Planet Neuroscience

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Risk Factors for Severe and Profound Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Auditory Performance in Children After Cochlear Implant Surgery at Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño, San Borja, Lima, 2021–2024 [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]

Background Sensorineural hearing loss in children, when associated with specific risk factors, can negatively affect language development, which in turn impacts their quality of life as well as their family and social environment. Objective To determine the association between risk factors for severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss and auditory performance in post–cochlear implant patients at Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño, San Borja, during the period from 2021 to 2024. Methods An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted. Data collection was performed through a review of medical records; information was obtained from children treated between 2021 and 2024, including sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of post–cochlear implant patients. Auditory performance was assessed using the PEACH test. Results Medical records from 100 children who underwent cochlear implant surgery were reviewed. Preterm children showed poorer auditory performance (52.8%) compared with those born at term (70.5%). Children with low birth weight recorded a PEACH score of 51.4%, whereas those with normal birth weight reached higher values (71.8%). Additionally, children implanted before their first year of life presented a lower rate of suboptimal performance (40%), while those implanted after the age of three reached 56.5% performance. Analysis of risk factors associated with auditory outcomes revealed that prematurity, low birth weight, severe asphyxia, and hydrocephalus were significantly associated with poorer auditory performance. Conclusions There is a significant association between risk factors and reduced auditory performance in children with sensorineural hearing loss who underwent cochlear implant surgery, particularly among those born prematurely, with low birth weight, severe asphyxia, or hydrocephalus.

in F1000Research on 2026-01-31 07:38:17 UTC.

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Integrated water quality assessment and health risk analysis of heavy metal and microbial contamination in the Ichu River, Peru [version 4; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations]

Background The Ichu River serves as the primary water source for urban consumption, agricultural irrigation, and several local industrial operations in the Huancavelica region; however, increasing anthropogenic pressures including untreated municipal wastewater, mining effluents, agricultural runoff, and expanding urbanization have significantly deteriorated its water quality. These combined stressors highlight the need for an integrated assessment to understand the extent of contamination and associated human health risks. Methods The investigation measured water quality and health-related risks by analyzing physicochemical parameters, heavy metals, and microbial pollutants at eight sampling points, site 1 (S1) through (S8). Results The research data showed that water quality worsened progressively from upstream to downstream locations such as turbidity, TDS, conductivity, and BOD levels increased. Oil pollution and oxygen depletion arose from a reduction in dissolved oxygen from 6.3 to 4.5 mg/L at the different sampling sites (S1 to S8). Heavy metals (As, Pb, Cd, and Cr) in the samples exceeded the standards established by the World Health Organization (WHO) established standards because of mining and industrial wastewater and local wastewater discharge. The presence of excessive Escherichia coli (E. coli) and total coliforms in microbial tests proved that the water was severely contaminated by fecal matter. Principal Component Analysis showed that heavy metals exist with microbial pollution and organic load as the main sources of water quality decline, and pollution indicators were found to establish powerful relationships with depleted oxygen levels. Conclusion The severe contamination risks found in this study justify immediate pollution control measures, wastewater treatment enforcement, and sustainable watershed management practices. Urgent action is necessary because vital parameters surpass the standards set by the WHO and (United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to avoid enduring environmental damage and health problems. This research demonstrates the value of continuing water quality assessments while enforcing policies and raising public awareness to improve the water quality of the Ichu River.

in F1000Research on 2026-01-31 07:32:19 UTC.

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Echoes of Childhood Neglect: Path analysis of Emotional Regulation and Solitude Preferences in Young Adults [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]

Background Neglect is the most prevalent manifestation of maltreatment of a child, which can have severe long-term and short-term consequences. The negative consequences of childhood neglect are not just limited to childhood but are found to be related to minor to major emotional issues during adulthood. Methods The study employs a cross-sectional research design to explore the effects of childhood neglect on difficulties in emotional regulation and a preference for solitude among young adults, using path analysis. Using the purposive sampling method, 209 young adults aged 19 to 30 years were selected. The Multidimensional Neglectful Behaviour Scale Form A, which measures neglect of physical needs (PN), supervisory needs (SN), cognitive needs (CN), and emotional needs (EN), as well as the Preference for Solitude scale and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form I, were utilised for data collection. Result Path analysis revealed a significant direct effect of experiencing childhood emotional and supervisory neglect on difficulties in emotional regulation among young adults. A preference for solitude was not significantly predicted by childhood neglect or difficulties in emotional regulation. Conclusion The study signifies that the experience of various forms of childhood neglect does not occur in isolation and is not limited to troubled childhood, but can echo into adulthood, resulting in deprived emotional capacities.

in F1000Research on 2026-01-31 07:21:42 UTC.

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The Role of Digital Maturity in Achieving the Quality of E-Services: An Analytical Study at Al-Rafidain Bank – Fallujah Branch [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]

Objective The study aims to explore how the features and components of digital maturity influence the enhancement of e-service quality at Al-Rafidain Bank – Fallujah Branch. Design/Methodology The study employed a descriptive-analytical methodology, utilizing a questionnaire as the primary tool to measure the relationships between variables. Theoretical/Framework This study investigates the impact of digital maturity on e-service quality (reliability, trust, security, responsiveness, ease of invective, data confidentiality, etc.) to find out if Al-Rafidain Bank will be able to serve its customers more efficiently and effectively in the coming years Findings The findings showed a strong correlation and a significant impact of digital maturity on the quality of e-services offered. It was also established that digital maturity explained between 53% and 56% of the service quality variance. The strongest drivers in this regard included technological culture, organizational structures, and visions and perceptions, while the impact of technological tools was weak in the absence of effective implementation. These findings suggest that to achieve superior quality in e-services, having technology available is a prerequisite. However, having technology is not enough; it should be combined with organizational elements, staff empowerment, and a predominant digital vision. Thus, digital maturity is an essential determinant for performance improvement and institutional digital transformation. Conclusions The results showed that Al-Rafidain Bank – Fallujah Branch, Al-Rafidain Bank in the Fallujah branch, maintains a high level of digital maturity, which is a result of advanced technology coupled with quality e-services. The technological culture organization, and digital vision framework uniquely enhance service quality, demonstrating the need to provide all the digital components in order to attain a tangible transformation that is viable and efficient.

in F1000Research on 2026-01-31 07:16:21 UTC.

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Assessment Levels of cytokines and chemokines parameters in Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women with Breast Cancer [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]

Background Immune dysregulation—particularly involving cytokines and chemokines—contributes to breast cancer progression and metastasis. To compare circulating levels of interleukin-17 (IL-17), interleukin-34 (IL-34), and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) between premenopausal and postmenopausal women with breast cancer and age-matched healthy controls. Methods In this case–control study, 130 women were enrolled: 90 patients with breast cancer (45 premenopausal; 45 postmenopausal) and 40 healthy controls (20 premenopausal; 20 postmenopausal). Serum IL-17, IL-34, and CXCL12 concentrations were quantified by ELISA. Group differences were assessed using independent-samples t-tests. Results Mean serum levels of IL-17, IL-34, and CXCL12 were significantly higher in patients than in controls across both menopausal strata (all p < 0.001). The pattern of elevation was consistent in premenopausal and postmenopausal subgroups, indicating that the observed immune perturbations are not restricted by menopausal status. Conclusions IL-17, IL-34, and CXCL12 are markedly elevated in women with breast cancer irrespective of menopausal state and may serve as accessible immune biomarkers for disease detection and monitoring. Validation in larger, longitudinal cohorts is warranted to evaluate diagnostic performance and potential therapeutic relevance.

in F1000Research on 2026-01-31 07:13:02 UTC.

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From Leadership to Addiction: How Does a Brand Create a Lasting Impact? a Descriptive Analytical of The Opinions of a Sample Customers of Apple, Samsung, and Huawei Companies [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]

Objective The main objective of the study lies in identifying the impact of brand leadership in achieving brand addiction, and Apple, Samsung, and Huawei companies were chosen as the field of study. Study Methodology and Tools In order to achieve the objectives of the study, the researchers adopted the descriptive-analytical method to collect data accurately and in detail about the phenomenon, and then analyze it to extract results and interpretations. Accordingly, the study investigated the opinions of a sample of customers of Apple, Samsung, and Huawei companies at the level of Iraq, in line with the nature of the studied variables. The questionnaire was formulated as the main tool for data collection, and (395) questionnaires were distributed electronically through a Google form, using the five-point Likert scale, and processed and analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. Results The study reached a set of results, the most important of which is the existence of a partial effect of brand leadership in achieving brand addiction in the investigated companies. The study concluded with a set of recommendations related to the study variables, the most important of which is focusing on strengthening brand leadership, which enhances customer addiction to the brand and the sustainability of their relationship with it, in addition to future research directions.

in F1000Research on 2026-01-31 07:07:05 UTC.

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Deconvoluting the Electrophysiological Signatures of Myocardial Ischemia using a Validated Machine Learning Framework [version 2; peer review: 2 approved with reservations]

Background Myocardial ischemia is a dynamic, complex process characterized by hyperkalemia, acidosis, and ATP depletion. While these three conditions alter cardiomyocyte electrophysiology, it is difficult to discern how much each one individually contributes to the resulting changes in action potential (AP). In this study, we test whether machine learning can deconvolute these distinct ischemic patterns within a single AP. Methods We developed a multi-target regression model trained on data generated by the Luo-Rudy (1991) computational model of a ventricular cardiomyocyte, simulating a wide range of ischemic conditions. The model was designed to predict two continuous variables: extracellular potassium concentration ([K+]o) and intracellular pH (pHi). Results The model achieved high accuracy on a held-out test set, with mean squared errors (MSE) below 0.25 for [K+]o and below 0.01 for pHi. To further generalize this model, we applied this trained model to a structurally distinct model, the Ten Tusscher (2006) framework. We were able to accurately predict [K+]o and pHi from APs, demonstrating that the learned principles are robust. A feature importance analysis revealed that resting membrane potential (RMP) was the strongest predictor for [K+]o, while action potential duration (APD) is most important for predicting pHi, underscoring these distinct cardiomyocyte electrophysiological patterns Conclusions Our approach can distinguish distinct ischemic drivers and has potential for in silico drug screening and mechanistic analysis.

in F1000Research on 2026-01-31 07:02:58 UTC.

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Nanotwin architecture and ultra-high valley degeneracy lead to high thermoelectric performance in GeTe-based thermoelectric materials

Nature Communications, Published online: 31 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-68908-0

Authors propose a pathway to design GeTe based thermoelectric materials with high thermoelectric performance and mechanical properties by nanotwin architecture and inducing high valley degeneracy.

in Nature Communications on 2026-01-31 00:00:00 UTC.

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Plasma proteome mediates the associations between air pollution exposure and disease risk

Nature Communications, Published online: 31 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-68972-6

This study shows that circulating proteins mediate the health effects of air pollution on multiple diseases and proposes a protein-based risk score for prediction of pollution-related disease susceptibility.

in Nature Communications on 2026-01-31 00:00:00 UTC.

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Bioinspired charge reservoir enables efficient CO2 photoreduction with H2O via tungsten valence oscillation

Nature Communications, Published online: 31 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-68991-3

Solar-driven conversion of CO₂ and H₂O into chemicals is a promising strategy, yet achieving simultaneous and efficient CO₂ reduction and H₂O oxidation remains challenging. Here, the authors design silver-modified tungsten trioxide that acts as a charge reservoir via reversible W⁶⁺/W⁵⁺ transitions under irradiation, enabling efficient CO₂ photoreduction with H₂O.

in Nature Communications on 2026-01-31 00:00:00 UTC.

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Insights into the structure and modulation of human TWIK-2

Nature Communications, Published online: 31 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-69072-1

TWIK-2 is an endolysosomal potassium channel implicated in inflammatory responses. Here, authors present a cryo-EM structure of human TWIK-2 and establish a high-throughput automated patch-clamp electrophysiology assay to investigate modulation of TWIK-2.

in Nature Communications on 2026-01-31 00:00:00 UTC.

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Safety and biologic activity of a bispecific T cell receptor targeting HIV Gag in males living with HIV: a first-in-human trial

Nature Communications, Published online: 31 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-68833-2

Although antiretroviral therapies (ART) have expanded the life expectancy of patients with HIV, they are not curative due to the presence of latently infected cells. Here, the authors present IMC-M113V, a bispecific soluble TCR targeting the HIV peptide Gag77-85 complexed to HLA-A*02:01 as an approach for targeting HIV reservoirs and test safety, tolerability and pharmacodynamics in a first-in-human clinical trial on 12 HLA-A*02:01-positive male individuals on ART.

in Nature Communications on 2026-01-31 00:00:00 UTC.

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Depth Resolved Metagenomic Dataset from Surface and Deep Chlorophyll Maximum Layers in the Western Pacific Ocean

Scientific Data, Published online: 31 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41597-026-06706-5

Depth Resolved Metagenomic Dataset from Surface and Deep Chlorophyll Maximum Layers in the Western Pacific Ocean

in Nature scientific data on 2026-01-31 00:00:00 UTC.

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Alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonists Reduce Heavy Alcohol Drinking and Improve Cognitive Performance in Mice

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is one of the top behavioral causes of global disease burden in the United States. Repeated cycles of alcohol intoxication and abstinence induce neuroplastic alterations which induce excessive drinking and cognitive impairments. A system deeply dysregulated by chronic drinking is norepinephrine (NE). At moderate levels, NE has beneficial effects on cognition and behavior, mediated by the α2 adrenergic receptor (AR) subtype. Whether α2 AR activation blunts alcohol consumption in models of heavy drinking has not been determined, and whether α2 AR activation improves cognitive performance following chronic alcohol consumption is unknown. Here, we show that the α2 AR agonist clonidine worsens ethanol-induced hypothermia and sedation in male mice, while the more selective α2 AR agonist guanfacine is devoid of these effects. We also observed that, in male and female mice, while both clonidine and guanfacine reduce heavy alcohol drinking, guanfacine does so with higher potency. Furthermore, guanfacine improved cognitive performance in a temporal order test and, partially, in a novel object recognition test but had no effect in a novel spatial location test, in male and female ethanol-experienced mice. Finally, we found that chronic intermittent ethanol drinking increases the number of persistently activated NE neurons in both the locus ceruleus and the nucleus of the tractus solitarius, in both male and female mice. Our results highlight a central role for the α2 AR system in heavy alcohol drinking and associated cognitive deficits, suggesting that α2 AR stimulation may represent a viable pharmacological strategy to treat AUD.

in eNeuro on 2026-01-30 16:30:27 UTC.

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TEvarSim: A genome simulator for transposable element (TE) variants

by Jian Miao, Dawei Li

Transposable element (TE) variants, the presence or absence of TE sequences such as LINE-1, Alu, SVA, and endogenous retroviruses, are a major source of genomic diversity and play critical roles in human health, evolution, and disease. As interest in TE variants grows, developing related methods and tools for detection has become increasingly important. However, rigorous benchmarking of TE variant detection methods remains limited due to the lack of accurate and scalable TE variant simulation platforms and the absence of reliable ground truth data. Here, we developed TEvarSim, a novel TE variant simulator that generates TE-containing genomic data in multiple formats, including genomes, short- and long-read sequencing data, and VCF files. TEvarSim supports both random and real-world TE insertions and deletions, including variants derived from pangenome graphs. It can rapidly simulate hundreds to thousands of synthetic chromosomes or genomes and model natural variation at the haplotype, individual, and population levels, making it well suited for large-scale studies. In addition, TEvarSim can directly compare simulated VCF files with TEs reported by TE detection tools, streamlining the benchmarking of TE genotyping methods. TEvarSim provides an all-in-one toolkit for simulating, evaluating, and improving TE variant detection, advancing our ability to accurately study TEs in health and disease in various species.

in PLoS Computational Biology on 2026-01-30 14:00:00 UTC.

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Capturing individual variation in children’s electroencephalograms during nREM sleep

by Verna Heikkinen, Susanne Merz, Riitta Salmelin, Sampsa Vanhatalo, Leena Lauronen, Mia Liljeström, Hanna Renvall

Human brain dynamics are highly unique between individuals: functional neuroimaging studies have recently described functional features that can be used as neural fingerprints. However, the stability of these fingerprints is affected by aging and disease. As such, the stability of brain fingerprints may be a useful metric when studying normal and pathological neurodevelopment. Before examining clinically relevant deviations, the individual stability and variation of neuroimaging features across brain maturation in normally developing children need to be addressed with real clinical data. Here we applied Bayesian reduced-rank regression (BRRR) to extract low-dimensional representations of electroencephalography (EEG) power spectra measured during different non-REM sleep stages (N1 and N2) from 782 normally developing children aged between 6 weeks to 19 years. The representations learned within specific sleep stages successfully separated between subjects and generalized across sleep stages. Fingerprint stability increased with the age of the subjects. Compared to correlation-based fingerprinting methods, the BRRR model performed better, especially in fingerprinting across sleep stages, highlighting the usefulness of dimensionality reduction when the noise and signal of interest are correlated. While further studies are needed to address the possible non-linear maturation effects over developmental periods, our results demonstrate the existence of stable within-session neurofunctional fingerprints in pediatric populations.

in PLoS Computational Biology on 2026-01-30 14:00:00 UTC.

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Microstructural profiles of the human superficial white matter and their associations to cortical geometry and connectivity

by Youngeun Hwang, Raul Rodriguez-Cruces, Jordan DeKraker, Donna Gift Cabalo, Ilana R. Leppert, Risavarshni Thevakumaran, Christine L. Tardif, David A. Rudko, Casey Paquola, Pierre-Louis Bazin, Andrea Bernasconi, Neda Bernasconi, Luis Concha, Alan C. Evans, Boris C. Bernhardt

The superficial white matter (SWM), immediately beneath the cortical mantle, is thought to play a major role in cortico-cortical connectivity as well as large-scale brain function. Yet, this compartment remains rarely studied due to its complex organization. Our objectives were to develop and disseminate a robust computational framework to study SWM organization based on 3D histology and high-field 7T MRI. Using data from the BigBrain and Ahead 3D histology initiatives, we first interrogated variations in cell staining intensities across different cortical regions and different SWM depths. These findings were then translated to in vivo 7T quantitative myelin-sensitive MRI, including T1 relaxometry (T1 map) and magnetization transfer saturation (MTsat). As indicated by the statistical moments of the SWM intensity profiles, the first 2 mm below the cortico-subcortical boundary were characterized by high structural complexity. We quantified SWM microstructural variation using a nonlinear dimensionality reduction method and examined the relationship of the resulting microstructural gradients with indices of cortical geometry, as well as structural and functional connectivity. Our results showed correlations between SWM microstructural gradients, as well as curvature and cortico-cortical functional connectivity. Our study provides novel insights into the organization of SWM in the human brain and underscores the potential of SWM mapping to advance fundamental and applied neuroscience research.

in PLoS Biology on 2026-01-30 14:00:00 UTC.

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Correction: Intragenomic conflicts with plasmids and chromosomal mobile genetic elements drive the evolution of natural transformation within species

by Fanny Mazzamurro, Jason Baby Chirakadavil, Isabelle Durieux, Ludovic Poiré, Julie Plantade, Christophe Ginevra, Sophie Jarraud, Gottfried Wilharm, Xavier Charpentier, Eduardo P. C. Rocha

in PLoS Biology on 2026-01-30 14:00:00 UTC.

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A gut-activated NHR-86–CYP pathway mediates the neuroprotective effects of Enterococcus faecium probiotics in a nematode model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

by Yu Sang, Jie Ren, Alejandro Aballay

Neurodegenerative diseases are often associated with oxidative stress, and while probiotics may influence neuronal health, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Using the sod-1 A4V^M amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) model in Caenorhabditis elegans, we investigated the protective effects of the probiotic Enterococcus faecium against oxidative stress-induced neurodegeneration. Animals fed E. faecium showed reduced motor neuron degeneration under oxidative stress compared to those maintained on a standard Escherichia coli diet. Transcriptome analysis revealed a significant enrichment of oxidoreductase genes, including cytochrome P450 (cyp) genes. RNAi-mediated knockdown of cyp genes impaired E. faecium-mediated neuroprotection, and this loss correlated with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. We identified the conserved nuclear hormone receptor NHR-86 as a key regulator of cyp gene expression and neuroprotection. Loss of nhr-86 abolished the probiotic’s protective benefits, while transgenic expression of nhr-86 restored cyp induction and neuronal resilience. Importantly, intestinal expression of NHR-86 was sufficient to restore CYP induction and neuronal resilience, whereas neuronal knockdown had no effect, indicating that gut NHR-86 activity is essential for this protective pathway. These findings reveal a previously uncharacterized NHR-CYP regulatory axis activated by an intestinal probiotic, highlighting a mechanistic link between microbial signals and host neuroprotection.

in PLoS Biology on 2026-01-30 14:00:00 UTC.

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Five energy metabolism pathways show distinct regional distributions and lifespan trajectories in the human brain

by Moohebat Pourmajidian, Justine Y. Hansen, Golia Shafiei, Bratislav Misic, Alain Dagher

Energy metabolism involves a series of biochemical reactions that generate ATP, utilizing substrates such as glucose and oxygen supplied via cerebral blood flow. Energy substrates are metabolized in multiple interrelated pathways that are cell- and organelle-specific. These pathways not only generate energy but are also fundamental to the production of essential biomolecules required for neuronal function and survival. How these complex biochemical processes are spatially distributed across the cortex is integral to understanding the structure and function of the brain. Here, using curated gene sets and whole-brain transcriptomics, we generate maps of five fundamental energy metabolic pathways: glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway, tricarboxylic acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation and lactate metabolism. We find consistent divergence between primarily energy-producing and anabolic pathways, particularly in unimodal sensory cortices. We then explore the spatial alignment of these maps with multi-scale structural and functional attributes, including metabolic uptake, neurophysiological oscillations, cell type composition, laminar organization and macro-scale connectivity. We find that energy pathways exhibit unique relationships with the cellular and laminar organization of the cortex, pointing to the higher energy demands of large pyramidal cells and efferent projections. Finally, we show that metabolic pathways exhibit distinct developmental trajectories from the fetal stage to adulthood. The primary energy-producing pathways peak in childhood, while the anabolic pentose phosphate pathway shows greater prenatal expression and declines throughout life. Together, these results highlight the rich biochemical complexity of energy metabolism organization in the brain.

in PLoS Biology on 2026-01-30 14:00:00 UTC.

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Reimagining Identity in Postcolonial East African Literature: A Comparative Analysis of Ngugi wa Thiong'o and Abdulrazak Gurnah [version 3; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations]

This essay compares how Ngugi wa Thiong’o and Abdulrazak Gurnah, two leading East African writers, represent postcolonial identity and historical trauma through fiction. It examines their contrasting approaches to literary resistance: Ngugi embraces radical language politics and collective cultural reclamation, while Gurnah employs narrative ambiguity, exile experiences, and linguistic hybridity. The analysis reveals how intergenerational trauma operates in their works, with memory functioning as a morally charged force shaping identity and narrative authority. Despite their differences, Ngugi prioritizing political clarity and revolutionary consciousness, Gurnah exploring subtle psychological details and narrative dissonance, both authors demonstrate literature’s ethical power to contest historical erasure and reimagine postcolonial futures with compassion and complexity.

in F1000Research on 2026-01-30 11:51:15 UTC.

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Counterfactual analysis: Comparing voucher systems with taxes, subsidies, and public spending to reduce income inequality [version 3; peer review: 1 approved, 1 not approved]

Background This study examines how voucher systems compare to traditional redistributive policies—such as progressive taxation, subsidies, and public spending—in reducing income inequality. Methods We apply a counterfactual analysis approach, using panel data from twelve countries over 22 years. By employing econometric modelling, we simulate a series of “what-if” scenarios to assess the impact of each policy on the Gini coefficient, a key measure of income inequality. Results The results suggest that voucher systems can be particularly effective at targeting essential services, like education and healthcare, improving access for lower-income groups, and helping to reduce inequality. Public spending on education and healthcare proves to be incredibly potent in narrowing income disparities. These sectors are vital for addressing systemic inequalities, improving overall access and providing long-term benefits to disadvantaged groups. In contrast, progressive taxation and subsidies show mixed effectiveness. While higher tax revenues often correlate with reduced inequality, their impacts vary across countries and contexts. The effectiveness of progressive taxation depends on factors such as the efficiency of tax systems and the political environment, which can influence how well these policies work. Similarly, subsidies generally produce only modest or inconsistent reductions in income gaps, suggesting that while they provide temporary relief, they do not always address the root causes of inequality. Conclusions These findings suggest that well-designed voucher programs, when combined with progressive taxation and strategic public spending, can play a key role in enhancing redistribution efforts. By improving access to essential services and targeting lower-income groups, vouchers have the potential to reduce income inequality. However, achieving equitable economic outcomes requires careful policy design and attention to the broader economic context.

in F1000Research on 2026-01-30 11:44:36 UTC.

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A genetic screen for modifiers of cohesin clustering identifies regulators of genome folding

Science Advances, Volume 12, Issue 5, January 2026.

in Science Advances on 2026-01-30 08:00:00 UTC.

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Multimodal social context modulates larval behavior in Drosophila

Science Advances, Volume 12, Issue 5, January 2026.

in Science Advances on 2026-01-30 08:00:00 UTC.

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Inhibition of focal adhesion kinase impairs tumor formation and preserves hearing in a murine model of NF2-related schwannomatosis

Science Advances, Volume 12, Issue 5, January 2026.

in Science Advances on 2026-01-30 08:00:00 UTC.

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The gut-brain vagal axis governs mesolimbic dopamine dynamics and reward events

Science Advances, Volume 12, Issue 5, January 2026.

in Science Advances on 2026-01-30 08:00:00 UTC.

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Structural insight into the glucose-6-phosphate transport by G6PT1 and inhibition mechanism of CGA

Science Advances, Volume 12, Issue 5, January 2026.

in Science Advances on 2026-01-30 08:00:00 UTC.

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An electrophilicity-engineered magnetic sensor for MRI detection of dormant tumor cell clusters

Science Advances, Volume 12, Issue 5, January 2026.

in Science Advances on 2026-01-30 08:00:00 UTC.

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Induction of collective behavior by β-1,3-glucans in microalgae

Science Advances, Volume 12, Issue 5, January 2026.

in Science Advances on 2026-01-30 08:00:00 UTC.

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Cryo-EM structure of human AQP11 reveals a trimeric architecture with a large pore

Science Advances, Volume 12, Issue 5, January 2026.

in Science Advances on 2026-01-30 08:00:00 UTC.

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Computational rational design of unspecific peroxygenase for C-H oxidation

Science Advances, Volume 12, Issue 5, January 2026.

in Science Advances on 2026-01-30 08:00:00 UTC.

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The root nodule symbiosis regulator NIN exhibits broad DNA binding specificity conferred by an NLP-inherited motif

Science Advances, Volume 12, Issue 5, January 2026.

in Science Advances on 2026-01-30 08:00:00 UTC.

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Pyruvate kinase muscle 2 (PKM2) promotes CD4 T cell survival by regulating pyruvate oxidation during homeostasis and expansion

Science Advances, Volume 12, Issue 5, January 2026.

in Science Advances on 2026-01-30 08:00:00 UTC.

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A synthetic Antrodia cinnamomea galactomannan library by frameshift unveils a potent immunoregulatory octasaccharide domain

Science Advances, Volume 12, Issue 5, January 2026.

in Science Advances on 2026-01-30 08:00:00 UTC.

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Eccentricity rhythms in the Oligocene-Miocene carbon cycle regulated by weathering and carbonate burial

Science Advances, Volume 12, Issue 5, January 2026.

in Science Advances on 2026-01-30 08:00:00 UTC.

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Monitoring glioblastoma extracellular vesicle evolution using a nanodiagnostic platform to detect glioma stem cells driving recurrent disease

Science Advances, Volume 12, Issue 5, January 2026.

in Science Advances on 2026-01-30 08:00:00 UTC.

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Quantum state revival via coherent energy redistribution

Science Advances, Volume 12, Issue 5, January 2026.

in Science Advances on 2026-01-30 08:00:00 UTC.

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Neuroimmune activation in temporal lobe epilepsy patients with worsening seizure following the COVID-19 pandemic: A [18F]DPA-714 PET/MR study

Science Advances, Volume 12, Issue 5, January 2026.

in Science Advances on 2026-01-30 08:00:00 UTC.

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Kilometer-scale convection-allowing model emulation using generative diffusion modeling

Science Advances, Volume 12, Issue 5, January 2026.

in Science Advances on 2026-01-30 08:00:00 UTC.

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From monoamine deficits to multiscale plasticity: twenty-five years of ketamine and the neurophysiology of depression

Journal of Neurophysiology, Volume 135, Issue 2, Page 406-413, February 2026.

in Journal of Neurophysiology on 2026-01-30 06:01:42 UTC.

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Menstrual cycle phase alters corticospinal excitability and spike-timing-dependent plasticity in healthy females

Journal of Neurophysiology, Volume 135, Issue 2, Page 414-424, February 2026.

in Journal of Neurophysiology on 2026-01-30 06:01:40 UTC.

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Urethane and vagotomy reshape cardiorespiratory homeostasis and RTN chemoreceptor function

Journal of Neurophysiology, Volume 135, Issue 2, Page 394-405, February 2026.

in Journal of Neurophysiology on 2026-01-30 06:01:40 UTC.

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Astrocytes and neurons exhibit partially shared but distinct composite receptive fields for natural stimuli

Journal of Neurophysiology, Volume 135, Issue 2, Page 382-393, February 2026.

in Journal of Neurophysiology on 2026-01-30 06:01:39 UTC.

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Impact of sample size on optimisation algorithms for the MLP used in the prediction of client subscription to a term deposit [version 2; peer review: 1 approved with reservations]

Background One of the disadvantages of the multilayer perception (MLP), which is a machine learning (ML) algorithm used in various fields, includes the uncontrollable growth of the number of total parameters, which may make MLP redundant in such high dimensions, and the uncontrollable growing stack of layers that ignores spatial information. Optimization algorithms were developed to determine the optimum number of parameters for MLP. Methods In this paper, the performances of the Genetic Algorithm (GA), Grasshopper Optimization Algorithm (GOA), and Covariance Matrix Adaptation Evolution Strategy (CMA-ES) are compared. The study also sought to determine the impact of sample size variations on these optimization algorithms. A dataset on the direct marketing campaigns of a Portuguese banking institution from the UCI Machine Learning Repository with a sample size of 4 521 was used. Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique (SMOTE) was applied to balance the binary dependent variables for the training data across various sample sizes. Results Based on the classification accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, precision, F-score, and execution time, the MLP based on CMA-ES (CMA-ES-MLP) was identified as the best classifier overall, as it maintained high rates of these classification metrics and was the second fastest to train. CMA-ES-MLP with a training sample of 5 114 was our ideal classifier, and it competes well with the classifiers that have been built by previous studies that used the same dataset. Conclusions The study found no consistent increase or decrease in the classification performance of the algorithms as the sample size increased, and the metrics fluctuated rapidly across sample sizes. It is recommended that future studies be conducted to compare the best-performing classifiers identified in previous studies with the CMA-ES-MLP in this study under the same experimental conditions.

in F1000Research on 2026-01-30 05:03:35 UTC.

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The State at a Crossroads: Legal Pluralism in Indonesia's Indigenous Peoples' Agrarian Conflicts [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]

One of the most difficult types of agrarian dispute to resolve in conflict-prone countries is one involving corporations, governments, and powerful individuals. Indonesia has the sixth highest agrarian conflict rate in Asia. This dispute took place in 74% of all occurrences, 94% of all individual victims, and 84% of all impacted households. This article focuses on territorial boundaries between indigenous tribes as well as Indonesian government programs such as public infrastructure development, which includes roads, bridges, airports, ports, and trains. This study combines historical analysis with current developments to contribute to an empirical and theoretical understanding of land battles. This article gives a systematic evaluation of the literature on indigenous peoples using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic evaluation and Meta-Analysis) methodology. This review looks at three academic databases: Scopus, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Eric. These findings reveal that many indigenous tribes continue to lack legal or official recognition. Despite constitutional law, Indonesia, a multicultural country, has customary and religious rules among its indigenous tribes. Recognition of customary law and customary land still lacks a solid foundation.

in F1000Research on 2026-01-30 04:46:14 UTC.

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Empowerment Model for The Elderly and Community to Improve the Welfare of the Elderly [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]

Rapid population ageing poses significant challenges to elderly welfare, particularly in communities with limited institutional support. This study aims to develop and empirically test an empowerment model involving older people and the community to sustainably improve elderly welfare. Using a mixed-method research design, the study combines quantitative analysis of welfare outcomes with qualitative exploration of empowerment processes. Quantitative data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 210 elderly participants involved in community-based empowerment programs. Elderly welfare was measured across physical, psychological, social, and economic dimensions. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, paired-samples t-tests, and multiple regression. Qualitative data were obtained through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with elderly participants, family members, and community cadres. They were analysed thematically to enrich the interpretation of the statistical findings. The statistical results indicate a significant improvement in elderly welfare following program implementation. The mean welfare score increased from 3.12 to 3.89 on a five-point scale (t = 9.46, p < 0.001). Regression analysis shows that community participation (β = 0.41, p < 0.001) and elderly self-efficacy (β = 0.36, p < 0.01) are strong predictors of welfare improvement, explaining 52% of the variance in welfare outcomes (R2 = 0.52). Qualitative findings support these results, revealing enhanced independence, stronger social networks, and increased community recognition of older people as active contributors rather than dependents. The study concludes that an integrated empowerment model, combining health promotion, social engagement, economic micro-activities, and psychosocial support, effectively improves elderly welfare when supported by active community involvement. This research contributes to scientific discourse on empowerment-based ageing interventions and provides evidence-based recommendations for policymakers and practitioners in designing community-driven elderly welfare programs.

in F1000Research on 2026-01-30 04:38:40 UTC.

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Digital marketing and consumer behavior of enterprises under the background of national subsidy policies [version 2; peer review: 1 approved with reservations]

Against the backdrop of the digital economy, government subsidies, as a key macroeconomic regulation tool, interact with enterprises’ digital marketing investment and consumer behavior, yet relevant in-depth research remains scarce. This study aims to explore the complex relationships between national subsidy policies, enterprises’ digital marketing strategies, and consumer purchase intentions, with a focus on the second-hand product market. Based on a review of existing literature, five core hypotheses are proposed: national subsidy policies significantly enhance enterprises’ digital marketing investment; enterprises’ digital marketing strategies under subsidies positively impact consumer purchase intentions; consumers’ awareness of subsidy policies strengthens their purchase intentions; consumers’ trust in digital marketing platforms moderates the impact of digital marketing on purchase intentions; and national subsidy policies reduce consumers’ willingness to purchase second-hand products. This research bridges the existing research gap, constructs a comprehensive theoretical framework for the interaction between government, enterprises, and consumers in the digital age, and provides theoretical basis and practical guidance for policy makers and business decision-makers.

in F1000Research on 2026-01-30 04:21:15 UTC.

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Integrated approaches for investigating the Neural Bases of Movement - Highlights from the 34th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Neural Control of Movement

Journal of Neurophysiology, Ahead of Print.

in Journal of Neurophysiology on 2026-01-30 04:09:45 UTC.

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A neural language for the cerebellum: control of behavior via competing populations of Purkinje cells

Journal of Neurophysiology, Ahead of Print.

in Journal of Neurophysiology on 2026-01-30 03:59:56 UTC.

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Weight-bearing symmetry changes after asymmetric surface stiffness walking

Journal of Neurophysiology, Ahead of Print.

in Journal of Neurophysiology on 2026-01-30 03:53:49 UTC.

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Runx1 transcription factor modulates opioid analgesia and withdrawal in humans and rodents

Opioid responses differ across individuals. Runt-related transcription factor 1 (Runx1) modulates the microglial transcriptome, influencing opioid analgesia and withdrawal. RUNX1 variants may underlie inter-individual differences in opioid responses, guiding personalized strategies to optimize opioid pain management and minimize adverse outcomes.

in Neuron: In press on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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CB1R and GlyT2 interaction in spinal glycinergic circuits drives neuropathic mechanical pain

Wang et al. reveal how nerve injury causes mechanical allodynia. It triggers endocannabinoid release, which disables the spinal Gly-PKCγ “allodynia gate” by disrupting inhibitory control. They develop a peptide that reverses this process, offering a promising strategy to alleviate chronic pain.

in Neuron: In press on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Large-scale metagenomic analysis reveals host genetics shapes microbiomes in wild freshwater fish gut and skin

Tang et al. performed a large-scale metagenomic analysis that provided a deeper understanding of the microbial composition of the gut and skin of wild freshwater fish as well as the phylosymbiosis relationships between them. The assembled 705 MAGs have greatly enriched microbial genome resources for fish species.

in Cell Reports: Current Issue on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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NAD+ sensing by PARP7 regulates the C/EBPβ-dependent transcription program during adipogenesis

Stokes et al. demonstrate that PARP7 “senses” the levels of nuclear NAD+ during early adipogenic differentiation via an ADP-ribosylation-ubiquitin-proteasome pathway to regulate C/EBPβ-dependent proadipogenic gene expression through p300-mediated H3K27 acetylation. Stabilized PARP7 promotes the binding of C/EBPβ to chromatin genome-wide, enhancing lipid synthesis and adipogenesis in vivo.

in Cell Reports: Current Issue on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Two-component system HprS/HprR enhances kidney colonization of uropathogenic Escherichia coli CFT073 by increasing flagellar expression

Li et al. reported that TCS HprSR contributes to UPEC colonization of kidneys. The underlying mechanism involves UPEC HprSR directly activating the expression of flagellar export apparatus genes (fliLMNOPQR) in response to host-derived ROS and RCS. This finding provides insights for the development of therapeutic agents to treat UPEC infection.

in Cell Reports: Current Issue on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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A neuron subtype-specific role of MEK-ERK signaling in axon survival via transcriptional regulation of Nmnat2

Yue et al. find the subtype-specific regulation of Nmnat2 transcription by Raf-MEK-ERK in DRG neurons, while cortical and spinal neurons use a MEK-independent mechanism. This context-dependent axon survival paradigm helps explain differential MEKi vulnerability of PNS and CNS neurons, indicating Nmnat2 as a potential target to counteract MEKi-induced neuropathy.

in Cell Reports: Current Issue on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Neuronal networks in the dorsal hippocampus causally regulate rescue behavior in mice

dos Santos Correa et al. show that exposure to a stressful context promotes the acquisition of rescue behavior in mice and that the dorsal hippocampus is required for this learning. Calcium imaging reveals synchronized neuronal ensembles in the dHPC that mechanistically support successful prosocial rescues.

in Cell Reports: Current Issue on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Publisher Correction: A domed pachycephalosaur from the early Cretaceous of Mongolia

Nature, Published online: 30 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10184-5

Publisher Correction: A domed pachycephalosaur from the early Cretaceous of Mongolia

in Nature on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Publisher Correction: Nanotyrannus and Tyrannosaurus coexisted at the close of the Cretaceous

Nature, Published online: 30 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10185-4

Publisher Correction: Nanotyrannus and Tyrannosaurus coexisted at the close of the Cretaceous

in Nature on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Largest galaxy survey yet confirms that the Universe is not clumpy enough

Nature, Published online: 30 January 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-00276-7

The six-year results from the Dark Energy Survey highlight unresolved tensions in standard cosmological theory.

in Nature on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Briefing Chat: What Brazilian centenarians could reveal about the science of ageing

Nature, Published online: 30 January 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-00322-4

Nature staff discuss some of the week’s top science news.

in Nature on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Light-powered bacteria become living chemical factories

Nature, Published online: 30 January 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-00275-8

Engineered Escherichia coli could open the door to more sustainable routes to new drugs and other chemicals.

in Nature on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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This robot hand detaches and walks by itself

Nature, Published online: 30 January 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-00327-z

Six-fingered appendage can detach, crawl and manipulate objects

in Nature on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Can academia handle my religious faith?

Nature, Published online: 30 January 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-00154-2

Religious faith is a fundamental part of many academics’ identities, but some are nervous of talking about it at work.

in Nature on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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How DeepMind's genome AI could help solve rare disease mysteries

Nature, Published online: 30 January 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-00302-8

Hackathons using AlphaGenome and other AI models are hunting down the genetic causes of devastating conditions that have evaded diagnosis.

in Nature on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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China is betting on ‘optical’ computer chips – will they power AI?

Nature, Published online: 30 January 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-00274-9

Semiconductor chips that process light rather than electricity could boost processing speeds and reduce energy use.

in Nature on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Ultrahigh-resolution nanoimprint patterning of quantum-dot light-emitting diodes via capillary self-assembly

Nature Photonics, Published online: 30 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41566-025-01836-5

A nanoimprint technique exploiting capillary forces in nanohole arrays enables patterning CdSe-based quantum-dot LEDs with a resolution of nearly 170,000 pixels per inch while maintaining high average external quantum efficiencies of 17.0%, 10.5% and 5.7% for red-, green- and blue-emitting pixels, respectively.

in Nature Photomics on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Author Correction: Ocean fronts and eddies force atmospheric rivers and heavy precipitation in western North America

Nature Communications, Published online: 30 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-68408-1

Author Correction: Ocean fronts and eddies force atmospheric rivers and heavy precipitation in western North America

in Nature Communications on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Governing black soils for food and climate security

Nature Communications, Published online: 30 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-69018-7

Black soils feed the world yet remain undervalued in food and climate governance frameworks. A policy package, including global monitoring as public infrastructure, co-designed and place-based solutions based on tailored tools, planning that fits land and people, mobilizing alliance with finance and force, and mainstreaming black soils in global pacts, can contribute to improving land quality and stabilize yields where it matters most.

in Nature Communications on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Ectopic cambia in wisteria vines are associated with the expression of conserved KNOX genes

Nature Communications, Published online: 30 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-68669-w

Here, using anatomy, transcriptomics, and functional assays, the authors reveal how Japanese wisteria climb using an unusual vascular architecture. Ectopic cambia arise from cortical cells and repurpose conserved cambium regulators, including KNOX genes.

in Nature Communications on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Quantum computing isn’t just about scaling

Nature Physics, Published online: 30 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41567-025-03110-5

The race to demonstrate quantum error correction often focuses on making ever-larger devices. A demonstration showing that splitting a surface-code logical qubit into two simpler repetition codes substantially reduces logical gate errors reminds us that advancing quantum computing does not hinge solely on scaling qubit numbers.

in Nature Physics on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Observation of dissipationless fractional Chern insulator

Nature Physics, Published online: 30 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41567-025-03167-2

Fractional Chern insulators have been observed in moiré MoTe2 at zero magnetic field, but the expected zero longitudinal resistance has not been demonstrated. Now it is shown that improving device quality allows this effect to appear.

in Nature Physics on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Lattice surgery realized on two distance-three repetition codes with superconducting qubits

Nature Physics, Published online: 30 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41567-025-03090-6

Quantum error correction codes protect quantum information, but running algorithms also requires the ability to perform gates on logical qubits. A lattice surgery scheme for fault-tolerant gates has now been demonstrated in a quantum repetition code.

in Nature Physics on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Fungal photobiont and microbiome genome composition in the Cladonia uncialis tripartite symbiosis

Scientific Data, Published online: 30 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41597-026-06624-6

Fungal photobiont and microbiome genome composition in the Cladonia uncialis tripartite symbiosis

in Nature scientific data on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Tile-drainage and Crop Rotation Enhanced Cropland Dataset to Improve Spatial Accuracy of Eco-hydrologic Models

Scientific Data, Published online: 30 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41597-026-06693-7

Tile-drainage and Crop Rotation Enhanced Cropland Dataset to Improve Spatial Accuracy of Eco-hydrologic Models

in Nature scientific data on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Chromosome-level genome assembly of the longfin barb (Acrossocheilus longipinnis)

Scientific Data, Published online: 30 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41597-026-06656-y

Chromosome-level genome assembly of the longfin barb (Acrossocheilus longipinnis)

in Nature scientific data on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Complex multi-echo fMRI dataset: New strategies in processing of multi-echo data

Scientific Data, Published online: 30 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41597-026-06694-6

Complex multi-echo fMRI dataset: New strategies in processing of multi-echo data

in Nature scientific data on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Synthesised database of wild bee and hoverfly records in Europe

Scientific Data, Published online: 30 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41597-026-06644-2

Synthesised database of wild bee and hoverfly records in Europe

in Nature scientific data on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Spatial Distribution Dataset of All Constructive Grass Species in Tibetan Grasslands under 2024 and 2060

Scientific Data, Published online: 30 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s41597-025-06277-x

Spatial Distribution Dataset of All Constructive Grass Species in Tibetan Grasslands under 2024 and 2060

in Nature scientific data on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Structural analysis reveals that water molecules mediate self-activation of GPR99

Communications Biology, Published online: 30 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s42003-026-09644-5

GPR99 self-activation is promoted by the second extracellular loop (ECL2) occupying the orthosteric pocket, which is stabilized by a water-mediated polar network. These findings provide a structural basis for this receptor’s physiological roles and a theoretical framework for designing drugs targeting the receptor.

in Nature communications biology on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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LukS-PV targeting C5aR inhibits EMT in hepatocellular carcinoma via the BCL6/HDAC6/HSPD1 axis

Communications Biology, Published online: 30 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s42003-026-09640-9

LukS-PV targets C5aR to inhibit HCC EMT and metastasis via the BCL6/HDAC6/HSPD1 axis, promoting HSPD1 acetylation and ubiquitin-mediated degradation, highlighting its potential as a targeted HCC therapeutic agent.

in Nature communications biology on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Auditory cortex modulates call duration in rats

Communications Biology, Published online: 30 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s42003-026-09608-9

Neuronal and pharmacological analysis of rat auditory cortex reveals its direct role in regulating vocal production, identifying distinct neuron classes that predict call timing and duration and demonstrating auditory modulation of vocal behavior

in Nature communications biology on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Sex- and etiology-specific effects on predictive processing in the inferior colliculus of two rat models of autism

Communications Biology, Published online: 30 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s42003-026-09585-z

This study examined auditory predictive processing at the single-neuron level in the inferior colliculus of genetic and environmental rat models of autism. Authors identified sex- and etiology-dependent alterations across auditory midbrain divisions, revealing early differences in sensory computations.

in Nature communications biology on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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A forebrain hub for cautious actions via the midbrain

Adaptive goal-directed behavior requires dynamic coordination of movement, motivation, and environmental cues. Among these, cautious actions, where animals adjust their behavior in anticipation of predictable threats, are essential for survival. Yet, their underlying neural mechanisms remain less well understood than those of appetitive behaviors, where caution plays little role. Using calcium imaging in freely moving mice, we show that glutamatergic neurons in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) are robustly engaged by contraversive movement during cue-evoked avoidance and exploratory behavior. Model-based analyses controlling for movement and other covariates revealed that STN neurons additionally encode salient sensory cues, punished errors, and especially cautious responding, where their activity anticipates avoidance actions. Targeted lesions and optogenetic manipulations reveal that STN projections to the midbrain are necessary for executing cued avoidance. These findings identify a critical role for the STN in orchestrating adaptive goal-directed behavior by integrating sensory, motor, and punitive signals to guide timely, cautious actions via its midbrain projections.

in eLife on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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The representation of facial emotion expands from sensory to prefrontal cortex with development

Facial expression recognition develops rapidly during infancy and improves from childhood to adulthood. As a critical component of social communication, this skill enables individuals to interpret others’ emotions and intentions. However, the brain mechanisms driving the development of this skill remain largely unclear due to the difficulty of obtaining data with both high spatial and temporal resolution from young children. By analyzing intracranial EEG data collected from childhood (5–10 years old) and post-childhood groups (13–55 years old), we find differential involvement of high-level brain area in processing facial expression information. For the post-childhood group, both the posterior superior temporal cortex (pSTC) and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) encode facial emotion features from a high-dimensional space. However, in children, the facial expression information is only significantly represented in the pSTC, not in the DLPFC. Furthermore, the encoding of complex emotions in pSTC is shown to increase with age. Taken together, young children rely more on low-level sensory areas than on the prefrontal cortex for facial emotion processing, suggesting that the prefrontal cortex matures with development to enable a full understanding of facial emotions, especially complex emotions that require social and life experience to comprehend.

in eLife on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Causal evidence for a domain-specific role of left superior frontal sulcus in human perceptual decision-making

Humans and animals can flexibly choose their actions based on different information, ranging from objective states of the environment (e.g., apples are bigger than cherries) to subjective preferences (e.g., cherries are tastier than apples). Whether the brain instantiates these different choices by recruiting either specialised or shared neural circuitry remains debated. Specifically, domain-general accounts of prefrontal cortex (PFC) function propose that prefrontal areas flexibly process either perceptual or value-based evidence depending on what is required for the present choice, whereas domain-specific theories posit that PFC sub-areas, such as the left superior frontal sulcus (SFS), selectively integrate evidence relevant for perceptual decisions. Here, we comprehensively test the functional role of the left SFS for choices based on perceptual- and value-based evidence, by combining functional magnetic resonance imaging with a behavioural paradigm, computational modelling, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Confirming predictions by a sequential sampling model, we show that TMS-induced excitability reduction of the left SFS selectively changes the processing of decision-relevant perceptual information and associated neural processes. In contrast, value-based decision-making and associated neural processes remain unaffected. This specificity of SFS function is evident at all levels of analysis (behavioural, computational, and neural, including functional connectivity), demonstrating that the left SFS causally contributes to evidence integration for perceptual but not value-based decisions.

in eLife on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Higher-order intrinsic routes support flexible task-evoked communication

Flexible task-evoked communication requires the brain to transiently establish functional interactions that are not evident during rest, yet the network mechanisms supporting these newly formed connections remain unresolved. Using whole-brain functional MRI from 92 participants performing six cognitive tasks, we show that task-evoked communication is implemented within a constrained intrinsic network architecture rather than through large-scale rewiring. Across tasks, we found that approximately 70% of functional connections were preserved from rest, forming a dominant stable core, while task engagement selectively reconfigured a smaller subset of connections, primarily at the between-network level. While existing activity-flow models explain task-evoked information transfer primarily through direct stable core connections, we demonstrate that newly formed connections between regions lacking direct resting-state coupling were supported by selectively strengthened indirect higher-order resting-state routes embedded within the intrinsic scaffold. Network-level analyses revealed a multiscale organization of information transfer: we observed that direct stable routes dominated within-network communication, most prominently in sensory-motor and default mode systems, whereas indirect higher-order routes preferentially supported between-network integration through control and attentional systems. By extending activity-flow modelling to incorporate these higher-order intrinsic routes, we show a significant improvement in the prediction of task-evoked activity at the global, between-network scale, confirming their functional recruitment during task performance. Together, our findings identify higher-order intrinsic routes as a key mechanism enabling flexible task-evoked communication within a stable large-scale network architecture.

in bioRxiv: Neuroscience on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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High-fidelity backpropagation through primate foveal cones

Primate vision has exceptionally high spatial acuity and contrast sensitivity. This performance originates in specialized photoreceptors of the fovea. These cones transduce light into electrical signals in the outer segment, and convey these signals to the presynaptic terminal for transmission. Backpropagating signals are also possible, as the terminal receives gap-junctional input from neighboring cones. Such signals could influence phototransduction itself. To test this idea, we recorded electrophysiologically from both ends of single cones dissociated from the macaque fovea. We found that backpropagation was effective despite the extreme slenderness and length of these cells. Backpropagation was also effective in a passive compartmental model, indicating that amplification by voltage-gated channels is not required. We then modeled mosaics of foveal cones coupled by terminal gap junctions. Despite faithful backpropagation of these inputs, they appear unlikely to influence phototransduction. Thus, even though foveal cones exhibit effective backpropagation, their encoding of visual information remains compartmentalized.

in bioRxiv: Neuroscience on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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The schizophrenia associated protein DISC1 is a multivalent tetrameric hub of conserved ancient fold

DISC1 is a pleiotropic protein with essential roles in neuronal proliferation and migration, intracellular signalling and cargo transport. It associates with a diverse array of partner molecules in these contexts. Mutations at the DISC1 locus are strongly associated with a spectrum of mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and depression. Despite its clinical relevance, the molecular architecture and function of DISC1 have remained largely elusive. We present a cryo-EM structure of the entire conserved core region of DISC1. The structure reveals an intricate homotetrameric assembly that harbours conserved bacteria-derived UVR domains. Four of these domains, one from each monomer, mediate extensive contacts forming two asymmetric dimer units. The dimers in turn interface with each other at two distinct coiled coil domains to achieve a two-fold symmetric tetramer. Mutational analysis shows that this tetrameric architecture enables DISC1 to simultaneously bind multiple copies of NDE1 client protein. Importantly, tetramerization and partner binding are structurally independent functions of DISC1. Altogether, our study provides a compelling molecular model of an ancient bacteria protein fold participating in the assembly of a multivalent mammalian scaffold hub that can coordinate multiple partner molecules.

in bioRxiv: Neuroscience on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Avatar facial expressions enhance social presence and inter-brain synchronization in virtual reality

Virtual reality (VR) has become a prominent medium for computer-mediated social interaction, yet the psychological and neural mechanisms underpinning avatar-mediated communication remain insufficiently understood. This study investigated how dynamically modulated avatar facial expressions shape interpersonal interaction in VR. Pairs of participants engaged in a collaborative creativity task while interacting via avatars whose facial expressions were either amplified, natural, or expressionless. We collected subjective measures of body ownership, social presence, and interpersonal attraction, while simultaneously recording neural activity using functional near-infrared-spectroscopy-based hyperscanning to assess inter-brain synchrony (IBS). Avatars displaying facial expressions, particularly amplified ones, significantly enhanced body ownership, social presence, and interpersonal attraction compared to expressionless avatars. At the neural level, visible avatar facial expressions were associated with IBS in the right temporo-parietal junction (TPJ) and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), regions that are commonly implicated in social-cognitive processes such as mentalizing and executive control. Although task performance did not differ across conditions, social presence was positively correlated with creative performance, suggesting that psychological connectedness supports collaborative creativity. Together, these findings indicate that avatar facial expressivity functions as a critical nonverbal social cue that facilitates affective and cognitive alignment between interaction partners. By linking subjective experience with inter-brain neural dynamics, this study provides empirical guidance for the design of virtual environments that promote social engagement and effective collaboration.

in bioRxiv: Neuroscience on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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An integrated virtual reality platform for naturalistic neuroimaging with magnetoencephalography

Studying the brain in motion promises deep insights into the neural circuits that support complex, real-world behaviour. In humans, wearable optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) enable magnetoencephalography (MEG) with millisecond temporal resolution and millimetre spatial precision during movement. Integrating this technology with virtual reality (VR) could enable fully naturalistic experimental paradigms, but magnetic interference from existing head-mounted displays (HMDs) prevents reliable whole-brain MEG recordings. Here, we present and validate a VR system that integrates with wearable, OPM-based MEG. At its core is a purpose-designed HMD with minimal ferromagnetic material, resulting in magnetic flux density two orders of magnitude lower than consumer-grade alternatives at comparable resolution and weight. Using phantom measurements and established perceptual and cognitive benchmark tasks across participants, we demonstrate robust stimulus-induced neuronal activity at both sensor and source level. Crucially, these sources span the entire brain, including visual, motor and prefrontal cortices, as well as hippocampus. Our proposed VR system is straightforward to produce, readily extendable, and enables whole-brain MEG during immersive, naturalistic behaviours.

in bioRxiv: Neuroscience on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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A dual neural system supporting multi-tasking cognitive flexibility

One ubiquitous feature of human intelligence is the ability to flexibly switch between multiple tasks. Abstract task representations provide a basis for task learning, switching, and generalization, yet how the brain coordinates multiple task representations to support multitasking and task-switching remains poorly understood. We recorded functional MRI activity in human participants while they concurrently held multiple task rules in working memory and prioritized different rules for stimulus processing across trials. Our results reveal two distinct coding schemes for task prioritization. First, an active coding scheme supports the spatial separation of prioritized and unprioritized task rules: prioritized rules are represented across a distributed cortical network, whereas unprioritized rules are only found in the posterior cortex. Second, besides this active scheme, subregions of the default mode network, including the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, contribute to offloading task representations into an unprioritized state and subsequently maintain sustained representations of these rules across trials via latent neural codes. Behavioral predictions using on-task, trial-wise and sustained, block-wise representations further support the neural dissociation. These findings unveil a dual neural system with distinct coding schemes that jointly enable cognitive flexibility for task implementation and switching.

in bioRxiv: Neuroscience on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Compression Detects Changes in Spiking Neural Data from Cortical Lesions

Objective: The complexity of neural data changes as the brain processes information during events. Universal lossless compression algorithms, which are broadly applicable and grounded in information theory, identify and exploit redundancies in data in order to compress it to essentially-optimal sizes regardless of underlying statistics. These algorithms may be used to conveniently and efficiently estimate a given signal's Shannon entropy rate, a biologically relevant measure of the complexity of a signal. It is therefore natural to explore their effectiveness in the analysis of spiking neural data. Approach: This work focuses on using compression to analyze recordings (96-channel Utah arrays) taken from motor cortex of animals performing reaching tasks for three days before and three days after administering electrolytic lesions (Subject U: 4 lesions, H: 3). In particular, we use the inverse compression ratio (ICR), which compares the sizes of compressed and uncompressed data to estimate the amount of statistically unique information. We calculate ICR with temporally-independent lossless compression (gzip) and temporally-dependent lossy compression (H.264, MPEG-2). Compression-based ICR was compared to single-neuron measures used to understand spiking data, such as average firing rates and Fano factor. Compression is also compared to common dimensionality reduction techniques, principal component analysis (PCA) and factor analysis (FA). Main Results: Statistical tests on aggregate data comparing each metric before and after lesioning reveal that ICR is able to significantly (Mann-Whitney U test, p < 0.01) detect lesions with higher accuracy than single-neuron metrics, but not dimensionality reduction (ICR methods: 85.7%, single-neuron methods: 78.6%, dimensionality reduction: 100%). Additionally, statistical results on the same data show that ICR metrics remain more stable than single-neuron methods after lesion. The bitrate parameter of lossy compression algorithms is swept to better understand the effect of information rates and "optimal" compression on lesion detection performance. Our conclusions are confirmed by the same analyses performed on several different simulated neural datasets. Significance: These results suggest that compression algorithms may be a useful tool to detect and better understand perturbations to the underlying structure of neural data. Information-theoretic analyses may complement techniques like dimensionality reduction and firing rate tuning as a convenient and useful tool to characterize neural data.

in bioRxiv: Neuroscience on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Single cell profiling reveals GSM-15606 attenuates air pollution-induced inflammation and preserves hippocampal neurogenesis

Introduction: Air pollution (AirPoll) is a major environmental risk factor for age-related cognitive decline and dementia, yet we poorly understood the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying its effects and their potential attenuation. Methods: We combined single cell RNA sequencing with immunohistochemistry to determine transcriptional responses in microglia, astrocytes, neurons and neural stem cells in the hippocampus of mice following exposure to chronic diesel exhaust particle (DEP). Differential gene expression profiles were compared between filtered-air and DEP exposed animals. The gamma secretase modulator GSM-15606 (BPN) was used to probe selective rescue of inflammatory signatures across distinct cell populations. Results: DEP exposure triggered robust inflammatory programs in microglia and astrocytes, including upregulation of cytokine signaling components, innate immune receptors, stress-responsive transcription factors, and markers of reactive glial phenotypes. In neural stem cells, DEP induced activation of gliosis-associated pathways, including Il6st, Stat3, and Txnip, consistent with a pro-inflammatory state that may bias lineage decisions. Immunostaining confirmed a significant reduction in immature neurons in the neurogenic niche after AirPoll exposure. GSM-15606 attenuated many DEP-induced transcriptional alterations in microglia and astrocytes, reducing expression of inflammatory mediators and reactive gliosis markers, but did not modulate the inflammatory profile of neural stem cells. Conclusions: AirPoll activates divergent inflammatory pathways across hippocampal cell populations and suppresses neurogenesis. Targeting inflammation with GSM-15606 selectively reverses glial but not neural stem cell responses, highlighting cell-type-specific mechanisms and potential therapeutic pathways to mitigate pollution-related cognitive vulnerability. These results support GSM-15606 as a protective agent against AirPoll-induced hippocampal dysfunction and amyloidogenic stress.

in bioRxiv: Neuroscience on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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White Matter Lesion Asymmetry and Carotid Intraplaque Hemorrhage: A Novel Imaging Phenotype for Stroke Risk in Older Men

Background: While identifying high-risk carotid disease remains a significant clinical challenge, the specific role of carotid intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) is poorly understood. Although IPH has been linked to white matter lesion (WML) burden, current assessments overlook the directional impact of plaque instability on the brain. This study sought to determine whether IPH is an independent driver of asymmetric WML pathology and evaluate if this phenotype can identify a high-risk demographic for TIA and stroke. Methods: This multi-center retrospective study analyzed 264 participants (mean age 71.8 years) from the Canadian Atherosclerosis Imaging Network (2010-2015). Participants underwent 3T MRI to assess carotid IPH and WMLs. We quantified WMLs using a deep-learning pipeline to extract three biomarkers: volume (WML-ICV), intensity (WML-Intensity), and intensity ratio (WML-IR). The Asymmetry Index Measure (AIM) defined the inter-hemispheric log-ratio, while the association between IPH and AIM was examined using multivariable linear regression adjusted for age, sex, stenosis, and scanner manufacturer. A secondary composite outcome of TIA/stroke was analyzed via logistic regression to evaluate the interaction between IPH, age, and sex. Results: While whole-brain WML burden did not significantly differ by IPH status (p > 0.60), IPH status was a robust independent predictor of hemispheric asymmetry (WML-ICV: p = 0.01; WML-Intensity, p = 0.01). Post-hoc analysis confirmed WML burden was significantly higher in IPH+ older males (=> 70 years) compared to younger cohorts (p < 0.04). This older male subgroup also demonstrated 4.57-fold higher adjusted odds of TIA/stroke (p = 0.02) compared to other demographic subgroups (all p > 0.87). Conclusions: Carotid IPH is independently associated with a rightward asymmetric WML phenotype not captured by global metrics. This imaging marker identifies a high-risk demographic of older males with a nearly five-fold increase in clinical events, suggesting that hemispheric-level analysis provides critical prognostic value for stroke risk stratification.

in bioRxiv: Neuroscience on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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From Sensory Details to Verbal Codes: Visual Memory Reinstatement of Location and Color Features

Successful episodic memory depends on the reinstatement of encoding content and processes during retrieval. However, it remains unclear how such reinstatement (1) differs for various perceptual features, (2) supports subjective versus objective memory retrieval, and (3) relies on linguistic information. To investigate these three issues, we designed an fMRI study in which participants encoded and recalled the colors and spatial locations of object pictures, and provided subjective vividness and objective precision measures. We used encoding-retrieval similarity (ERS) to identify feature-level reinstatement for location or color features, and trial-specific reinstatement for individual location trials or individual color trials. The study yielded three main findings. First, feature-level reinstatement in frontoparietal and visual regions supported both location and color memory, whereas trial-specific reinstatement in early visual cortex contributed to location memory and feature-level reinstatement in lateral/anterior temporal cortices, to color memory. Second, trial-specific reinstatement in early visual cortex supported both location vividness and precision, while feature-level reinstatement in inferior frontal gyrus contributed to color vividness, and trial-specific reinstatement in posterior inferior temporal gyrus (including the color area), to color precision. Finally, color name richness (the number of names associated with a particular color) enhanced color memory precision and modulated trial-specific color reinstatement in right anterior inferior temporal gyrus. Together, these findings suggest that perceptual and linguistic reinstatement play complementary roles in visual episodic memory: perceptual replay provides fine-grained sensory details, whereas linguistic replay can scaffold and refine these representations, especially for features that are easier to verbalize such as colors.

in bioRxiv: Neuroscience on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Perceptual and neural biomarkers of distraction from an external sound source are not associated with tinnitus severity

Individuals with chronic tinnitus perceive a phantom sound that imposes either a bothersome and irrepressible distraction throughout waking hours or a relatively mild nuisance that often fades into subliminal awareness. The difference in tinnitus salience may reflect a general difference in inhibitory control over any distracting sound, whether externally or internally generated. To test this hypothesis, we investigated neural and behavioral signatures of external auditory distraction suppression in participants with chronic tinnitus that had mild or bothersome tinnitus but were otherwise matched for age and hearing loss. Participants in both groups underwent behavioral and EEG testing that asked them to report on a target stream of amplitude modulated tones that switched from a random arrangement to a repeating sequence. Using additional sounds that imposed varying levels of distraction, we documented neural and perceptual suppression of auditory distractors. Behaviorally, participants with mild versus bothersome tinnitus showed comparable reductions in accuracy in the presence of varying distractor loads. Neural synchronization to the target stimulus change rate provided a useful proxy for distraction effects but did not differ between tinnitus groups. Likewise, no group differences were observed in the neural synchronization to modulation rates of the target or distractor stimuli. Our results build on work showing that individuals with tinnitus perform as well as individuals with normal hearing on listening tasks in noisy environments and expand this observation into the neural representation of sounds. Suppression of the internally generated phantom percept does not appear to be linked to general deficits in suppressing distractors.

in bioRxiv: Neuroscience on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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D-Methionine Improves Spatial Navigation and Attenuates Oxidative Stress and Amyloid Pathology in a Sex-Specific Manner

Background Oxidative stress and maladaptive neuroimmune activation contribute to cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and represent therapeutic targets beyond amyloid-centered approaches. Objective To determine whether oral D-methionine (D-Met), a redox-active amino acid, reduces amyloid pathology and lipid peroxidation and confers disease-modifying benefits in AD mouse models. Methods Male and female APP/PS1 and APPNL-F mice with advanced AD pathology received oral D-Met or vehicle. Behavioral assessments included locomotor activity and hippocampal-dependent spatial learning and memory. Amyloid burden, lipid peroxidation, peripheral metabolic and inflammatory markers, and hippocampal microglial phenotypes were evaluated using biochemical and histological analyses. Results D-Met did not alter locomotor or exploratory behavior but improved spatial memory recall in both sexes of APP/PS1 mice and in female APPNL-F mice. APPNL-F males exhibited improved learning during Morris water maze (MWM) acquisition. Amyloid pathology was modestly and region-specifically reduced, including decreased hippocampal plaque size in male APPNL-F mice, reduced cortical plaque size in female APP/PS1 mice, and lower soluble amyloid-{beta} (A{beta})42 in male APP/PS1 mice. Lipid peroxidation, assessed by malondialdehyde, was reduced only in female APPNL-F mice. D-Met induced pronounced sex-dependent peripheral effects, increasing adiposity and pro-inflammatory adipose signaling in males, while reducing perigonadal white adipose tissue (pgWAT) IL-6 expression in female APPNL-F mice. In the hippocampus, D-Met remodeled microglial signatures, with female APPNL-F mice showing reduced Iba1 and disease-associated microglial (DAM) markers and increased Axl expression. Conclusion Short-term D-Met acts as a metabolic and redox modulator with modest amyloid-lowering effects mediated by improved microglial function. Therapeutic efficacy is strongly sex- and model-dependent, with the greatest benefit observed in female APPNL-F mice.

in bioRxiv: Neuroscience on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Loss of Fmr1 reorganizes the multi-elemental composition of neural and somatic tissues in Fragile X mice

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is a leading genetic cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and results from a genetic mutation which silences the expression of Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein (FMRP). FMRP serves various roles regulating cellular protein synthesis and ion flux. However, a comprehensive comparison of multidimensional elemental balance (i.e., ionome) between FXS genotypes and tissues remains absent from the literature. Here, we measured the multivariate balance of 10 elements (i.e., ionome) in tissues of wild-type and Fmr1-knockout mice to compare ionomic composition of brain and somatic tissues within and across genotypes. We found that homogenized brain tissue including several regions (brain PMHTH; define at first use) differed in elemental balance between genotypes, according to MANOVA. We failed to observe differences between genotypes in the mean ratio of any individual element in PMHTH, but sodium displayed lower variance in knockout than wild-type PMHTH. Knockout striatum displayed lower variance in potassium than wild-type. Knockout olfactory bulbs contained higher mean iron and displayed higher variance in sodium and copper than wild-type. Wild-type feces contained higher mean magnesium and zinc than knockout. These results align with previous work showing FXS pathologies alter electrolytic and metal ion regulation, neuronal excitability, and gastrointestinal function. Further work is needed to identify the source of overall ionomic differences in heterogeneous brain tissue (PMHTH), which could be due to differences among regions. Future work should additionally test how elemental differences relate to function at the cellular level, as well as patterns of individual intake, digestion, assimilation, and/or excretion.

in bioRxiv: Neuroscience on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Working Memory of Multi-Object Scenes in Primate Frontal Cortex

Working memory allows primates to reason about complex scenes, yet how the brain maintains multiple objects in memory simultaneously remains unclear. Competing theories propose that objects are stored in discrete slots, represented dynamically through switching, or encoded by weighted combinations of single-object representations. We formalized these hypotheses in terms of their quantitative predictions at the level of single neurons and tested them against densely recorded neural data from the dorsomedial frontal cortex and frontal eye field of monkeys trained to perform a novel multi-object working-memory task. Across cross-validated neural data, a Gain model, where population activity reflects weighted compositions of individual object responses, consistently outperformed Slot and Switching models. Trial-specific gain estimates predicted behavioral errors and reaction times, indicating that these latent weights capture meaningful fluctuations in memory fidelity. All results replicated in an independent dataset with different spatial configurations. Together, our work provides a rigorous framework to adjudicate a longstanding debate about how the frontal cortex retains multiple objects, identifying a weighted-sum representation as the format that best explains the neural data.

in bioRxiv: Neuroscience on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Intrinsic Circadian Organization of the Spinal Cord and Dorsal Root Ganglia

Circadian rhythms coordinate daily fluctuations in physiology and behavior, yet their organization within primary sensory pathways remains poorly defined. Although somatosensory responsiveness varies across the day night cycle, it is unclear whether peripheral sensory circuits possess molecular mechanisms for temporal regulation. Here, we demonstrate that the spinal peripheral sensory axis harbors robust, tissue autonomous circadian clocks. Using real time bioluminescence imaging, we observed sustained oscillations of the core clock protein PER2 in the spinal dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglia (DRGs), indicating autonomous circadian timing within these tissues. To define the molecular scope of this regulation, we performed RNA sequencing across a 52 hours circadian time course in DRGs. Circadian analysis identified 626 rhythmic transcripts, representing 3.6% of expressed genes. These genes exhibited non uniform phase distributions and segregated into discrete temporal clusters. Functional annotation revealed phase specific enrichment of biological processes related to transport, neuronal structure, and proteostasis, suggesting coordinated temporal deployment of distinct molecular programs rather than uniform oscillations across the circadian cycle. Cross referencing circadian genes with neuropathic pain associated gene sets revealed limited overlap; however, overlapping genes aligned to specific baseline phase windows enriched for regenerative annotations. Potassium channel related signaling components implicated in neuropathic pain also showed baseline circadian modulation. Together, these findings establish the spinal dorsal horn and DRGs as intrinsically circadian tissues and reveal a temporally structured molecular landscape in primary sensory neurons, providing a framework for understanding how peripheral sensory processing, plasticity, and homeostatic regulation are coordinated across the day night cycle.

in bioRxiv: Neuroscience on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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mPFC Synaptosome Proteomics Reveals Novel Pathways and Muscarinic Receptor Changes in a Learned Helplessness Mouse Model

Stressful events are a leading factor in development of depression. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is strongly associated with depression etiology and exposure to uncontrollable stressors results in synaptic dysfunction and loss. Learned helplessness is a behavioral paradigm that measures effects of repeated exposure to uncontrollable, inescapable stress on later responses to escapable stress. We therefore performed a proteomic analysis of mPFC synaptosomes in a mouse learned helplessness model to identify molecular changes that could contribute to functional consequences of inescapable stress. Male and female mice were evaluated at baseline and following exposure to escapable or inescapable stress followed by an active avoidance test. Label-free mass spectrometry followed by pathway and protein-protein interaction network analyses identified alterations in signaling pathways involved in energy metabolism, neurotransmitter signaling, and protein shuttling. Furthermore, phosphoproteomics revealed alterations related to synaptic function, neurotransmitter signaling and protein internalization, as well as changes in activity of kinases previously identified as mediators of antidepressant efficacy (GSK3B) and receptor internalization (ADRBK1). We more deeply examined alterations in the Acetylcholine Receptor Signaling Pathway, and identified muscarinic receptor proteins (Chrm1, Chrm2, Chrm4) and key proteins involved in their translocation to and from the membrane. These results identify substantial changes in the mPFC proteome following exposure to inescapable stressors. In addition, mPFC muscarinic cholinergic signaling is well placed to mediate responses to an inescapable stressor. This proteomic study will be useful in guiding studies of human mPFC relevant to depression. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD073765.

in bioRxiv: Neuroscience on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Dendritic delay lines shape the computation of sound location in neurons of the gerbil medial superior olive

In mammals, neurons of the medial superior olive (MSO) encode information about sounds arising from discrete spatial locations along the horizon. This tuning requires that an internal delay in the brain must offset acoustic disparities to ensure coincident arrival of excitatory inputs driven from the two ears. The source of this internal delay, originally assumed to arise from axonal delay lines, is currently controversial in mammals. Here we use 2-photon guided paired dendritic and somatic recordings together with compartmental modeling of 40 complete MSO neuron morphologies to demonstrate that the dendrites themselves serve as a significant source of internal delay. We show that most MSO neurons exhibit morphological asymmetries that impose different EPSP delays across dendrites and shifts in optimal interaural time differences. Dendrite-based delays in the mammalian MSO are heterogeneous within each isofrequency laminae and provide a stable, structural mechanism to help tune individual neurons to sounds from different azimuthal locations.

in bioRxiv: Neuroscience on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Unconstrained Plasticity Disrupts Memory Consolidation in a Mouse Model of Rett Syndrome

Memory impairment is a hallmark cognitive deficit in Rett syndrome (RTT). Yet, long-term memory deficits in RTT animal models remain poorly understood, largely due to the technical challenges inherent in tracking neural activity over extended periods. Here, we used longitudinal two-photon calcium imaging to follow the same population of hippocampal CA1 neurons as RTT mice and their littermate controls formed cognitive maps of their environment during a spatial learning task. Neural representations in RTT mice were marked by excessive place cell (PC) activity, with individual PCs exhibiting pronounced instability across days. This disrupted single-cell stability propagated to the population level, resulting in unstable ensemble codes that poorly retained previously learned task information. Both excessive PC recruitment and instability could be attributed to a higher incidence of behavioral timescale synaptic plasticity (BTSP) in RTT mice. In wild-type littermates, place-cell consolidation across days is reflected by an increased likelihood of neuron-specific synaptic plasticity at the location of prior PC coding. This cellular mechanism of memory consolidation based on the location of BTSP was disrupted in RTT mice, where excessive and ectopic plasticity reduced PC stability, and degraded long-term stable representations. Backed by theoretical modeling, these results identify a plausible cellular and circuit-level mechanism underlying memory impairments in RTT mice and suggest principles that may be generalized to other neurological disorders involving memory deficits.

in bioRxiv: Neuroscience on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Increased CD33 levels tune activation and function of iinduced human microglial cells through inhibition of the TREM2 pathway

The microglial CD33 gene is overexpressed in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's disease, and multiple CD33 genetic variants are directly linked to disease risk. Here, we investigate CD33 function in induced human microglial cells by increasing or decreasing CD33 levels with AAV6-mediated gene transfer and with CD33-targeting siRNA, respectively. Phagocytosis of oligomeric amyloid beta into live microglia was doubled by reducing CD33 levels, with concomitant increases in secreted TREM2 and in TREM2 activation as assayed by phosphorylation of downstream SYK. Increasing CD33 had opposing effects on microglial activity, decreasing amyloid beta uptake by approximately half, reducing LPS-induced increases in IL-10, and decreasing the efficacy of a TREM2-activating antibody. Experiments combining siRNA and AAV6 demonstrated a linear relationship between CD33 protein and amyloid beta uptake. Results show that CD33 largely governs multiple microglial functions associated with Alzheimer's disease and affects both pharmacological and physiological activation of TREM2.

in bioRxiv: Neuroscience on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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A curvilinear coordinate flatmap for visualizing hippocampal structure and development

The hippocampal formation is a highly curved and topographically complex forebrain structure. This complex geometry presents persistent challenges for analyzing subregional, laminar, and connectivity patterns. Here, we present a computational workflow that generates curvilinear-coordinate flatmaps from Common Coordinate Framework (CCF) registered hippocampal and retrohippocampal regions by solving the Laplacian equation to derive geodesic streamlines. This transformation unfolds the hippocampus into a planar slab, bounded by the meningeal and ventricular surfaces, with the depth defined along the radial axis. We apply this transform to image volumes, single neuron reconstructions, and point data, including spatial transcriptomic and rabies tracing datasets, revealing topographic variations in the dorsoventral and radial axes that are obscured in the CCF coordinate space. As proof of principle, we use flatmaps to show connectivity loss in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease and track postnatal development of microglial distribution in the hippocampus. This work provides an efficient and accessible resource for visualizing hippocampal organization across development and disease, offering new opportunities to interrogate the structure and function of this important brain region.

in bioRxiv: Neuroscience on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Valence-specific ensembles in the laterodorsal tegmentum encode salient stimuli and modulate motivated behavior

The laterodorsal tegmentum (LDT) is a brainstem hub that integrates sensory and motivational signals to regulate adaptive behavior. While LDT neurons are known to modulate reward and aversion, whether salient stimuli recruit distinct neuronal ensembles within this structure remains unknown. Here, combined cell-type-specific calcium imaging, activity-dependent genetic tagging (TRAP2), and optogenetic reactivation to investigate how rewarding and aversive stimuli recruit and functionally define LDT neurons. Notably, single exposures to cocaine or shock in TRAP2;Ai14 mice labeled spatially and neurochemically distinct ensembles, with minimal overlap. We used fiber photometry and TRAP2 system to tag active neuronal ensembles in the LDT during cocaine (coca-LDT) and foot shock (shock-LDT) exposure, expressing GCaMP8m (green) in these neurons and, simultaneously, sRGECO (red) in the whole LDT. Our results demonstrate coca-LDT activation by physical aversive events and valenced odours, with reduced activity in response to rewarding liquids. Shock-LDT showed activation by physical aversive events, odours, and shock-predictive cues. Additionally, optogenetic reactivation of cocaine-TRAPed ensembles in a two-choice operant task biased action selection toward stimulation-paired responses, whereas shock-TRAPed ensemble activation did not drive avoidance. These findings identify functionally segregated LDT ensembles recruited by opposing motivational stimuli and reveal a causal role for reward-activated brainstem ensembles in shaping behavior. This functional segregation may contribute to the brain's ability to differentiate stimulus types and, to some extent, valence experiences. Our results may provide evidence on how the LDT influences decision-making processes in addiction and anxiety disorders, potentially paving the way for novel therapeutic approaches.

in bioRxiv: Neuroscience on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Single-cell transcriptomic atlas of glial cells in adult mouse dorsal root ganglia identifies multipotent progenitors

Sensory neuron soma and non-neuronal cells in adult dorsal root ganglia (DRG) derive from multipotent neural crest cells. Satellite glial cells (SGCs), which surround neuronal soma, were suggested to retain developmental potential, but the precise molecular identity of progenitor cells in the adult DRG remains undefined. To address this question, we assembled a comprehensive single-cell transcriptomic atlas by integrating over 200,000 DRG and sciatic nerve transcriptomes across multiple studies and injury paradigms. High-resolution clustering resolved 26 cell types and demonstrated significant transcriptional heterogeneity within SGCs and Schwann cells, including repair and reactive sub-states. Crucially, we identified two distinct populations of progenitor cells that reflect different states in the progenitor trajectory. Functionally, progenitor cell numbers significantly increase after injury, and endothelin signaling regulates glial cell proliferation early in development. This integrated DRG and peripheral nerve cell atlas represents an essential resource for exploring new features of the peripheral nervous system.

in bioRxiv: Neuroscience on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Hippocampal Projections to the Striatal Compartments, Striosome and Matrix, are Spatially Segregated in CA1

The hippocampus routes information to the striatum through at least four polysynaptic circuits. Striatal projection neurons are organized into two tissue compartments, the matrix and striosome, which differ in their embryologic origins, relative abundance, intra-striate location, and afferent and efferent connectivity. These compartments are embedded in distinct functional networks and are activated by different tasks. Consequently, hippocampal inputs that route preferentially through the striosome may underpin different functions and engage with different remote networks than inputs that route through the matrix. It was unknown whether striosome-bound and matrix-bound projections from the hippocampus followed different polysynaptic circuits. We assessed hippocampo-striate projections in living humans using probabilistic diffusion tractography by first parcellating the striatum into voxels with striosome-like and matrix-like structural connectivity. We then quantified structural connectivity between hippocampal efferents (CA1) to each set of compartment-like voxels. CA1 projections to striosome-like voxels in the dorsal striatum (caudate and putamen) were 3.1-fold more abundant than those to matrix-like voxels, particularly in caudo-lateral CA1. This striosome-favoring bias was similar in three segregated hippocampo-striate circuits, in streamlines routing through the subiculum, lateral septum, or medial prefrontal cortex. However, a small region in rostro-medial CA1 preferentially targeted matrix-like voxels. Functional connectivity between CA1 and compartment-like voxels matched this segregated pattern: CA1 activation was correlated with striosome-like voxels but anti-correlated with matrix-like voxels. Additionally, streamlines from CA1 to nucleus accumbens exhibited hemispheric asymmetries, with the left hemisphere biased towards matrix and the right towards striosome. These findings suggest that hippocampo-striate projections are spatially segregated into compartment-specific circuits.

in bioRxiv: Neuroscience on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Linear and Nonlinear Oscillatory Functional Brain Networks in Euthymic Bipolar Disorder Classification

Functional brain network (FBN) dysconnectivity has been repeatedly reported in bipolar disorder (BD). However, it remains unclear how this dysconnectivity manifests from the perspective of oscillatory FBNs, that is, which network measures and frequency bands most reliably capture this alteration. Moreover, it is unknown whether this dysconnection is predominantly expressed through linear or nonlinear interactions. Here, we investigated properties of oscillatory FBNs in individuals with euthymic BD. Networks were constructed using linear and nonlinear connectivity measures applied to source-localized resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) current density signals. We then quantified whole-FBN and nodal features using conventional and spectral graph theory methods to characterize disorder-related network mechanisms and evaluate their potential as biomarkers. Significant group differences between BD and control groups were observed in the theta and alpha1 bands. Dynamical whole-FBN alterations were detected primarily in linear oscillatory FBNs, with reduced Shannon entropy and energy in the BD group. These effects were replicated using machine learning, achieving 85% classification accuracy with entropy and energy as the most informative features. In contrast, nodal-level differences emerged mainly in nonlinear FBNs, revealing increased centrality in frontal, and decreased centrality across temporal, and limbic regions. These findings emphasize distinct, frequency-specific roles of linear and nonlinear oscillatory FBNs in BD, with global dysconnectivity reflected in linear FBNs and local alterations captured by nonlinear connectivity. Moreover, network measures related to synchronization stability and complexity more effectively capture BD-related dysconnectivity, suggesting that dynamic features of oscillatory FBNs may serve as potential biomarkers for BD.

in bioRxiv: Neuroscience on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Injury-transduced SerpinOLs modulate neuroinflammation and glial activation in the diseased and non-diseased CNS

Oligodendroglial dysfunction is common in CNS diseases, but the molecular and functional responses of oligodendroglia to CNS pathologies remain poorly defined. Here, we report that oligodendrocytes (OLs) respond to demyelinating diseases by dysregulating serine protease inhibitor clade A member 3N (SERPINA3N). Homeostatic OLs transition to Serpina3n-expressing OLs (SerpinOLs) under other diseased conditions including stroke, endotoxicity, neurodegeneration, neurotrauma, and non-diseased healthy aging conditions. Mechanistically, CNS inflammation or inflammatory mediators is sufficient for SerpinOL transition. Instead, oligodendrocyte injury even in the absence of neuroinflammation or glial activation is sufficient for the transition. Phenotypically, SerpinOLs are characterized by molecular signatures of inflammatory and immune regulation and STAT3 signaling activation. Functionally, SerpinOLs exacerbate neuroinflammation and promote glial activation toward pro-inflammatory and neurodegenerative states. Together, our findings suggest SerpinOLs are a common population of injury-transduced OLs that amplify neuroinflammation and glial activation in the diseased and non-diseased CNS through SERPINA3N secretion. Our findings provide new insights into myelination-independent role of OLs in regulating CNS pathophysiology.

in bioRxiv: Neuroscience on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Associative emotional memory encoding: Insights from network stability analysis of an fMRI-driven bilinear dynamics

The interplay between emotion and memory is a central topic in cognitive neuroscience, with open questions about the underlying neuronal mechanisms. This article studies dynamic interactions among the hippocampus, amygdala, and orbitofrontal cortex during an fMRI associative memory encoding task. Participants were clustered into three condition groups: Neutral Neutral, Neutral Emotional, or Emotional Emotional, and viewed image pairs associated with their assigned condition. Using the dynamic causal modeling framework, we explore several dynamic models and show that a stochastic bilinear state space model best describes the neuronal dynamics in all conditions. Furthermore, we use graph and control theory techniques to both validate and analyze the model. In particular, we analyze the network dynamics of each condition using tools from graph theory and stability theory and discuss the differences in the strength and direction of connectivity as well as the stability of each of these networks. We confirm the prior finding that memory is enhanced in emotional conditions, in particular in the Neutral Emotional condition. In our work, this enhanced memory is associated with increased hippocampus amygdala coupling and overall network connectivity. In addition, we show that in the Emotional Emotional condition, the coupling of the hippocampus and amygdala, as well as the whole network connectivity increases when the first image valence is substantially less negative rated than the second image. This pattern mirrors the Neutral Emotional condition, where the first image is neutral compared with the second one. Moreover, our model based analyses suggest that the amygdala predominantly influences the other two regions in the Neutral Emotional condition, whereas the OFC plays a dominant role in the other two conditions. Combined data driven modeling, stability analyses, and graph theory tools led to new insights and enhanced the mechanistic understanding of cortical dynamics of emotional associative memory. We discuss these insights, utilize these analytical tools to generalize our findings to some unmeasured conditions, and highlight the potential of these techniques to inform the design of future regulatory mechanisms.

in bioRxiv: Neuroscience on 2026-01-30 00:00:00 UTC.

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Issue Information ‐ Editorial Board

in Hippocampus on 2026-01-29 17:41:59 UTC.

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Correction to “Overdispersion: Navigating Noise, Learning and Remembering”

in Hippocampus on 2026-01-29 17:34:22 UTC.

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SpaConTDS: A multimodal contrastive learning framework for identifying spatial domains by applying tuple disturbing strategy

by Ruiwen Xu, Xiaoqing Cheng, Waiki Ching, Siyao Wu, Yuanben Zhang, Yidan Zhang

The rational utilization of multimodal spatial transcriptomics (ST) data enables accurate identification of spatial domains, which is essential for investigating cellular structure and functions. In this study, we proposed SpaConTDS, a novel framework that integrates reinforcement learning with self-supervised multimodal contrastive learning. SpaConTDS generates positive and negative samples through data augmentation and a pseudo-label tuple perturbation strategy, enabling the learning of fused representations that capture global semantics and cross-modal interactions. The model’s hyper-parameters are dynamically optimized using reinforcement learning. Extensive experiments across various resolutions and platforms demonstrate that SpaConTDS achieves state-of-the-art accuracy in spatial domain identification and outperforms existing methods in downstream tasks such as denoising, trajectory inference, and UMAP visualization. Moreover, SpaConTDS effectively integrates multiple tissue sections and corrects batch effects without requiring prior alignment. Compared to existing approaches, SpaConTDS offers more robust fused representations of multimodal data, providing researchers with a flexible and powerful tool for a wide range of spatial transcriptomics analyses.

in PLoS Computational Biology on 2026-01-29 14:00:00 UTC.

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A protocol study on assessment of sleep cycle pattern, quality, and its determinant among Young Adults in an urban area of Wardha. [version 2; peer review: 2 not approved]

Introduction The value of sleep in preserving health and well-being is widely understood, especially among young people. To improve cognitive abilities, especially memory retention, adequate sleep is essential. Inadequate sleep quality and the resulting daytime sleepiness can negatively affect young adults’ physical and cognitive health and performance. Objective To assess the sleep cycle pattern, quality, electronic usage at bedtime, and diet among young adults in an urban area of Wardha. Protocol An observational cross-sectional study will be carried out with young adults to evaluate sleep patterns. Sleep quality and related risk factors will be measured using self-reports by participants. The link between many risk variables and poor sleep quality will be investigated using logistic regression analysis. Study Implication The study will help understand and address sleep quality in young adults. The information gathered in the study can further help serve as data for future research. This study aims to improve the understanding of factors contributing to poor sleep quality and disturbed sleep cycle patterns among young adults in an urban setting.

in F1000Research on 2026-01-29 11:46:22 UTC.

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Individualized Atrophy‐Based Prediction of Dementia Progression in Familial Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration With Bayesian Linear Mixed‐Effects Modeling

Objective

Age of symptom onset is highly variable in familial frontotemporal lobar degeneration (f-FTLD). Accurate prediction of onset would inform clinical management and trial enrollment. Prior studies indicate that individualized maps of brain atrophy can predict conversion to dementia in f-FTLD. We used a Bayesian linear mixed-effect (BLME) prediction method for identifying accelerated brain volume loss to predict conversion to dementia.

Methods

Participants included 234 asymptomatic or prodromal carriers of C9orf72, GRN, or MAPT mutations (including 21 dementia converters) with ≥3 longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T1-weighted scans. The BLME models established individual voxel-wise gray matter trajectories using the first 2 scans. Person-specific clusters of accelerated volume loss were estimated in subsequent scans and tested as predictors of dementia conversion compared with other approaches in time-varying Cox proportional hazard models covarying for age. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves estimated utility of cluster volume in discriminating which participants converted to dementia within 24 months.

Results

The BLME cluster volume predicted conversion to dementia in f-FTLD mutation carriers overall and separately in C9orf72, GRN, and MAPT, with comparable hazard ratios observed for atrophy W-maps and regional volumes. Within a 24-month timeframe, BLME cluster volume discriminated dementia converters from non-converters with larger areas under the curve (AUCs) than other approaches.

Interpretation

Bayesian-modeled individualized atrophy scores predict dementia progression among asymptomatic f-FTLD mutation carriers and may have increased utility compared with other structural imaging methods when studying individuals over shorter timeframes that align with clinical trial design. ANN NEUROL 2026

in Annals of Neurology on 2026-01-29 10:35:46 UTC.

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Eco-Friendly Modified Fabrication of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) Nanoparticles from a Novel Utilized date seed Extract with Potent Antibacterial Properties isolated from Osteomyelitis patients. [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]

Green nanotechnology presents an opportunity in management of osteomyelitis, whereby environmental friendly procedures are used to provide nanoparticles that are of minimal toxicity. Green nanomaterials have the potential of effectively delivering antibiotics to the infected bone sites by incorporation of biocompatible materials to improve the efficiency of the delivery as well as reducing side effects. This sustainable treatment does not only provide safer treatment but also enhances faster healing and curbs infection spread that provides a more viable and environmentally friendly solution in managing osteomyelitis. This study is the first to synthesize poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles by using Phoenix dactylifera L. (Zahidi date) seeds extract as a capping agent in a green approach. 120 osteomyelitis specimens were collected; the nanoparticles were fabricated via a modified double emulsion solvent evaporation/diffusion technique followed by lyophilization. Characterization via X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Antimicrobial activity and minimum inhibitory concentration of green-synthesized PLGA nanoparticles was determined. 40% of the specimens contained Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; 20%, Staphylococcus aureus; 10%, Proteus mirabilis; 10%, Enterococcus faecium; and 20%, different Gram-negative bacilli. PLGA nanoparticles do not exhibit considerable crystallization using the date seed extract in XRD analysis, FTIR spectroscopic analysis of PLGA nanoparticles reveals absorption bands characteristic of the polymer’s chemical structure and indicates the presence of functional groups from both PLGA and the bioactive constituents of the date pit extract. (FE-SEM) confirmed the formation of uniformly sized spherical particles (23–33 nm) with an amorphous polymeric structure and maintaining the inherent chemical integrity of PLGA. Importantly, the incorporation of bioactive phytochemicals from the date seed extract was confirmed, indicating their participation in the functional activity of the nanoparticles. Antimicrobial activities determined using the broth microdilution method revealed high inhibition against Klebsiella pneumoniae (MIC: 75–125 μg/mL) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC: 100–125 μg/mL). The findings highlight the significance of incorporating agro-industrial waste into the sustainable production of bioactive nanocarriers. The developed PLGA nanoparticles constitute an efficient carrier system with high antibacterial activity and represent a novel therapeutic strategy for treating osteomyelitis.

in F1000Research on 2026-01-29 09:51:11 UTC.

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High Measles Complication Rates and Vaccine Breakthroughs Among Pediatric Cases in Iraq: A Cross-Sectional Study [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]

Background Measles constitutes a substantial public health concern in Iraq. Despite concerted efforts to achieve elimination in accordance with World Health Organization targets, comprehensive understanding of its epidemiological patterns and vaccine effectiveness remains critically important. Objectives This investigation aimed to: (1) assess the relationship between age and clinical manifestations among measles patients; (2) evaluate Iraq’s progress toward measles elimination objectives; and (3) identify immunization coverage gaps. Methods This cross-sectional study enrolled 200 laboratory-confirmed measles cases (serological or molecular confirmation) from Ramadi Teaching Hospital, Al-Anbar Province, Iraq, during January 2023 to March 2024. Vaccination status was verified through official refrigerator immunization cards. Statistical analyses employed chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression to adjust for potential confounding variables. Results Among 200 confirmed measles cases, 32% were infants aged <12 months and 68% were children aged 1-9 years. Notably, 71% represented breakthrough infections among individuals who had received at least one vaccine dose. Severe complications included pneumonia (77%), diarrhea (73%), otitis media (45%), and encephalitis (23%). Unvaccinated children demonstrated 3.2-fold increased odds of developing pneumonia. Disease burden was disproportionately higher in rural populations (58%). Mean C-reactive protein concentration was 56.8 mg/dL. Conclusion Measles persists with substantial morbidity in Iraq. The breakthrough infection rate (71%) significantly exceeds World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office reports (45-50%), suggesting unique regional challenges. Achieving elimination necessitates urgent evaluation of vaccination programs, strengthening of routine immunization services, and enhancement of surveillance systems. Future investigations should assess post-vaccination seroconversion rates and conduct molecular genotyping studies.

in F1000Research on 2026-01-29 09:42:48 UTC.

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Creative play and creativity development: A three level meta data analysis of moderators (age, culture, play type) [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]

This study presents a comprehensive three-level meta-analysis examining the relationship between creative play and creativity development, focusing on the moderating effects of age, culture, and game type. Using meta-analytic methods, we systematically analyzed 78 empirical studies (N = 21,456 participants) published between 2000 and 2024. Results revealed a significant positive relationship between creative play engagement and creativity development (g = 0.62, 95% CI [0.58, 0.66]). Moderator analyses showed the relationship’s strength varied significantly by age group: early childhood (3–7 years) demonstrated the strongest effect (g = 0.74), followed by middle childhood (8–12 years; g = 0.61), and adolescence (13–18 years; g = 0.84). Cultural context significantly moderated the relationship, with collectivist cultures showing a stronger effect (g = 0.68) compared to individualist cultures (g = 0.57). Regarding play type, dramatic play exhibited the strongest relationship with creativity (g = 0.71), followed by constructive play (g = 0.65), and digital play (g = 0.52). These findings underscore the importance of developmentally and culturally appropriate play interventions for fostering creativity. This research offers valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and future researchers in designing effective creativity-enhancing programs across developmental stages and cultural contexts.

in F1000Research on 2026-01-29 09:36:23 UTC.

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Organizational cybersecurity and its impact on organizational immunity-An analytical study at the Ministry of Education Iraq/ General Directorate of Educational Planning [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]

Background This research addressed organizational cybersecurity, which has emerged as a critical element in the digital age and has become a strategic issue for organizations working to protect user assets against security risks in the cyber environment. And Organizational immunity includes the policies and procedures adopted by an organization to protect its core values and correct performance deviations. The research purpose on studying the impact of organizational cybersecurity on organizational immunity at the Iraqi Ministry of Education/General Directorate of Educational Planning. There is a need to study this relationship to better understand how organizations can strengthen their capabilities in an advanced digital environment. Methods The research adopted a descriptive analytical approach, whereby 95 questionnaires were distributed and data was collected from 85 respondents, ready for statistical analysis. The data was analyzed using statistical tools (SPSS V.28&smartpls4) to verify the scale and analyze the relationships between variables. Results indicate that the level of organizational cybersecurity implementation was first in relative importance, while organizational immunity came in second, and there is an impact relationship between organizational cybersecurity and organizational immunity, which reinforces the fundamental role of the General Directorate of Educational Planning in maintaining business continuity and limiting the impact of cyberattacks. Conclusion The research concludes that organizational cybersecurity plays an important role in enhancing organizational immunity, as the application of cybersecurity tools would enhance the role of the General Directorate of Educational Planning and its ability to withstand cyber threats, strengthen digital measures, improve protection, and ensure business continuity in the digital environment.

in F1000Research on 2026-01-29 08:20:05 UTC.

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Authentic Quality Experience as a Catalyst for Brand Trust, Value, and Loyalty: A Multidisciplinary Approach in Heritage Tourism [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]

Background Cultural heritage tourism presents unique challenges and opportunities in building long-term consumer–brand relationships. While brand loyalty is a key objective for destination marketers, the role of authentic quality experience in shaping trust and perceived brand value remains underexplored. This study aims to bridge that gap by examining how quality experience influences brand trust, brand value, and ultimately brand loyalty, using a multidisciplinary lens that integrates marketing theory, cultural studies, and psychology. Methods A quantitative survey was conducted involving 573 respondents from diverse demographic backgrounds who had visited cultural heritage destinations. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed through structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the relationships among quality experience, brand trust, brand value, and brand loyalty. Measurement validity and reliability were assessed prior to hypothesis testing. Results The results indicate that quality experience has a significant positive effect on both brand trust and brand value. Furthermore, brand trust and brand value act as mediating variables that strengthen the relationship between quality experience and brand loyalty. The structural model demonstrated strong fit indices, confirming the robustness of the proposed relationships. These findings underscore the importance of delivering authentic and meaningful experiences to enhance consumer perceptions and emotional attachment to heritage brands. Conclusions This study advances the theory of Relationship Marketing and Tourism Consumption by clarifying the key role of quality experience in building brand loyalty. Practically, the findings offer concrete recommendations for heritage site managers and destination marketers to develop branding strategies that emphasize authenticity, emotional resonance, and sustainable engagement. By focusing on quality experience, heritage destinations can foster greater trust, perceived value, and loyalty among visitors.

in F1000Research on 2026-01-29 08:16:43 UTC.

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Aging drives a program of DNA methylation decay in plant organs

Science, Volume 391, Issue 6784, January 2026.

in Science on 2026-01-29 08:00:00 UTC.

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Engineered aldehyde dehydrogenases for amide bond formation

Science, Volume 391, Issue 6784, January 2026.

in Science on 2026-01-29 08:00:00 UTC.

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The evolution of gene regulation in mammalian cerebellum development

Science, Volume 391, Issue 6784, January 2026.

in Science on 2026-01-29 08:00:00 UTC.

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DNA-protein cross-links promote cGAS-STING–driven premature aging and embryonic lethality

Science, Volume 391, Issue 6784, January 2026.

in Science on 2026-01-29 08:00:00 UTC.

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High-precision tracking of human foragers reveals adaptive social information use in the wild

Science, Volume 391, Issue 6784, January 2026.

in Science on 2026-01-29 08:00:00 UTC.

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Wafer-scale ultrathin and uniform van der Waals ferroelectric oxide

Science, Volume 391, Issue 6784, January 2026.

in Science on 2026-01-29 08:00:00 UTC.

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The origin of hepatocellular carcinoma depends on metabolic zonation

Science, Volume 391, Issue 6784, January 2026.

in Science on 2026-01-29 08:00:00 UTC.

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The ‘undone science’ of opioid overdose deaths

Science, Volume 391, Issue 6784, January 2026.

in Science on 2026-01-29 08:00:00 UTC.

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