Nature Communications - 29 April 2015

Advertisement AIMResearch - Highlighting research from the Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR) in Japan, which promotes mathematics-materials science collaboration  Latest highlight: Iron-based superconductors: Enigmatic phase implicated in superconductivity In the spotlight: Materials and mathematics collaboration: A new horizon Register today for monthly email alerts!     Weekly Content Alert Nature Communications is now fully open access. Read more. 29 April 2015  Featured image: Siddique et al. link the random height distribution of nanopillars covering the wings of glasswing butterflies to their omnidirectional transparency. Latest content: Review Articles Corrigendum Advertisement Nature Communications is now fully open access All new submissions if accepted, will be published open access and an article processing charge will apply. For more information visit the website. Visit our open access funding page  or contact openaccess@nature.com to learn more on APC funding. Journal homepage Recommend to library Web feed       Nature Communications - now fully open access All new submissions, if accepted, will be published open access and an article processing charge (APC) will apply. For more information visit the website. Visit our open access funding page or contact openaccess@nature.com to learn more about APC funding.   Latest Review View all Reviews     Neutrino oscillation studies with reactors OPEN P. Vogel, L.J. Wen and C. Zhang The observation of neutrino oscillations indicates that neutrinos have mass and that their flavours are quantum mechanical mixtures. Here, the authors review the past, present and future contributions of nuclear reactor-based neutrino oscillation experiments, their accomplishments and the remaining challenges. 27 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7935 Physical Sciences  Atomic and molecular physics  Particle physics        Latest Articles View all Articles     In-operando high-speed tomography of lithium-ion batteries during thermal runaway OPEN Donal P. Finegan, Mario Scheel, James B. Robinson, Bernhard Tjaden, Ian Hunt, Thomas J. Mason, Jason Millichamp, Marco Di Michiel, Gregory J. Offer, Gareth Hinds, Dan J.L. Brett and Paul R. Shearing It is important to understand the mechanisms of thermally induced battery degradation and any safety hazards. Here, the authors use high-speed synchrotron radiation X-ray computed tomography to shed light on the structural and thermal dynamics associated with thermal runaway and failure of commercial Li-ion batteries. 28 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7924 Physical Sciences  Materials science  Physical chemistry  Witnessing magnetic twist with high-resolution observation from the 1.6-m New Solar Telescope OPEN Haimin Wang, Wenda Cao, Chang Liu, Yan Xu, Rui Liu, Zhicheng Zeng, Jongchul Chae and Haisheng Ji Understanding the behaviour of magnetic flux ropes in the Sun is crucial for explaining solar phenomena such as flares and space weather. Exploiting the high resolution available in the 1.6 m New Solar Telescope, Wang et al. capture the evolution of a flaring twisted flux rope in the low solar corona. 28 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms8008 Physical Sciences  Astronomy  Fluids and plasma physics  Fat, fibre and cancer risk in African Americans and rural Africans Stephen J. D. O’Keefe, Jia V. Li, Leo Lahti, Junhai Ou, Franck Carbonero, Khaled Mohammed, Joram M. Posma, James Kinross, Elaine Wahl, Elizabeth Ruder, Kishore Vipperla, Vasudevan Naidoo, Lungile Mtshali, Sebastian Tims, Philippe G. B. Puylaert, James DeLany, Alyssa Krasinskas, Ann C. Benefiel, Hatem O. Kaseb, Keith Newton et al. African Americans have much higher colon cancer rates than rural South Africans, which is associated with dietary and metabolic differences. Here, O’Keefe et al. show that switching quantities of fat and fibre leads to reciprocal changes in gut microbiota, metabolites and cancer biomarkers. 28 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7342 Biological Sciences  Cancer  Medical research  Microbiology  Hyperdominance in Amazonian forest carbon cycling OPEN Sophie Fauset, Michelle O. Johnson, Manuel Gloor, Timothy R. Baker, Abel Monteagudo M., Roel J.W. Brienen, Ted R. Feldpausch, Gabriela Lopez-Gonzalez, Yadvinder Malhi, Hans ter Steege, Nigel C.A. Pitman, Christopher Baraloto, Julien Engel, Pascal Pétronelli, Ana Andrade, José Luís C. Camargo, Susan G.W. Laurance, William F. Laurance, Jerôme Chave, Elodie Allie et al. The Amazon rainforest is dominated by relatively few tree species, yet the degree to which this hyperdominance influences carbon cycling remains unknown. Here, the authors analyse 530 forest plots and show that ∼1% of species are responsible for 50% of the aboveground carbon storage and productivity. 28 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7857 Earth Sciences  Ecology  Plant sciences  Deep groundwater and potential subsurface habitats beneath an Antarctic dry valley OPEN J. A. Mikucki, E. Auken, S. Tulaczyk, R. A. Virginia, C. Schamper, K. I. Sørensen, P. T. Doran, H. Dugan and N. Foley Conditions below the active permafrost layer in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, are thought to be ice cemented. Here, the authors use an airborne electromagnetic sensor to image the resistivity beneath the valley floor, which indicates the presence of high-salinity liquids at temperatures well below freezing. 28 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7831 Earth Sciences  Geology and geophysics  A REDD1/TXNIP pro-oxidant complex regulates ATG4B activity to control stress-induced autophagy and sustain exercise capacity OPEN Shuxi Qiao, Michael Dennis, Xiufeng Song, Douangsone D. Vadysirisack, Devika Salunke, Zachary Nash, Zhifen Yang, Marc Liesa, Jun Yoshioka, Shu-Ichi Matsuzawa, Orian S. Shirihai, Richard T. Lee, John C. Reed and Leif W. Ellisen Stress-induced macroautophagy is initiated by the induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here Qiao et al. show that the mTOR inhibitor REDD1 in a complex with pro-oxidant protein TXNIP induces ROS formation, leading to ATG4B suppression and autophagy activation in a largely mTOR-independent manner. 28 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms8014 Biological Sciences  Cell biology  Reinforcement of hydrogels using three-dimensionally printed microfibres Jetze Visser, Ferry P.W. Melchels, June E. Jeon, Erik M. van Bussel, Laura S. Kimpton, Helen M. Byrne, Wouter J.A. Dhert, Paul D. Dalton, Dietmar W. Hutmacher and Jos Malda Hydrogels are commonly used materials for tissue engineering, but they can lack the structural properties required for load-bearing and mechanical applications. Here, the authors prepare a polycaprolactone scaffold using melt-electrospinning to reinforce a gelatin methacrylamide hydrogel. 28 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7933 Biological Sciences  Materials science  dDsk2 regulates H2Bub1 and RNA polymerase II pausing at dHP1c complex target genes Roman Kessler, Johan Tisserand, Joan Font-Burgada, Oscar Reina, Laura Coch, Camille Stephan-otto Attolini, Ivan Garcia-Bassets and Fernando Azorín dDsk2 is a conserved extraproteasomal ubiquitin receptor that targets ubiquitylated proteins for degradation. Here the authors report that dDsk2 regulates RNA polymerase II pausing by preventing H2Bub1 deubiquitylation, suggesting a nonproteolytic function of dDsk2. 28 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms8049 Biological Sciences  Cell biology  Molecular biology  Transcriptional activation by the thyroid hormone receptor through ligand-dependent receptor recruitment and chromatin remodelling Lars Grøntved, Joshua J. Waterfall, Dong Wook Kim, Songjoon Baek, Myong-Hee Sung, Li Zhao, Jeong Won Park, Ronni Nielsen, Robert L. Walker, Yuelin J. Zhu, Paul S. Meltzer, Gordon L. Hager and Sheue-yann Cheng The bimodal switch model posits that the unliganded thyroid hormone receptor (TR) binds chromatin stably. Here, the authors demonstrate ligand dependent recruitment of TR to chromatin, and further show that both unliganded and ligand-bound TR engages with chromatin in a highly dynamic manner. 28 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms8048 Biological Sciences  Cell biology  Molecular biology  Lineage specification of ovarian theca cells requires multicellular interactions via oocyte and granulosa cells Chang Liu, Jia Peng, Martin M. Matzuk and Humphrey H.-C. Yao Lineage establishment of theca cells is essential for follicle development and morphogenesis of the ovary. Here the authors provide genetic evidence for the origins of theca progenitor cells and study the mechanisms critical for their differentiation. 28 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7934 Biological Sciences  Developmental biology  FGF1 and FGF19 reverse diabetes by suppression of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis OPEN Rachel J. Perry, Sangwon Lee, Lie Ma, Dongyan Zhang, Joseph Schlessinger and Gerald I. Shulman Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family proteins have anti-diabetic effects, but how they work is currently unclear. Here the authors show that injections of FGF1 or FGF19 into the brain of diabetic rats alter glucose and lipid homeostasis by suppressing activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal signalling axis. 28 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7980 Biological Sciences  Medical research  In vivo model with targeted cAMP biosensor reveals changes in receptor–microdomain communication in cardiac disease Julia U. Sprenger, Ruwan K. Perera, Julia H. Steinbrecher, Stephan E. Lehnart, Lars S. Maier, Gerd Hasenfuss and Viacheslav O. Nikolaev cAMP is a second messenger that acts in distinct intracellular locations regulating diverse cellular functions. Here the authors design a FRET-based cAMP biosensor and use it to measure in vivo dynamics of cAMP concentration changes in the sarcoplasmatic reticulum of mouse cardiomyocytes in health and disease. 28 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7965 Biological Sciences  Cell biology  Medical research  Galanin modulates the neural niche to favour perineural invasion in head and neck cancer Christina Springstead Scanlon, Rajat Banerjee, Ronald C. Inglehart, Min Liu, Nickole Russo, Amirtha Hariharan, Elizabeth A. van Tubergen, Sara L. Corson, Irfan A. Asangani, Charlotte M. Mistretta, Arul M. Chinnaiyan and Nisha J. D’Silva Perineural invasion occurs in many head and neck cancers and is thought to be an active process where tumour cells degrade the neural sheath. Here the authors show that the neuropeptide galanin mediates the crosstalk between nerves and cancer cells to promote malignant progression. 28 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7885 Biological Sciences  Cancer  Molecular biology  Subterranean atmospheres may act as daily methane sinks Angel Fernandez-Cortes, Soledad Cuezva, Miriam Alvarez-Gallego, Elena Garcia-Anton, Concepcion Pla, David Benavente, Valme Jurado, Cesareo Saiz-Jimenez and Sergio Sanchez-Moral Despite methane’s (CH4) importance as a greenhouse gas, much remains unknown regarding CH4 sources and sinks. Here, the authors conduct geochemical monitoring and analyses of several cave systems in Spain and show that subterranean atmospheres may be acting as daily sinks for atmospheric CH4. 27 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms8003 Earth Sciences  Atmospheric science  Climate science  Programmable definition of nanogap electronic devices using self-inhibited reagent depletion OPEN Brian Lam, Wendi Zhou, Shana O. Kelley and Edward H. Sargent The miniaturization of electronic circuitry requires the reproducible fabrication of electrodes with nanoscale separations. Here, the authors present a robust manufacturing technology that enables programmably placed nanoscale three-dimensional nanogaps on an integrated circuit. 27 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7940 Physical Sciences  Materials science  Nanotechnology  Multifractality of random eigenfunctions and generalization of Jarzynski equality OPEN I.M. Khaymovich, J.V. Koski, O.-P. Saira, V.E. Kravtsov and J.P. Pekola The work fluctuations of systems driven out of equilibrium are governed by the same large-deviation theory as wavefunction amplitudes close to the Anderson localization transition. Exploiting this analogy, the authors generalize the Jarzynski equality, verifying their relation on a single-electron box. 27 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms8010 Physical Sciences  Condensed matter  Nanotechnology  Theoretical physics  ILC2s and T cells cooperate to ensure maintenance of M2 macrophages for lung immunity against hookworms Tiffany Bouchery, Ryan Kyle, Mali Camberis, Amy Shepherd, Kara Filbey, Alexander Smith, Marina Harvie, Gavin Painter, Karen Johnston, Peter Ferguson, Rohit Jain, Ben Roediger, Brett Delahunt, Wolfgang Weninger, Elizabeth Forbes-Blom and Graham Le Gros The life cycle of parasitic hookworms includes a developmental stage in the lungs, before reaching the gut where they mature into adults. Here Bouchery et al. show that Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) cooperate with CD4+ T cells to inhibit the development of a model hookworm in the lungs of mice. 27 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7970 Biological Sciences  Cell biology  Immunology  Heparanase is a host enzyme required for herpes simplex virus-1 release from cells Satvik R. Hadigal, Alex M. Agelidis, Ghadah A. Karasneh, Thessicar E. Antoine, Abraam M. Yakoub, Vishnu C. Ramani, Ali R. Djalilian, Ralph D. Sanderson and Deepak Shukla Herpesviruses bind to heparan sulphate (HS) on the surface of cells before infecting them. Here, the authors show that heparanase, a host enzyme that degrades HS and is upregulated on viral infection, is required for the release of newly formed viruses from infected cells. 27 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7985 Biological Sciences  Cell biology  Microbiology  Virology  Revealing the role of organic cations in hybrid halide perovskite CH3NH3PbI3 OPEN Carlo Motta, Fedwa El-Mellouhi, Sabre Kais, Nouar Tabet, Fahhad Alharbi and Stefano Sanvito Hybrid halide perovskite solar cells are studied as easy to fabricate compounds for efficient solar cell devices. Here, the authors use density functional theory calculations to show that the orientation of the organic molecules in these materials is crucial for their electronic and solar conversion properties. 27 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms8026 Physical Sciences  Materials science  Optical physics  Physical chemistry  Manipulation of B-cell responses with histone deacetylase inhibitors Michaela Waibel, Ailsa J. Christiansen, Margaret L. Hibbs, Jake Shortt, Sarah A. Jones, Ian Simpson, Amanda Light, Kristy O’Donnell, Eric F. Morand, David M. Tarlinton, Ricky W. Johnstone and Edwin D. Hawkins Histone deaceytelase inhibitors are used in the treatment of haematological malignancies but can also act as modulators of the immune system. Here, the authors show that histone deaceytelase inhibitors are capable of modulating B-cell functions leading to improved outcome in autoimmune conditions. 27 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7838 Biological Sciences  Immunology  Inhibition of KRAS codon 12 mutants using a novel DNA-alkylating pyrrole–imidazole polyamide conjugate Kiriko Hiraoka, Takahiro Inoue, Rhys Dylan Taylor, Takayoshi Watanabe, Nobuko Koshikawa, Hiroyuki Yoda, Ken-ichi Shinohara, Atsushi Takatori, Hirokazu Sugimoto, Yoshiaki Maru, Tadamichi Denda, Kyoko Fujiwara, Allan Balmain, Toshinori Ozaki, Toshikazu Bando, Hiroshi Sugiyama and Hiroki Nagase RAS, identified over 30 years ago as a potent oncogene, is one of the most commonly mutated genes in cancer. Here the authors show that KR12, an alkylating reagent that specifically cleaves the DNA coding for the G12D and G12V activated variants of KRAS, limits the growth of KRAS mutant cells in vitro and in vivo. 27 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7706 Biological Sciences  Cancer  Chemical biology  Behavioural correlates of combinatorial versus temporal features of odour codes OPEN Debajit Saha, Chao Li, Steven Peterson, William Padovano, Nalin Katta and Baranidharan Raman In the olfactory system, odourants typically evoke spiking responses in neurons that are both spatially and temporally structured. Here, the authors demonstrate that odour identity is encoded purely by the combinations of neurons activated and is insensitive to changes in temporal structure. 27 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7953 Biological Sciences  Neuroscience  Nanoparticles that deliver triplex-forming peptide nucleic acid molecules correct F508del CFTR in airway epithelium Nicole Ali McNeer, Kavitha Anandalingam, Rachel J. Fields, Christina Caputo, Sascha Kopic, Anisha Gupta, Elias Quijano, Lee Polikoff, Yong Kong, Raman Bahal, John P. Geibel, Peter M. Glazer, W. Mark Saltzman and Marie E. Egan Cystic fibrosis is a lethal genetic disorder commonly caused by the F508del mutation which is not amenable to gene therapy. Here, the authors use triplex-forming PNA molecules and donor DNA in biodegradable polymer nanoparticles to correct F508del and achieve clinically relevant levels of gene editing. 27 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7952 Biological Sciences  Genetics  Medical research  Cavity optomechanics mediated by a quantum two-level system OPEN J.-M. Pirkkalainen, S.U. Cho, F. Massel, J. Tuorila, T.T. Heikkilä, P.J. Hakonen and M.A. Sillanpää Radiation pressure can control the motion of a nanoscale resonator, but pushing this to the quantum limit is difficult because the influence of a single photon is tiny. Here, the authors boost the radiation–pressure interaction by six orders of magnitude using a Josephson junction qubit 27 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7981 Physical Sciences  Applied physics  Optical physics  Damage-tolerant nanotwinned metals with nanovoids under radiation environments OPEN Y. Chen, K Y. Yu, Y. Liu, S. Shao, H. Wang, M. A. Kirk, J. Wang and X. Zhang Materials that are tolerant to radiation damage are important for use in nuclear reactors or the storage of nuclear materials. Here, the authors show that pre-introduced nanovoids in nanotwinned copper improve self-healing of the material and therefore enhance its radiation tolerance. 24 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms8036 Physical Sciences  Materials science  Evolutionary games of condensates in coupled birth–death processes OPEN Johannes Knebel, Markus F. Weber, Torben Krüger and Erwin Frey A driven-dissipative system of non-interacting bosons may form multiple condensates—a dynamics described by birth–death processes that also occur in evolutionary game theory. Here, the authors apply game theory to show how the vanishing of relative entropy production governs condensate selection. 24 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7977 Physical Sciences  Atomic and molecular physics  Theoretical physics  Enterobacteria-secreted particles induce production of exosome-like S1P-containing particles by intestinal epithelium to drive Th17-mediated tumorigenesis Zhongbin Deng, Jingyao Mu, Michael Tseng, Binks Wattenberg, Xiaoying Zhuang, Nejat K. Egilmez, Qilong Wang, Lifeng Zhang, James Norris, Haixun Guo, Jun Yan, Bodduluri Haribabu, Donald Miller and Huang-Ge Zhang Microbial and host cells in the gut exchange complex signals that we only begin to decipher. Here the authors show that pathogenic but not commensal gut bacteria secrete microparticles, which in turn induce changes in the content of the mucosa-produced exosomes to promote Th17-mediated tumorigenesis. 24 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7956 Biological Sciences  Cancer  Immunology  Microbiology  Saccharina genomes provide novel insight into kelp biology OPEN Naihao Ye, Xiaowen Zhang, Miao Miao, Xiao Fan, Yi Zheng, Dong Xu, Jinfeng Wang, Lin Zhou, Dongsheng Wang, Yuan Gao, Yitao Wang, Wenyu Shi, Peifeng Ji, Demao Li, Zheng Guan, Changwei Shao, Zhimeng Zhuang, Zhengquan Gao, Ji Qi and Fangqing Zhao et al. Kelps are ecologically and economically important seaweeds. Here the authors sequence the genome of Saccharina japonica to gain insights into the evolutionary adaptation of polysaccharide biosynthesis, iodine concentration and antioxidation mechanisms and the population genetics of kelp domestication. 24 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7986 Biological Sciences  Genetics  Impact of charge transport on current–voltage characteristics and power-conversion efficiency of organic solar cells OPEN Uli Würfel, Dieter Neher, Annika Spies and Steve Albrecht Fitting current–voltage curves of organic solar cells with the Shockley equation often results in artificially high ideality factors. Here, the authors analyse inadequacy of the equation and propose an analytic model, which allows prediction of the efficiency potentials by explicit consideration of charge-carrier mobilities. 24 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7951 Physical Sciences  Applied physics  Deoxynybomycins inhibit mutant DNA gyrase and rescue mice infected with fluoroquinolone-resistant bacteria OPEN Elizabeth I. Parkinson, Joseph S. Bair, Bradley A. Nakamura, Hyang Y. Lee, Hani I. Kuttab, Emma H. Southgate, Stéphane Lezmi, Gee W. Lau and Paul J. Hergenrother Fluoroquinolone antibiotics are widely used to treat serious bacterial infections, but resistance is an increasing problem. Here the authors describe the synthesis and characterization of novel deoxynybomycin derivatives that exhibit activity against fluoroquinolone-resistant infections in an in vivo model. 24 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7947 Biological Sciences  Chemical biology  Medical research  Microbiology  Biodiversity enhances ecosystem multifunctionality across trophic levels and habitats OPEN Jonathan S. Lefcheck, Jarrett E. K. Byrnes, Forest Isbell, Lars Gamfeldt, John N. Griffin, Nico Eisenhauer, Marc J. S. Hensel, Andy Hector, Bradley J. Cardinale and J. Emmett Duffy The influence of biodiversity on multiple ecosystem processes is not well understood. Analysing 94 biodiversity-ecosystem functioning experiments, Lefcheck et al. find that increased species richness maintains more ecological functions, across multiple taxa, trophic levels and habitats. 24 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7936 Biological Sciences  Ecology  P2-Na0.6[Cr0.6Ti0.4]O2 cation-disordered electrode for high-rate symmetric rechargeable sodium-ion batteries OPEN Yuesheng Wang, Ruijuan Xiao, Yong-Sheng Hu, Maxim Avdeev and Liquan Chen Sodium-containing layered oxides are promising battery cathodes, but their performance suffers from the formation of sodium ion-vacancy ordered superstructures. Here, the authors present a P2-Na0.6[Cr0.6Ti0.4]O2 layered oxide with disordered cations, leading to high battery performance. 24 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7954 Chemical Sciences  Materials science  Physical chemistry  REGγ is critical for skin carcinogenesis by modulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway Lei Li, Yongyan Dang, Jishen Zhang, Wangjun Yan, Wanli Zhai, Hui Chen, Ke Li, Lu Tong, Xiao Gao, Ali Amjad, Lei Ji, Tiantian Jing, Ziwei Jiang, Kaixuan Shi, Liangfang Yao, Dianwen Song, Tielong Liu, Xinghai Yang, Cheng Yang, Xiaopan Cai et al. REGγ, a proteasome activator, is associated with multiple oncogenic pathways in human cancers and can promote the degradation of multiple proteins including p53. Here the authors highlight a potential role for REGγ in skin cancer and propose a molecular mechanism linking p38 MAPK and Wnt signalling. 24 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7875 Biological Sciences  Cancer  Molecular biology  Single-band upconversion nanoprobes for multiplexed simultaneous in situ molecular mapping of cancer biomarkers OPEN Lei Zhou, Rui Wang, Chi Yao, Xiaomin Li, Chengli Wang, Xiaoyan Zhang, Congjian Xu, Aijun Zeng, Dongyuan Zhao and Fan Zhang The excitation–emission profiles of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) make them attractive biological probes. Here the authors present a lanthanide UCNP for the in situ multiplexed detection of cancer biomarkers, with different single-colour upconversion emissions. 24 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7938 Biological Sciences  Nanotechnology  Long-range evolutionary constraints reveal cis-regulatory interactions on the human X chromosome OPEN Magali Naville, Minaka Ishibashi, Marco Ferg, Hemant Bengani, Silke Rinkwitz, Monika Krecsmarik, Thomas A. Hawkins, Stephen W. Wilson, Elizabeth Manning, Chandra S. R. Chilamakuri, David I. Wilson, Alexandra Louis, F. Lucy Raymond, Sepand Rastegar, Uwe Strähle, Boris Lenhard, Laure Bally-Cuif, Veronica van Heyningen, David R. FitzPatrick, Thomas S. Becker et al. Enhancers regulate the transcription of genes over long genomic distances. Here, the authors show that enhancer function is correlated with maintenance of linkage between non-coding elements and neighbouring genes in the human X chromosome and that enhancers in zebrafish drive expression in a pattern consistent with the expression of a linked gene. 24 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7904 Biological Sciences  Evolution  Genetics  Real-time submillisecond single-molecule FRET dynamics of freely diffusing molecules with liposome tethering OPEN Jae-Yeol Kim, Cheolhee Kim and Nam Ki Lee Single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer is widely used to probe biomolecular dynamics, but is limited by its temporal resolution. Here, Kim et al. push the limit to submillisecond for the duration of tens of milliseconds by tethering target molecules to liposomes in buffer solutions. 24 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7992 Biological Sciences  Biochemistry  Biophysics  Physical chemistry  Ubiquitination of the Dishevelled DIX domain blocks its head-to-tail polymerization OPEN Julia Madrzak, Marc Fiedler, Christopher M. Johnson, Richard Ewan, Axel Knebel, Mariann Bienz and Jason W. Chin The relaying of Wnt signals to the cytoplasm requires the formation of signalosomes through the reversible polymerization of Dishevelled (Dvl). Here the authors establish the functional consequences of ubiquitination of the Dvl DIX domain and identify deubiquitinases predicted to promote Dvl polymerization. 24 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7718 Biological Sciences  Biochemistry  Chemical biology  A magneto-electro-optical effect in a plasmonic nanowire material OPEN João Valente, Jun-Yu Ou, Eric Plum, Ian J. Youngs and Nikolay I. Zheludev Metamaterials can be engineered to provide electric and magnetic responses that cannot be achieved in natural media. Here, the authors present a metamaterial based on plasmonic chevron nanowires that it exhibits a large reciprocal magneto-electro-optical effect driven by the Lorentz force. 24 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms8021 Physical Sciences  Materials science  Nanotechnology  Optical physics  Exposure age and ice-sheet model constraints on Pliocene East Antarctic ice sheet dynamics OPEN Masako Yamane, Yusuke Yokoyama, Ayako Abe-Ouchi, Stephen Obrochta, Fuyuki Saito, Kiichi Moriwaki and Hiroyuki Matsuzaki The behaviour of Antarctic ice sheets during warm climates of the past is poorly understood. Here, the authors combine cosmogenic nuclide exposure ages and numerical simulations in an effort to assess changes in East Antarctic ice sheet thickness since the Pliocene. 24 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms8016 Earth Sciences  Climate science  Na+ intercalation pseudocapacitance in graphene-coupled titanium oxide enabling ultra-fast sodium storage and long-term cycling Chaoji Chen, Yanwei Wen, Xianluo Hu, Xiulei Ji, Mengyu Yan, Liqiang Mai, Pei Hu, Bin Shan and Yunhui Huang There are intensive efforts in developing anode materials for sodium-ion batteries. Here, the authors present a graphene-titanium dioxide composite as an anode material and show that sodium ion intercalation pseudocapacitance charge storage leads to excellent electrochemical properties. 24 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7929 Chemical Sciences  Materials science  Nanotechnology  Cellulosome stoichiometry in Clostridium cellulolyticum is regulated by selective RNA processing and stabilization OPEN Chenggang Xu, Ranran Huang, Lin Teng, Xiaoyan Jing, Jianqiang Hu, Guzhen Cui, Yilin Wang, Qiu Cui and Jian Xu Selective RNA processing and stabilization (SRPS) can regulate bacterial operons, but the process is not well understood. Here, the authors show that the stoichiometry of cellulosome, a 12-subunit protein complex expressed from an operon in Gram-positive Clostridium cellullolyticum, is regulated by SRPS. 24 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7900 Biological Sciences  Microbiology  Molecular biology  Sub-nanometre resolution imaging of polymer–fullerene photovoltaic blends using energy-filtered scanning electron microscopy OPEN Robert C. Masters, Andrew J. Pearson, Tom S. Glen, Fabian-Cyril Sasam, Letian Li, Maurizio Dapor, Athene M. Donald, David G. Lidzey and Cornelia Rodenburg Morphological characterization of organic photovoltaic active layers is restricted by the lack of accurate chemical mapping tools. Here, the authors demonstrate an energy-filtered scanning electron microscopy technique, which enables sub-nanometre resolution imaging of an organic photovoltaic blend. 24 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7928 Physical Sciences  Applied physics  Materials science  Mechanisms of splicing-dependent trans-synaptic adhesion by PTPδ–IL1RAPL1/IL-1RAcP for synaptic differentiation OPEN Atsushi Yamagata, Tomoyuki Yoshida, Yusuke Sato, Sakurako Goto-Ito, Takeshi Uemura, Asami Maeda, Tomoko Shiroshima, Shiho Iwasawa-Okamoto, Hisashi Mori, Masayoshi Mishina and Shuya Fukai Synapse formation depends on trans-synaptic interactions between selective pairs of pre- and postsynaptic adhesion molecules. Here, the authors establish the basis for the splice isoform-dependent selectivity of receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase δ as it forms trans-synaptic contacts with IL1RAPL1 and IL-1RAcP. 24 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7926 Biological Sciences  Biophysics  Neuroscience  The lncRNA MIR31HG regulates p16INK4A expression to modulate senescence Marta Montes, Morten M. Nielsen, Giulia Maglieri, Anders Jacobsen, Jonas Højfeldt, Shuchi Agrawal-Singh, Klaus Hansen, Kristian Helin, Harmen J. G. van de Werken, Jakob S. Pedersen and Anders H. Lund Oncogene-induced senescence (OIS) is a barrier to tumour progression. Here the authors identify the long non-coding RNA MIR31HG as a regulator of cellular senescence using the oncogene-induced senescence triggered by B-RAF expression in immortalized fibroblasts. 24 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7967 Biological Sciences  Cancer  Molecular biology  Radiolysis as a solution for accelerated ageing studies of electrolytes in Lithium-ion batteries OPEN Daniel Ortiz, Vincent Steinmetz, Delphine Durand, Solène Legand, Vincent Dauvois, Philippe Maître and Sophie Le Caër The degradation of organic solvents used in lithium-ion batteries reduces battery performance. Here, the authors present a radiolysis technique which is not only more efficient than conventional thermally activated ageing methods, but also allows mechanistic analysis of the degradation process. 24 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7950 Chemical Sciences  Analytical chemistry  Materials science  Low-buoyancy thermochemical plumes resolve controversy of classical mantle plume concept OPEN Juliane Dannberg and Stephan V. Sobolev The classic mantle plume concept explains large igneous provinces and hotspot magmatism, but often contradicts observed surface uplift and plume morphology. Here, the authors present a plume model that better supports observations by considering low-buoyancy plumes containing up to 15% of recycled oceanic crust. 24 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7960 Earth Sciences  Geology and geophysics  A dominant role for the methyl-CpG-binding protein Mbd2 in controlling Th2 induction by dendritic cells OPEN Peter C. Cook, Heather Owen, Aimée M. Deaton, Jessica G. Borger, Sheila L. Brown, Thomas Clouaire, Gareth-Rhys Jones, Lucy H. Jones, Rachel J. Lundie, Angela K. Marley, Vicky L. Morrison, Alexander T. Phythian-Adams, Elisabeth Wachter, Lauren M. Webb, Tara E. Sutherland, Graham D. Thomas, John R. Grainger, Jim Selfridge, Andrew N. J. McKenzie, Judith E. Allen et al. How anti-helminth and allergic immune responses are initiated is poorly understood. Here the authors show that to trigger these responses, dendritic cells specifically require methyl-CpG-binding domain-2, a protein promoting repressed chromatin state. 24 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7920 Biological Sciences  Immunology  Both respiration and photosynthesis determine the scaling of plankton metabolism in the oligotrophic ocean Pablo Serret, Carol Robinson, María Aranguren-Gassis, Enma Elena García-Martín, Niki Gist, Vassilis Kitidis, José Lozano, John Stephens, Carolyn Harris and Rob Thomas Whether the oligotrophic ocean is net heterotrophic or net autotrophic has been a matter of debate for many years. Here Serret et al. show that, rather than being one or the other, the oligotrophic ocean is functionally diverse, with different metabolic states in different gyres. 24 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7961 Biological Sciences  Biogeochemistry  Ecology  Oceanography  DNMT1 is essential for mammary and cancer stem cell maintenance and tumorigenesis Rajneesh Pathania, Sabarish Ramachandran, Selvakumar Elangovan, Ravi Padia, Pengyi Yang, Senthilkumar Cinghu, Rajalakshmi Veeranan-Karmegam, Pachiappan Arjunan, Jaya P. Gnana-Prakasam, Fulzele Sadanand, Lirong Pei, Chang-Sheng Chang, Jeong-Hyeon Choi, Huidong Shi, Santhakumar Manicassamy, Puttur D Prasad, Suash Sharma, Vadivel Ganapathy, Raja Jothi and Muthusamy Thangaraju et al. DNA methyltransferase1 (DNMT1) plays a key role in stem cell and progenitor cell maintenance in mammalian epithelium tissues. Here the authors uncover a role for DNMT1 in the regulation of stem/progenitor cells in normal and tumorigenic mouse mammary gland. 24 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7910 Biological Sciences  Cancer  Molecular biology  A network approach for identifying and delimiting biogeographical regions Daril A. Vilhena and Alexandre Antonelli There is currently no consensus on how best to identify and delimit biogeographical regions. Here the authors develop a network-based approach incorporating complex presence–absence patterns that can successfully identify commonly recognized biogeographical regions, and apply it to two large-scale data sets of plants and amphibians. 24 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7848 Biological Sciences  Ecology  Generation of neutral and high-density electron–positron pair plasmas in the laboratory G. Sarri, K. Poder, J. M. Cole, W. Schumaker, A. Di Piazza, B. Reville, T. Dzelzainis, D. Doria, L. A. Gizzi, G. Grittani, S. Kar, C. H. Keitel, K. Krushelnick, S. Kuschel, S. P. D. Mangles, Z. Najmudin, N. Shukla, L. O. Silva, D. Symes, A. G. R. Thomas et al. Electron–positron pair plasma—a state of matter with a complete symmetry between negatively and positively charged particles—are found in many astrophysical object. Here, the authors use high-power laser to create an ion-free electron–positron plasma in the laboratory. 23 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7747 Physical Sciences  Fluids and plasma physics  Limitations on quantum key repeaters Stefan Bäuml, Matthias Christandl, Karol Horodecki and Andreas Winter Quantum repeaters have been conceived as a means to extend the range of quantum secure communications, but can handle only distillable entangled states. Here, the authors introduce and study quantum key repeaters, devices which may allow long-distance quantum key distribution with non-distillable states. 23 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7908 Physical Sciences  Theoretical physics  Superlattices assembled through shape-induced directional binding OPEN Fang Lu, Kevin G. Yager, Yugang Zhang, Huolin Xin and Oleg Gang Controlling self-assembly of nanoparticles into superlattices is an important approach to build functional materials. Here, Lu et al. use directional binding provided by DNA-encoded polyhedral blocks—cubes or octahedrons—to guide spherical nanoparticles into clusters and three-dimensional lattices. 23 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7912 Physical Sciences  Materials science  Nanotechnology  Induction and control of supramolecular chirality by light in self-assembled helical nanostructures Jisung Kim, Jinhee Lee, Woo Young Kim, Hyungjun Kim, Sanghwa Lee, Hee Chul Lee, Yoon Sup Lee, Myungeun Seo and Sang Youl Kim There is significant interest in the evolution of supramolecular chirality via self-assembly of achiral building blocks. Here, the authors report a system where the supramolecular chirality can be selectively and reversibly controlled and arrested by visible and ultraviolet circularly polarized light. 23 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7959 Chemical Sciences  Materials science  Organic chemistry  Achieving a long-lived high-beta plasma state by energetic beam injection H. Y. Guo, M. W. Binderbauer, T. Tajima, R. D. Milroy, L. C. Steinhauer, X. Yang, E. G. Garate, H. Gota, S. Korepanov, A. Necas, T. Roche, A. Smirnov and E. Trask A stable plasma state with a high ratio of plasma to magnetic pressures is likely to be a key requirement for any future magnetic fusion reactor. Here, the authors create such a plasma using a field reversed configuration and active plasma boundary control and demonstrate its stability. 23 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7897 Physical Sciences  Fluids and plasma physics  Direct neuronal glucose uptake heralds activity-dependent increases in cerebral metabolism Iben Lundgaard, Baoman Li, Lulu Xie, Hongyi Kang, Simon Sanggaard, John D. R. Haswell, Wei Sun, Siri Goldman, Solomiya Blekot, Michael Nielsen, Takahiro Takano, Rashid Deane and Maiken Nedergaard The brain is a highly active organ that relies almost exclusively on glucose as its energy source, but whether glucose is directly taken up by neurons or whether it is converted to lactate by astrocytes before neuronal uptake is still unclear. Here the authors perform in vivo imaging in awake mice and show evidence in support of the direct uptake of glucose by neurons. 23 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7807 Biological Sciences  Neuroscience  Optofluidic fabrication for 3D-shaped particles OPEN Kevin S. Paulsen, Dino Di Carlo and Aram J. Chung The current methods of fabricating three-dimensional particles include photolithography, layer-by-layer printing and several others. Here, Paulsen et al. demonstrate an optofluidic approach, whereby masked ultraviolet light is illuminated on photosensitive fluids whose cross-sections are shaped by fluid inertia. 23 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7976 Physical Sciences  Fluids and plasma physics  Optical physics  Histone deacetylation promotes mouse neural induction by restricting Nodal-dependent mesendoderm fate Pingyu Liu, Xiaoyang Dou, Chang Liu, Lingbo Wang, Can Xing, Guangdun Peng, Jun Chen, Fang Yu, Yunbo Qiao, Lu Song, Yuxuan Wu, Chunmei Yue, Jinsong Li, Jing-Dong J. Han, Ke Tang and Naihe Jing Differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into neural lineages involves epigenetic changes. Here the authors show that transient histone deacetylation promotes the transition from epiblast stem cells to neural progenitors during mouse ESC differentiation and show that this effect is partly mediated by the restriction of Nodal signalling by histone deacetylase 1. 23 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7830 Biological Sciences  Cell biology  Developmental biology  Structural reducibility of multilayer networks Manlio De Domenico, Vincenzo Nicosia, Alexandre Arenas and Vito Latora Multilayer networks have been used to capture the structure of complex systems with different types of interactions, but often contain redundant information. Here, De Domenico et al. present a method based on quantum information, to identify the minimal configuration of layers to retain. 23 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7864 Physical Sciences  Theoretical physics  Genome-wide meta-analysis identifies multiple novel associations and ethnic heterogeneity of psoriasis susceptibility OPEN Xianyong Yin, Hui Qi Low, Ling Wang, Yonghong Li, Eva Ellinghaus, Jiali Han, Xavier Estivill, Liangdan Sun, Xianbo Zuo, Changbing Shen, Caihong Zhu, Anping Zhang, Fabio Sanchez, Leonid Padyukov, Joseph J. Catanese, Gerald G. Krueger, Kristina Callis Duffin, Sören Mucha, Michael Weichenthal, Stephan Weidinger et al. Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disease with complex genetics and different degrees of prevalence across ethnic populations. Here Yin et al. conduct a large trans-ethnic genome-wide meta-analysis and identify novel loci that contribute to population-specific susceptibility. 23 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7916 Biological Sciences  Genetics  APOBEC family mutational signatures are associated with poor prognosis translocations in multiple myeloma Brian A. Walker, Christopher P. Wardell, Alex Murison, Eileen M. Boyle, Dil B. Begum, Nasrin M. Dahir, Paula Z. Proszek, Lorenzo Melchor, Charlotte Pawlyn, Martin F. Kaiser, David C. Johnson, Ya-Wei Qiang, John R. Jones, David A. Cairns, Walter M. Gregory, Roger G. Owen, Gordon Cook, Mark T. Drayson, Graham H. Jackson, Faith E. Davies et al. Rearrangements of the Ig loci are essential for generating antibody diversity but abnormal translocations can be a driving event for myeloma. Here Walker et al. perform whole exome sequencing on myeloma patients to capture the diversity of mutational changes. 23 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7997 Biological Sciences  Cancer  Genetics  Expression and functions of long noncoding RNAs during human T helper cell differentiation Charles F. Spurlock III, John T. Tossberg, Yan Guo, Sarah P. Collier, Philip S. Crooke and Thomas M. Aune The differentiation of naïve T helper cells into effector subsets is a critical step in the adaptive immune response to pathogens. Here the authors identify a large number of lncRNAs in activated human lymphocytes and identify a Th2 lineage-specific lncRNA cluster that regulates the expression of genes encoding Th2 cytokines. 23 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7932 Biological Sciences  Immunology  Molecular biology  Direct synthesis of imino-C-nucleoside analogues and other biologically active iminosugars OPEN Milan Bergeron-Brlek, Michael Meanwell and Robert Britton Iminosugars are biologically and medicinally important compounds but methods for their synthesis are often laborious. Here, the authors report a simple, rapid route for the enantioselective synthesis of multiple biologically active iminosugars and C-nucleoside analogues. 23 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7903 Chemical Sciences  Medicinal chemistry  Organic chemistry  Ranking in interconnected multilayer networks reveals versatile nodes Manlio De Domenico, Albert Solé-Ribalta, Elisa Omodei, Sergio Gómez and Alex Arenas A challenging problem is to identify the most central agents in interconnected multilayer networks. Here, De Domenico et al. present a mathematical framework to calculate centrality in such networks—versatility—and rank nodes accordingly. 23 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7868 Physical Sciences  Theoretical physics  Structure of the Bacillus subtilis 70S ribosome reveals the basis for species-specific stalling OPEN Daniel Sohmen, Shinobu Chiba, Naomi Shimokawa-Chiba, C. Axel Innis, Otto Berninghausen, Roland Beckmann, Koreaki Ito and Daniel N. Wilson Ribosome stalling regulates gene expression by exposing otherwise inaccessible downstream ribosome-binding sites. Here the authors present a high-resolution Cryo-EM structure of the Bacillus subtilis MifM-stalled 70S ribosome to provide mechanistic insight into species-specific nascent peptide induced translational arrest. 23 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7941 Biological Sciences  Biochemistry  Biophysics  C-Nap1 mutation affects centriole cohesion and is associated with a Seckel-like syndrome in cattle OPEN Sandrine Floriot, Christine Vesque, Sabrina Rodriguez, Florence Bourgain-Guglielmetti, Anthi Karaiskou, Mathieu Gautier, Amandine Duchesne, Sarah Barbey, Sébastien Fritz, Alexandre Vasilescu, Maud Bertaud, Mohammed Moudjou, Sophie Halliez, Valérie Cormier-Daire, Joyce E.L. Hokayem, Erich A. Nigg, Luc Manciaux, Raphaël Guatteo, Nora Cesbron, Geraldine Toutirais et al. SHGC syndrome affects cattle and has clinical features similar to human Seckel syndrome. Here Floriot et al. identify the causative mutation in the centrosomal protein C-Nap1 that affects centriole cohesion and cell migration, extending the range of loci involved in human Seckel-like syndromes. 23 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7894 Biological Sciences  Cell biology  Genetics  Leaf onset in the northern hemisphere triggered by daytime temperature OPEN Shilong Piao, Jianguang Tan, Anping Chen, Yongshuo H. Fu, Philippe Ciais, Qiang Liu, Ivan A. Janssens, Sara Vicca, Zhenzhong Zeng, Su-Jong Jeong, Yue Li, Ranga B. Myneni, Shushi Peng, Miaogen Shen and Josep Peñuelas Recent warming has significantly advanced leaf onset in the northern hemisphere. Here, the authors show asymmetric effects of daytime and nighttime temperature change on the timing of leaf onset. 23 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7911 Earth Sciences  Climate science  Ecology  Nkx2.1-derived astrocytes and neurons together with Slit2 are indispensable for anterior commissure formation OPEN Shilpi Minocha, Delphine Valloton, Athena R. Ypsilanti, Hubert Fiumelli, Elizabeth A. Allen, Yuchio Yanagawa, Oscar Marin, Alain Chédotal, Jean-Pierre Hornung and Cécile Lebrand Guidepost cells provide guidance cues that orient growing axons in the brain but little is known about the midline guidepost cells that populate the mouse anterior commissure (AC). Here, the authors show that the transcription factor Nkx2.1 regulates the differentiation of astroglia and neurons that cooperate to guide AC axons through the expression of Slit2. 23 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7887 Biological Sciences  Developmental biology  Neuroscience  Observation of finite-wavelength screening in high-energy-density matter OPEN D. A. Chapman, J. Vorberger, L. B. Fletcher, R. A. Baggott, L. Divol, T. Döppner, R. W. Falcone, S. H. Glenzer, G. Gregori, T. M. Guymer, A. L. Kritcher, O. L. Landen, T. Ma, A. E. Pak and D. O. Gericke Charge screening dominates the behaviour of high-energy plasmas, which exist in stars and possibly in future fusion technology. Here, the authors describe a theoretical framework for charge screening that goes beyond the conventional model and demonstrate its importance in analysing experimental data. 23 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7839 Physical Sciences  Fluids and plasma physics  Three-dimensional nanoscale molecular imaging by extreme ultraviolet laser ablation mass spectrometry OPEN Ilya Kuznetsov, Jorge Filevich, Feng Dong, Mark Woolston, Weilun Chao, Erik H. Anderson, Elliot R. Bernstein, Dean C. Crick, Jorge J. Rocca and Carmen S. Menoni Mass spectral analysis is used to map the composition of materials and surfaces in numerous fields. Here, the authors report a mass spectral technique based on extreme ultraviolet laser ablation that allows three-dimensional imaging of chemical composition in addition to giving highly sensitive nanoscale resolution. 23 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7944 Chemical Sciences  Applied physics  Fluids and plasma physics  Physical chemistry  Three-terminal heterojunction bipolar transistor solar cell for high-efficiency photovoltaic conversion OPEN A. Martí and A. Luque Multiple junction solar cells offer the means to high-efficiency photovoltaics but suffer from complicated manufacturing and packing. Here Martí et al., propose a three-terminal heterojuntion bipolar transistor solar cell that simplifies the structure reducing the number of layers while maintaining the efficiency. 22 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7902 Physical Sciences  Applied physics  Optical physics  Developmental genetic bases behind the independent origin of the tympanic membrane in mammals and diapsids OPEN Taro Kitazawa, Masaki Takechi, Tatsuya Hirasawa, Noritaka Adachi, Nicolas Narboux-Nême, Hideaki Kume, Kazuhiro Maeda, Tamami Hirai, Sachiko Miyagawa-Tomita, Yukiko Kurihara, Jiro Hitomi, Giovanni Levi, Shigeru Kuratani and Hiroki Kurihara The evolution of the amniote middle ear remains unclear. Here, the authors show that inactivation of the Edn1-Dlx5/6 cascade during development results in loss of the tympanic membrane in mouse and duplication in chicken, which suggests independent evolution of the tympanic membrane in different amniotes. 22 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7853 Biological Sciences  Developmental biology  Evolution  Eco-evolutionary feedbacks during experimental range expansions OPEN Emanuel A. Fronhofer and Florian Altermatt Biological range expansions and invasions can be affected by rapid evolution. Here the authors show an evolutionary increase of dispersal during range expansions and an increase of population densities from range cores to range margins in microcosm experiments with a freshwater ciliate. 22 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7844 Biological Sciences  Ecology  Evolution  Athermally photoreduced graphene oxides for three-dimensional holographic images OPEN Xiangping Li, Haoran Ren, Xi Chen, Juan Liu, Qin Li, Chengmingyue Li, Gaolei Xue, Jia Jia, Liangcai Cao, Amit Sahu, Bin Hu, Yongtian Wang, Guofan Jin and Min Gu Owing to its electronic and optical properties, graphene holds potential for flat display systems. Here, Li et al. write wide-angle, full-colour, three-dimensional holographic images using subwavelength, multilevel index modulation of athermally reduced graphene oxide by a single femtosecond pulse. 22 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7984 Physical Sciences  Applied physics  Nanotechnology  Optical physics  Highly compressible 3D periodic graphene aerogel microlattices OPEN Cheng Zhu, T. Yong-Jin Han, Eric B. Duoss, Alexandra M. Golobic, Joshua D. Kuntz, Christopher M. Spadaccini and Marcus A. Worsley Aerogels are ultra-lightweight porous materials that possess some remarkable properties. Here, the authors use a 3D printing technique to fabricate just such a material out of graphene, exhibiting large surface area, high conductivity and supercompressibility while maintaining good structural integrity. 22 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7962 Physical Sciences  Materials science  Nanotechnology  Crystal structure of a mirror-image L-RNA aptamer (Spiegelmer) in complex with the natural L-protein target CCL2 OPEN Dominik Oberthür, John Achenbach, Azat Gabdulkhakov, Klaus Buchner, Christian Maasch, Sven Falke, Dirk Rehders, Sven Klussmann and Christian Betzel Spiegelmers are ‘mirror image’ L-ribose oligonucleotides being developed as therapeutics. Here the authors present a crystal structure of the therapeutic L-aptamer NOX-E36 bound to the pro-inflammatory chemokine CLL2, providing insight into NOX-E36’s selectivity and mode of action. 22 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7923 Biological Sciences  Biochemistry  Biophysics  Molecular biology  Evidence for photogenerated intermediate hole polarons in ZnO Hikmet Sezen, Honghui Shang, Fabian Bebensee, Chengwu Yang, Maria Buchholz, Alexei Nefedov, Stefan Heissler, Christian Carbogno, Matthias Scheffler, Patrick Rinke and Christof Wöll Polarons are hybrid particles comprising a charged particle coupled to lattice vibrations. Here, the authors identify a hole-based polaron of intermediate coupling strength in zinc oxide using infrared reflection–absorption spectroscopy and first-principles-based electronic structure theory calculations. 22 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7901 Physical Sciences  Condensed matter  Optical physics  LRP5/6 directly bind to Frizzled and prevent Frizzled-regulated tumour metastasis Dan-ni Ren, Jinxiao Chen, Zhi Li, Hongwei Yan, Yan Yin, Da Wo, Jiankang Zhang, Luoquan Ao, Bo Chen, Takashi K. Ito, Yihan Chen, Zhongmin Liu, Yongyong Li, Jianhua Yang, Xiaoling Lu, Yi Peng, Linghui Pan, Yongxiang Zhao, Shangfeng Liu and Weidong Zhu et al. Wnt signalling can be transmitted both through a canonical pathway, via the co-receptors LRP5/6, and through Frz in a non-canonical pathway. Here, the authors demonstrate a direct interaction between Frz and LRP5/6, describing a new mechanism for how these receptors are primed to respond to Wnt ligands. 22 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7906 Biological Sciences  Cancer  Molecular biology  Real-time observation of domain fluctuations in a two-dimensional magnetic model system OPEN M. Kronseder, T. N. G. Meier, M. Zimmermann, M. Buchner, M. Vogel and C. H. Back The walls between domains in magnetic thin films close to a spin reorientation transition fluctuate owing to thermal excitation. Here Kronseder et al. image these fluctuations in iron/nickel/copper films using time-resolved threshold photoemission electron microscopy. 22 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7832 Physical Sciences  Applied physics  Condensed matter  Regulation of endogenous transmembrane receptors through optogenetic Cry2 clustering L. J. Bugaj, D. P. Spelke, C. K. Mesuda, M. Varedi, R. S. Kane and D. V. Schaffer Signaling through transmembrane receptors regulates diverse biological processes including cell proliferation, motility and differentiation. Here, the authors demonstrate the optogenetic control of endogenous transmembrane receptor activity through clustering using a new modular strategy. 22 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7898 Biological Sciences  Cell biology  Molecular biology  Tunable solid-state fluorescent materials for supramolecular encryption OPEN Xisen Hou, Chenfeng Ke, Carson J. Bruns, Paul R. McGonigal, Roger B. Pettman and J. Fraser Stoddart Solid-state fluorescent materials show promise for potential applications in security and anti-counterfeiting technologies. Here, the authors report a heterorotaxane which has found application in security inks with highly tunable solid-state fluorescence through supramolecular encapsulation. 22 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7884 Chemical Sciences  Materials science  Organic chemistry  Coupled local translation and degradation regulate growth cone collapse Alessia Deglincerti, Yaobin Liu, Dilek Colak, Ulrich Hengst, Guoqiang Xu and Samie R. Jaffrey Local protein translation regulates growth cone dynamics in response to guidance cues. Here the authors show that locally translated proteins are the main targets of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and that local signalling promotes the ubiquitination and degradation of RhoA, leading to growth cone collapse. 22 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7888 Biological Sciences  Cell biology  Neuroscience  Two-dimensional gold nanostructures with high activity for selective oxidation of carbon–hydrogen bonds OPEN Liang Wang, Yihan Zhu, Jian-Qiang Wang, Fudong Liu, Jianfeng Huang, Xiangju Meng, Jean-Marie Basset, Yu Han and Feng-Shou Xiao There is interest in the study of two-dimensional materials for catalysis. Here, the authors report the fabrication of two-dimensional gold nanostructures, using a layered double hydroxide as a stabilizing template, and evaluate the catalytic performance of the composite for solvent free selective oxidation. 22 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7957 Chemical Sciences  Catalysis  Inorganic chemistry  Materials science  Subdiffractional focusing and guiding of polaritonic rays in a natural hyperbolic material OPEN S. Dai, Q. Ma, T. Andersen, A. S. Mcleod, Z. Fei, M. K. Liu, M. Wagner, K. Watanabe, T. Taniguchi, M. Thiemens, F. Keilmann, P. Jarillo-Herrero, M. M. Fogler and D. N. Basov Hexagonal boron nitride has many interesting properties, including a natural hyperbolic dispersion, making it attractive for nanophotonic applications. Here, Dai et al. show that metallic disks under the material launch phonon–polaritons, turning it into a hyper-focusing lens. 22 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7963 Physical Sciences  Materials science  Nanotechnology  Optical physics  Subcontinuum mass transport of condensed hydrocarbons in nanoporous media OPEN Kerstin Falk, Benoit Coasne, Roland Pellenq, Franz-Josef Ulm and Lydéric Bocquet Shale gas and oil are trapped in nanoscale porous networks of ultra-low permeability. Here, the authors develop a molecular model of alkane transport through nanoporous materials, showing that the mechanisms controlling flow at the nanoscale lead to a simple scaling of permeance with hydrocarbon size and density. 22 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7949 Physical Sciences  Applied physics  Fluids and plasma physics  The role of random nanostructures for the omnidirectional anti-reflection properties of the glasswing butterfly Radwanul Hasan Siddique, Guillaume Gomard and Hendrik Hölscher The transparent wings of the glasswing butterfly have a low reflectance over the visible spectrum thanks to the nanopillars distributed across them. Siddique et al. show that this behaviour still works at high angles of incidence because of the random height distribution of the pillars. 22 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7909 Physical Sciences  Biophysics  Nanotechnology  Optical physics  Accelerated sintering in phase-separating nanostructured alloys OPEN Mansoo Park and Christopher A. Schuh In sintering, powders of small grains are packed together to form shapes or grain structures that cannot be achieved by melt casting. Here, the authors demonstrate the fast sintering of a nanostructured alloy at low temperatures, preserving its nanoscale grain structure. 22 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7858 Physical Sciences  Materials science  In vitro transport activity of the fully assembled MexAB-OprM efflux pump from Pseudomonas aeruginosa Alice Verchère, Manuela Dezi, Vladimir Adrien, Isabelle Broutin and Martin Picard Tripartite multidrug efflux pumps are important determinants of antibiotic resistance in several pathogenic bacteria. Here Verchère et al. design an in vitro assay system to study the transport properties of the MexAB-OprM efflux pump from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 22 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7890 Biological Sciences  Biophysics  Microbiology  Design of protein switches based on an ensemble model of allostery Jay H. Choi, Abigail H. Laurent, Vincent J. Hilser and Marc Ostermeier Protein switches have a number of potential biotechnological applications. Here, the authors present fusions of maltose-binding protein with TEM1 β-lactamase as multi-input allosteric protein switches that can be controlled by temperature and pH in the presence of the effector. 22 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7968 Biological Sciences  Biochemistry  Biotechnology  Metallic glass nanostructures of tunable shape and composition OPEN Yanhui Liu, Jingbei Liu, Sungwoo Sohn, Yanglin Li, Judy J. Cha and Jan Schroers The nanoscale manipulation of the shape and composition of metallic glasses is challenging. Here, the authors employ a multitarget carousel oblique angle deposition strategy to synthesize metallic glass nanoarchitectures, and demonstrate applicability to a range of glass-forming alloys. 22 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms8043 Chemical Sciences  Materials science  Nanotechnology  ASK1 restores the antiviral activity of APOBEC3G by disrupting HIV-1 Vif-mediated counteraction OPEN Kei Miyakawa, Satoko Matsunaga, Kazuhiko Kanou, Atsushi Matsuzawa, Ryo Morishita, Ayumi Kudoh, Keisuke Shindo, Masaru Yokoyama, Hironori Sato, Hirokazu Kimura, Tomohiko Tamura, Naoki Yamamoto, Hidenori Ichijo, Akifumi Takaori-Kondo and Akihide Ryo The human protein APOBEC3G (A3G) inhibits HIV-1 replication, but the viral protein Vif counteracts by inducing A3G degradation. Here Miyakawa et al. show that the antiretroviral drug AZT restores A3G function in vitro by stimulating expression of a host protein, ASK1, which interferes with the action of Vif. 22 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7945 Biological Sciences  Immunology  Microbiology  Virology  Radical cascade reaction of alkynes with N-fluoroarylsulfonimides and alcohols OPEN Guangfan Zheng, Yan Li, Jingjie Han, Tao Xiong and Qian Zhang Cascade and multi-component reactions allow highly functionalized molecules to be built from simpler precursors. Here, the authors report a three-component coupling giving α-amino-α-aryl ketones, initiated by the regioselective addition of nitrogen radicals to alkynes. 22 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms8011 Chemical Sciences  Catalysis  Organic chemistry  Structural basis for the targeting of complement anaphylatoxin C5a using a mixed L-RNA/L-DNA aptamer OPEN Laure Yatime, Christian Maasch, Kai Hoehlig, Sven Klussmann, Gregers R. Andersen and Axel Vater Spiegelmers are mirror-image oligonucleotide aptamers designed for therapeutic use. Here the authors describe the crystal structure of the mixed L-RNA/L-DNA Spiegelmer NOX-D20 bound to complement component C5a, a key mediator of the innate immune response and clinical target in acute and chronic inflammatory disorders. 22 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7481 Biological Sciences  Biophysics  Chemical biology  Immunology  Ultrasensitive visual read-out of nucleic acids using electrocatalytic fluid displacement OPEN Justin D. Besant, Jagotamoy Das, Ian B. Burgess, Wenhan Liu, Edward H. Sargent and Shana O. Kelley Point-of-care analytical devices are of interest for diagnostic applications where larger scale laboratory instruments are not feasible or available. Here, the authors present a direct read-out colorimetric sensor which uses catalytic gas production to visualize picomolar concentrations of DNA. 22 April 2015 | doi: 10.1038/ncomms7978 Chemical Sciences  Analytical chemistry    Nature communications JOBS of the week Research Fellow / Associate (Two Posts) University of Bristol PhD positions Inserm Unit 1110 Postdoctoral Fellow Indiana Univeristy School of Medicine Tenure-Track Group Leader Positions King's College London Postdoctoral Fellow University of Colorado Tenure-Track Faculty Position McMaster University 12 Tenure-Track Positions NTNU - Trondheim Norwegian University of Science and Technology Early Stage Researcher (ESR) / PhD KU Leuven Lecturer in Genetics / Genomics The University of Manchester Lab Manager Position Princeton University More Science jobs from Nature communications EVENT Chronic Cough and COPD 2015 16.06.15 London, UK More science events from       Latest Corrigendum     Corrigendum: Coal as an abundant source of graphene quantum dots Ruquan Ye, Changsheng Xiang, Jian Lin, Zhiwei Peng, Kewei Huang, Zheng Yan, Nathan P. 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