Modern amphibians are characterized by an aquatic larval stage that ends abruptly with a period of widespread tissue remodeling (metamorphosis) upon transition to terrestrial adulthood. A transient larval stage ending in...Modern amphibians are characterized by an aquatic larval stage that ends abruptly with a period of widespread tissue remodeling (metamorphosis) upon transition to terrestrial adulthood. A transient larval stage ending in gradual metamorphosis is often assumed for the earliest digited tetrapods, but direct evidence of this larval stage is lacking. Exceptionally preserved stem tetrapod hatchlings show that a transient larval stage was absent in tetrapods both before and after the fin-to-limb transition; instead we identified soft- and hard-tissue evidence of direct development, falsifying hypotheses of an ancestral origin of metamorphosis or of a gradual larval-postlarval transition serving as a template for lissamphibian metamorphosis. We argue that a transient larval period culminating in metamorphosis originated near or within the tetrapod crown group as part of a broader suite of traits associated with terrestrialization.
Many plants explosively launch seeds, but these natural catapults often display inefficient, unpredictable energy transfer in seed ejection. Violets ( spp.) address this problem by ejecting seeds successively with consis...Many plants explosively launch seeds, but these natural catapults often display inefficient, unpredictable energy transfer in seed ejection. Violets ( spp.) address this problem by ejecting seeds successively with consistent propulsive force from a single pod, a strategy that requires sophisticated energy release. In this work, we show that achieves this feat with a simple and compact structure that generates adaptive force augmentation through sequential pinching. Our biological and mathematical analyses indicate that the pod valve's morphogeometry optimizes pinching with sufficient strength for seed ejection with limited material cost and creates a shifting force-amplifying hotspot, which allows consecutive seed ejections. We use this design principle to create autonomous zipping actuators for a range of applications, including biomedical soft machines.
We report an extraordinary observation of ground motion in Japan after the moment magnitude () 9.0 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake attributed to a multiplate-interface slip event triggered by shear wave that traveled to the E...We report an extraordinary observation of ground motion in Japan after the moment magnitude () 9.0 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake attributed to a multiplate-interface slip event triggered by shear wave that traveled to the Earth's core and back. The megathrust earthquake generated a strong ScS phase with a peak-to-peak amplitude exceeding 1 centimeter in Japan. Superposed on this waveform, an eastward steplike displacement of up to 5 to 6 millimeters was recorded in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data throughout Japan. This likely originated from slip on the megathrust interfaces triggered by the nearly simultaneous arrival of the ScS wave across Japan. Such an ScS triggering is a previously unrecognized source of seismic hazard, which can potentially (re)activate the mainshock area and the broader surrounding megathrust interfaces.
Ten years ago, the Brexit referendum began the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union (EU), forcing British science to confront a serious question: What place should the UK occupy in European research? No lon...Ten years ago, the Brexit referendum began the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union (EU), forcing British science to confront a serious question: What place should the UK occupy in European research? No longer qualified to be a full-fledged member of Horizon Europe, the matter of whether to rejoin as an associate member became a totemic issue for the UK. There were serious questions around whether rejoining would be worth the money, especially if it had to pay in more funding than it could win back in grants. UK researchers, however, insisted that association was the best way to protect their access to the most prestigious and attractive funding opportunities. So, when the UK eventually associated in 2024, it was to sighs of relief. But times have changed.
Wu H, Chen D, Li J
… +26 more, Zhou T, Zhuang Z, Niu Z, Du Z, Chen Y, Chuan S, Xu C, Liao X, Meng X, Lu J, Cui W, Lin Y, Huang F, Liao K, Liu Y, Yang T, Chen J, Wang H, Dong Z, Liu L, Fang X, Xu X, Li Q, Pang Y, Liu S, Su B
The lamprey occupies a pivotal position for elucidating vertebrate brain evolution. Using spatial transcriptomics and single-nucleus RNA sequencing, we generated a three-dimensional molecular atlas of the lamprey brain,...The lamprey occupies a pivotal position for elucidating vertebrate brain evolution. Using spatial transcriptomics and single-nucleus RNA sequencing, we generated a three-dimensional molecular atlas of the lamprey brain, identifying 209 distinct cell clusters across 14 regions. Cross-species comparisons revealed broad conservation of regional spatial architecture, defining an ancestral organizational blueprint. Within this conserved framework, however, marked lineage-specific divergence emerged. We observed extensive neuronal specialization across vertebrate lineages, accompanied by regulatory shifts associated with spatial reorganization and functional diversification of neuronal populations. Additionally, our results suggest that a cerebellum-like architecture predates the jawed vertebrate cerebellum. Together, these findings identified constraints on neural organization and detected cellular innovations driving evolutionary diversification.
Ancient pathogen DNA from animals elucidates the origin and evolution of infectious diseases.Ancient pathogen DNA from animals elucidates the origin and evolution of infectious diseases.
Distillation has been the cornerstone of crude oil refining for more than a century, relying on boiling point differences for fractionation. Although effective, it is highly energy-intensive and lacks the precision to se...Distillation has been the cornerstone of crude oil refining for more than a century, relying on boiling point differences for fractionation. Although effective, it is highly energy-intensive and lacks the precision to separate specific hydrocarbon classes. We report crystalline covalent organic framework (COF) membranes with well-defined micropores and alkyl-functionalized frameworks that combine molecular sieving with preferential affinity to enrich aliphatics. An electric field-assisted roll-to-roll process enabled scalable fabrication of continuous membranes. These COF membranes enriched aliphatics to >95% and delivered permeance orders of magnitude higher than amorphous polymers in Arabian Light crude oil. A crude oil permeance of 0.34 liters m hours bar with >90% aliphatics enrichment was achieved using industrial-standard 1812 membrane modules, demonstrating a lower energy demand than distillation.
Kudrenko S, Bischof R, Zedrosser A
… +9 more, Selva N, Korepanova K, Vyshnevskiy D, Gahbauer M, Obrizan S, Domashevskiy S, Borsuk O, Varukha A, Heurich M
Conflict zones are inherently hazardous and inaccessible for researchers, which results in a knowledge gap about the immediate effects of armed conflicts on the environment, particularly wildlife. We used camera-trap det...Conflict zones are inherently hazardous and inaccessible for researchers, which results in a knowledge gap about the immediate effects of armed conflicts on the environment, particularly wildlife. We used camera-trap detections to investigate the impact of armed conflict on wildlife activity patterns before, during, and after the Russian occupation of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone (Ukraine) in 2022 and compared it to the same period in 2021. Mammal species responded to armed conflict through immediate behavioral adjustments, including reduced activity during night and on dates when armed-conflict activities intensified. Our results provide insight into wildlife's behavioral responses to armed conflict in real time and underscore the potential of camera trapping to quantify the ecological effects of war.
Vignieri S, Smith KT, Simonti C
… +13 more, Hessler A, Kelly PN, Jiang D, Baeck J, Ebert-May D, Ross SH, Lavine MS, Ray LB, Maroso M, Sonawala U, Seale M, Foley JF, Fogg CN
Wolves have made a spectacular comeback in Europe. But attacks on livestock and humans have caused a heated debate about the limits of coexistence.Wolves have made a spectacular comeback in Europe. But attacks on livestock and humans have caused a heated debate about the limits of coexistence.
Bacteria regulate homeostatic growth by adjusting proteome composition. In , this coordination is mediated by guanosine tetraphosphate and pentaphosphate, collectively termed (p)ppGpp, which couple amino acid supply with...Bacteria regulate homeostatic growth by adjusting proteome composition. In , this coordination is mediated by guanosine tetraphosphate and pentaphosphate, collectively termed (p)ppGpp, which couple amino acid supply with ribsosome production. We identified a distinct architecture in , in which guanosine triphosphate (GTP), not (p)ppGpp, controls proteome allocation. Translational inhibition resulted in GTP depletion and suppressed amino acid biosynthesis through feedback inhibition without altering ribosome abundance, establishing a regulated decoupling between total amino acid flux and proteome composition, with flux deviating from proteome-based predictions. By artificially adjusting GTP concentrations, we recoupled flux and proteome, restoring growth to maximal amounts. The regulated suboptimality enables a trade-off to balance growth and stress resilience. Similar GTP-based strategies were present in other Firmicute species, indicating possible evolutionary conservation. Proteome composition and metabolic flux have distinct regulatory layers in some bacteria.
Patterns of brain activity moving in waves occur across brain regions and species, yet their spatial organization, anatomical basis, and brain-wide distribution remain unclear. Using cortex-wide imaging and electrophysio...Patterns of brain activity moving in waves occur across brain regions and species, yet their spatial organization, anatomical basis, and brain-wide distribution remain unclear. Using cortex-wide imaging and electrophysiology in awake mice, we revealed a prominent wave motif across spatial scales. Waves frequently formed rotational patterns centered on somatosensory cortex and sweeping across somatotopic maps. Axonal architecture within sensory cortex exhibited a matching circular arrangement. Rotating waves were mirrored between hemispheres and between sensory and motor cortex and were coordinated with subcortical spiking. Bilaterally cutting the circular circuitry diminished rotating waves. Rotating waves were modulated across behavioral states, evoked by sensory inputs, and recruited during correct visuomotor performance. These results establish that rotating waves are sculpted by axonal architecture across diverse brain systems and behavioral contexts.
Scientific computing must integrate AI with simulation and focus on energy-efficient methods and systems.Scientific computing must integrate AI with simulation and focus on energy-efficient methods and systems.
Oxley A, Ye C, Han SJ
… +20 more, Zhao G, Guo Y, Shi X, Liu J, Smith K, Sarter M, Upadhyaya L, Hong S, Samaras VG, Qian Q, Liu Y, Nichol GS, Liu Y, Nunes SP, Foglia F, Jiang J, Wang A, McKeown NB, Livingston AG, Jiang Z
Membrane technologies offer an energy-efficient alternative to conventional distillation for hydrocarbon fractionation, but they suffer from a trade-off between fast liquid transport and high molecular selectivity. We re...Membrane technologies offer an energy-efficient alternative to conventional distillation for hydrocarbon fractionation, but they suffer from a trade-off between fast liquid transport and high molecular selectivity. We report a scalable approach to fabricate polymer membranes with stable interconnected pathways by locking in their intrinsic microporosity. This locking strategy reduces polymer swelling and preserves the subnanometer pore structure in hydrocarbon liquids, resulting in 10-fold higher permeance for synthetic crude oil compared with current state-of-the-art membranes. When applied to Arabian Extra Light crude oil, these membranes achieved excellent size- and class-based separation, removing 99.8% of hydrocarbons containing >15 carbon atoms and 93% of sulfur-containing components. These scalable membranes underpin processes providing rapid and selective hydrocarbon separation, enabling a more sustainable pathway toward crude oil refining.
Shi W, Wang S, Wang S
… +27 more, Zhang Y, Ren X, Yu C, Niu X, Gao B, Yang L, Yang B, Li W, Sun X, Yu J, Zhu J, Zhou S, Chen Y, Cao F, Gao K, Wang C, Chen X, Yang S, Zhou J, He C, Bonilla RS, Wu Y, Chen Q, Li Z, Cheng Y, Yang X, Zhang X
Indium-based transparent conductive oxides are widely used as electrodes and recombination layers in perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells, yet their scalability is constrained by indium scarcity and sputtering-induced d...Indium-based transparent conductive oxides are widely used as electrodes and recombination layers in perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells, yet their scalability is constrained by indium scarcity and sputtering-induced damage. Here we report high efficiency and stable indium-free perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells enabled by reactive plasma deposited tin oxide (RPD-SnO). For RPD-SnO as the recombination layer, a certified efficiency of 33.6% is achieved. Fully indium-free tandems that used RPD-SnO as both recombination layer and electrodes delivering a champion PCE of 33.2% (1 cm) and a mini-module with a certified efficiency of 31.0% (207.9 cm). Dense and uniform self-assembled monolayer anchoring enabled by RPD-SnO suppressed non-radiative recombination and reduced halide migration. Indium-free mini-modules exhibited high thermal, damp-heat, and outdoor operational stability and retained 65% of their maximum initial efficiency after 105 days of outdoor operation.
More efficient environmental risk assessment and stronger protection are achievable.More efficient environmental risk assessment and stronger protection are achievable.