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  • Host genetics shape oral microbiome composition and tooth decay risk

    Host genetics shape oral microbiome composition and tooth decay risk

    What the study found

    The study found that human genetic variation is associated with oral microbiome composition, and that some of these host variants are also linked to health-related traits. The authors report connections involving carbohydrate-related genes, oral bacteria, and denture use.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that these findings nominate host-microbial interactions that contribute to tooth decay. The study suggests that salivary amylase abundance, the enzyme in saliva that breaks down starch, may affect health by influencing the oral microbiome.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers re-analysed whole-genome sequencing reads from saliva-derived DNA for 12,519 people. They looked for associations between human genetic variants, oral microbiome composition, bacterial gene dosage, and related health traits in UK Biobank.

    What worked and what didn't

    Human genetic variation at 11 loci, including 10 previously unreported loci, was associated with variation in oral microbiome composition. The strongest association involved the FUT2 W154X loss-of-function variant, which was associated with the abundances of 58 bacterial species, and common copy number variation in AMY1 was associated with oral microbiome composition and dentures use but not with body mass index.

    What to keep in mind

    The abstract does not describe experimental intervention, so the findings are association-based. It also does not provide details on how much of the variation in health outcomes is explained by these genetic associations.

    • The study analysed oral microbiomes from 12,519 people using re-analysed whole-genome sequencing data from saliva DNA.
    • Human genetic variation at 11 loci was associated with oral microbiome composition, including 10 new loci.
    • The FUT2 W154X variant was the strongest reported association and was linked to the abundances of 58 bacterial species.
    • AMY1 copy number variation was associated with oral microbiome composition and dentures use, but not with body mass index.
    • The same 11 host variants were also associated with variation in bacterial gene dosage in 68 regions of bacterial genomes.

  • Tetraethynyl dioxotriangulenes showed n-type semiconductor behavior

    What the study found

    The study found that tetraethynyl dioxotriangulenes, or DOT derivatives, can serve as building blocks for n-type organic semiconductors. It also found that one derivative formed π-stacked structures in crystals and that one derivative worked as an n-type semiconductor in field-effect transistors.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors state that DOT derivatives are viable building blocks for n-type organic semiconductors. They also suggest that electrochemical reduction can generate a persistent radical anion, which they confirmed with spectroscopy.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers synthesized tetraethynyl DOTs 1a–c with triisopropylsilyl, trimethylsilyl, and butyl substituents. They used single-crystal X-ray analysis, electrochemical reduction, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), ultraviolet-visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, and solution-processed films in field-effect transistors.

    What worked and what didn't

    The compounds were successfully synthesized through a formal palladium-catalyzed C(Ar)–O bond activation of phenolic esters. Single-crystal X-ray analysis showed that 1a assembled into discrete π-stacked tetramers, while 1b formed a one-dimensional π-stack with substantial interplanar overlap. Electrochemical reduction of 1b produced a persistent radical anion, and solution-processed films of 1b functioned as n-type semiconductors in field-effect transistors.

    What to keep in mind

    The abstract does not describe limitations, comparisons with other materials, or how broadly these results may generalize. It also does not report detailed device performance values in the available summary.

    • Tetraethynyl dioxotriangulenes were synthesized as new DOT derivatives.
    • The synthesis used a formal palladium-catalyzed C(Ar)–O bond activation of phenolic esters.
    • Crystal analysis showed π-stacking patterns that differed between 1a and 1b.
    • Electrochemical reduction of 1b produced a persistent radical anion confirmed by EPR and UV–vis spectroscopy.
    • Solution-processed films of 1b functioned as n-type semiconductors in field-effect transistors.

  • Prompt-driven KG-enhanced LLM reasoning improves KBQA

    What the study found

    The study reports that PDR, a prompt-driven knowledge graph-enhanced large language model reasoning framework, achieved more accurate and interpretable results than state-of-the-art baselines. It was evaluated on both simple and multi-hop reasoning tasks, where multi-hop means answering by combining several linked facts.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors suggest this matters because large language models can have limited factual stores and may hallucinate, while knowledge graphs can support reasoning when used more effectively. They conclude that refining prompts and using knowledge graph structure together may improve reasoning reliability and interpretability in cloud services.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers introduced PDR, which combines large language models with knowledge graphs in two phases. First, subgraph retrieval used a refined PageRank algorithm and document retrieval to build relevant subgraphs; second, reasoning used task-specific prompts to guide chain-of-thought generation, candidate knowledge graph paths, and stepwise filtering.

    What worked and what didn't

    According to the abstract, the subgraph retrieval phase aimed to maximize answer coverage and relevance by aligning queries with graph structure and extending graph boundaries with retrieved documents. The reasoning phase then filtered candidate paths by semantic coherence and structural alignment, and the overall system surpassed the reported baselines on simple and multi-hop tasks.

    What to keep in mind

    The abstract does not describe specific datasets, numerical results, or failure cases. It also does not provide detailed limitations beyond noting that existing knowledge-graph-based approaches may overlook relational structure and introduce spurious knowledge.

    • PDR is a prompt-driven knowledge graph-enhanced large language model reasoning framework.
    • The study says large language models’ limited factual stores and hallucinations can impair complex reasoning.
    • PDR uses refined PageRank-based subgraph retrieval plus document retrieval before reasoning.
    • Task-specific prompts guide chain-of-thought generation and candidate knowledge graph paths.
    • The abstract says PDR outperformed state-of-the-art baselines on simple and multi-hop reasoning tasks.

  • COVID-19 stress affected adolescent problem behaviors through different pathways

    What the study found

    The study found that COVID-19 stress was transmitted to adolescent problem behaviors through different pathways for internalizing behaviors, such as anxiety or withdrawal, and externalizing behaviors, such as acting out. Academic attribution profiles, meaning how students explain academic outcomes, moderated these pathways.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that academic attribution is an important moderator in how COVID-19 stress reaches different kinds of problem behaviors. The findings indicate that the stress transmission process is not the same for internalizing and externalizing behaviors.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers surveyed 1,012 middle and high school students using questionnaires. They identified academic attribution types with latent profile analysis, which groups people by similar patterns, and then built a moderated multiple mediation model to test how COVID-19 stress related to problem behaviors through academic stress and adaptation stress.

    What worked and what didn't

    Five academic attribution subgroups were identified, and they showed different moderation of the effects of COVID-19 stress on internalizing and externalizing behaviors. For internalizing behaviors, the abstract reports complete mediation through academic stress, stress stemming from adaptation, and a chain effect; for externalizing behaviors, it reports partial mediation plus a significant direct effect. Extreme Attribution and High-Sensitive types showed higher stress reactivity, while the Attribution Attenuation type was described as protective.

    What to keep in mind

    The abstract does not describe limitations in detail. The findings are based on questionnaire data from middle and high school students, so the summary provided here is limited to that sample and design.

    • Five academic attribution subgroups were identified in the student sample.
    • COVID-19 stress affected internalizing and externalizing behaviors through different mediation patterns.
    • Internalizing behaviors were reported as fully mediated by academic stress and adaptation stress pathways.
    • Externalizing behaviors were reported as partly mediated and also linked to a direct effect.
    • Academic attribution profiles changed how strongly stress transmission pathways operated.

  • Symbolic power shapes which nature values gain legitimacy

    What the study found

    The paper argues that symbolic power and socially endorsed beliefs help explain why some values of nature become legitimate and institutionalised while others remain marginal. It presents values as evolving through feedback between personal commitments and socially endorsed beliefs, shaped by everyday practices.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that this framework helps advance sustainability transformations by explaining how moral and institutional orders can be reconfigured. The study suggests that disruptive events and deliberative spaces may create entry points for shifts in the symbolic legitimacy of values.

    What the researchers tested

    The authors developed a conceptual framework that brings together symbolic power and socially endorsed beliefs. They then used an illustrative case of small-scale fisheries governance in Japan to show how the framework can be applied.

    What worked and what didn't

    In the Japanese fisheries case, symbolic power appears to stabilise existing arrangements. The paper also indicates that the same conditions can shape, but not guarantee, possibilities for transformation.

    What to keep in mind

    This is a conceptual paper with an illustrative case, not a report of a comparative or experimental test. The abstract does not describe specific data, measures, or detailed limitations.

    • The paper links symbolic power with the legitimacy of values of nature.
    • Values are described as changing through feedback between personal commitments and socially endorsed beliefs.
    • Everyday practices, disruptive events, and deliberative spaces are presented as important for value change.
    • The Japanese small-scale fisheries case illustrates how symbolic power can stabilise existing arrangements.
    • The abstract does not provide detailed empirical methods or specific limitations.

  • The article identifies a prescriptive positivist discourse in SDG interaction studies

    What the study found

    The study identified a "prescriptive positivist" discourse in papers about Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) interactions. In this discourse, management is treated as the solution, research is given strong trust, and attention is directed toward transactionality and internalised fragmentation.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors say the SDGs are unlikely to be achieved by 2030, so there is a need to examine the values and assumptions shaping how they are conceptualised and put into practice. The study suggests that overlooked perspectives of stewardship, pluralism, equity, justice, and nature should be considered as intrinsic rather than only instrumental.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers used an inductive, latent thematic analysis of 35 papers. They analysed the discourse on SDG interactions to identify recurring themes and perspectives in the literature.

    What worked and what didn't

    The analysis found that authors frequently use directive language and advocate technical or managerial fixes, including solving trade-offs with financial resources, governance, and science. It also found that equity is often treated as instrumental, only what is measurable is acknowledged, and calls for integration rarely go beyond coordination.

    What to keep in mind

    The summary provided here is based only on the abstract, so it does not include details about the full set of papers beyond the 35 analyzed, the analytic steps, or any limitations stated in the full article. The abstract does not report outcome data on SDG progress itself, only the discourse analyzed.

    • The paper identifies a prescriptive positivist discourse in SDG interaction scholarship.
    • Authors often favor technical or managerial fixes and directive language.
    • Equity is described as instrumental, and measurable outcomes are privileged.
    • Calls for integration are said to stop at coordination in many papers.
    • The authors highlight stewardship perspectives that treat equity, justice, and nature as intrinsic.

  • PstCFEM2 promotes wheat susceptibility by altering apoplastic acidification

    What the study found

    The study found that the stripe rust fungus Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici uses the effector PstCFEM2 to alter wheat apoplastic acidification, which is acidification in the space outside plant cells. The authors report that this manipulation promotes wheat susceptibility by affecting host immunity.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that the findings reveal a way pathogens promote infection by subverting host pH regulation. They also say the work provides a theoretical framework for engineering disease resistance through manipulation of susceptibility genes.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers studied wheat plasma membrane H+-ATPase TaHA2, a protein that helps regulate apoplastic pH and defense responses, and examined how it is controlled by the wheat kinase TaCIPK9. They also tested the stripe rust effector PstCFEM2 and used overexpression and CRISPR-Cas9 gene inactivation in wheat.

    What worked and what didn't

    Overexpression of TaHA2 increased apoplastic acidification and Pst susceptibility. In contrast, CRISPR-Cas9-mediated inactivation of TaHA2 conferred broad-spectrum resistance against multiple rust pathogens without compromising agronomic traits. Mechanistically, TaCIPK9 phosphorylated TaHA2 at Ser-933 and this suppressed TaHA2 activity, while PstCFEM2 bound the C-terminus of TaHA2, disrupted TaCIPK9-mediated phosphorylation, and relieved autoinhibition.

    What to keep in mind

    The abstract does not describe experimental limitations beyond the specific systems tested. The findings are reported in wheat and rust pathogens, so the scope of the summary is limited to those organisms and the mechanisms described.

    • PstCFEM2 was reported to manipulate wheat pH regulation and increase susceptibility to stripe rust.
    • TaHA2 was identified as a key regulator of apoplastic pH and defense responses in wheat.
    • TaCIPK9 phosphorylated TaHA2 at Ser-933 and suppressed TaHA2 activity.
    • PstCFEM2 competitively bound TaHA2 and disrupted TaCIPK9-mediated phosphorylation.
    • Removing TaHA2 with CRISPR-Cas9 gave wheat broad-spectrum resistance to multiple rust pathogens without affecting agronomic traits.
  • Population density stress reshaped vole gut microbes and metabolites

    Population density stress reshaped vole gut microbes and metabolites

    What the study found

    High population density stress was associated with major changes in the fecal microbiota and metabolites of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau root voles. The study also found higher fecal corticosterone metabolite levels in high-density voles, which the authors describe as evidence of a strong stress response.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that the findings offer new insights into the ecological adaptability of small mammals. They suggest the study helps validate gut microbiota findings from laboratory work under natural field conditions.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers used field enclosures to study root voles under different population densities. They analyzed fecal microbiota with 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing and examined fecal metabolites with untargeted metabolomics; they also measured fecal corticosterone metabolites, a marker of stress.

    What worked and what didn't

    High-density voles had higher abundances of Bacteroidota, CAG-485, Duncaniella, and Paramuribaculum, and lower abundances of Firmicutes_A, Firmicutes_D, Desulfobacterota_I, Lactobacillus, Desulfovibrio_R, and Butyribacter. Predicted pathways related to antibiotic biosynthesis, D-alanine metabolism, and the pentose phosphate pathway were up-regulated, while amino acid biosynthesis pathways were down-regulated. Metabolomics identified many differential metabolites, including higher cholic acid, lithocholic acid, and succinic acid, and lower L-lysine, L-valine, and dehydroepiandrosterone.

    What to keep in mind

    The abstract does not describe specific limitations of the study. The findings are based on field enclosures and fecal measurements in root voles, so the summary is limited to that species, setting, and the measured microbial and metabolic markers.

    • High population density stress increased fecal corticosterone metabolites in root voles.
    • The fecal microbiota shifted in composition, including higher Bacteroidota and lower Lactobacillus in high-density voles.
    • Untargeted metabolomics found hundreds of differential metabolites in both positive and negative ion modes.
    • Several bile acids and succinic acid were higher, while amino acids such as L-lysine and L-valine were lower.
    • The authors say the findings provide new insights into ecological adaptability in small mammals.

  • Chirality affects microcritical states in a periodic lattice

    What the study found

    The study found that, in a periodic lattice with generic rigid finite size joints, chirality affects only the micro critical state and not the macro critical state. It also found that geometric parameters of the rigid element can be chosen to tailor a wide range of critical modes for different macro-stress states.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors suggest that careful geometric design of the rigid element can be used to activate micro critical modes before macro ones. The findings indicate a way to tailor critical behavior in this metamaterial, a material engineered to have properties not usually found in natural materials.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers studied a metamaterial modeled as a grid of shear-deformable beams connected by rigid elements. They applied Bloch-Floquet theory, a method for analyzing repeating structures, to derive a closed-form solution for the stability domain and the related critical modes.

    What worked and what didn't

    The analysis produced a closed-form solution for the stability domain and critical modes. By adjusting the geometry of the rigid element, the authors report that many critical modes can be tailored for different macro-stress states, but chirality was said to influence only the micro critical state, not the macro one.

    What to keep in mind

    The summary does not describe experimental validation or numerical testing. It also does not state broader limits beyond the specific lattice model with generic rigid finite size joints.

    • A periodic lattice with generic rigid finite size joints was analyzed as a metamaterial.
    • Bloch-Floquet theory was used to derive a closed-form stability domain and critical modes.
    • Geometric choices for the rigid element can tailor a wide range of critical modes.
    • Chirality affects the micro critical state but not the macro critical state.
    • The authors say micro critical modes can be activated before macro ones.

  • AI scribes were linked to less EHR time and more visits

    What the study found

    Adopting AI-powered scribes was associated with modest reductions in clinicians' electronic health record (EHR) time and documentation time, along with a small increase in weekly visit volume. The study also found no significant change in EHR time outside work hours.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors say AI-enabled scribes have been proposed to reduce EHR burden and improve clinician satisfaction, and their findings add evidence about associated results across multiple sites and clinician groups. The study suggests the benefits may differ by clinician characteristics.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers conducted a multisite, longitudinal cohort study at 5 U.S. academic health care institutions that introduced AI scribes between June 2023 and August 2025. They studied ambulatory clinicians and compared changes after AI scribe adoption in total EHR time, documentation time, EHR time outside scheduled hours or on unscheduled days, and weekly visit volume, all normalized to 8 scheduled patient hours.

    What worked and what didn't

    In a difference-in-differences analysis, AI scribe adoption was associated with 13.4 fewer minutes of total EHR time per 8 scheduled patient hours and 16.0 fewer minutes of documentation time. It was also associated with 0.49 additional weekly visits delivered, while EHR time outside work hours did not change significantly. The largest changes were seen among primary care specialists, advanced practice clinicians, female clinicians, and clinicians who used AI scribes in 50% or more of visits.

    What to keep in mind

    The abstract does not describe detailed limitations beyond noting limited evidence before this study. The findings reflect associations in ambulatory clinicians at 5 U.S. academic health care institutions, so the summary does not establish causation beyond the study design.

    • AI scribe adoption was associated with 13.4 fewer minutes of total EHR time per 8 scheduled patient hours.
    • Documentation time fell by 16.0 minutes, on average, after adoption.
    • Weekly visit volume increased by 0.49 visits.
    • EHR time outside work hours did not change significantly.
    • The biggest changes were seen in primary care, advanced practice clinicians, female clinicians, and heavier AI scribe users.