Articles in 2016

The molecular mechanisms underlying retrograde transport in axons are only partially understood. Villarinet al. show that in cultured DRG neurons, extracellular trophic cues such as NGF dynamically regulate local protein synthesis of dynein cofactors, thus controlling retrograde trafficking in neurons.

Longevity of antibody responses has been attributed to persistence of plasma cells in mice. Here the authors provide human data in support of this model by immunoglobulin sequencing bone marrow sections from two human donors over 6.5 years to show temporal stability of plasma cell clonotypes, but not other B cells.

Graphene has so far demonstrated remarkable properties, making it increasingly interesting for ultrafast electronic applications. Here, the authors show that, when probed by a highly charged ion, freestanding graphene is able to provide dozens of electrons for ion neutralization within a few femtoseconds.

The kinase RAF1 usually exerts pro-tumorigenic functions promoting proliferation in RAS-driven cancers. Here, the authors using a mouse model of HCC and clinical data describe an unexpected oncosuppressor role of RAF1 in hepatocarcinoma development linked to a gp130-dependent Stat3 activation and YAP1 regulation.

Increased temperature and nutrient pollution are key features of anthropogenic change, but their dual effects on biodiversity remain unclear. Here Wanget al. conduct field experiments at two mountain elevation gradients to show that temperature and nutrients have independent and interactive effects on microbial diversity.

Satellite observations are an important tool in volcano monitoring, but observations such as ground deformation and gas emissions are treated independently. Here, the authors present a model coupling them through their link to magma volatile contents and storage depths prior to eruption

Non-Hermitian optical systems have been shown to sustain lasing when they go from a PT-symmetric to a PT-symmetry-broken phase. Here, Kimet al. study this phase transition of lasing modes in partially graphene-covered coupled microcavities and show tuning of an exceptional point.

The Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway is known to suppress transposable elements in gonadal tissues. Here the authors provide evidence for a functional piRNA pathway in the somatic cells of theDrosophilafat body with roles in metabolism, immunological function and overall health.

Magnetic fusion reactors with higher ratio of plasma kinetic pressure to magnetic pressure are economically desirable. The authors demonstrate a path to such a reactor in a field reversed configuration that can attain microstability and reduced particle and thermal fluxes by manipulating the shear flow.

Normal-mode splitting in the spectrum of cavity coupled atoms is normally observed in the strong coupling regime. Here the authors demonstrate the existence of avoided crossings in the spectrum of an overdamped system of cavity coupled 87Rb atoms that arise due to dressing-induced transparency.

Polyketides are typically assembled from a starter unit and malonyl- and/or methylmalonyl-CoA-derived extender units, but the macrolide antibiotics stambomycins incorporate non-standard alkylmalonyl-CoA extender units. Here, the authors describe the biosynthetic pathway responsible for this unusual synthesis.

The dynamics of actin cytoskeleton is essential to the function of living cells. Here, Foffanoet al. describe a nonequilibrium filament model to mimic the formation of cytoskeleton and pinpoint the key role played by the actin entanglement during the transition from homogeneous to bundled networks.

The polysaccharide xylan binds to cellulose microfibrils in the plant cell wall, but the nature of this interaction remains unclear. Here Simmonset al. show that while xylan forms a threefold helical screw in solution it forms a twofold screw to bind cellulose microfibrils in the plant cell wall.

Materials that demonstrate long-range magnetic order are synonymous with information storage. Here, the authors report the effect of pressure on two mononuclear rhenium compounds that exhibit long-range magnetic order under ambient conditions via a spin canting mechanism, whereT_cis proportional to pressure.

The complex microenvironmental signalling pathways that govern haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) activity remain poorly defined. Here, the authors identify endothelial NF-κB signalling as regulating regenerative HSC function, accelerating haematopoietic recovery following myelosuppressive injury in mice.

Carbohydrates are common biological molecules, but display huge stereochemical complexity that often cannot be elucidated by mass spectrometry. Here the authors show that recognition tunnelling can distinguish individual stereoisomers, utilizing picomole quantities of analytes.

Development of a safe and efficacious vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been challenging. Here the authors generate a live-attenuated RSV vaccine that shows increased thermostability and immunogenicity, and protects cotton rats from RSV challenge.

Ge/Si heterojunctions are prominent candidates for spintronics, but the spin-dependent phenomena have been elusive. Here, Giorgioniet al. report long spin relaxation and coherence times in a two dimensional electron gas confined in quantum wells of pure Ge grown on SiGe-buffered Si substrates.

Precise control of the growth of transition metal dichalcogenides layers in atomically thin van der Waals heterostructures has gained significant attention. Here, the authors report 100% overlapped vertical ReS₂/WS₂heterostructures by utilizing the twinned growth behaviour of two-dimensional materials.

Light-matter interactions with single quantum emitters are generally difficult to measure with both high-resolution and a large field of view. Here, Johlin et al. develop far-field super-resolution fluorescence methods to map near-field emitter-nanostructure interactions over several microns.