Articles in 2017

Edge current quantization in the integer quantum Hall effect is understood to arise due to noninteracting electrons circulating an incompressible insulating bulk. Here, the authors evidence compressible metal-like bulk behaviour in GaAs/AlGaAs Hall bars consistent with electronic interactions.

Sex differences in reward processing are at present poorly understood. Calipari and Juarezet al. report oestrous cycle-dependent fluctuations in firing of VTA dopamine neurons that drive alterations in DAT function expressed in terminals in the NAc. These differences underlie enhanced cocaine reward processing during oestrus.

The generation of vasculature in organs is regulated by cross-talk between the developing tissue and specialized endothelial cells. Here, the authors show that vessel growth feeding the zebrafish spinal cord is coordinated by balancing neuron-derived pro-angiogenic ligand Vegfaa and its receptor, sFlt1.

Endogenous retroviruses are viruses that have become integrated into the genomes of their hosts. Here, the authors investigate the evolution of foamy-like endogenous retroviruses, and, by taking into account the temporal dynamics of the rate of viral evolution, suggest that retroviruses arose at least 450 million years ago in marine vertebrates.

Inhibition of PI3K/mTOR, which mimics nutrient starvation, causes death of detached but not matrix-attached cancer cells. Here the authors show that nutrient restriction of epithelial cells causes uptake of the matrix protein laminin, which results in increased intracellular amino acids and enhanced mTORC1 signalling.

Na⁺/H⁺antiporters transport sodium or lithium ions across the membrane in exchange for protons. Here the authors combine ion mobility mass spectrometry and molecular dynamics simulations to uncover a facilitating role for lipids in the transport mechanism.

Adult visual cortex is organized into regions that respond to categories such as faces and scenes, but it is unclear if this depends on experience. Here, authors measured brain activity in 4–6 month old infants looking at faces and scenes and find that their visual cortex is organized similarly to adults.

DNA sliding clamps are ring-shaped proteins that encircle DNA and harbour polymerases and other factors that promote processive DNA replication. Here the authors use X-ray crystallography, NMR and MD simulations to propose a model for a PCNA sliding mechanism that relies on short-lived polar interactions.

Acute kidney injury can progress to chronic kidney disease. Here Dehnadiet al. develop a post-ischaemic chronic kidney disease model in cynomolgus monkeys and show that prophylactic inhibition of CD11b/CD18 leukocyte receptor via a monoclonal antibody inhibits progression of kidney disease and fibrosis.

Topological states of matter with unique transport properties hold the potential to realize unexpected phenomena. Here, Aggarwalet al. report the coexistence of a superconducting phase and a high transport spin polarization at metallic point contacts on Weyl semimetal TaAs.

Tracking single molecules in living cells is difficult or impractical owing to their high density. Here the authors introduce a technique of repeatedly photobleaching fluorophores at the boundary of a region of interest, thereby controlling the number of fluorescent particles for observation.

Riboswitches are non-coding RNA elements that detect metabolites and control expression by regulating mRNA levels or translation. Here, the authors provide evidence that theE. coli thiC riboswitch has a pause site in the translation initiation region that acts as a checkpoint for thiCexpression.

It is well known that alcohol consumption leads to overeating however the neural mechanisms are unclear. Here the authors demonstrate that hunger promoting Agrp neurons in hypothalamus are also activated by ethanol and are necessary for ethanol-induced overeating.

The magnetoresistance suggests an exotic topological phase in LaBi, but the evidence is still missing. Here, Nayaket al. report the existence of surface states of LaBi through the observation of three Dirac cones, confirming it a topological semimetal.

Ultrafast photoexcitation stabilizes new states of matter with rich out-of-equilibrium behaviours. Here, Lantzet al. report a transient non-thermal phase developing immediately after photoexcitation in V₂O₃, shedding a light on optical manipulation of strongly correlated systems.

Continuum generation in optical fibres has enabled many applications, like optical frequency combs. Here, Ohet al. demonstrate controlled dispersive-wave generation in on-chip silica waveguides, which could have a similar impact on integrated devices.

The cyclic association and dissociation of myosin with actin filament is regulated by ATP binding and hydrolysis cycles. Here the authors report the structure of mammalian skeletal muscle actomyosin rigour complex that provides insights into the ATPase-coupled reaction cycle of actomyosin.

Ependymal cells lining the adult brain ventricles are comprised of multiciliated cells and a rare subpopulation with two cilia (E2 cells) whose origin and function remain unknown. Here the authors find E2 cells in the 3rd ventricle of mice and humans, along with a third ependymal cell type with only a primary cilium, and provide details of their marker profile and developmental origins.

The stability issue of perovskite-based solar cells is in part due to electrode corrosion. Here, Brinkmannet al. develop an impermeable bilayered electron-extraction layer between the active layer and the electrode, suppressing decomposition of the perovskite and preventing corrosion from the inside.

CRISPR-Cas9 has rapidly become a common molecular biology tool for modifying genomes and has been modified to generate single-strand nicks as well as double-strand breaks. Here the authors explore the DNA repair pathways activated by the different variants of Cas9.