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Abstract Type I-E CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)–Cas (CRISPR-associated proteins) system is one of the most extensively studied RNA-guided adaptive immune systems in prokaryotes, providing defense against foreign genetic elements. Unlike the previously characterized Cas3 nuclease, which exhibits progressive DNA cleavage in the typical type I-E system, a recently identified HNH-comprising Cascade system enables precise DNA cleavage. Here, we present several near-atomic cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the Candidatus Cloacimonetes bacterium Cas5-HNH/Cascade complex, both in its DNA-bound and unbound states. Our analysis reveals extensive interactions between the HNH domain and adjacent subunits, including Cas6 and Cas11, with mutations in these key interactions significantly impairing enzymatic activity. Upon DNA binding, the Cas5-HNH/Cascade complex adopts a more compact conformation, with subunits converging toward the center of nuclease, leading to its activation. Notably, we also find that divalent ions such as zinc, cobalt, and nickel down-regulate enzyme activity by destabilizing the Cascade complex. Together, these findings offer structural insights into the assembly and activation of the Cas5-HNH/Cascade complex.

Abstract Skillful seasonal climate prediction is critical for food and water security over the world’s heavily populated regions, such as in continental East Asia. Current models, however, face significant difficulties in predicting the summer mean rainfall anomaly over continental East Asia, and forecasting rainfall spatiotemporal evolution presents an even greater challenge. Here, we benefit from integrating the spatiotemporal evolution of rainfall to identify the most crucial patterns intrinsic to continental East-Asian rainfall anomalies. A physical-statistical prediction model is developed to capture the predictability offered by these patterns through a detection of precursor signals that describe slowly varying lower boundary conditions. The presented model demonstrates a prediction skill of 0.51, at least twice as high as that of the best dynamical models available (0.26), indicating improved prediction for both the spatiotemporal evolution and summer mean of rainfall anomalies. This advance marks a crucial step toward delivering skillful seasonal predictions to populations in need of new tools for managing risks of both near-term climate disasters, such as floods and droughts, and long-term climate change.

Abstract Effective detection is critical for terahertz applications, yet it remains hindered by the unclear mechanisms that necessitate a deeper understanding of photosensitive materials with exotic physical phenomena. Here, we investigate the terahertz detection capabilities of the two-dimensional antiferromagnetic semimetal NbFeTe2. Our study reveals that the interaction between antiferromagnetic magnetic moments and electron spin induces disordered carriers to hop between localized states, resulting in a nonlinear increase in responsivity as temperature decreases. We integrate asymmetric electrodes to generate a sufficient Seebeck potential, enabling carriers to overcome the barrier of localized states and achieve reordering at room temperature. Additionally, the self-powered performance of the NbFeTe₂/graphene heterojunction is optimized by the built-in electric field, achieving peak responsivity of 220 V W-1 and noise equivalent power of

Abstract Crystal symmetry, which governs the local atomic coordination and bonding environment, is one of the paramount constituents that intrinsically dictate materials’ functionalities. However, engineering crystal symmetry is not straightforward due to the isotropically strong covalent/ionic bonds in crystals. Layered two-dimensional materials offer an ideal platform for crystal engineering because of the ease of interlayer symmetry operations. However, controlling the crystal symmetry remains challenging due to the ease of gliding perpendicular to the Z direction. Herein, we proposed a substrate-guided growth mechanism to atomically fabricate AB′-stacked SnSe2 superlattices, containing alternating SnSe2 slabs with periodic interlayer mirror and gliding symmetry operations, by chemical vapor deposition. Some higher-order phases such as 6 R, 12 R, and 18 C can be accessed, exhibiting modulated nonlinear optical responses suggested by first-principle calculations. Charge transfer from mica substrates stabilizes the high-order SnSe2 phases. Our approach shows a promising strategy for realizing topological phases via stackingtronics.

Abstract Electrons and holes, fundamental charge carriers in semiconductors, dominate optical transitions and detection processes. Twisted van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures offer an effective approach to manipulate radiation, separation, and collection processes of electron-hole pairs by creating an atomically sharp interface. Here, we demonstrate that twisted interfaces in vdW layered black phosphorus (BP), an infrared semiconductor with highly anisotropic crystalline structure and properties, can significantly alter both recombination and separation processes of electron-hole pairs. On the one hand, the twisted interface breaks the symmetry of optical transition states resulting in infrared light emission of originally symmetry-forbidden optical states along the zigzag direction. On the other hand, spontaneous electronic polarization/bulk photovoltaic effect is generated at the twisted interface enabling effective separation of electron-hole pairs without external voltage bias. This is supported by first-principles calculations and repeated experiments at various twisted angles from 0 to 90°. Importantly, these phenomena can be observed in twisted heterostructures with thickness beyond two-dimensional. Our results suggest that the engineering of vdW twisted interfaces is an effective strategy for manipulating the optoelectronic properties of materials and constructing functional devices.

Abstract Ferroelectrics are essential in memory devices for multi-bit storage and high-density integration. Ferroelectricity mainly exists in compounds but rare in single-element materials due to their lack of spontaneous polarization in the latter. However, we report a room-temperature ferroelectricity in quasi-one-dimensional Te nanowires. Piezoelectric characteristics, ferroelectric loops and domain reversals are clearly observed. We attribute the ferroelectricity to the ion displacement created by the interlayer interaction between lone-pair electrons. Ferroelectric polarization can induce a strong field effect on the transport along the Te chain, giving rise to a self-gated ferroelectric field-effect transistor. By utilizing ferroelectric Te nanowire as channel, the device exhibits high mobility (~220 cm2·V−1·s−1), continuous-variable resistive states can be observed with long-term retention (>105 s), fast speed (1.92 TB/cm2). Our work provides opportunities for single-element ferroelectrics and advances practical applications such as ultrahigh-density data storage and computing-in-memory devices.

Abstract Unraveling the regulatory mechanisms that govern complex traits is pivotal for advancing crop improvement. Here we present a comprehensive regulome atlas for rice (Oryza sativa), charting the chromatin accessibility across 23 distinct tissues from three representative varieties. Our study uncovers 117,176 unique open chromatin regions (OCRs), accounting for ~15% of the rice genome, a notably higher proportion compared to previous reports in plants. Integrating RNA-seq data from matched tissues, we confidently predict 59,075 OCR-to-gene links, with enhancers constituting 69.54% of these associations, including many known enhancer-to-gene links. Leveraging this resource, we re-evaluate genome-wide association study results and discover a previously unknown function of OsbZIP06 in seed germination, which we subsequently confirm through experimental validation. We optimize deep learning models to decode regulatory grammar, achieving robust modeling of tissue-specific chromatin accessibility. This approach allows to predict cross-variety regulatory dynamics from genomic sequences, shedding light on the genetic underpinnings of cis-regulatory divergence and morphological disparities between varieties. Overall, our study establishes a foundational resource for rice functional genomics and precision molecular breeding, providing valuable insights into regulatory mechanisms governing complex traits.

Abstract Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) is an incurable low-grade lymphoma with no standard therapy. Nine asymptomatic patients treated with a first-in-human, neoantigen DNA vaccine experienced no dose limiting toxicities (primary endpoint, NCT01209871). All patients achieve stable disease or better, with one minor response, and median time to progression of 72+ months. Post-vaccine single-cell transcriptomics reveal dichotomous antitumor responses, with reduced tumor B-cells (tracked by unique B cell receptor) and their survival pathways, but no change in clonal plasma cells. Downregulation of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II molecules and paradoxical upregulation of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) by the latter suggest resistance mechanisms. Vaccine therapy activates and expands bone marrow T-cell clonotypes, and functional neoantigen-specific responses (secondary endpoint), but not co-inhibitory pathways or Treg, and reduces protumoral signaling by myeloid cells, suggesting favorable perturbation of the tumor immune microenvironment. Future strategies may require combinations of vaccines with agents targeting plasma cell subpopulations, or blockade of IGF-1 signaling or myeloid cell checkpoints.

Abstract DNA hydroxymethylation (5hmC), the most abundant oxidative derivative of DNA methylation, is typically enriched at enhancers and gene bodies of transcriptionally active and tissue-specific genes. Although aberrant genomic 5hmC has been implicated in age-related diseases, its functional role in aging remains unknown. Here, using mouse liver and cerebellum as model organs, we show that 5hmC accumulates in gene bodies associated with tissue-specific function and restricts the magnitude of gene expression changes with age. Mechanistically, 5hmC decreases the binding of splicing associated factors and correlates with age-related alternative splicing events. We found that various age-related contexts, such as prolonged quiescence and senescence, drive the accumulation of 5hmC with age. We provide evidence that this age-related transcriptionally restrictive function is conserved in mouse and human tissues. Our findings reveal that 5hmC regulates tissue-specific function and may play a role in longevity.

Abstract Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), ancient scavengers of bacteria, are very poorly induced in macrophages infected by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis), but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Here, we report that L-alanine interacts with PRSS1 and unfreezes the inhibitory effect of PRSS1 on the activation of NF-κB pathway to induce the expression of AMPs, but mycobacterial alanine dehydrogenase (Ald) Rv2780 hydrolyzes L-alanine and reduces the level of L-alanine in macrophages, thereby suppressing the expression of AMPs to facilitate survival of mycobacteria. Mechanistically, PRSS1 associates with TAK1 and disruptes the formation of TAK1/TAB1 complex to inhibit TAK1-mediated activation of NF-κB pathway, but interaction of L-alanine with PRSS1, disables PRSS1-mediated impairment on TAK1/TAB1 complex formation, thereby triggering the activation of NF-κB pathway to induce expression of AMPs. Moreover, deletion of antimicrobial peptide gene β-defensin 4 (Defb4) impairs the virulence by Rv2780 during infection in mice. Both L-alanine and the Rv2780 inhibitor, GWP-042, exhibits excellent inhibitory activity against M. tuberculosis infection in vivo. Our findings identify a previously unrecognized mechanism that M. tuberculosis uses its own alanine dehydrogenase to suppress host immunity, and provide insights relevant to the development of effective immunomodulators that target M. tuberculosis.

Abstract Conventional liquid-phase methods lack precise control in synthesizing and processing materials with macroscopic sizes and atomic thicknesses. Water interfaces are ubiquitous and unique in catalyzing many chemical reactions. However, investigations on two-dimensional (2D) materials related to water interfaces remain limited. Here we report the growth of millimeter-sized 2D PbI2 single crystals at the water-air interface. The growth mechanism is based on an inherent ion-specific preference, i.e. iodine and lead ions tend to remain at the water-air interface and in bulk water, respectively. The spontaneous accumulation and in-plane arrangement within the 2D crystal of iodide ions at the water-air interface leads to the unique crystallization of PbI2 as well as other metal iodides. In particular, PbI2 crystals can be customized to specific thicknesses and further transformed into millimeter-sized mono- to few-layer perovskites. Additionally, we have developed water-based techniques, including water-soaking, spin-coating, water-etching, and water-flow-assisted transfer to recycle, thin, pattern, and position PbI2, and subsequently, perovskites. Our water-interface mediated synthesis and processing methods represents a significant advancement in achieving simple, cost-effective, and energy-efficient production of functional materials and their integrated devices.

Abstract Induced oncoproteins degradation provides an attractive anti-cancer modality. Activation of anaphase-promoting complex (APC/CCDH1) prevents cell-cycle entry by targeting crucial mitotic proteins for degradation. Phosphorylation of its co-activator CDH1 modulates the E3 ligase activity, but little is known about its regulation after phosphorylation and how to effectively harness APC/CCDH1 activity to treat cancer. Peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase NIMA-interacting 1 (PIN1)-catalyzed phosphorylation-dependent cis-trans prolyl isomerization drives tumor malignancy. However, the mechanisms controlling its protein turnover remain elusive. Through proteomic screens and structural characterizations, we identify a reciprocal antagonism of PIN1-APC/CCDH1 mediated by domain-oriented phosphorylation-dependent dual interactions as a fundamental mechanism governing mitotic protein stability and cell-cycle entry. Remarkably, combined PIN1 and cyclin-dependent protein kinases (CDKs) inhibition creates a positive feedback loop of PIN1 inhibition and APC/CCDH1 activation to irreversibly degrade PIN1 and other crucial mitotic proteins, which force permanent cell-cycle exit and trigger anti-tumor immunity, translating into synergistic efficacy against triple-negative breast cancer.

Abstract Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly lethal type of cancer. GBM recurrence following chemoradiation is typically attributed to the regrowth of invasive and resistant cells. Therefore, there is a pressing need to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying GBM resistance to chemoradiation and its ability to infiltrate. Using a combination of transcriptomic, proteomic, and phosphoproteomic analyses, longitudinal imaging, organotypic cultures, functional assays, animal studies, and clinical data analyses, we demonstrate that chemoradiation and brain vasculature induce cell transition to a functional state named VC-Resist (vessel co-opting and resistant cell state). This cell state is midway along the transcriptomic axis between proneural and mesenchymal GBM cells and is closer to the AC/MES1-like state. VC-Resist GBM cells are highly vessel co-opting, allowing significant infiltration into the surrounding brain tissue and homing to the perivascular niche, which in turn induces even more VC-Resist transition. The molecular and functional characteristics of this FGFR1-YAP1-dependent GBM cell state, including resistance to DNA damage, enrichment in the G2M phase, and induction of senescence/stemness pathways, contribute to its enhanced resistance to chemoradiation. These findings demonstrate how vessel co-option, perivascular niche, and GBM cell plasticity jointly drive resistance to therapy during GBM recurrence.

Abstract The antiangiogenic agent apatinib has been shown to clinically improve responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors in several cancer types. Patients with N3 nasopharyngeal carcinoma have a high risk of distant metastasis, however, if the addition of immunotherapy to standard treatment could improve efficacy is unclear. In this phase II clinical trial (ChiCTR2000032317), 49 patients with stage TanyN3M0 nasopharyngeal carcinoma were enrolled and received the combination of three cycles of induction chemotherapy, camrelizumab and apatinib followed by chemoradiotherapy. Here we report on the primary outcome of distant metastasis-free survival and secondary end points of objective response rate, failure-free survival, locoregional recurrence-free survival, overall survival and toxicity profile. After induction therapy, all patients had objective response, including 13 patients (26.5%) with complete response. After a median follow-up of 28.7 months, the primary endpoint of 1-year distant metastasis-free survival was met for the cohort (1-year DMFS rate: 98%). Grade≥3 toxicity appeared in 32 (65.3%) patients, with the most common being mucositis (14[28.6%]) and nausea/vomiting (9[18.4%]). In this work, camrelizumab and apatinib in combination with induction chemotherapy show promising distant metastasis control with acceptable safety profile in patients with stage TanyN3M0 nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Abstract The lower tropospheric subtropical circulation (SC) is characterized by monsoons and subtropical highs, playing an important role in global teleconnections and climate variability. The SC changes in a warmer climate are influenced by complex and region-specific mechanisms, resulting in uneven projections worldwide. Here, we present a method to quantify the overall intensity change in global SC, revealing a robust weakening across CMIP6 models. The weakening is primarily caused by global-mean surface warming, and partly counteracted by the direct CO2 effect. The direct CO2 effect is apparent in the transient response but is eventually dominated by the surface warming effect in a slow response. The distinct response timescales to global-mean warming and direct CO2 radiative forcing can well explain the time-varying SC changes in other CO2 emission scenarios. The declined SC implies a contracted monsoon range and drying at its boundary with arid regions under CO2-induced global warming.

Abstract Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disorder worldwide. Recent studies show that innate immunity-related signaling pathways fuel NAFLD progression. This study aims to identify potent regulators of innate immunity during NAFLD progression. To this end, a phenotype-based high-content screening is performed, and RING finger protein 13 (RNF13) is identified as an effective inhibitor of lipid accumulation in vitro. In vivo gain- and loss-of-function assays are conducted to investigate the role of RNF13 in NAFLD. Transcriptome sequencing and immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry are performed to explore the underlying mechanisms. We reveal that RNF13 protein is upregulated in the liver of individuals with NASH. Rnf13 knockout in hepatocytes exacerbate insulin resistance, steatosis, inflammation, cell injury and fibrosis in the liver of diet-induced mice, which can be alleviated by Rnf13 overexpression. Mechanically, RNF13 facilitates the proteasomal degradation of stimulator of interferon genes protein (STING) in a ubiquitination-dependent way. This study provides a promising innate immunity-related target for NAFLD treatment.

Abstract Protecting human health from fine particulate matter (PM) pollution is the ambitious goal of clean air actions, but current control strategies largely ignore the role of source-specific PM toxicity. Here, we proposed health-oriented control strategies by integrating the unequal toxic potencies of the most polluting industrial PMs. Iron and steel industry (ISI)-emitted PM2.5 exhibit about one order of magnitude higher toxic potency than those of cement and power industries. Compared with the current mass-based control strategy (prioritizing implementation of ultralow emission standards in the power sector), the proposed health-oriented control strategy (priority control of the ISI sector) could generate 5.4 times higher reduction in population-weighted toxic potency-adjusted PM2.5 exposure among polluting industries in China. Furthermore, the marginal abatement cost per unit of toxic potency-adjusted mass of ISI-emitted PM2.5 is only a quarter of that of the other two sectors under ultralow emission scenarios. We highlight that a health-oriented air pollution control strategy is urgently required to achieve cost-effective reductions in particulate exposure risks.

Abstract Bulk photovoltaic effect (BPVE), a second-order nonlinear optical effect governed by the quantum geometric properties of materials, offers a promising approach to overcome the Shockley-Quiesser limit of traditional photovoltaic effect and further improve the efficiency of energy harvesting. Here, we propose an effective platform, the nano edges embedded in assembled van der Waals (vdW) homo- or hetero-structures with strong symmetry breaking, low dimensionality and abundant species, for BPVE investigations. The BPVE-induced photocurrents strongly depend on the orientation of edge-embedded structures and polarization of incident light. Reversed photocurrent polarity can be observed at left and right edge-embedded structures. Our work not only visualizes the unique optoelectronic effect in vdW nano edges, but also provides an effective strategy for achieving BPVE in engineered vdW structures.

Abstract Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disorder with cellular heterogeneity. To understand the composition and spatial changes of the ulcerative colitis ecosystem, here we use imaging mass cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing to depict the single-cell landscape of the human colon ecosystem. We find tissue topological changes featured with macrophage disappearance reaction in the ulcerative colitis region, occurring only for tissue-resident macrophages. Reactive oxygen species levels are higher in the ulcerative colitis region, but reactive oxygen species scavenging enzyme SOD2 is barely detected in resident macrophages, resulting in distinct reactive oxygen species vulnerability for inflammatory macrophages and resident macrophages. Inflammatory macrophages replace resident macrophages and cause a spatial shift of TNF production during ulcerative colitis via a cytokine production network formed with T and B cells. Our study suggests components of a mechanism for the observed macrophage disappearance reaction of resident macrophages, providing mechanistic hints for macrophage disappearance reaction in other inflammation or infection situations.

Abstract NDP52 is an autophagy receptor involved in the recognition and degradation of invading pathogens and damaged organelles. Although NDP52 was first identified in the nucleus and is expressed throughout the cell, to date, there is no clear nuclear functions for NDP52. Here, we use a multidisciplinary approach to characterise the biochemical properties and nuclear roles of NDP52. We find that NDP52 clusters with RNA Polymerase II (RNAPII) at transcription initiation sites and that its overexpression promotes the formation of additional transcriptional clusters. We also show that depletion of NDP52 impacts overall gene expression levels in two model mammalian cells, and that transcription inhibition affects the spatial organisation and molecular dynamics of NDP52 in the nucleus. This directly links NDP52 to a role in RNAPII-dependent transcription. Furthermore, we also show that NDP52 binds specifically and with high affinity to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and that this interaction leads to changes in DNA structure in vitro. This, together with our proteomics data indicating enrichment for interactions with nucleosome remodelling proteins and DNA structure regulators, suggests a possible function for NDP52 in chromatin regulation. Overall, here we uncover nuclear roles for NDP52 in gene expression and DNA structure regulation.

Abstract Cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) is widely used to explore the 3D density of biomacromolecules. However, the heavy noise and missing wedge effect prevent directly visualizing and analyzing the 3D reconstructions. Here, we introduced REST, a deep learning strategy-based method to establish the relationship between low-quality and high-quality density and transfer the knowledge to restore signals in cryo-ET. Test results on the simulated and real cryo-ET datasets show that REST performs well in denoising and compensating the missing wedge information. The application in dynamic nucleosomes, presenting either in the form of individual particles or in the context of cryo-FIB nuclei section, indicates that REST has the capability to reveal different conformations of target macromolecules without subtomogram averaging. Moreover, REST noticeably improves the reliability of particle picking. These advantages enable REST to be a powerful tool for the straightforward interpretation of target macromolecules by visual inspection of the density and of a broad range of other applications in cryo-ET, such as segmentation, particle picking, and subtomogram averaging.

While hydrogels find applications in wearable sensors and electronic skins, they are prone to fatigue fractures upon deformation cycling. Xiong et al. report the synthesis of conductive polymerizable rotaxane hydrogels, exhibiting large fatigue resistance, for 3D printable flexible sensors.

This paper finds that the winter sea-ice over the Barents-Kara Seas has exhibited strengthened interannual variations in recent decades likely due to increased amplitudes of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation in a warming climate.

Difficulty swallowing after stroke and the neural circuitry underlying this is not fully understood. Here the authors demonstrate, using a mouse model, a potential neural circuit mechanism for effects of electroacupuncture on swallowing behaviour in post-stroke dysphagia.

The generation time (interval between successive infections in a transmission chain) is an important parameter for epidemiological modeling. Here, the authors develop a framework for estimating this parameter and how it changes over time and apply it to data from China in the first months of the pandemic.

Fluctuation of the cation valence state plays a crucial role in emergent quantum phenomena in correlated electron systems. Here, the authors demonstrate a valence-fluctuation-driven insulator-to-superconductor transition in the van der Waals insulator GeP as a function of hydrostatic pressure.

Few countries have approved SARS-CoV-2 booster doses in children and adolescents due to insufficient evidence about the safety and interval vaccination. Here, the authors assess the safety and immunogenicity of a homologous booster dose of CoronaVac in a cohort of 3–17 year olds.

Small cell cervical carcinoma (SCCC) is a rare but aggressive malignancy. Here, the authors report human papillomavirus features and genomic landscape in SCCC via high-throughput sequencing methods and identify MYC, SOX, NR4A, ANKRD and CEA family genes as HPV-integrated hotspots.

Spontaneous droplet jumping and control of dropwise condensation are relevant for water-harvesting, heat transfer and anti-frosting applications. The authors design a superhydrophobic surface with microscale thin-walled lattice structure to achieve effective jumping of droplets with specified radius range.

2D transition metal ditellurides exhibit nontrivial topological phases, but the controlled bottom-up synthesis of these materials is still challenging. Here, the authors report the layer-by-layer growth of large-area bilayer and trilayer 1T’ MoTe2 films, showing thickness-dependent ferroelectricity and nonlinear Hall effect.

Most attempts to co-cultivate the artificial microbial communities fail mostly due to the mismatched rates of consumption and production of nutrients among subpopulations. Here, the authors develop a microbial swarmbot mediated spatial segregation method to assemble stably coexisting consortia with both flexibility and precision.

Van der Waals materials exhibit unique thermomechanical properties, but interlayer deformations are usually challenging to measure. Here, the authors exploit the strain-dependent optical properties of monolayer WSe2 to quantitatively probe the interlayer shear thermal deformations and interlayer coupling in phosphorene and hexagonal boron nitride.

Following a booster dose of CoronaVac in two single-centre phase 2 clinical trials, the authors show that neutralising antibody titres decline approximately 4-fold and 2.5-fold from day 28 to day 180 in adults aged 18-59 years and in adults aged 60 years and older, respectively.

The interfacial stability of lithium metal is a crucial aspect for all-solid-state battery development. Here, authors report argyrodite solid electrolytes containing LiCl framework, where the Cl ions construct a LiCl-rich interphase capable of improving battery performances.

The recent thrust toward flexible nanoscale devices creates a need for two-dimensional piezoelectric materials. Here, the authors find large piezoelectric response in NbOI2 flakes ranging from 4 nm to the bulk.

Catalytic kinetic resolution of racemates is among the best ways to prepare enantiopure compounds, but this process is difficult with organic azides given the small size of the azido group. Here, the authors show kinetic resolution of cyclic benzylic azides through site- and enantioselective C(sp3)–H oxidation.

The actin-based molecular motors, myosins, have also been linked to transcription, but their precise role has remained elusive. Here the authors show RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) is lost from chromatin upon myosin perturbation and that myosin acts as a molecular anchor to maintain RNAPII spatial organisation.

Invertebrate-derived eDNA (iDNA) is an emerging tool for taxonomic and spatial biodiversity monitoring. Here, the authors use metabarcoding of leech-derived iDNA to estimate vertebrate occupancy over an entire protected area, the Ailaoshan Nature Reserve, China.

The stability of permafrost carbon is poorly understood. Here the authors use Plio-Pleistocene clumped isotope reconstructions from the Tibetan Plateau and climate simulation to determine that ~85 petagrams of alpine carbon is vulnerable to thawing.

Wolbachia induced cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) is caused by linked pairs of genes named cifA and cifB. Here, authors show that the residues at interfaces of the CidA-CidB complex is crucial for their binding and contribute to the diversity of CI.

All-organic perovskites exhibit structural tunability and solution-processability, but are disadvantaged by a lower coercive field compared to inorganic ones. Here, the authors demonstrate that modulating hydrogen bond strength in such perovskites can generate a large coercive field.

Traditional electrorefining process is limited by deposition potential of the metal itself. Here, the authors explore an in-situ anodic precipitation process based on different solubility of target metal chlorides that can efficiently separate components of aluminum alloys.

Various lncRNAs functions have been associated to replication stress and DNA double strand breaks in ESC. Here the authors reveal the lncRNA Discn-NCL-RPA axis pathway, which can regulate the availability of RPA pool for DNA replication stress response and repair.

COVID-19 is a critical public health threat, but molecular characterizations of patients’ immunity is still lacking. Here the authors collected blood from patients with various disease severity, and prefiltered to exclude selected comorbidity, to obtain genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic and lipidomic profiles to report a trans-omics landscape.

The metabolite methylthioadenosine (MTA) inhibits PRMT5. Therefore, MTA accumulation due to MTA phosphorylase (MTAP) deletion has been proposed as a vulnerability for PRMT5-targeted therapy in cancer. Here, the authors show that MTA does not accumulate in MTAP-deficient cancer cells but is secreted and metabolized by MTAP-intact cells in the tumour microenvironment.

Optimizing the concentration of different functional peptides on a surface can be a complex process. Here, the authors report on the use of a click immobilization strategy to create gradients of two different functional peptides on a surface to screen different density functions for rapid optimization.

Window glazing plays a crucial role in modulating indoor light and heat transmission, which is beneficial for energy saving. Here, Liu et al. report a full-frame and high-contrast smart windows made of perovskite photovoltaic and ion-gel electrochromic components to realise self-adjusting brightness and temperature regulator.

China has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality in 2060. Here the authors find a promising option to abate 1.0 Gt CO2-eq yr− 1 of carbon emissions at a marginal cost of $69 (t CO2-eq)−1 by retrofitting 222 GW of coal power plants to co-fire with biomass and upgrading to CCS operation across 2836 counties in China.

Along the cold subduction geotherm, glaucophane remains stable down to pressure and temperature (P–T) conditions of ca. 240 km depth, whereas under the warm subduction geotherm, it dehydrates and breaks down into pyroxenes and silica between ca. 50 and 100 km depths.

High-frequency rectifiers at terahertz regime are pivotal components in modern communication, whereas the drawbacks in semiconductor junctions-based devices inhibit their usages. Here, the authors report electromagnetic rectification with high signal-to-noise ratio driven by chiral Bloch-electrons in type-II Dirac semimetal NiTe2-based device allowing for efficient THz detection.