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New AI tool 'kine' reconstructs movies of black hole plasma jets

Researchers led by Foschi and colleagues, publishing in Nature, developed an artificial-intelligence algorithm called kine that reconstructs continuous, movie-like views of relativistic plasma jets from black holes using sparse observational data. These jets, which blast material at over 98% of the speed of light, have historically been studied only through isolated snapshots, making it hard to trace their evolution over time.

Study finds ordinary water droplets can spontaneously acquire charge and corrode metal

Researchers demonstrated that water drops sitting on various hydrophobic and metallic surfaces can spontaneously build up electrical charge without any external triggering, and that this self-generated charge is sufficient to accelerate corrosion of underlying copper and other metals. The experiments used engineered materials such as PFOTS-coated quartz and ITO glass, Teflon-coated copper, and common items like PVC boards and copper foil tape to show the effect across different surfaces.

Physicists detect single molecular ion's vibrations using ultra-sensitive quantum sensor

Researchers built a two-ion crystal in a Paul trap combining a calcium ion with a single CaOH+ molecular ion, generated by leaking water vapor into the vacuum chamber until a molecule formed. They then used a non-classical 'cat state' of motion, created with a bichromatic laser on the calcium ion, to detect the tiny photon recoil from the molecule absorbing infrared light—effectively performing infrared absorption spectroscopy on one single polyatomic molecular ion.

New long-read sequencing method detects pre-meiotic gene conversion events in human sperm

Researchers extracted high molecular weight DNA from 15 sperm samples donated by 13 men from the TwinsUK cohort and an external biobank, using a modified extraction protocol designed to break down the tightly packed protamine structure of sperm DNA. Applying long-read sequencing to these samples, the team identified evidence of gene conversion occurring before meiosis, a genetic recombination process not previously well characterized at this resolution in sperm cells.

Cerebellar granule cells help cortex distinguish behavioral contexts, new imaging shows

Researchers used a dual-site two-photon microscope to simultaneously track pons-projecting premotor cortical neurons (L5PTs) and cerebellar granule cells (GrCs) across mice performing two different tasks, virtual reality navigation and a reaching task. They found both cell types could be reliably tracked across days and contexts, with granule cell activity patterns reorienting cortical population trajectories to keep the two behavioral contexts distinct.

Cryo-EM reveals eight structures of human UGCG enzyme and primate-specific regulation

Researchers solved eight cryo-EM structures of human UGCG, the enzyme that gatekeeps glycosphingolipid synthesis, capturing it alone and bound to substrates, products and the drugs miglustat, ibiglustat and eliglustat. The team also ran molecular dynamics simulations and a cross-species sequence comparison spanning platypus, marsupials, elephants and other mammals to trace how UGCG regulation evolved, finding features unique to primates. All structural data, simulation files and sequences have been deposited in public repositories.

Study Links Endocannabinoids to Reward Engagement via Retrograde Signaling

A referenced body of neuroscience research outlines how endocannabinoid molecules act as retrograde messengers, traveling backward across synapses to modulate neurotransmitter release. The compiled citations trace decades of work from the discovery of cannabinoid receptors to recent findings on how this signaling system shapes motivation and reward-seeking behavior.

New 'kine' algorithm reconstructs video from variable VLBI radio telescope data

Researchers developed an imaging method called kine that turns interferometric radio telescope measurements into dynamic video reconstructions rather than static snapshots. The technique relies on a neural field representation of a source's changing brightness distribution and was tested extensively on synthetic datasets before comparison with the established CLEAN method on real observations.

KAIST study finds excitatory neuron ERBB4 receptor drives Alzheimer's pathology in mice

Researchers at KAIST and the Institute for Basic Science, using APP/PS1 and 5×FAD mouse models along with human brain tissue from a Seoul National University Hospital bank, examined the role of the ERBB4 protein in excitatory neurons. Their experiments indicate that abnormal expression of ERBB4 in these neurons contributes to the progression of Alzheimer's disease-related brain changes.

Study finds natural basalt weathering removes less CO2 than assumed

Researchers compiled river chemistry data from basaltic watersheds worldwide to recalculate how much carbon dioxide is naturally absorbed through silicate rock weathering. They found that critical zone processes—such as atmospheric deposition, hydrothermal contamination and secondary mineral formation—reduce the alkalinity that actually reaches rivers, meaning basalt weathering contributes a smaller share of global CO2 drawdown than prior estimates suggested, roughly 0.3% of annual anthropogenic emissions.

New drug-delivery method uses molecular binding to trigger targeted cancer drug release

Researchers designed a chemical strategy that links a targeting molecule's binding action directly to the release of an anticancer payload, rather than relying solely on enzymatic cleavage. The team synthesized and validated compounds targeting fibroblast activation protein (FAP) and other markers, testing reaction rates and specificity using UPLC-mass spectrometry and antibody-based assays on proteins including PD-L1, DPPIV, and cathepsin B.

Study details enzymes marine bacteria use to break down fucoidan seaweed polysaccharides

Researchers assembled a detailed methods protocol using fucoidans from multiple seaweed species, including Fucus vesiculosus and Laminaria hyperborea, alongside custom LC-MS internal standards and PMP derivatization reagents. They also formulated three seawater-mimicking bacterial growth media to enrich, isolate and cultivate marine microbes capable of degrading these complex sulfated polysaccharides.

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