing of their long-range carrier and photocarrier transport properties.

Royal jelly is the queen-maker for the honey bee that also has effects on longevity, fertility, and regeneration in mammals. Here the authors provide evidence that its major protein component Royalactin, and the mammalian structural analog Regina, maintain pluripotency in mouse ESCs by activating a ground-state pluripotency-like gene network.

MLL5 is an essential epigenetic modifier involved in cell cycle progression, chromatin architecture and hematopoiesis. Here the authors establish that MLL5 suppresses the innate immune response in a murine model of virus infection by targeting and promoting degradation of RIG-I.