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The immune system must be actively controlled to prevent inflammatory bowel disease. Cell populations have been found that promote immunosuppressive regulatory T cells of the immune system in the gut.
During evolution, key physiological changes enabled vertebrates to achieve a more active lifestyle. A comparison between living animals challenges current ideas on the timing of one such change in our ancestors.
Microorganisms store some genetic information on non-chromosomal elements. The emergence of a surprising version of these elements shifts our understanding of their diversity and potential roles.
Membrane-spanning proteins have many crucial roles in the cell. New findings challenge our current understanding of the route by which such proteins are inserted into the membranes of animal cells.
Human DNA from the Middle Ages reveals that natural selection occurred at pace in survivors of a bubonic plague pandemic, perhaps leaving their descendants at increased risk of autoimmune diseases.
The apparent motion of a flier’s surroundings is shown to stabilize its flight by providing information about its orientation. Lapses in information are overcome through the effects of sensor noise and body oscillations.
Ancient genomic data have been retrieved for 13 Neanderthals from 2 caves in Siberia. The genomes provide unprecedented insights into the social organization of Neanderthal communities.
A highly sensitive observation has revealed a large, diffuse gas feature centred on the galaxy group Stephan’s Quintet — prompting a revision of our understanding of gas dynamics in the outer regions of galaxy groups.
An audit of commercial facial-analysis tools found that dark-skinned faces are misclassified at a much higher rate than are faces from any other group. Four years on, the study is shaping research, regulation and commercial practices.
The movement of electric charges in light-activated catalyst particles is key to the water-splitting reaction, which could be used to generate hydrogen as a renewable fuel. Such movement has now been observed in exquisite detail.
A map of Earth reveals hotspots of soil biodiversity and regions to target for conservation. Many of these areas are currently unprotected, which suggests that it is time to rethink our soil management and conservation priorities.
Evidence from turtles and computer models indicates that a pattern of neuronal activity known as rotational dynamics governs locomotion. The finding challenges long-standing models of locomotor control.
Echoing the hierarchical Linnaean system for naming species, ecologists have developed a definitive classification of Earth’s ecosystems. This feat, achieved by a massive effort, could anchor conservation efforts for decades to come.
A combined analysis of 281 genome-wide association studies finds 12,111 common DNA variants associated with a person’s height — and shows that larger studies will not yield more variants in populations of European ancestry.
Human tissue resembling the brain’s cortex can be grown from stem cells in vitro. Transplanting this tissue into a developing rat cortex enables it to mature, integrate into neuronal circuits and influence behaviour.
An innovative approach to controlling wearable robots takes the optimization process out of the laboratory. The method uses a data-driven model to infer a user’s energy consumption and to personalize the assistance it provides.
Truly general chemical reactions work well regardless of the structural features and functional groups in the starting molecule. A new screening protocol speeds up the identification of such reactions in the field of asymmetric catalysis.
Around 20% of female hummingbirds have plumage that is characteristic of the males of the species. Evidence for why this happens offers a surprising perspective on how evolution helps to maintain colour variations.
