C. Simon

Interplay of Light, Melatonin, and Circadian Genes in Skin Pigmentation Regulation

This study shows that melatonin, not light, primarily drives circadian regulation of melanin synthesis and melanophore proliferation in Xenopus laevis, with melatonin mimicking dark-phase gene expression.

Global genomics of the man-o'-war (Physalia) reveals biodiversity at the ocean surface

The paper sequences 133 Physalia genomes and analyzes citizen-science images to reveal five distinct lineages and four species, with geographic population structure and long-distance dispersal.

The Radical Pair Mechanism Cannot Explain Telecommunication Frequency Effects on Reactive Oxygen Species

The paper models the effects of telecommunication frequency radiation on radical pair systems and concludes the radical pair mechanism cannot explain observed reactive oxygen species production.

Quantum theory of a potential biological magnetic field sensor: radical pair mechanism in flavin adenine dinucleotide biradicals

The paper develops a quantum theoretical model of the radical pair mechanism in FAD biradicals to predict magnetic field dependence of transient absorption signals, consistent with experiments.

Radical pairs and superoxide amplification can explain magnetic field effects on planarian regeneration

The paper proposes a radical pair mechanism and amplification model to explain magnetic field effects on planarian regeneration through modulation of superoxide production.

Radical Pair Model for Magnetic Field Effects on NMDA Receptor Activity

The paper proposes a radical pair model to explain magnetic field effects on NMDA receptor activity, showing how magnetic fields influence radical pair reactions and predict isotope effects.

Effect of Aging on the Human Myometrium at Single-Cell Resolution

This study examines aging effects on the human myometrium using single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, identifying cell subpopulations and communication changes linked to pregnancy complications.

Nuclear lamin A/C phosphorylation by loss of Androgen Receptor is a global determinant of cancer-associated fibroblast activation.

This study shows that loss of androgen receptor increases lamin A/C phosphorylation, driving cancer-associated fibroblast activation through transcriptional changes.

Uptake of plant-derived carbon and proximity to the root determine differences in temporal and spatial stability among microbial groups

The paper examines how microbial groups differ in temporal and spatial stability of biomass and carbon uptake, finding bacterial stability is higher than fungal, and proximity to roots and symbiotic status influence carbon uptake patterns.

Peptide-mediated inhibition of the transcriptional regulator Elongin BC induces apoptosis in cancer cells

The paper develops a peptide inhibitor targeting the Elongin BC dimer, showing reduced cancer cell viability and increased apoptosis by blocking its interaction partners.

Organelle-specific photoactivation and dual-isotope labeling strategy reveals phosphatidylethanolamine metabolic flux

The paper uses photoactivation and dual-isotope labeling to study phosphatidylethanolamine metabolism in living cells, revealing subcellular contributions to phospholipid remodeling.

Effect of Methamphetamine on Ultraweak Photon Emission and Level of Reactive Oxygen Species in Male Rat Brain

This study measures ultraweak photon emission (UPE) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in rat brain regions after methamphetamine (METH) administration, finding increased UPE and ROS with a direct correlation between the two.

Photons guided by axons may enable backpropagation-based learning in the brain

The paper proposes that biophotons guided by axons could enable backpropagation-like learning in the brain by transmitting teaching signals backward through neural networks.

Host-associated microbial diversity in New Zealand cicadas uncovers elevational structure and replacement of obligate bacterial endosymbionts by Ophiocordyceps fungal pathogens

This study examines gut microbial diversity in New Zealand cicadas, finding elevational patterns and replacement of bacterial symbionts with fungal pathogens across species.

Mapping lignification dynamics with a combination of chemistry, data segmentation and ratiometric analysis

This paper introduces REPRISAL, a method combining chemical reporters, image segmentation, and ratiometric analysis to map lignification dynamics in plant cell walls.

Could radical pairs play a role in xenon-induced general anesthesia?

This study proposes that xenon-induced anesthesia may involve radical pair dynamics influenced by xenon's nuclear spin, showing isotopic dependence in mice.

Single-cell RNA Expression of SARS-CoV-2 Cell Entry Factors in Human Endometrium during Preconception

The paper examines SARS-CoV-2 entry factor expression in human endometrial cells using single-cell RNA sequencing, finding high CTSB and CTSL expression but low ACE2 and TMPRSS2, suggesting limited infection risk pre-implantation.

The human α-defensin-derived peptide HD5(1-9) inhibits cellular attachment and entry of human cytomegalovirus.

The paper identifies HD5(1-9), a defensin-derived peptide, as an inhibitor of HCMV cellular attachment and entry, with low toxicity.

Actin shells control buckling and wrinkling of biomembranes

This study shows how varying actin shell thickness in reconstituted systems controls membrane shape changes under volume reduction, revealing a transition between buckling and wrinkling.

Actin modulates shape and mechanics of tubular membranes

This study investigates how actin affects the shape and mechanical stability of tubular membranes by observing actin sleeve growth on preformed membrane tubes.

Expression of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptor genes co-vary with a stress-related colour signal in barn owls

The paper examines the relationship between glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptor gene expression and melanin-based coloration in barn owl nestlings, finding lower receptor expression in individuals with larger black feather spots.

Psychoactive plant- and mushroom-associated alkaloids from two behavior modifying cicada pathogens

The paper identifies psychoactive alkaloids in cicada pathogens, suggesting chemical-induced behavioral modification to enhance spore dispersal.

Expression of the Phosphatase Ppef2 Controls Survival and Function of CD8+ Dendritic Cells

This study shows that Ppef2 deficiency in CD8+ dendritic cells leads to increased apoptosis and reduced antigen presentation, impacting T cell responses.

Changes in endosymbiont complexity drive host-level compensatory adaptations in cicadas

The paper shows that cicadas with more complex Hodgkinia endosymbiont lineages increase the number of Hodgkinia cells transmitted to eggs to ensure full complement transmission.

Idiosyncratic genome degradation in a bacterial endosymbiont of periodical cicadas

The paper shows that Hodgkinia genomes in Magicicada species have diverged into multiple genomic circles, with varying gene content and stability, suggesting stochastic and nonadaptive genomic degradation.

Monitoring Microtubule Mechanical Vibrations via Optomechanical Coupling

This paper proposes a method to monitor microtubule mechanical vibrations using optomechanical coupling to study their dynamic properties for potential cancer treatment applications.