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The inherent instability of poly(sulfur) renders the conversion of elementary sulfur into sulfur-rich polymers challenging which limits the use of this industrial by-product. Here, the authors demonstrate that inorganic sulfur can be utilized by copolymerizing with cyclic disulfides, producing high-performance thermoplastic elastomers with self-healing ability and degradability.
In this work, authors propose a flash Joule heating-based process for meat preservation, enabled by the formation of a thin, microbe-inactivated, and dehydrated layer on the surface. The method is energetically efficient and shown to significantly extend the food shelf life while maintaining food freshness.
Immune checkpoint inhibition is a successful form of immune therapy; however response rates vary widely among individual patients. Here authors show that circulating small extracellular vesicles might contribute to poor response to anti-PD-1 treatment by carrying PD-1 and CD80 which results in higher level of vesicular PD-L1 expression in the circulation at the expense of expression on tumour cell membranes, causing immunosuppression.
The F-box domain is a conserved structural motif in ubiquitin ligases known only to bind Skp1. Here, the authors show the F-box domain is also an environmental cadmium sensor that changes conformation upon binding to disassemble the active ligase, protecting the cell from cadmium stress.
To measure temperatures close to absolute zero, authors developed a kind of composite phase diamond (CPD) that can measure temperature at the millikelvin level, making it a promising candidate for next–generation cryogenic temperature sensors.
KtrAB complex is essential in K+ uptake for bacteria. Here authors illustrate the synergism of ATP and Na+ in activating K+ uptake of KtrAB from Bacillus subtilis and its gating mechanism, which may also shed light on other Na+-activated K+ channels.
Primaquine treatment for breastfeeding mothers is currently not recommended. Here, the authors develop a pharmacokinetic model to predict drug exposure of infants and show that ingesting breastmilk from mothers treated with primaquine results in <1% of maternal drug exposure. This suggests that primaquine should not be restricted in post-neonatal breastfeeding women as standard doses are unlikely to cause adverse events in infants.
The authors study a YbCoIn5/CeCoIn5/YbRhIn5 heterostructure. Using non-reciprocity in the second harmonic transport response, they demonstrate the existence of a specific form of finite-momentum pairing called a helical superconducting state, where the phase of the order parameter is spontaneously spatially modulated.
As quantum simulations advance, the ability to measure response functions of simulated systems becomes increasingly important. Here the authors present a linear response framework for computing fermionic and bosonic response functions on a quantum computer, demonstrating advantages over existing methods.
Engineering of a biosensor allows the authors to map the signaling activity of the phytohormones gibberellins (GAs) and to show that GAs orient cell division at the shoot apex to establish the organization in parallel cell files of plant stems.
So far, only homoleptic N2 complexes of silicon have been reported under matrix-isolation conditions including but the activation of more inert nitrogen by silylenes remains challenging. Here the authors report on the activation of dinitrogen by silylenes under cryogenic conditions.
Industrial methanol synthesis uses materials based on Cu and ZnO. We present high-resolution imaging of active surfaces which reveals how Zn species are transported at the active Cu interface in diffusion processes controlled by the reactant gas composition.
Using CO and H2O to electrosynthesize oxygenates is a possible low-carbon synthetic route. Here, the authors study the CO adsorption behavior on Ag catalysts and design a Cu-Ag nanostructure catalyst with a relay mechanism that enhances the electrosynthesis of oxygenates.
Dual blockade therapy is currently being trialled for multiple tumour types, but efficacy is variable. Here, the authors use longitudinal proteomics profiling of 22 patients to develop a predictive model of therapy response.
Achieving acoustic waveguides with low loss, tailorability, and easy fabrication is a considerable challenge. Here, the authors introduce suspended anti-resonant acoustic waveguides with superior confinement and high selectivity of acoustic modes, supporting both forward and backward SBS on chip.
Certain devices require rapid adhesion and detachment, but achieving both can be challenging. Here, the authors report the development of a supramolecular hydrogel with reversible tough adhesion and triggered photodetachment.
Despite the use of amine-functionalized polymers as metal adsorbents, they are generally ineffective at recovering precious metals. Here the authors prepare a star-shaped, hydrazide-functionalized polymer as a recoverable standalone adsorbent with high precious metal adsorption capability/selectivity and practical feasibility.
Developing water compatible synthetic methods for Sulfur(VI) fluoride exchange (SuFEx) chemistry is of paramount importance. Here the authors demonstrate a catalytic dearomative [2+2] photocycloaddition that significantly speeds up the synthesis of heterocyclic alkyl SuFEx hubs, leveraging the unique reactivity at the water-oil interface.
Using computer simulations authors identify the dynamic molecular motions controlling the structural conformation of the TWIK1 ion channel, showing that its ability to transport sodium upon acidification result from the evolution of the classical potassium-selective pore.
Enzymes involve structural flexibility in their function, but understanding enzyme catalysis as connected to protein motions is a major challenge. Here, the authors obtain energetic description of C-H activation in nicotinamide coenzyme-dependent UDP-glucuronic acid C4 epimerase based on temperature kinetic studies and isotope effect measurements.