The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Biology and Biomedicine has gone in this eighteenth edition to Carl June (University of Pennsylvania) and Michel Sadelain (Columbia University) for revolutionizing the treatment of cancer by means of CAR-T cell immunotherapy. The two laureates pioneered this innovative therapeutic strategy whereby T cells are extracted from the patient’s own immune system, grown in the lab and genetically engineered so they recognize and selectively destroy cancer cells on being infused back into the body, leading to remission of the disease.

Coral reefs are undoubtedly in crisis. Scientists have documented concerning coral bleaching events, dramatic declines in coral cover, fish and shark populations across the Caribbean over recent decades. But a critical question has remained unanswered: has the way energy flows through reef ecosystems also changed? A new study led by scientists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) and published in Nature reveals that it has, profoundly. Food chains on modern Caribbean reefs are 60-70% shorter than they were 7,000 years ago, and individual fish have lost the dietary specialisation that once sustained a complex web of energy pathways. 

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 6%−20% of reproductive-aged women, and is commonly accompanied by irregular menstrual cycles and anovulatory infertility. The mechanisms underlying menstrual cycle irregularities associated with PCOS, and how they may change after pregnancy remain incompletely understood.

 

Bone fractures heal more slowly with age, increasing health risks for older adults. A new study reveals that rising levels of the liver-produced protein apolipoprotein E (ApoE) interfere with bone repair by suppressing osteoblast activity. Using aged mouse models and human cells, scientists showed that neutralizing circulating ApoE restores bone formation and accelerates fracture healing. The findings highlight a promising noninvasive therapeutic strategy to improve bone healing in the elderly.

A new global study finds that physical inactivity is a major, preventable driver of serious diabetes complications worldwide. Analyzing data from more than 2.3 million adults with diabetes, researchers estimate that up to 10% of strokes, diabetic retinopathy, and heart failure cases could be avoided if recommended physical activity levels were met. The burden was disproportionately higher among women, people with lower educational attainment, and in several high- and middle-income regions.

The precise tuning of magnetic nanoparticle size and spacing directly influences the alignment of intrinsic magnetic moments and magnetic domains, thereby shaping magnetic properties. However, the dynamic evolution mechanisms of magnetic domain configurations in relation to electromagnetic (EM) attenuation behavior remain poorly understood. To address this gap, a thermodynamically controlled periodic coordination strategy is proposed to achieve precise modulation of magnetic nanoparticle spacing. This approach unveils the evolution of magnetic domain configurations, progressing from individual to coupled and ultimately to crosslinked domain configurations. A unique magnetic coupling phenomenon surpasses the Snoek limit in low-frequency range, which is observed through micromagnetic simulation. The crosslinked magnetic configuration achieves effective low-frequency EM wave absorption at 3.68 GHz, encompassing nearly the entire C-band. This exceptional magnetic interaction significantly enhances radar camouflage and thermal insulation properties. Additionally, a robust gradient metamaterial design extends coverage across the full band (2–40 GHz), effectively mitigating the impact of EM pollution on human health and environment. This comprehensive study elucidates the evolution mechanisms of magnetic domain configurations, addresses gaps in dynamic magnetic modulation, and provides novel insights for the development of high-performance, low-frequency EM wave absorption materials.

Researchers from Beijing Forestry University (China) and the Smithsonian Institution (USA) have utilized advanced phylogenomic techniques to resolve long-standing debates regarding the classification of Clematis. By analyzing nuclear DNA from samples worldwide, the team proposed a robust new classification system comprising 22 sections for this economically and ecologically important genus.