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Nanoplastics Disrupt the Gut Microenvironment: Unraveling the Mechanisms of Microbiota Imbalance

2025-06-12

Nanoplastics Disrupt the Gut Microenvironment: Unraveling the Mechanisms of Microbiota Imbalance

This study reveals that nanoplastics (NPs) disrupt the gut microenvironment through complex host-microbe interactions. NPs accumulate in the cecum, liver, small intestine, and colon, persisting for up to 48 hours. Chronic NP exposure leads to increased body weight in mice without significant liver damage. However, NPs reduce the expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1 and occludins), increasing intestinal permeability and altering gut microbiota composition. Further investigation reveals that NPs modulate intestinal microRNAs, suppressing mucin MUC-13 expression and impacting the abundance of specific bacteria (e.g., Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae). Notably, NPs ingested by Lachnospiraceae lead to their extracellular vesicles (EVs) suppressing MUC-13; concurrently, NP-modified goblet cell-derived EVs promote Ruminococcaceae proliferation, ultimately causing gut dysbiosis and impaired intestinal barrier function. This study highlights the potential long-term risks of NP exposure to gut health and emphasizes the crucial role of host-microbe interactions.

(www.nature.com)

Tech gut microbiota intestinal barrier

Active Matter and the Glass Transition: A New Frontier

2025-06-11

Active Matter and the Glass Transition: A New Frontier

Recent research has illuminated the intriguing dynamics of active matter, such as cells and microorganisms, as they undergo glass transitions. Studies reveal unique behaviors in active glasses, differing significantly from their passive counterparts. Through simulations and experiments, researchers explore how density, interactions, and self-propulsion affect the glass transition in active systems. They've found that active matter exhibits distinct yielding behavior and aging phenomena compared to traditional glasses. These findings advance our understanding of complex nonequilibrium dynamics and offer new insights into material design and biological systems.

(www.nature.com)

Tech active matter glass transition non-equilibrium physics

Vera Rubin Observatory: Unveiling an Unprecedented Cosmic Panorama

2025-06-11

Vera Rubin Observatory: Unveiling an Unprecedented Cosmic Panorama

The US$810 million Vera C. Rubin Observatory, set to begin full operations in the coming months, boasts the world's largest digital camera, capturing 3200-megapixel images revealing unprecedented cosmic detail. It will map the entire southern sky every three to four nights, observing each spot around 800 times over its ten-year lifespan, capturing millions of transient and variable astronomical events. Data will be used to study the history of the universe, dark matter, and potentially hazardous solar system objects. While not the largest telescope in terms of aperture, its unparalleled speed and wide field of view promise a revolutionary leap in astronomical discovery.

(www.nature.com)

Tech cosmic map

High-Efficiency CO2 Electroreduction Catalyst Synthesis and Characterization

2025-06-10

High-Efficiency CO2 Electroreduction Catalyst Synthesis and Characterization

Researchers synthesized a novel MxNi1−x@SDC catalyst for highly efficient CO2 electroreduction using a sol-gel method. The catalyst was prepared by mixing different metal salts with citric acid and ethylene glycol, followed by high-temperature treatment. Co0.5Ni0.5-SDC and LSCF materials were also synthesized, and an electrolytic cell was constructed. The performance and structure of the catalyst were investigated using electrochemical measurements, various characterization techniques (including XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, XAS, and Raman spectroscopy), and DFT simulations, revealing the mechanism behind its efficient CO2 electroreduction.

(www.nature.com)

Tech CO2 reduction electrochemistry

Novel Visual Reasoning Approach Using Object-Centric Slot Attention

2025-06-08

Novel Visual Reasoning Approach Using Object-Centric Slot Attention

Researchers propose a novel visual reasoning approach combining object-centric slot attention and a relational bottleneck. The method first uses a CNN to extract image features. Then, slot attention segments the image into objects, generating object-centric visual representations. The relational bottleneck restricts information flow, extracting abstract relationships between objects for understanding complex scenes. Finally, a sequence-to-sequence and algebraic machine reasoning framework transforms visual reasoning into an algebraic problem, improving efficiency and accuracy. The method excels in visual reasoning tasks like Raven's Progressive Matrices.

(www.nature.com)

AI slot attention relational bottleneck

Groundbreaking LNP X: Efficient mRNA Delivery to Resting T Cells, Revolutionizing HIV Therapy?

2025-06-08

Groundbreaking LNP X: Efficient mRNA Delivery to Resting T Cells, Revolutionizing HIV Therapy?

Researchers have developed a novel lipid nanoparticle (LNP X) capable of efficiently delivering mRNA to resting CD4+ T cells without pre-stimulation, unlike existing LNP formulations. LNP X's improved lipid composition, incorporating SM-102 and β-sitosterol, enhances cytosolic mRNA delivery and protein expression. Studies show LNP X delivers mRNA encoding HIV Tat, effectively reversing HIV latency, and also delivers CRISPRa systems to activate HIV transcription. This research opens new avenues for HIV therapy development, potentially significantly improving patient outcomes.

(www.nature.com)

AI mRNA delivery HIV therapy

Japanese Moon Lander Crashes

2025-06-06

Japanese Moon Lander Crashes

ispace's HAKUTO-R Mission 2 lunar lander crashed during its descent, marking the second failed attempt for the Japanese company. Losing contact at 192 meters above the surface, the lander was descending too fast to achieve a soft landing. The cause was attributed to a failure to receive timely distance measurements, despite software and landing strategy improvements implemented since the previous failed attempt. The mission aimed to deploy water electrolyzing equipment, a food production experiment module, a deep space radiation probe, and a small rover.

(www.nature.com)

Tech

Metabolic Consequences of Cystathionine β-Synthase Deficiency: A Multi-Omics Study

2025-06-05

Metabolic Consequences of Cystathionine β-Synthase Deficiency: A Multi-Omics Study

This study investigates the metabolic consequences of cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) deficiency using both mouse models and human samples. Researchers generated CBS knockout mice through gene editing and performed extensive multi-omics analyses, including RNA sequencing, metabolomics, and lipidomics. Results revealed that CBS deficiency leads to metabolic issues such as glucose intolerance, altered adipose tissue composition, and energy metabolic dysfunction in mice. Human sample analysis further corroborated the association between CBS deficiency and metabolic diseases. This research provides crucial insights into CBS's role in metabolic regulation and potential therapeutic strategies for related metabolic disorders.

(www.nature.com)

Biomedicine Cystathionine β-synthase Metabolomics Energy Metabolism

Wildlife Trade: Breeding Ground for the Next Pandemic?

2025-06-03

Wildlife Trade: Breeding Ground for the Next Pandemic?

From Jakarta's bustling Jatinegara market to Vietnam's national parks, the illicit wildlife trade poses a significant threat to global public health. The article highlights wildlife markets as breeding grounds for disease transmission, with COVID-19 serving as a prime example. Despite China's ban on most wildlife trading, the industry persists underground. Researchers are tracing the movement of viruses through wildlife trade networks and analyzing how human behavior exacerbates risks. For instance, the detection rate of coronaviruses in trafficked pangolins increases along the supply chain in Vietnam; in Indonesia, festive periods see a surge in trade, increasing transmission risks. The article emphasizes the crucial need for in-depth studies of trade networks and human behavior to effectively predict and prevent future pandemics.

(www.nature.com)

Tech wildlife trade pandemic prevention virus transmission

Academic Websites Overwhelmed by AI Bot Traffic

2025-06-02

Academic Websites Overwhelmed by AI Bot Traffic

A surge in bot traffic is crippling academic websites. Sites like DiscoverLife, hosting millions of images, have experienced massive traffic spikes, rendering them unusable. The culprit? Bots scraping data, likely to train generative AI models. This isn't isolated; BMJ and Highwire Press report similar issues, with COAR finding over 90% of surveyed members affected, many experiencing service disruptions. While open access encourages reuse, the aggressive scraping is unsustainable. The release of DeepSeek, a less resource-intensive LLM, exacerbated the problem, fueling the bot explosion. Smaller organizations face extinction unless this issue is addressed.

(www.nature.com)

Tech bot traffic academic websites

Micronozzle Accelerator: Unveiling the Physics of GeV Proton Acceleration

2025-06-01

Micronozzle Accelerator: Unveiling the Physics of GeV Proton Acceleration

This research utilizes 2D particle-in-cell simulations to reveal a novel proton acceleration mechanism called the Micronozzle Accelerator (MNA). MNA focuses laser energy onto a hydrogen rod using a micronozzle, generating strong electric fields that accelerate protons to GeV energies. The study found that the MNA proton acceleration process consists of three stages: run-up, main-drive, and afterburner. The afterburner stage, a key feature of MNA, enables continued proton acceleration even after laser irradiation ceases, attributed to the effective transfer of thermal energy from hot electrons to protons during plasma free expansion. The research also explores the effects of laser intensity and pulse width on proton acceleration and compares MNA's performance with traditional targets, showing higher energy conversion efficiency and lower angular divergence.

(www.nature.com)

Tech proton acceleration laser plasma particle simulation

Breakthrough Si-based Anode Material: Sieving-Pore Structure Enables High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

2025-05-30

Breakthrough Si-based Anode Material: Sieving-Pore Structure Enables High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

Researchers have developed a novel silicon-carbon composite anode material (SSC) using a two-step chemical vapor deposition method. The SSC material features a unique sieving-pore structure with sub-nanometer pore entrances that effectively sieve the electrolyte, suppressing the formation of organic-rich SEI and promoting the formation of inorganic-rich SEI. This inorganic-rich SEI not only stabilizes the interface but also provides fast Li+ transport pathways. Simultaneously, the combined effect of the sieving-pore structure and inorganic-rich SEI mechanically confines the volume expansion of Si, inhibiting the formation of c-Li15Si4 and enhancing cycling stability. Experimental results demonstrate that the SSC anode exhibits high reversible capacity, excellent cycling life, and rate capability, showing great potential for high-energy density lithium-ion batteries.

(www.nature.com)

Tech lithium-ion battery silicon anode sieving-pore structure

Caffeine's Age-Dependent Effects on Brain Complexity and Criticality During Sleep

2025-05-30

Caffeine's Age-Dependent Effects on Brain Complexity and Criticality During Sleep

A new study reveals that caffeine affects brain complexity and criticality in an age-dependent manner. Analyzing sleep EEG data, researchers found that caffeine induced increases in complexity and criticality of brain activity in young and middle-aged adults, but not in older adults. This study provides novel insights into the effects of caffeine on the brain and age-related neurodegenerative diseases.

(www.nature.com)

AI caffeine brain complexity criticality

Base Editing Offers New Hope for Treating CAG and GAA Repeat Expansion Disorders

2025-05-29

Base Editing Offers New Hope for Treating CAG and GAA Repeat Expansion Disorders

This study investigates the potential of cytosine base editors (CBEs) and adenine base editors (ABEs) to treat repeat expansion disorders such as Huntington's disease (HD) and Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA). Researchers designed editors targeting CAG and GAA repeats and demonstrated their effectiveness in in vitro and in vivo experiments. CBEs significantly reduced CAG repeat expansion, even promoting contraction, in a mouse model of HD. ABEs stabilized GAA repeats and increased FXN gene expression in a mouse model of FRDA. While off-target effects exist, the findings highlight the significant potential of these base editors for treating repeat expansion disorders.

(www.nature.com)

AI Huntington's disease Friedreich's ataxia

In Vivo CAR T-Cell Therapy: Revolutionizing Cancer Immunotherapy?

2025-05-27

In Vivo CAR T-Cell Therapy: Revolutionizing Cancer Immunotherapy?

CAR T-cell therapies have shown remarkable success in treating blood cancers, but their laborious ex vivo manufacturing and high cost limit their accessibility. To address these challenges, scientists are developing in vivo CAR T-cell therapies, which involve genetically engineering T cells directly within the body. This approach promises to simplify manufacturing, reduce costs, and benefit more patients. While in vivo methods face challenges like precise targeting of T cells and potential side effects, their potential is immense and could revolutionize cancer immunotherapy.

(www.nature.com)

Tech CAR T-cell therapy cancer immunotherapy

Optimizing Aggregate Packing Density for Enhanced Compressive Strength in Biocemented Materials

2025-05-27

Optimizing Aggregate Packing Density for Enhanced Compressive Strength in Biocemented Materials

Researchers significantly improved the compressive strength of biocemented materials by optimizing the packing density of aggregate mixtures. They employed the Modified Andreassen model to design an optimal particle size distribution curve, which was validated through compaction experiments. The optimized mix exhibited higher aggregate packing density during biomineralization, leading to reduced cementation solution consumption. Subsequently, an improved stop-flow pressure-based injection method was used for biomineralization experiments to investigate the impact of varying cementation solution pressure and concentration on biomineralization depth and compressive strength. Results showed that optimal UACP content, pressure, and concentration yielded high-strength, homogeneous biomineralized specimens, with a maximum compressive strength of 57.4 MPa – significantly exceeding previous studies. Lower flow rates and higher aggregate packing density were also found to be beneficial for achieving higher ultrasonic wave velocities and compressive strengths.

(www.nature.com)

Tech biomineralization compressive strength packing density

US Immigration Crackdown Drives International Conferences Overseas

2025-05-24

US Immigration Crackdown Drives International Conferences Overseas

Several academic and scientific conferences in the United States have been postponed, canceled, or relocated due to growing concerns among international researchers about the country's stricter immigration policies. The tightening of visa rules and border control, coupled with other policies implemented by the Trump administration, is deterring international scholars from attending US-based events. As a result, organizers are moving conferences to countries like Canada to ensure broader participation. This trend, if it continues, could significantly impact US science and cities that rely on hosting these events, representing a potential decline in US influence within the global academic community and a possible deglobalization in scientific collaboration.

(www.nature.com)

Tech

Rice Plants Inherit Cold Tolerance in Three Generations Through Epigenetic Changes

2025-05-23

Rice Plants Inherit Cold Tolerance in Three Generations Through Epigenetic Changes

A decade-long study reveals that Asian rice plants acquired cold tolerance in just three generations, not through DNA sequence changes, but via epigenetic modifications. Researchers, through cold-stress experiments, discovered that this tolerance stems from epigenetic alterations to chemical markers on the plant's DNA, not the DNA sequence itself. This challenges the traditional view of evolution, suggesting that environmental pressures induce heritable changes without altering the genome. The environment, therefore, acts as a selective force, not just a passive actor.

(www.nature.com)

Tech cold tolerance

AI Chatbots: More Persuasive Than Humans in Online Debates

2025-05-19

AI Chatbots: More Persuasive Than Humans in Online Debates

A new study reveals that AI chatbots, powered by large language models (LLMs), are more persuasive than humans in online debates, especially when armed with opponent information. Researchers pitted 900 US participants against GPT-4 or a human in 10-minute debates on sociopolitical issues. Results showed GPT-4 significantly outperformed humans (64% of the time) when provided with basic demographic data. This raises concerns about the potential misuse of LLMs in political campaigns and targeted advertising, highlighting the potential risks of AI in information warfare.

(www.nature.com)

AI Persuasion

Human Gene Segment Boosts Mouse Brain Size by 6.5%

2025-05-18

Human Gene Segment Boosts Mouse Brain Size by 6.5%

A study published in Nature reveals that inserting a human-specific genetic segment into mice increases their brain size by 6.5%. This segment, by boosting the production of neural cells, expands the outer layer of the mouse brain. This finding could partially explain why human brains are significantly larger than those of our primate relatives. Researchers focused on a human accelerated region (HAR) called HARE5, finding it enhances the expression of the Fzd8 gene, promoting neural cell development and growth. This research provides new insights into human brain evolution.

(www.nature.com)

Tech Genetic Engineering Brain Development Human Evolution

Intraterrestrials: Unveiling Earth's Hidden Microbial Worlds

2025-05-17

Intraterrestrials: Unveiling Earth's Hidden Microbial Worlds

Karen Lloyd's 'Intraterrestrials' takes readers on a thrilling journey into the hidden depths of our planet to explore the extraordinary microorganisms thriving in extreme environments. From deep-sea sediments and volcanic vents to permafrost, Lloyd, a seasoned geomicrobiologist, details her adventures collecting samples in challenging and sometimes dangerous locations. The book vividly portrays the difficulties and excitement of her expeditions, including a daring sampling mission in a highly acidic crater lake in Costa Rica’s Poás Volcano (which erupted just 54 days later!). Through these captivating stories, Lloyd reveals the surprising diversity and resilience of 'intraterrestrials,' highlighting their unique adaptations and offering insights into the evolution of life on Earth and the potential for life beyond.

(www.nature.com)

Tech extreme microbes geomicrobiology

High-Speed Motion Perception: An Experimental Investigation of Visual System Processing

2025-05-16

High-Speed Motion Perception: An Experimental Investigation of Visual System Processing

This research investigates human visual perception of high-speed motion through five experiments. Participants performed tasks involving Gabor patch stimuli, with their perception of motion direction and curvature measured. Eye-tracking data and an early-vision model were integrated to reveal spatiotemporal dynamics and underlying neural mechanisms of visual processing during rapid motion. The findings offer significant insights into the functioning of the human visual system.

(www.nature.com)

Tech visual perception eye tracking

DeepMind's AlphaEvolve: Evolving AI Algorithms to Solve Math Problems and Improve Chip Design

2025-05-14

DeepMind's AlphaEvolve: Evolving AI Algorithms to Solve Math Problems and Improve Chip Design

Google DeepMind's AlphaEvolve system, combining the creativity of a large language model (LLM) with algorithmic filtering, has achieved breakthroughs in mathematics and computer science. It has not only solved open mathematical problems but also been applied to DeepMind's own challenges, such as improving the design of its next-generation AI chips, Tensor Processing Units, and optimizing Google's global computing resource utilization, saving 0.7% of resources. Unlike previous AI systems tailored for specific tasks, AlphaEvolve is a general-purpose system capable of handling larger code and more complex algorithms, even outperforming the previously specialized AlphaTensor system in matrix multiplication calculations.

(www.nature.com)

AI

The Amygdala and Psychiatric Disorders: From Neuroimaging to Transcranial Focused Ultrasound

2025-05-13

The Amygdala and Psychiatric Disorders: From Neuroimaging to Transcranial Focused Ultrasound

This review article explores the crucial role of the amygdala in emotional processing and its relationship to various psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. It reviews numerous neuroimaging studies revealing abnormal amygdala activation patterns across different psychiatric conditions. Furthermore, it introduces novel neuromodulation techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial focused ultrasound in treating psychiatric disorders, discussing their impact on amygdala activity and related brain network connectivity. This research offers vital clues to understanding the neural mechanisms of psychiatric disorders and developing more effective therapies.

(www.nature.com)

AI psychiatric disorders neuromodulation

P-Hacking: The Sneaky Threat to Scientific Integrity

2025-05-13

P-Hacking: The Sneaky Threat to Scientific Integrity

Under the pressure to publish, researchers often fall prey to 'P-hacking,' the practice of manipulating analyses or data to achieve statistical significance. This can involve prematurely ending experiments, repeating experiments until a desired result is obtained, selectively reporting results, or tweaking data. While this might lead to publications, it undermines reproducibility and the reliability of scientific findings. The article highlights five common P-hacking techniques and stresses the importance of establishing data collection and analysis plans beforehand to avoid distorting scientific truth in the pursuit of significant results.

(www.nature.com)

Tech

Sub-Pixel Motion Detection with Ferroelectric Polymer-Based Memristor

2025-05-12

Sub-Pixel Motion Detection with Ferroelectric Polymer-Based Memristor

Researchers have developed a novel ferroelectric random-access memory (FeRAM) using solution-processed ferroelectric P(VDF-TrFE) thin films for sub-pixel motion detection. This FeRAM, based on a passive crossbar array of capacitors, leverages the nonlinear dynamics of ferroelectric domains to effectively eliminate sneak-path issues. By switching ferroelectric domains via controlled electric field polarity, the system stores and processes image information, directly extracting image differences. This enables applications like calculating derivatives of mathematical functions and identifying moving objects. The system boasts high accuracy, low power consumption, and eliminates the need for additional memory units, showing significant potential for applications in video surveillance and defect detection.

(www.nature.com)

Tech Ferroelectric Memory Motion Detection

Bias-Free Dual H2 Production System: 4x Higher Efficiency Than DOE Target

2025-05-11

Bias-Free Dual H2 Production System: 4x Higher Efficiency Than DOE Target

Researchers have devised a novel bias-free dual hydrogen production system, replacing the energy-intensive oxygen evolution reaction with the cost-effective oxidation of furfural. The system consists of a highly efficient PtC/Ni/c-Si photocathode for water reduction and a copper anode for furfural oxidation, producing valuable furoic acid and hydrogen. This design cleverly harnesses the high photocurrent of the c-Si photocathode, eliminating the need for external bias and achieving a significantly higher hydrogen production rate than conventional water splitting. The solar hydrogen production rate is more than 8 times higher than previously reported bias-free PEC H2 production systems, far exceeding the US Department of Energy (DOE) target.

(www.nature.com)

Tech photoelectrochemistry hydrogen production

Cancer Metabolism Research: A Novel Perspective on Fat and Brown Adipose Tissue

2025-05-08

Cancer Metabolism Research: A Novel Perspective on Fat and Brown Adipose Tissue

Recent breakthroughs in cancer metabolism research have revealed the dependence of tumor cells on glucose and lipid metabolism. Researchers are exploring ways to target metabolic pathways in cancer cells, such as inhibiting hexokinase-2, glucose transporter 1, and fatty acid synthase. Studies also investigate metabolic inhibitors like 6-aminonicotinamide and etomoxir to suppress tumor growth. Furthermore, research focuses on the role of brown adipose tissue in tumor suppression, showing that cold exposure and activation of the PRDM16 pathway can promote brown fat generation, thus inhibiting tumor growth. These studies offer promising avenues for developing novel cancer therapies, particularly targeted therapies based on metabolic regulation.

(www.nature.com)

Tech cancer metabolism brown adipose tissue targeted therapy

Ancient Genomes Rewrite the History of the Sahara and Africa's Peopling

2025-05-08

Ancient Genomes Rewrite the History of the Sahara and Africa's Peopling

A groundbreaking study utilizing ancient DNA has revolutionized our understanding of the Sahara's 'Green' period and its impact on the peopling of Africa. Analysis of ancient genomes from North Africa and the Sahara revealed complex admixture events, tracing connections between Near Eastern and sub-Saharan African populations. The findings highlight migrations from Iberia and the Levant shaping the Northwest African Neolithic. This research offers unprecedented insights into the origins and evolution of African populations and the profound influence of climate change on human history.

(www.nature.com)

Tech Sahara African migration

Rose Petal Growth: A Geometric Trick Revealed

2025-05-03

Rose Petal Growth: A Geometric Trick Revealed

Physicists have uncovered a previously unknown geometric trick employed in the growth of rose petals. Through theoretical analysis, computer simulations, and experiments with rubbery plastic sheets, they demonstrated that as petals curl outwards, mechanical feedback regulates their growth, resulting in rolled edges and pointed tips. This discovery could have future applications in engineering and architecture. The research highlights how geometric patterns influence developing organisms in nature, emphasizing the interplay between intrinsic and extrinsic geometry in shaping biological forms.

(www.nature.com)

Tech natural patterns

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