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Aqueous zinc batteries offer a safe and low-cost energy storage option but have a limited lifespan. Here, authors develop a multi-halogen mediated high entropy electrolyte that restructures ion interactions, enabling high energy batteries with extended cycle life and low electrolyte cost.

Neural circuit mechanisms that regulate the panic-like defensive state are not fully understood. Using a robot-based experimental paradigm, the authors identify Cbln2-expressing (Cbln2+) neurons in the mouse posterior hypothalamic nucleus (PHN) as a key neuronal population essential for the induction of panic-like defensive state.

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.

Integrator–PP2A (INTAC) is essential for promoting premature termination of paused RNA polymerase II. Here, the authors identify DSS1, a 70-residue protein present in diverse complexes, as an integral INTAC subunit that maintains its structural integrity and supports its transcriptional functions.

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.

A synthetic biology approach was used to engineer Vibrio natriegens into a strain capable of bioremediating complex organic pollutants in saline wastewater and soils, thereby addressing notable threats to marine biosecurity.

This study presents an optical cloud computing system that enables long-distance, high-speed AI processing and communication with low power consumption. The approach offers a scalable and secure alternative to electronic cloud computing, addressing key energy and privacy challenges.

A stereotaxic atlas of the whole mouse brain, based on a Nissl-stained cytoarchitecture dataset with isotropic 1-μm resolution, achieved through continuous micro-optical sectioning tomography, promises to be a versatile brainsmatics tool for studying the whole brain at single-cell level.

Epstein-Barr virus is associated with increased cancer risk. Here, the authors analysed two population-based prospective cohorts in Southern China to examine the association between increased seropositivity and the risk of multiple cancer types.

The development of vertical p-i-n junctions has been hindered by complex fabrication techniques and performance trade-off between responsivity and speed. Here, authors employ WSe₂ thin layers to construct photodiode, reporting responsivity of 0.388 A/W and response time down to sub-10 picoseconds.

Here, the authors develop an antiferromagnet/topological insulator heterostructure, MnSe/(Bi,Sb)₂Te₃, to obtain laser-induced transient magnetic moment and optically controllable circularly polarized ultrafast terahertz pulse generation, under zero external magnetic field.

This study introduces an electrochemical approach for synthesizing 1,3-butadiene via acetylene hydrogenation, offering petroleum-free pathway for C4H6 production. Mechanistic investigations show that optimizing the C2H2/H2O ratio can enhance the kinetics of the rate-limiting step.

The heterogeneity of HSPCs in response to IR stress remains poorly characterized. Here, the authors provide insights into the molecular intricacies of IR-induced BM injury and reveal the roles of BMP4-BMPR2 signaling in radiation resistance of HSCs.

Certain antimetabolites used to treat cancer are more neurotoxic than others, and it is now shown that this is due to their greater tendency to generate DNA double-stranded breaks, whereas less neurotoxic agents induce single-stranded breaks.

NatD is an acetyltransferase responsible for N-α-terminal acetylation of the histone H4 and H2A and has been linked to cell growth. Here the authors show that NatD-mediated acetylation of histone H4 serine 1 competes with the phosphorylation by CK2α at the same residue thus leading to the upregulation of Slug and tumor progression.

Using two cohorts, Liu, Ge, Xiao, Lu and colleagues perform plasma metabolomics and lipidomics, linking reduced sarcosine to sarcopenia diagnosis. In mice, they demonstrate that sarcosine enhances muscle repair, boosts adipose thermogenesis and preserves muscle mass via macrophage modulation.

An unconventional machine learning-based inverse design framework enables the generation of ultrabroadband and band-selective thermal meta-emitters with complex 3D architectures and diverse material compositions.

The immunomodulatory functions of mast cells (MCs) within the tumor microenvironment are elusive. Here, the authors present a transcriptomic characterization of LUAD-infiltrating MCs and identify a proinflammatory subset that contributes to the activation of cytotoxic MAIT cells by secreting IL-18 via NRLP3 activation and pyroptosis, ultimately boosting anti-tumor immunity.

Electronic wound bandages have to balance conformability and wound healing properties. Here, the authors develop a smart patch (iSAFE) using biomaterials with bioelectronics to facilitate permeability with waterproofing. This achieves intelligent wound management with real-time wound monitoring and active therapy.

U/Th-dated Asian monsoon records from Shima Cave, covering 142–122 ka BP, constrain the timing of a CO₂ rise at ~139 ka BP caused by millennial-scale variabilities, which, along with increasing orbital solar radiation, prepare for the end of ice age.

Characterization of the genetic architecture underlying the 7 pairs of contrasting traits studied by Mendel and the over 70 additional agronomic traits in pea (Pisum sativum) reveals their molecular details and provides tools for further studies in pea genetics, functional genomics and crop improvement.

Carmona-Rosas, Li and Smith et al. show that two cell surface receptors, latrophilin and Toll-like receptor, interact in Caenorhabditis elegans and mediate strong roles in early development and morphogenesis.

While Bell inequalities have been violated several times—mostly in photonic systems—their violations within particle physics experiments are less explored. Here, the BESIII Collaboration showcases Bell-violating nonlocal correlations between entangled hyperon pairs.

Native crystallographic defects are often introduced during synthesis of battery materials, but has been overlooked. Here, using in situ synchrotron X-ray probes and electron microscopy, the authors have revealed their adverse effect during battery operation.

Analysis of ancient DNA, stable isotope data and archaeological evidence from the Fujia archaeological site in eastern China suggests it was populated by a matrilineal Neolithic community between 2750 and 2500 bc.

The Somatic Mosaicism across Human Tissues Network aims to create a reference catalogue of somatic mosaicism across different tissues and cells within individuals.

circGIGYF1 inhibits colorectal cancer stemness and metastasis by promoting HOXD13 ubiquitination via WWP2, thereby suppressing Wnt/β-catenin pathway through decreased CTNNB1 expression, revealing a novel therapeutic target for colorectal cancer.

Mechanical forces play a critical role in regulating cancer cell behavior. Here, Li et al. report a 3D hydrogel platform embedded with near-infrared responsive macromolecular actuators for precise mechanical stimulation of specific integrin subtypes in ovarian cancer cells to investigate how different force parameters affect cell migration and invasion.

Xu, Meng, St-Germain et al. report that S1P in HDL induces a calcium signalling cascade involving E-Syt1 that ultimately promotes the formation of contact sites between the endoplasmic reticulum and the plasma membrane, as well as HDL-derived cholesterol transport.

DeepRETStroke is a deep learning system using retinal photographs to detect silent brain infarction and predict future stroke events.

How spatial gene expression patterns are orchestrated by enhancers is not fully elucidated. Here the authors present a computational framework called eSpatial revealing a “spatial enhancer code,” where divergent enhancer combinations regulate spatial gene expression during development and diseases.

Here, the authors introduce a single-cell Hi-C method to study mammalian sperm, suggesting chromatin compartments but absent topological domains (TADs) or loops. It clarifies the unique 3D nuclear architecture of sperm and offers a foundation for investigating structural anomalies associated with male infertility.

Study reveals coeval rapid uplift and normal faulting along the Central Anatolian Plateau’s southern margin. U-Th dating of fault-related calcites deciphers active deformation above the Cyprus Subduction, linking deep mantle and surface processes.

Bellman equation is widely applied in solving dynamic optimization problems. Here, the authors present a memristive Bellman solver reducing the computational complexity and improving energy efficiency for advanced decision-making process.

Here, the authors explore the mechanism of the monkeypox virus E5 protein using cryo-EM, and delineate the E5-mediated DNA unwinding initiation model in terms of dsDNA loading, melting and ssDNA translocation.

Riboflavin is an essential vitamin for humans. Here, authors present cryo-EM structures of human riboflavin transporter RFVT2/RFVT3, revealing the structural basis for riboflavin transport and defining the determinant for pH-dependent activity of RFVT3.

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) encapsulation is important to improve the performance of graphene devices, but it is normally restricted by exfoliation and transfer methods. Here, the authors report the conformal h-BN encapsulation for the hierarchical configuration of large-scale graphene-skinned glass fiber fabrics via chemical vapor deposition, leading to improved electrical and thermal stability.

CAD, a de novo pyrimidine synthesis pathway enzyme, is known to promote chemotherapy resistance. Here, the authors shed light into this mechanism of chemoresistance, showing that chemotherapeutic drugs can promote the degradation of CAD following cleavage by activated caspase-3 on its Asp1371 residue.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) usually metastasizes to the lungs. Here, the authors discover that SWI/SNF ATPase subunit SMARCA4 silencing of HLF regulates ccRCC lung metastasis by modulating the integration of collagen's mechanical cues with the actin cytoskeleton through leupaxin.

Reductive cross-coupling of aryl chlorides or electron-rich aryl bromides with benzyl chlorides remains a significant challenge, presumably due to the lower reactivity of aryl chlorides or electron-rich aryl bromides with the nickel catalyst compared with aryl iodides. Here, the authors present Ni-catalyzed enantioselective electroreductive cross-coupling of benzyl chlorides with aryl halides, yielding chiral 1,1-diaryl compounds with good to excellent enantioselectivity, without resorting to heterogeneous metal reductants or sacrificial anodes.