Superconductors are famous for carrying electricity without resistance, but a new study shows they can also reshape the crystals in which they are housed. Scientists at Okayama University, Japan, have discovered that the topological superconductor Cu_xBi₂Se₃ can distort its crystal lattice when it reaches the superconducting state. Using synchrotron X-ray diffraction, the team detected structural changes linked to the unusual spin-triplet pairing in this material, revealing a new way superconductivity interacts with crystal structure.

A new study examines nickel and urea in early microbial habitats, showing how ancient cyanobacteria adapted to their chemical surroundings. By recreating Archean conditions in the lab, researchers uncovered clues about the delicate balances that shaped early cyanobacterial life. These findings hint at the unseen factors that may have set the stage for Earth’s first oxygen surge, providing a fresh perspective on the environmental and chemical conditions that allowed oxygen to accumulate in the atmosphere.

The Bank of Japan’s Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) purchases have had a substantial impact on stock prices. Researchers from Waseda University and the Bank of Japan reveal that the large-scale purchases of ETFs by the Bank of Japan have not only directly pushed up stock prices in the equity market but have also had a significant impact on the securities lending market, offering practical implications that can support decision-making in policy implementation and market activities.

Keloids are overgrown scars that often cause chronic pain, itching, and restricted movement, but their biological origins remain unclear. In a recent study, researchers from Japan discovered a distinct subset of fibroblasts that senses mechanical tension through a protein called PIEZO2. These cells drive abnormal extracellular matrix collagen production and lead to scar recurrence, highlighting a potential therapeutic target and opening new avenues for the diagnosis and treatment of keloids.

Root-knot nematodes cause widespread damage to crops, but chemical pesticides that control them also severely harm soil fertility. Soil-dwelling slime mold secretes compounds that repel these nematodes, but their specific nature was unknown. Using novel culturing techniques, researchers have identified 14 compounds of high potency in repelling nematodes, paving the way for the development of non-toxic control methods.

Researchers at The University of Osaka have discovered precursor T follicular regulatory cells (preTfr), comprising 30-50% of circulating Tfr in human blood. preTfr are significantly reduced in severe COVID-19 and sepsis, correlating with increased anti-interferon-gamma autoantibodies and activated atypical B cells. Unlike stable conventional naïve regulatory T cells, preTfr are specifically depleted during severe disease. When stimulated, preTfr up-regulate suppressive molecules including IL-1RA and show enhanced wound healing capacity. Conversely, mRNA vaccination increases preTfr frequency, suggesting controlled immune participation. The findings identify preTfr as a therapeutic target for preventing autoantibody production during severe infections.