New papers in leading journals
The best new peer-reviewed papers from 58 leading journals, including Nature, Science, Cell, PNAS, The Lancet, NEJM, JAMA and Physical Review Letters, picked every day.
432 new papers over 3 days. Pipette read all of them; these are the 60 best, across every field.
The best of the last 3 days
Electrical signal transmission across electrolyte junctions separated by atomically-thin graphene
Here we show that atomically thin graphene crystals, although impermeable to any ions or molecules, can transmit interfacial electrical potentials across electrolyte junctions without significant disruption.
Peer-reviewed journalClaims a big stepReal-world useMammals produce cyclo -octasulfur to suppress lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis
Together, these findings reveal an endogenous pool of S 8 in mammals that may protect cells from oxidative membrane damage by modulating cellular sensitivity to ferroptosis.
Peer-reviewed journalClaims a big stepReal-world useMorphing polymer voxels for dynamic information switching
Here, we report morphing polymeric voxels based on liquid crystal that enable seamless and reversible information display without onboard electrical power or integrated circuitry.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world useDouble descent without digital computation
Here we demonstrate double descent in a decentralized analog network of self-adjusting resistive elements.
Peer-reviewed journalClaims a big stepThe gene-regulatory evolution of the human skeleton
These atlases reveal an extensive rewiring of the extracellular matrix (ECM), including a marked suppression of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) biosynthesis, leading to an approximately three-to-fourfold reduction in joint GAG content in humans compared with non-human apes.
Peer-reviewed journalClaims a big stepAgricultural liming is a carbon sink in the Mississippi River Basin
Here we show, using century-scale records of agricultural liming and anthropogenic acidity inputs for the Mississippi River Basin, that agricultural liming has acted as a net carbon sink over the past century.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world useDynamic flexible optical sensing based on liquid integrated circuits
Here, we propose a DFOS system based on liquid integrated circuits (LICs), integrating photosensitive ionic liquid (PIL) and stretchable liquid metal electrodes to achieve active curvature modulation for geometry-adaptive optical sensing.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world useAn in-body networking system for communication between wearable and implantable therapeutics
In vivo in rats, we demonstrate coordinated, full-body networks of sensors and neural interfaces that enable wireless dual-limb motor control.
Peer-reviewed journalBold claims, read criticallyClaims a big stepReal-world useSocial Physiology: Human homeostasis is more efficient in social proximity
These findings demonstrate Social Physiology, a cross-domain principle whereby physiological homeostasis is more efficient in social proximity.
Peer-reviewed journalBold claims, read criticallyBroad interestThird-generation ultralong-term latent heat storage glass based on a sugar alcohol mixture
These results establish a third-generation latent heat storage mode, retaining the charged state as a kinetically arrested amorphous solid and thereby fundamentally shifting the stability criterion from supercooled-liquid nucleation suppression to glass-transition and structural-relaxation kinetics.
Peer-reviewed journalClaims a big stepReal-world useA global mitochondrial genomic atlas illuminates freshwater microeukaryote diversity
Here we establish a global mitogenome-based framework that converts shotgun metagenomes into species‑resolved, phylogeny‑anchored inventories.
Peer-reviewed journalClaims a big stepLu+ optical frequency references with accuracy verified at the 19th digit
Here we report two 176Lu+ single-ion optical frequency references, each with evaluated fractional frequency uncertainty near 1 × 10−19, which are directly compared by correlation spectroscopy and demonstrate agreement, with a measured relative frequency difference of [−0.1 ± (5.7)stat ± (1.0)sys] × 10−19, where ‘stat’ and ‘sys’ indicate the statistical and systematic uncertainty, respectively.
Peer-reviewed journalClaims a big stepUltrasensitive chiral detection by nonlinear chiroptics in spiral plasmonic metastructures surpasses linear limits
This work introduces a breakthrough in ultrasensitive chiral detection by combining nonlinear optics and tailored chiral plasmonics.
Peer-reviewed journalBold claims, read criticallyClaims a big stepReal-world useA bacterial-killing type IV secretion system as a hidden antifungal device
This study reveals a paradigm-shifting role for bacterial type IV secretion system (T4SS) by demonstrating that a specialized bacterial-killing T4SS (T4SS BK ) in Lysobacter enzymogenes serves as a universal cross-kingdom antifungal weapon.
Peer-reviewed journalBold claims, read criticallyClaims a big stepReal-world useObservation of thermally stable polar metallic state in perovskite nitride CeWN 3
In this study, we report a thermally stable polar-metal state in perovskite cerium tungsten nitride.
Peer-reviewed journalClaims a big stepChains of Spin-Crossover Complexes Synthesized on the Ag(111) Surface
We report the first on-surface thermally activated Ullmann coupling of spin-crossover complexes on a Ag(111) surface.
Peer-reviewed journalClaims a big stepTransmembrane delivery of antimicrobial peptides by engineered eCIS into macrophages for intracellular mycobacteria elimination
In summary, this work represents a pioneering application of engineered PVC-based intracellular delivery of biomacromolecules into macrophages, providing a novel therapeutic strategy against mycobacterial infection.
Peer-reviewed journalBold claims, read criticallyClaims a big stepReal-world useConverting lysosomes into photothermal organelles enables nanoparticle-free tumor ablation via intracellular vapor bubbles
Here, we present a unique concept for nanoparticle-free photothermal therapy based on the lysosomal entrapment of cationic amphiphilic small molecular dyes for spatially controlled vapor bubble (VB)-mediated tumor cell ablation.
Peer-reviewed journalBold claims, read criticallyClaims a big stepReal-world useAncient introgression drives wild boar expansion and phenotypic diversification of domestic pigs
Here, using 745 genomes representing populations across Eurasia, we demonstrate that wild boar expanded from South Asia during the Middle Pleistocene.
Peer-reviewed journalOrganic two-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures
Here we introduce a bottom-up strategy for programmable lattice engineering in organic van der Waals heterostructures of 2D polymers.
Peer-reviewed journalClaims a big stepThe anthropogenic fingerprint on emerging infectious diseases
We show that outbreak risks are typically highest in mosaic landscapes where people and livestock live alongside forests and fragmented ecosystems.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world useGlobal dispersal of macroalgae-derived recalcitrant DOC may substantially contribute to deep-ocean carbon storage
The detection of candidate kelp-associated RDOC signals throughout the global ocean provides molecular-level evidence of the long-distance export of macroalgae-derived RDOC to the pelagic and deep ocean, highlighting a major, previously unrecognized pathway of long-term storage of macroalgae-derived DOC in global oceans, although the precise fraction exported to the deep ocean remains to be quantified.
Peer-reviewed journalBold claims, read criticallyClaims a big stepEnergy-Positive Thiosulfate Production Enabled by Coupling Waste Sulfide Oxidation with Oxygen Reduction
Here we develop a galvanic electrochemical-chemical cascade strategy that couples the sulfide oxidation reaction (SOR) with the two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), enabling sulfide valorization with net positive electrical energy output.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world useIndustrial-Scale Electrosynthesis of Amino Acids from the Air via a Molecular Ligand-Engineered Bismuth Catalyst
Here, we report a molecular ligand-engineered bismuth catalyst (L-Bi) prepared via in situ electroreduction of bismuth metal–organic frameworks, achieving a record 93% Faradaic efficiency for glycine synthesis from simulated plasma-oxidized air and glyoxylic acid at a current density of 100 mA cm–2.
Peer-reviewed journalBold claims, read criticallyClaims a big stepReal-world useReversible photolithography of quantum dots achieves high-performance electroluminescence
Using this approach, we achieve high-efficient and high-fidelity QD photolithography with restored QD structure and functionality.
Peer-reviewed journalBold claims, read criticallyClaims a big stepReal-world useSocial structural factors outperform economic assumptions in explaining global municipal waste generation
These results show that waste generation reflects a country’s overall social development and institutions, not just its wealth or degree of urbanization, pointing to targeted levers for waste-reduction policy.
Peer-reviewed journalBroad interestReal-world useEasy to readSub-10-nm stacking bands enable ultrastrong additively manufactured titanium
Integrating laser powder bed fusion with a high-throughput screening and machine learning method identifies a processing–composition regime for fabricating Ti alloys with sub-10-nm stacking bands, which present high specific strength and potential for scalable manufacturing.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world useLifespan single-cell transcriptomic atlas of the human prefrontal cortex
Here, using a single-nucleus transcriptomic atlas spanning the human lifespan, we show that the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex exhibits non-linear, cell-type-specific transcriptional trajectories characterized by dynamic remodelling during development, relative stability in midlife and selective molecular reactivation in late adulthood.
Peer-reviewed journalClaims a big stepMolecular Programming of Steric Tags for Controlled Nanopore Translocation toward Precision Clinical Diagnostic Assistance
Here, we report a chemically intuitive molecular programming strategy─steric blockage-enabled slow translocation (SLOW-Trans)─that overcomes this physical limitation through the rational design of sterically demanding probe molecules.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world useAntiferroelectric hafnia down to the 2D limit
In this work, we demonstrate that single-crystalline hafnia, a lead-free CMOS-compatible material, exhibits antiferroelectricity under compressive-strain conditions.
Peer-reviewed journalClaims a big stepReal-world useThe lipidomic architecture of the mouse brain
Through lipizones, we (1) reveal the organizing principles of the grey matter lipidome, related to connectivity and cytoarchitecture; (2) discover a new axis of oligodendrocyte heterogeneity in the white matter; and (3) find biochemical zonation in the choroid plexus and in the ventricular walls.
Peer-reviewed journalClaims a big stepNationwide recycled steel slag pavements can stimulate sustainable urban transportation
Across assessment horizons accounting for phased deployment and two subsequent 15-year service cycles, replacing 25–100% of urban pavements is estimated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 19% (431–1741 million tonnes), cut fine particulate matter emissions by 13% (303–1229 million kilograms), avert approximately 31,802–128,980 premature deaths, and generate net economic benefits of 3.48–15.01 trillion Chinese Yuan.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world useMachine learning of honey bee olfactory behavior identifies repellent odorants in free-flying bees in the field
Additional testing of the top seven candidates using freely foraging honey bees in a field assay confirmed strong repellency, thus predicting a high probability to repel foraging bees from pesticide-treated crops.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world useRapid-responsive and water-stable organic electrochemical transistors enabled by supramolecular artificial ion channels
OECTs operating with the ion-channel layer exhibit simultaneously enhanced temporal response and aqueous stability.
Peer-reviewed journalBold claims, read criticallyReal-world useRewriting the history of the invasive spiny water flea in North America
Combining microfossil analysis from 210 Pb-dated sediments, radiocarbon dating of chitinous remains, and sediment DNA, we show Bythotrephes was present at low densities in inland lakes in Ontario, Canada, at least 100 years earlier than initially reported.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world useMicrorings as programmable temporal kernels enabling photonic AI beyond 100 Gbaud
Here, we redefine MRRs as programmable temporal convolution kernels by exploiting their impulse responses, enabling computation beyond the resonance linewidth.
Peer-reviewed journalBold claims, read criticallyClaims a big stepReal-world useSingle-nucleus atlas of cell-type specific genetic regulation in the human brain
Here we present a comprehensive, single-nucleus multi-ancestry atlas of genetic regulation of gene expression in the human prefrontal cortex, comprising 5.6 million nuclei from 1,384 donors of diverse ancestries.
Peer-reviewed journalClaims a big stepAtomic-scale quantification of hydrogen in metal hydrides by electron ptychography
Here, we demonstrate atomic-resolution imaging and quantitative analysis of hydrogen in metal hydrides using energy-filtered multislice electron ptychography (MEP).
Peer-reviewed journalClaims a big stepSingle-cell atlas of transcriptomic vulnerability across brain disorders
Our disease atlas provides a perspective of the transcriptomic landscape in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders, shedding light on shared and distinct processes involving the neurological-immune-vascular systems, and identifying potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
Peer-reviewed journalClaims a big stepNeural evidence that dogs segment the speech they hear with a humanlike consonant bias
This suggests that dogs, similar to humans, exhibit consonant bias when segmenting the speech they hear.
Peer-reviewed journalBroad interestCompound food failure on a deteriorated mast system drives Japan’s bear conflict crisis
Using an 18-year dataset across five Tohoku prefectures, we find that it reflects bears responding to a rhythm breakdown of the forest's food supply.
Peer-reviewed journalBold claims, read criticallyReal-world useSelf-organized optofluidic locking enables stable single-frequency lasing in dynamic liquid media
Here, we demonstrate that nonequilibrium fluid fluctuations can instead be harnessed to stabilize lasing through optofluidic locking.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world useAtlas of cell types and regulatory elements underlying human facial diversity
Here we created a multimodal facial atlas across embryonic weeks 6-11, providing single-cell transcriptomics, chromatin accessibility and spatial transcriptomics, all at single-cell resolution.
Peer-reviewed journalEfficient hydrogen peroxide synthesis from seawater via Na- and Pb-codoped SnSe under moderate temperature gradient
Here we show a proof-of-concept thermoelectrocatalytic strategy for H2O2 production directly from seawater, driven solely by low-grade waste heat.
Peer-reviewed journalBold claims, read criticallyReal-world useMultimodal hydrogel modulation of extracellular vesicle cargo to arrest post-traumatic osteoarthritis in murine models
Here we show that PMUC integrates adaptive lubrication with stress-triggered immune-metabolic modulation, offering a first‑in‑class strategy to protect joints and alleviate early OA.
Peer-reviewed journalBold claims, read criticallyClaims a big stepReal-world useBanking records reveal characteristics of financial abuse
Our results demonstrate how victim-survivors lose financial independence, experience economic instability and suffer financial distress.
Peer-reviewed journalEasy to readAqueous lignin adhesive for high-performance wood bonding
To overcome performance trade-offs in lignin adhesives, we developed a formaldehyde-free aqueous adhesive formulation via reactive cysteine-functionalized lignin, achieving high performance with an unprecedentedly low lignin loading (20 wt %), which is sprayable and injectable and exhibits excellent fluidity (1.96 mPa·s, 10 3 s −1 ).
Peer-reviewed journalBold claims, read criticallyClaims a big stepReal-world useStructural basis of step II spliced leader RNA trans-splicing in trypanosomatid parasites
These structures reveal the molecular mechanism of SL exon ligation and uncover lineage-specific adaptations that remodel the trypanosomatid trans-spliceosome for SL trans-splicing while preserving fundamental spliceosomal chemistry.
Peer-reviewed journalClaims a big stepScience still has expertise; what it’s lost is authority
A new idea in philosophy called the "unicontext" suggests that the advance of technology, along with basic human desires, has been leading to this point for the past century.
Peer-reviewed journalBroad interestEasy to readSliding-before-breaking governs deformation in chitinous extracellular matrices reinforced by strong, fatigue-resistant chitin
These findings establish a sliding-before-breaking principle, in which backbone stability preserves structural integrity while regulated interfacial sliding governs energy dissipation and growth.
Peer-reviewed journalBold claims, read criticallyReference genomes and fossils revise bat family phylogeny and biogeography
By integrating comprehensive genomic and morphological datasets, analysed using innovative methods, we resolve long-standing controversies in bat biology and provide new insights into the evolutionary history and trait diversification of bats.
Peer-reviewed journalClaims a big stepEnceladus-like geochemistry fuels methanogenesis under extreme CO 2 limitation
Here, we show that simulated Enceladus’ ocean chemistry containing high concentrations of dissolved inorganic carbon and H 2 from mineral-water reactions enables growth of the chemolithoautotroph H 2 -oxidizing methanogen Methanothermococcus okinawensis until pH 11, far exceeding its previously known pH limit.
Peer-reviewed journalAI-driven actuation-compatible tracking for closed-loop navigation of miniature robots in vivo
Here, we present an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven tracking system to overcome these challenges, enabling precise localization of millimeter-scale MWMRs in the presence of actuation fields.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world useStabilizing telerobotic endobronchial imaging and interventions in breathing lungs with a helical brace
In this work, we present a reconfigurable helical brace that overcomes these challenges.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world useSediment dynamics drive global patterns of salt-marsh vulnerability
Tidal range, suspended sediment concentration, and wave-sediment coupling are the strongest first-order predictors of contemporary marsh trajectories, outperforming RSLR in explaining global patterns.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world useRecord stack durability in industrial solid oxide steam electrolysis through operational control
Here, we show that long-term stack durability can be strongly influenced by operating strategy, achieving 25,000 h of steam electrolysis operation in a full 70-cell solid oxide electrolysis cell stack under frequency-dependent electrochemical operation (AC:DC).
Peer-reviewed journalBold claims, read criticallyClaims a big stepReal-world useMechanically resilient, hybrid silicone aerogel for thermal insulation, daytime radiative cooling and sustained flame protection
Here the authors construct resilient hybrid silicone aerogels with low thermal conductivity and sustained flame protection enabled by in-situ nano-hollowing.
Peer-reviewed journalBold claims, read criticallyReal-world usePrussian blue regulates ion dynamics in perovskite solar cells
We report that a lattice-matched Prussian blue scaffold directs heterogeneous nucleation to produce highly oriented, strain-relaxed films.
Peer-reviewed journalReal-world useIn-cell structures visualize human pre-ribosome assembly in the nucleolus
Here, we used cryogenic correlative light and electron tomography to visualize molecular landscapes within HeLa cell nucleoli and obtained in-cell structural snapshots of both ribosomal subunit precursors, the SSU processome and the pre-60S.
Peer-reviewed journalClaims a big stepUnlocking 17O Natural-Abundance Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Detection in Solids
This method enables us to obtain 17O NMR spectra with excellent signal-to-noise ratios and natural abundance within minutes using samples at room temperature and straight from the shelf.
Peer-reviewed journalBold claims, read critically