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Abstract Mechanochromic photonic crystals are attractive due to their force-dependent structural colors; however, showing unrecordable color and unsatisfied performances, which significantly limits their development and expansion toward advanced applications. Here, a thermal-responsive mechanochromic photonic crystal with a multicolor recordability-erasability was fabricated by combining non-close-packing mechanochromic photonic crystals and phase-change materials. Multicolor recordability is realized by pressing thermal-responsive mechanochromic photonic crystals to obtain target colors over the phase-change temperature followed by fixing the target colors and deformed configuration at room temperature. The stable recorded color can be erased and reconfigured by simply heating and similar color-recording procedures respectively due to the thermoswitchable on-off mechanochromism of thermal-responsive mechanochromic photonic crystals along with solid-gel phase transition. These thermal-responsive mechanochromic photonic crystals are ideal rewritable papers for ink-freely achieving multicolor patterns with high resolution, difficult for conventional photonic papers. This work offers a perspective for designing color-recordable/erasable and other stimulus-switchable materials with advanced applications.

Abstract There has been a growing effort to replace manual extraction of data from research papers with automated data extraction based on natural language processing, language models, and recently, large language models (LLMs). Although these methods enable efficient extraction of data from large sets of research papers, they require a significant amount of up-front effort, expertise, and coding. In this work, we propose the ChatExtract method that can fully automate very accurate data extraction with minimal initial effort and background, using an advanced conversational LLM. ChatExtract consists of a set of engineered prompts applied to a conversational LLM that both identify sentences with data, extract that data, and assure the data’s correctness through a series of follow-up questions. These follow-up questions largely overcome known issues with LLMs providing factually inaccurate responses. ChatExtract can be applied with any conversational LLMs and yields very high quality data extraction. In tests on materials data, we find precision and recall both close to 90% from the best conversational LLMs, like GPT-4. We demonstrate that the exceptional performance is enabled by the information retention in a conversational model combined with purposeful redundancy and introducing uncertainty through follow-up prompts. These results suggest that approaches similar to ChatExtract, due to their simplicity, transferability, and accuracy are likely to become powerful tools for data extraction in the near future. Finally, databases for critical cooling rates of metallic glasses and yield strengths of high entropy alloys are developed using ChatExtract.

Abstract Pronoun usage’s psychological underpinning and behavioral consequence have fascinated researchers, with much research attention paid to second-person pronouns like “you,” “your,” and “yours.” While these pronouns’ effects are understood in many contexts, their role in bilateral, dynamic conversations (especially those outside of close relationships) remains less explored. This research attempts to bridge this gap by examining 25,679 instances of peer review correspondence with Nature Communications using the difference-in-differences method. Here we show that authors addressing reviewers using second-person pronouns receive fewer questions, shorter responses, and more positive feedback. Further analyses suggest that this shift in the review process occurs because “you” (vs. non-“you”) usage creates a more personal and engaging conversation. Employing the peer review process of scientific papers as a backdrop, this research reveals the behavioral and psychological effects that second-person pronouns have in interactive written communications.

Abstract Osteoclasts are the primary target for osteoporosis drug development. Recent animal studies revealed the crucial roles of osteoblasts in regulating osteoclastogenesis and the longer lifespans of osteoclasts than previously thought with fission and recycling. However, existing culture platforms are limited to replicating these newly identified cellular processes. We report a demineralized bone paper (DBP)-based osteoblast culture and osteoclast assay platform that replicates osteoclast fusion, fission, resorption, and apoptosis with high fidelity and analytical power. An osteoid-inspired DBP supports rapid and structural mineral deposition by osteoblasts. Coculture osteoblasts and bone marrow monocytes under biochemical stimulation recapitulate osteoclast differentiation and function. The DBP-based bone model allows longitudinal quantitative fluorescent monitoring of osteoclast responses to bisphosphonate drug, substantiating significantly reducing their number and lifespan. Finally, we demonstrate the feasibility of humanizing the bone model. The DBP-based osteo assay platforms are expected to advance bone remodeling-targeting drug development with improved prediction of clinical outcomes.

Abstract Fluorescence analysis is a fast and sensitive method, and has great potential application in trace detection of environmental toxins. However, many important environmental toxins are non-fluorescent substances, and it is still a challenge to construct a fluorescence detection method for non-fluorescent substances. Here, by means of charge transfer effect and smart molecular imprinting technology, we report a sensitive indirect fluorescent sensing mechanism (IFSM) and microcystin (MC-RR) is selected as a model target. A molecular imprinted thin film is immobilized on the surface of zinc ferrite nanoparticles (ZnFe2O4 NPs) by using arginine, a dummy fragment of MC-RR. By implementation of IFSM on the paper-based microfluidic chip, a versatile platform for the quantitative assay of MC-RR is developed at trace level (the limit of detection of 0.43 μg/L and time of 20 min) in real water samples without any pretreatment. Importantly, the proposed IFSM can be easily modified and extended for the wide variety of species which lack direct interaction with the fluorescent substrate. This work offers the potential possibility to meet the requirements for the on-site analysis and may explore potential applications of molecularly imprinted fluorescent sensors.

Sex differences occur in many neurological and psychiatric diseases, and yet research is not always designed optimally to identify these. Here the authors perform a study of how sex was incorporated into the design and analyses of papers published six journals in neuroscience and psychiatry in 2009 compared with 2019.

Current HCV nucleic acid-based diagnosis is largely performed in centralised laboratories. Here, the authors present a pan-genotypic RNA assay, based on reverse transcriptase loop mediated isothermal amplification and develop a low-cost prototype paper-based lateral flow device for point-of-care use, providing a visually read result within 40 min.

Paper is a promising substrate for flexible and environmentally sustainable electronic devices. Here, the authors combine chemical vapor deposition of MoS2 with inkjet printing of a hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) dielectric and silver electrodes, to fabricate flexible MoS2 field-effect transistors on paper, and then combine the latter with printed graphene resistors and silver interconnects to create inverters, logic gates and current mirrors.

Connecting genotypes to complex social behaviour is challenging. Taylor et al. use machine learning to show a strong response of caste-associated gene expression to queen loss, wherein individual wasp’s expression profiles become intermediate between queen and worker states, even in the absence of behavioural changes.

Strong but flexible graphene tends to wrinkle, which compromises some properties. Here the authors report a solid plasticization method to prepare continuous graphene papers with high crystalline order, achieving high strength, stiffness, electrical and thermal conductivities.

Rewritable paper is environmentally favourable, but its practical realization is stifled by limited ink colour versatility and poor image retention times. Here, the authors exploit the relatively stable but reversible nature of metal–organic coordination bonds to produce long-lasting and multicoloured inks for rewritable paper.

Water based inks used for water-jet rewritable paper (WJRP) are an environmental friendly alternative to conventional printing, but black colour in WJRP could not be realized so far. Here the authors demonstrate black as well as other colour WJRP based on binary systems containing less-sensitive acidochromic dyes and mild proton donors.

Currently, gut microbiome profiling largely relies on next-generation sequencing, which is slow and expensive. Here, the authors develop a low-cost, paper-based synthetic biology platform that allows species-specific quantification of bacterial mRNAs and clinically relevant host biomarkers.

With ligand-mediated layer-by-layer assembly between metal nanoparticles and small organic molecules, the authors prepare metallic paper electrodes for supercapacitors with high power and energy densities. This approach could be extended to various electrodes for portable/wearable electronics.

In cooperatively breeding species, subordinates help to raise the dominant breeders’ offspring in return for benefits associated with group membership. Here, Grinsted and Field show that the amount of help provided by subordinate paper wasps depends on the availability of alternative nesting options, as predicted by biological market theory.

Cellulose, as a component of green plants, becomes attractive for fabricating biocompatible flexible functional devices but is plagued by hydrophilic properties, which make it easily break down in water by poor mechanical stability. Here we report a class of SiO2-nanoparticle-decorated bacteria-cellulose meta-skin with superior stability in water, excellent machining property, ultrathin thickness, and active bacteria-repairing capacity. We further develop functional ultrasonic metasurfaces based on meta-skin paper-cutting that can generate intricate patterns of ~10 μm precision. Benefited from the perfect ultrasound insulation of surface Cassie-Baxter states, we utilize meta-skin paper-cutting to design and fabricate ultrathin (~20 μm) and super-light (<20 mg) chip-scale devices, such as nonlocal holographic meta-lens and the 3D imaging meta-lens, realizing complicated acoustic holograms and high-resolution 3D ultrasound imaging in far fields. The decorated bacteria-cellulose ultrasonic metasurface opens the way for exploiting flexible and biologically degradable metamaterial devices with functionality customization and key applications in advanced biomedical engineering technologies. The researchers report a class of silica-nanoparticle-decorated bacteria-cellulose ultrasonic metasurfaces that feature excellent stability in water and mechanical processability. They demonstrate it as holographic meta-lens and 3D imaging meta-lens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most high-loading silicon-based anodes for lithium-ion batteries suffer from low efficiency and volumetric capacity. Here, the authors show that a paper-like electrode of silicon oxycarbide glass and graphene at mass loading of >2 mg cm−2can efficiently deliver high energy density for over 1,000 cycles.

Solution-processable 2D semiconductor inks based on electrochemical molecular intercalation and exfoliation of bulk layered crystals using organic cations has offered an alternative pathway to low-cost fabrication of large-area flexible and wearable electronic devices. However, the growth of large-piece bulk crystals as starting material relies on costly and prolonged high-temperature process, representing a critical roadblock towards practical and large-scale applications. Here we report a general liquid-metal-assisted approach that enables the electrochemical molecular intercalation of low-cost and readily available crystal powders. The resulted solution-processable MoS2 nanosheets are of comparable quality to those exfoliated from bulk crystals. Furthermore, this method can create a rich library of functional 2D electronic inks (>50 types), including 2D wide-bandgap semiconductors of low electrical conductivity. Lastly, we demonstrated the all-solution-processable integration of 2D semiconductors with 2D conductors and 2D dielectrics for the fabrication of large-area thin-film transistors and memristors at a greatly reduced cost. Electrochemical molecular intercalation and exfoliation are established methods to obtain 2D semiconductor inks, but they usually require costly bulk layered crystals as starting materials. Here, the authors report a facile and general liquid-metal-assisted method to synthesize >50 types of 2D material inks from low-cost crystal powders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Origami, known as paper folding has become a fascinating research topic recently. Origami-inspired materials often establish mechanical properties that are difficult to achieve in conventional materials. However, the materials based on origami tessellation at the molecular level have been significantly underexplored. Herein, we report a two-dimensional (2D) porphyrinic metal-organic framework (MOF), self-assembled from Zn nodes and flexible porphyrin linkers, displaying folding motions based on origami tessellation. A combined experimental and theoretical investigation demonstrated the origami mechanism of the 2D porphyrinic MOF, whereby the flexible linker acts as a pivoting point. The discovery of the 2D tessellation hidden in the 2D MOF unveils origami mechanics at the molecular level. This work introduces a 2D porphyrinic metal-organic framework based on DCS origami tessellation, displaying unique folding behavior inspired by origami mechanics. This breakthrough paves the way for MOFs toward mechanical metamaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the degree to which impact in science and technology is associated with surprising breakthroughs, and how those breakthroughs arise. Identifying breakthroughs across science and technology requires models that distinguish surprising from expected advances at scale. Drawing on tens of millions of research papers and patents across the life sciences, physical sciences and patented inventions, and using a hypergraph model that predicts realized combinations of research contents (article keywords) and contexts (cited journals), here we show that surprise in terms of unexpected combinations of contents and contexts predicts outsized impact (within the top 10% of citations). These surprising advances emerge across, rather than within researchers or teams—most commonly when scientists from one field publish problem-solving results to an audience from a distant field. Our approach characterizes the frontier of science and technology as a complex hypergraph drawn from high-dimensional embeddings of research contents and contexts, and offers a measure of path-breaking surprise in science and technology. Here, using hypergraph modeling the authors show that surprising research (in terms of unexpected combinations of research contents and contexts) is associated with impact and arises from scientific outsiders solving problems in distant disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the 12th of April 2010, Nature Communications published its first editorial and primary research articles. The topics of these first 11 papers represented the multidisciplinary nature of the journal: from DNA damage to optics alongside material science to energy and including polymer chemistry. We have spoken with the corresponding authors of some of these very first papers and asked them about their experience of publishing in this then new journal and how they see Nature Communications now. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular diagnostics for crop diseases can guide the precise application of pesticides, thereby reducing pesticide usage while improving crop yield, but tools are lacking. Here, we report an in-field molecular diagnostic tool that uses a cheap colorimetric paper and a smartphone, allowing multiplexed, low-cost, rapid detection of crop pathogens. Rapid nucleic acid amplification-free detection of pathogenic RNA is achieved by combining toehold-mediated strand displacement with a metal ion-mediated urease catalysis reaction. We demonstrate multiplexed detection of six wheat pathogenic fungi and an early detection of wheat stripe rust. When coupled with a microneedle for rapid nucleic acid extraction and a smartphone app for results analysis, the sample-to-result test can be completed in ~10 min in the field. Importantly, by detecting fungal RNA and mutations, the approach allows to distinguish viable and dead pathogens and to sensitively identify mutation-carrying fungicide-resistant isolates, providing fundamental information for precision crop disease management. On-site crop disease diagnostics is critical for precise application of pesticides. Here, the authors report an in-field molecular diagnostic tool for wheat pathogens using a nucleic acid amplification-free, gene mutation-resolved and smartphone-integrated genetic assay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kirigami, a traditional paper cutting art, offers a promising strategy for 2D-to-3D shape morphing through cut-guided deformation. Existing kirigami designs for target 3D curved shapes rely on intricate cut patterns in thin sheets, making the inverse design challenging. Motivated by the Gauss-Bonnet theorem that correlates the geodesic curvature along the boundary with the Gaussian curvature, here, we exploit programming the curvature of cut boundaries rather than the complex cut patterns in kirigami sheets for target 3D curved morphologies through both forward and inverse designs. The strategy largely simplifies the inverse design. Leveraging this strategy, we demonstrate its potential applications as a universal and nondestructive gripper for delicate objects, including live fish, raw egg yolk, and a human hair, as well as dynamically conformable heaters for human knees. This study opens a new avenue to encode boundary curvatures for shape-programing materials with potential applications in soft robotics and wearable devices. Kirigami, a traditional paper cutting art, offers a promising strategy for 2D-to-3D shape morphing through cut-guided deformation. Here, authors report a simple strategy of cut boundary curvature-guided 3D shape morphing and its applications in non-destructive grippers and dynamically conformable heaters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic sensors are widely used in our daily life for assessing the position and orientation of objects. Recently, the magnetic sensing modality has been introduced to electronic skins (e-skins), enabling remote perception of moving objects. However, the integration density of magnetic sensors is limited and the vector properties of the magnetic field cannot be fully explored since the sensors can only perceive field components in one or two dimensions. Here, we report an approach to fabricate high-density integrated active matrix magnetic sensor with three-dimensional (3D) magnetic vector field sensing capability. The 3D magnetic sensor is composed of an array of self-assembled micro-origami cubic architectures with biased anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) sensors manufactured in a wafer-scale process. Integrating the 3D magnetic sensors into an e-skin with embedded magnetic hairs enables real-time multidirectional tactile perception. We demonstrate a versatile approach for the fabrication of active matrix integrated 3D sensor arrays using micro-origami and pave the way for new electronic devices relying on the autonomous rearrangement of functional elements in space. State-of-the-art magnetic skins can only sense in one or two-dimensions, at small spatial resolutions. By combining the ancient art of paper folding, origami, with advanced semiconductor technology, here, authors present cutting edge three-dimensional magnetic sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical CO2 reduction has emerged as a promising CO2 utilization technology, with Gas Diffusion Electrodes becoming the predominant architecture to maximize performance. Such electrodes must maintain robust hydrophobicity to prevent flooding, while also ensuring high conductivity to minimize ohmic losses. Intrinsic material tradeoffs have led to two main architectures: carbon paper is highly conductive but floods easily; while expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene is flooding resistant but non-conductive, limiting electrode sizes to just 5 cm2. Here we demonstrate a hierarchically conductive electrode architecture which overcomes these scaling limitations by employing inter-woven microscale conductors within a hydrophobic expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene membrane. We develop a model which captures the spatial variability in voltage and product distribution on electrodes due to ohmic losses and use it to rationally design the hierarchical architecture which can be applied independent of catalyst chemistry or morphology. We demonstrate C2+ Faradaic efficiencies of ~75% and reduce cell voltage by as much as 0.9 V for electrodes as large as 50 cm2 by employing our hierarchically conductive electrode architecture. Conventional electrochemical CO2 conversion electrodes are bound by a tradeoff which prevents electrodes from being both stable and scalable. Here the authors develop a composite electrode which achieves both, enabling scaling to a 50 cm2 electrode with low ohmic losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced design strategies are essential to realize the full potential of engineered living materials, including their biodegradability, manufacturability, sustainability, and ability to tailor functional properties. Toward these goals, we present mechanically engineered living material with compostability, healability, and scalability – a material that integrates these features in the form of a stretchable plastic that is simultaneously flushable, compostable, and exhibits the characteristics of paper. This plastic/paper-like material is produced in scalable quantities (0.5–1 g L−1), directly from cultured bacterial biomass (40%) containing engineered curli protein nanofibers. The elongation at break (1–160%) and Young's modulus (6-450 MPa) is tuned to more than two orders of magnitude. By genetically encoded covalent crosslinking of curli nanofibers, we increase the Young's modulus by two times. The designed engineered living materials biodegrade completely in 15–75 days, while its mechanical properties are comparable to petrochemical plastics and thus may find use as compostable materials for primary packaging. Advanced design strategies are required for increased control of favourable characteristics of Engineered Living Materials. Here, the authors report the development of a material that has plastic-like stretchability and paper-like compostability and manufacturability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since synthetic crude oil production is reported monthly in inventories, we can scale flight measurements of CO SB 2 sb emissions (taken over several hours) to monthly estimates of CO SB 2 sb emissions and then correlate estimates of monthly CO SB 2 sb emissions to monthly synthetic crude oil production. Technical errors Fu and Legge assert that a single calculation error (not using the correct CO SB 2 sb /SO SB 2 sb molecular weight ratio) invalidates the results from the emissions estimation algorithm (TERRA). The CO SB 2 sb /SO SB 2 sb molecular weight ratio was used to provide a second and independent method for estimating/scaling up the CO SB 2 sb emissions from stacks to compare with the results using the TERRA algorithm. B replying to b L. Fu & A. H. Legge I Nature Communications i https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-40818-5 (2023) In our paper[1], we presented an aircraft measurement-based assessment of the CO SB 2 sb emissions from the oil sands surface mining sector in Alberta, Canada, and demonstrated that overall CO SB 2 sb emissions were 64% higher than reported by the industry. [Extracted from the article]

Inspired by the natural shape-morphing abilities of biological organisms, we introduce a strategy for creating energy-efficient dynamic 3D metasurfaces through spatiotemporal jamming of interleaved assemblies. Our approach, diverging from traditional shape-morphing techniques reliant on continuous energy inputs, utilizes strategically jammed, paper-based interleaved assemblies. By rapidly altering their stiffness at various spatial points and temporal phases during the relaxation of the soft substrate through jamming, we enable the formation of refreshable, intricate 3D shapes with a desirable load-bearing capability. This process, which does not require ongoing energy consumption, ensures energy-efficient and lasting shape displays. Our theoretical model, linking buckling deformation to residual pre-strain, underpins the inverse design process for an array of interleaved assemblies, facilitating the creation of diverse 3D configurations. This metasurface holds notable potential for tactile displays, particularly for the visually impaired, heralding possibilities in visual impaired education, haptic feedback, and virtual/augmented reality applications. This paper introduces a load-bearing 3D dynamic metasurface that alters the stiffness of interleaved assemblies at various spatial points and temporal phases through jamming. This approach does not require continuous energy input and was demonstrated as a tactile display for the visually impaired. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a reply to a comment made by Hartich and Godec on a previous paper. The authors clarify that the counterexample presented by Hartich and Godec does not invalidate their results but raises questions about the effect of coarse-graining on irreversibility. They explain that their equation is an exact expression and does not need to be tested. They also discuss the condition for their claim to be valid and acknowledge that their paper could have been clearer in its presentation. The authors provide additional explanations and justifications for their work. [Extracted from the article]

Molecular diagnostics for crop diseases can guide the precise application of pesticides, thereby reducing pesticide usage while improving crop yield, but tools are lacking. Here, we report an in-field molecular diagnostic tool that uses a cheap colorimetric paper and a smartphone, allowing multiplexed, low-cost, rapid detection of crop pathogens. Rapid nucleic acid amplification-free detection of pathogenic RNA is achieved by combining toehold-mediated strand displacement with a metal ion-mediated urease catalysis reaction. We demonstrate multiplexed detection of six wheat pathogenic fungi and an early detection of wheat stripe rust. When coupled with a microneedle for rapid nucleic acid extraction and a smartphone app for results analysis, the sample-to-result test can be completed in ~10 min in the field. Importantly, by detecting fungal RNA and mutations, the approach allows to distinguish viable and dead pathogens and to sensitively identify mutation-carrying fungicide-resistant isolates, providing fundamental information for precision crop disease management. On-site crop disease diagnostics is critical for precise application of pesticides. Here, the authors report an in-field molecular diagnostic tool for wheat pathogens using a nucleic acid amplification-free, gene mutation-resolved and smartphone-integrated genetic assay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accelerating text input in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is a long-standing area of research with bearings on the quality of life in individuals with profound motor impairments. Recent advances in large language models (LLMs) pose opportunities for re-thinking strategies for enhanced text entry in AAC. In this paper, we present SpeakFaster, consisting of an LLM-powered user interface for text entry in a highly-abbreviated form, saving 57% more motor actions than traditional predictive keyboards in offline simulation. A pilot study on a mobile device with 19 non-AAC participants demonstrated motor savings in line with simulation and relatively small changes in typing speed. Lab and field testing on two eye-gaze AAC users with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis demonstrated text-entry rates 29–60% above baselines, due to significant saving of expensive keystrokes based on LLM predictions. These findings form a foundation for further exploration of LLM-assisted text entry in AAC and other user interfaces. Individuals with severe motor impairments use gaze to type and communicate. This paper presents a large language model-based user interface that enables gaze typing in highly abbreviated forms, achieving significant motor saving and speed gain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creating statistically equivalent virtual microstructures (SEVM) for polycrystalline materials with complex microstructures that encompass multi-modal morphological and crystallographic distributions is a challenging enterprise. Cold spray-formed (CSF) AA7050 alloy containing coarse-grained prior particles and ultra-fine grains (UFG) and additively manufactured (AM) Ti64 alloys with alpha laths in beta substrates. The paper introduces an approach strategically integrating a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) for multi-modal microstructures with a synthetic microstructure builder DREAM.3D for packing grains conforming to statistics in electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) maps for generating SEVMs of CSF and AM alloy microstructures. A robust multiscale model is subsequently developed for self-consistent coupling of crystal plasticity finite element model (CPFEM) for coarse-grained crystals with an upscaled constitutive model for UFGs. Sub-volume elements are simulated for efficient computations and their responses are averaged for overall stress-strain response. The methods developed are important for image-based micromechanical modeling that is necessary for microstructure-property relations. This paper integrates GANs with the DREAM.3D code to generate virtual microstructures for addressing structure-property relations in complex multi-modal cold spray formed microstructures. A robust multiscale model accounts for grains at two scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aqueous interface-rich system has been proposed to act as a trigger and a reservoir for reactive radicals, playing a crucial role in chemical reactions. Although much is known about the redox reactivity of water microdroplets at "droplets-in-gas" interfaces, it remains poorly understood for "bubbles-in-water" interfaces that are created by feeding gas through the porous membrane of the gas diffusion electrode. Here we reveal the spontaneous generation of highly reactive redox radical species detected by using electron paramagnetic resonance under such conditions without applying any bias and loading any catalysts. In combination with ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, the redox feature has been further verified through several probe molecules. Unexpectedly, introducing crown ether allows to isolate and stabilize both water radical cations and hydrated electrons thus substantially increasing redox reactivity. Our finding suggests a reactive microenvironment at the interface of the gas diffusion electrode owing to the coexistence of oxidative and reductive species. The gas diffusion electrode interface can boost chemical reactions, yet its microenvironment properties are largely unexplored. Here, the authors report the spontaneous generation of reactive redox radical species at the interface using Janus hydrophobic/hydrophilic porous carbon papers to feed gas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An accurate extraction of physiological and physical signals from human skin is crucial for health monitoring, disease prevention, and treatment. Recent advances in wearable bioelectronics directly embedded to the epidermal surface are a promising solution for future epidermal sensing. However, the existing wearable bioelectronics are susceptible to motion artifacts as they lack proper adhesion and conformal interfacing with the skin during motion. Here, we present ultra-conformal, customizable, and deformable drawn-on-skin electronics, which is robust to motion due to strong adhesion and ultra-conformality of the electronic inks drawn directly on skin. Electronic inks, including conductors, semiconductors, and dielectrics, are drawn on-demand in a freeform manner to develop devices, such as transistors, strain sensors, temperature sensors, heaters, skin hydration sensors, and electrophysiological sensors. Electrophysiological signal monitoring during motion shows drawn-on-skin electronics' immunity to motion artifacts. Additionally, electrical stimulation based on drawn-on-skin electronics demonstrates accelerated healing of skin wounds. Designing efficient wearable bioelectronics for health monitoring, disease prevention, and treatment, remains a challenge. Here, the authors demonstrate an ultra-conformal, customizable and deformable drawn-on-skin electronics which is robust to motion artifacts and resistant to physical damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inspired by the social and economic benefits of diversity, we analyze over 9 million papers and 6 million scientists to study the relationship between research impact and five classes of diversity: ethnicity, discipline, gender, affiliation, and academic age. Using randomized baseline models, we establish the presence of homophily in ethnicity, gender and affiliation. We then study the effect of diversity on scientific impact, as reflected in citations. Remarkably, of the classes considered, ethnic diversity had the strongest correlation with scientific impact. To further isolate the effects of ethnic diversity, we used randomized baseline models and again found a clear link between diversity and impact. To further support these findings, we use coarsened exact matching to compare the scientific impact of ethnically diverse papers and scientists with closely-matched control groups. Here, we find that ethnic diversity resulted in an impact gain of 10.63% for papers, and 47.67% for scientists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a response to a critique of a scientific paper published in Nature Communications. The authors of the response address the criticisms made by Dr. Goldsmith and his colleagues regarding the enzyme activities described in their paper. They clarify that their results were measured using a different method than assumed by Dr. Goldsmith. The authors also present their own experiments that challenge the proposed substrate for one of the enzymes involved in the synthesis of β-ODAP, a compound found in grass peas that can cause a neurodegenerative disorder called lathyrism. They conclude that the synthesis of a key compound involved in β-ODAP synthesis is likely limited in the cytosol of grass pea plants. The article highlights the proposed mechanism for β-ODAP synthesis and provides experimental evidence to support it, while also addressing criticisms and emphasizing the importance of understanding this process for improving the crop. [Extracted from the article]

Skillful subseasonal forecasts are crucial for various sectors of society but pose a grand scientific challenge. Recently, machine learning-based weather forecasting models outperform the most successful numerical weather predictions generated by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), but have not yet surpassed conventional models at subseasonal timescales. This paper introduces FuXi Subseasonal-to-Seasonal (FuXi-S2S), a machine learning model that provides global daily mean forecasts up to 42 days, encompassing five upper-air atmospheric variables at 13 pressure levels and 11 surface variables. FuXi-S2S, trained on 72 years of daily statistics from ECMWF ERA5 reanalysis data, outperforms the ECMWF's state-of-the-art Subseasonal-to-Seasonal model in ensemble mean and ensemble forecasts for total precipitation and outgoing longwave radiation, notably enhancing global precipitation forecast. The improved performance of FuXi-S2S can be primarily attributed to its superior capability to capture forecast uncertainty and accurately predict the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), extending the skillful MJO prediction from 30 days to 36 days. Moreover, FuXi-S2S not only captures realistic teleconnections associated with the MJO but also emerges as a valuable tool for discovering precursor signals, offering researchers insights and potentially establishing a new paradigm in Earth system science research. This paper introduces FuXi-S2S, a machine-learning model that outperforms conventional numerical weather prediction models at subseasonal timescales globally, extending the skillful Madden–Julian Oscillation prediction form 30 days to 36 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquaculture is a rapidly growing food production technology, but there are significant concerns related to its environmental impact and adverse social effects. We examine aquaculture outcomes in a three pillars of sustainability framework by analyzing data collected using the Aquaculture Performance Indicators. Using this approach, comparable data has been collected for 57 aquaculture systems worldwide on 88 metrics that measure social, economic, or environmental outcomes. We first examine the relationships among the three pillars of sustainability and then analyze performance in the three pillars by technology and species. The results show that economic, social, and environmental outcomes are, on average, mutually reinforced in global aquaculture systems. However, the analysis also shows significant variation in the degree of sustainability in different aquaculture systems, and weak performance of some production systems in some dimensions provides opportunity for innovative policy measures and investment to further align sustainability objectives. Garlock and colleagues analyze 57 aquaculture systems worldwide on 88 metrics that measure social, economic, or environmental outcomes. They find significant variation in the degree of sustainability in different aquaculture systems, and weak performance of some production systems in some dimensions provides opportunity for innovative policy measures and investment to further align sustainability objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]