Compression causes cancer cells to start spreading
Compression causes cancer cells to start spreading Summary According to the ‘grow or go’ model, cancer cells can switch between proliferative and invasive states. A new study using a zebrafish…
Depriving brain tumours of an amino acid could enhance chemotherapy
Depriving brain tumours of an amino acid could enhance chemotherapy Summary Researchers report that glioblastoma — the most aggressive adult brain cancer — scavenges the amino acid serine to fuel…
Ant queens produce sons of two distinct species
Ant queens produce sons of two distinct species Summary New evidence reviewed by Jessica Purcell highlights an extraordinary reproductive system in the Iberian harvester ant (Messor ibericus). Juvé et al.…
The diversity of microbial enzymes that turn a pollutant into an inert gas
The diversity of microbial enzymes that turn a pollutant into an inert gas Summary Researchers report the discovery of a previously unknown family of bacterial enzymes that reduce nitrous oxide…
Earth’s capacity to store carbon could max out surprisingly soon
Earth’s capacity to store carbon could max out surprisingly soon Summary The article reports on a new Nature study that sharply revises down the practical global capacity for geologic carbon…
Damaged bridges flex and twist to prevent collapse
Damaged bridges flex and twist to prevent collapse Summary Steel truss bridges — built from connected frameworks of members — can sometimes survive the sudden loss of a load-bearing element…
‘Almost unimaginable’: these ants are different species but share a mother
‘Almost unimaginable’: these ants are different species but share a mother Summary Researchers report that queens of the Iberian harvester ant (Messor ibericus) can produce male offspring that are genetically…
Amygdala–liver signalling orchestrates glycaemic responses to stress
Amygdala–liver signalling orchestrates glycaemic responses to stress Summary This Nature study identifies a previously unrecognised neural axis linking the medial amygdala (MeA) to the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) and, via sympathetic…
PICALM Alzheimer’s risk allele causes aberrant lipid droplets in microglia
Summary This Nature paper uses allele-specific open‑chromatin (ASoC) mapping in human iPSC‑derived microglia (iMGs), astrocytes and neurons to prioritise functional Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD) GWAS variants. The authors identify the non‑coding…
Commensal yeast promotes Salmonella Typhimurium virulence
Commensal yeast promotes Salmonella Typhimurium virulence Summary This Nature paper reports a mechanistic interkingdom interaction in the gut: the commensal fungus Candida albicans can increase the virulence of Salmonella Typhimurium…