Cell type-agnostic transcriptomic signatures enable uniform comparisons of neural maturation by Sridevi Venkatesan, Jonathan M. Werner, Yun Li, Jesse Gillis Understanding where a cell sits along developmental time is as important as identifying its type. While single-cell transcriptomics has catalogued the diversity of neural cell types, aligning them along a shared temporal axis across studies, species, and model systems remains a fundamental challenge. Here, we develop a single-cell transcriptomic 'clock' that predicts true developmental age, enabling standardized, cross-context comparisons of neural maturation. Through a meta-analysis of over 2.8 million cells from the developing human brain, we identify robust tissue-level and cell-autonomous predictors of developmental age. We find that bulk tissue composition predicts age within individual studies but lacks generalizability, whereas specific cell type proportions, particularly astrocytes and progenitors, track age reliably across studies. Using machine learning, we develop a cell type-agnostic predictor based on 462 genes that robustly tracks developmental dynamics across diverse cell types and datasets (error = 2.6 weeks). Our model accurately estimates developmental age in human neural organoids and detects disease-associated shifts. Model predictions further generalize across species, revealing 10-fold accelerated neurodevelopment in mice relative to humans. Our approach provides a robust framework to assess neural maturation across contexts, with broad relevance for developmental biology and disease modeling.

Cell type-agnostic transcriptomic signatures enable uniform comparisons of neural maturation @PLOSBiology.org

Correction to “Vision‐related quality of life after unilateral occipital stroke” Brain and Behavior, Volume 16, Issue 4, April 2026.

Correction to “Vision‐related quality of life after unilateral occipital stroke” Br&Beh

Non-invasive Bdnf mRNA therapy improves cognition in ageing and Alzheimers mouse models Messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics have rapidly emerged as a transformative approach for treating a range of health challenges. Accelerated by the success of mRNA-lipid nanoparticle (LNP) vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic, this platform holds promise beyond immunisation for the transient expression of therapeutic proteins in targeted tissues. Despite this promise, non-invasive delivery of mRNA to the brain, as with most therapeutics, remains a challenge due to the impermeability of the blood brain barrier. Here, we present a novel strategy to deliver neurotrophic factors to the brain via intranasal delivery of mRNA-LNP. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate that intranasal delivery of mRNA encoding the neurogenic factor BDNF (Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor) enhances memory performance in both aged mice and a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimers disease. This approach offers a promising platform for delivering therapeutic proteins to the brain and opens new avenues for treating age-related and neurodegenerative disorders.

Non-invasive Bdnf mRNA therapy improves cognition in ageing and Alzheimers mouse models bioRxivpreprint

Genetic influence on the dynamics of social group formation AnimBeh

Reactive oxygen species dynamics are shaped differently by age, sex, and anhydrobiosis duration in intact animals and released storage cells of the tardigrade Paramacrobiotus experimentalis ZoolJ_LinnSoc

Effects of complex training on physical performance in elite modern pentathletes during precompetition periods This study compared the effects of complex training (CT) versus resistance training (RT) on agility, strength and power in elite modern pentathletes during precompetition periods. Ten male modern pentathletes from the Chinese national team participated. They first completed the RT mesocycles (eight weeks), followed by the CT mesocycles (eight weeks), with detraining microcycle (two weeks) in between for rest. Agility (three-cone test, TCT), strength (one-repetition maximum back squat, 1RM-BS; isometric mid-thigh pull peak force, IMTP), and power (counter-movement jump, CMJ; reaction strength index, RSI) performance were assessed at four time points: before RT (T0), at the end of RT (T1), before CT (T2) and at the end of CT (T3). The results revealed that the TCT improved significantly from T2 to T3 (p = 0.006), with a significant difference between T3 and T1 (p = 0.002), but no significant improvement was observed from T0 to T1 (p = 0.383). The 1RM-BS and IMTP improved significantly from T0 to T1 (p 

Effects of complex training on physical performance in elite modern pentathletes during precompetition periods @peerj.bsky.social

Divergent nectar-feeding mechanisms evidenced by intralingual suction in sunbirds Cuban et al. reveal a new feeding mechanism found in animals, where sunbirds use their keratin tongues like straws when feeding on nectar. This behavior, intralingual suction, provides a new example of the distinct feeding mechanisms employed by various nectar-feeding birds despite their convergence upon the same dietary niche.

Divergent nectar-feeding mechanisms evidenced by intralingual suction in sunbirds CurrentBiology

Retraction Note: Improving earthquake prediction accuracy in Los Angeles with machine learning SciReports

Multi-omics insights into mosquito insecticide resistance for integrated vector management Escalating insecticide resistance in mosquito vectors threatens the durability of vector-borne disease control and increasingly constrains the effectiveness of core interventions. This resistance is a multilayered adaptive phenotype arising from the combined action of target-site substitutions that reduce insecticide sensitivity, transcriptional and enzymatic upregulation of detoxification systems that enhance xenobiotic metabolism, cuticular and behavioral changes that limit exposure and penetration, and transporter-mediated efflux, with additional modulation by microbiota and local environmental conditions that shape phenotypic expression in the field. Current integrated vector management (IVM) strategies aim to mitigate resistance through operationally guided deployment of dual-active-ingredient or synergist-treated nets, indoor residual spraying with rotations or mixtures, integration of larval source management and habitat modification, and incorporation of nonchemical tools such as Wolbachia releases and genetic control, supported by routine resistance surveillance. However, much of the existing evidence remains fragmented, with an overreliance on a narrow set of insecticide classes and a limited number of genetic markers, variable phenotyping and performance metrics across settings, and insufficient prospective linkage between molecular signals and intervention impact under real transmission ecologies. Multi-omics frameworks provide a route to move beyond single-locus screening toward network-level reconstruction of resistance biology, enabling discovery of predictive biomarkers, pathway signatures, and metabolic readouts that can be translated into actionable diagnostics and locally optimized decision rules. Looking forward, omics-enabled precision surveillance integrated with field-deployable assays, standardized benchmarks, and model-informed adaptive management could support closed-loop resistance mitigation in which operational choices are continuously refined to preserve long-term intervention efficacy within IVM programs.

Multi-omics insights into mosquito insecticide resistance for integrated vector management @peerj.bsky.social

Mechanosensitive feedback organizes cell shape and motion during hindbrain neuropore morphogenesis Pérez-Verdugo et al. show that hindbrain neuropore closure is driven by surface ectoderm actomyosin purse-string tension and active migration. These forces create reproducible patterns of cell elongation and nematic alignment, which are maintained by mechanosensitive feedback. Without purse-string tension, cell shape patterning is disrupted and tissue edges become irregular.

Mechanosensitive feedback organizes cell shape and motion during hindbrain neuropore morphogenesis CurrentBiology

Woodlands Facilitate Reproductive #behavior and Niche Partitioning in Farmland Bumblebee Communities Ecology and Evolution, Volume 16, Issue 4, April 2026.

Woodlands Facilitate Reproductive #behavior and Niche Partitioning in Farmland Bumblebee Communities Ecol&Evol

How hidden contributions power modern research Nature, Published online: 20 April 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01260-xThe people who work behind the scenes to keep research moving say that there should be more recognition for their roles.

How hidden contributions power modern research @Nature.com

Human brains construct individualized global rankings from identical few-shot learning input by Dongning Liu, Muzhi Wang, Huan Luo Ranking—a ubiquitous relational structure—enables humans to organize complex information and overcome cognitive load, yet in real-world settings it is often inferred from sparse, few-shot learning of local pairwise relationships. How the human brain performs relational inference under such limited evidence remains unknown. We hypothesized that under few-shot learning, relational inference is shaped by inductive biases, such that individuals actively impose structured global relationships—often idiosyncratic—to constrain and unify limited local information. In a preregistered behavioral study combined with magnetoencephalography (MEG) recordings, we show that even after identical few-shot local pair learning, individuals construct stable and self-consistent, yet idiosyncratic, global rankings that diverge from the ground-truth order—a phenomenon not readily explained by classical computational models of transitive inference. MEG recordings further reveal that frontoparietal neural representations are reorganized to reflect each individual’s subjective ranking rather than those of others. Together, these findings highlight the constructive and generative nature of human cognition: under sparse samples and limited computational resources, the human brain actively infers and imposes relational structure.

Human brains construct individualized global rankings from identical few-shot learning input @PLOSBiology.org

Retraction Note: Hybrid deep learning framework for cardiovascular disease diagnosis and prognosis using GAN, LSTM, GRU, VARMA, and deep DynaQ network SciReports

Development and validation of standard-criteria and age-corrected nomograms for post-stroke cognitive impairment risk stratification Objective The investigation aimed to develop and validate two complementary prognostic nomograms for post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) among acute ischemic stroke patients. Methods In this prospective cohort study, 336 patients were enrolled for model development and internal validation, with 48 patients for external validation. Cognitive performance was evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) at six months post-stroke. The standard-criteria model defined PSCI as MoCA

Development and validation of standard-criteria and age-corrected nomograms for post-stroke cognitive impairment risk stratification @peerj.bsky.social

Behavioral Sciences, Vol. 16, Pages 510: Validation of the Italian Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory Short Form (MPFI-24) This research examines the psychometric properties of the Italian Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory short form (MPFI-24), a measure of psychological flexibility/inflexibility. Study 1 investigated its factor structure, reliability and invariance (across gender, age, and mental health status) based on a dataset comprising 1542 participants (71% female, meanage = 38.6 years, SD = 15.0). Study 2 reexamined the factorial structure in an independent sample (N = 728, 64.88% females, meanage = 30.94 years, SD = 14.07), and assessed both convergent validity (with psychological flexibility/inflexibility measures) and concurrent validity (with distress and well-being measures). Confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated very good fit indices for a first-order model comprising the twelve psychological flexibility and inflexibility sub-processes. In addition, the model structured with two second-order factors—psychological flexibility and inflexibility—each defined by six core sub-processes, showed a good model fit. The Italian MPFI-24 also exhibited strong internal consistency and good convergent and concurrent validity. Measurement invariance was established for gender, age, and mental health status. The Italian MPFI-24 is a psychometrically sound instrument for evaluating psychological flexibility and inflexibility, along with their underlying sub-processes, in an Italian context.

Behavioral Sciences, Vol. 16, Pages 510: Validation of the Italian Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory Short Form (MPFI-24) BehSciMDPI

Circadian rhythms remain temperature compensated during a Q neuron–induced hibernation-like state in #mice by Arisa Hirano, Tohru M. Takahashi, Hiroto Ashitomi, Kazumasa Z. Tanaka, Takeshi Sakurai The circadian clock is an internal timekeeping system that enables organisms to adapt to daily environmental changes. A defining property of this clock is temperature compensation, whereby the circadian period remains relatively constant despite fluctuations in temperature. Although this phenomenon has been extensively studied in cultured cells and tissues, how the mammalian circadian clock responds to hypothermia in vivo remains largely unknown. Here, we examined circadian dynamics in a hibernation-like state in mice, termed Q neuron–induced hypometabolic and hypothermic state (QIH), which lowers core and brain temperatures to approximately 25 °C for extended periods. We found that free-running behavioral and body temperature rhythms were preserved after QIH, exhibiting only minor phase changes. In vivo recordings further revealed that neuronal firing rhythms in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and molecular rhythms of PER2::Luc bioluminescence in peripheral tissues persisted during QIH with dampened amplitudes but largely unaltered circadian periods. In contrast, SCN and kidney slice cultures maintained at the same temperature displayed strongly attenuated or reset PER2::Luc oscillations. Together, these findings demonstrate that the circadian period is robustly temperature compensated in vivo, likely supported by systemic regulatory mechanisms beyond cell-autonomous clockwork. Our results provide new insight into the fundamental biology of circadian robustness and establish a framework for understanding clock function during hibernation and potential medical hypothermia.

Circadian rhythms remain temperature compensated during a Q neuron–induced hibernation-like state in #mice @PLOSBiology.org

Not a Standalone Treatment: Considerations for Psychedelic‐Assisted Therapy Brain and Behavior, Volume 16, Issue 4, April 2026.

Not a Standalone Treatment: Considerations for Psychedelic‐Assisted Therapy Br&Beh

Retraction Note: The effects of electrochemical, acoustic and superadditive pulsed discharge technologies on quality characteristics of various types of water SciReports

Exploring the use of an adapted computer vision model to estimate laying hen positions in a cage-free housing system AAnimBehS

High Contrast Markings Can Negate the Benefits of Transparent Camouflage Ecology and Evolution, Volume 16, Issue 4, April 2026.

High Contrast Markings Can Negate the Benefits of Transparent Camouflage Ecol&Evol

Effects of artificial light colour, intensity, structure and contrast on moth flight #behavior Nocturnal moths are severely affected by light pollution, most notoriously through fatal attraction to artificial lights, yet flight-to-light is not their only response. To investigate how artificial lights impact flight behaviour, we exposed over 1200 wild-caught moths of 62 species to LED lights with different characteristics, under varying background lighting conditions, and tracked over 500 flight paths in three dimensions. Flight-to-light behaviour and flight tortuosity both increased with light intensity, irrespective of spectrum, though tortuosity was affected by lower levels of white than amber light, suggesting white LEDs could impact moth trajectories from greater distances. Flight tortuosity was also higher upon exposure to a single light versus three producing equivalent illuminance. Conversely, higher background light levels led to reductions in both flight-to-light and tortuosity, but moths were also less likely to take flight in these conditions, suggesting that both point sources and diffuse background lighting disrupt moth movement. Finally, moths caught using light traps were less likely to fly and, if they did, more likely to fly towards light sources than those caught with butterfly nets. These findings suggest mitigation policies for light pollution should prioritize reducing light intensity, and point to new directions for future research.

Effects of artificial light colour, intensity, structure and contrast on moth flight #behavior bioRxivpreprint

Elucidation of the aragonite nanofiber formation mechanism of LICP contained in the hinge ligament of Pinctada fucata Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Volume 123, Issue 15, April 2026. SignificanceUnderstanding how proteins control crystal growth on solid surfaces is essential in biomineralization, materials science and protein sciences. Ligament intracrystalline peptide (LICP) controls the crystal orientation and growth in the ...

Elucidation of the aragonite nanofiber formation mechanism of LICP contained in the hinge ligament of Pinctada fucata @PNAS.org

Inhibition of HMGB1 Restores Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis and Spatial Learning after Adolescent Binge Alcohol Exposure Phys&Beh

Effects of initial-link schedule on suboptimal choice are modulated by bias BehProc

Cell type-agnostic transcriptomic signatures enable uniform comparisons of neural maturation by Sridevi Venkatesan, Jonathan M. Werner, Yun Li, Jesse Gillis Understanding where a cell sits along developmental time is as important as identifying its type. While single-cell transcriptomics has catalogued the diversity of neural cell types, aligning them along a shared temporal axis across studies, species, and model systems remains a fundamental challenge. Here, we develop a single-cell transcriptomic 'clock' that predicts true developmental age, enabling standardized, cross-context comparisons of neural maturation. Through a meta-analysis of over 2.8 million cells from the developing human brain, we identify robust tissue-level and cell-autonomous predictors of developmental age. We find that bulk tissue composition predicts age within individual studies but lacks generalizability, whereas specific cell type proportions, particularly astrocytes and progenitors, track age reliably across studies. Using machine learning, we develop a cell type-agnostic predictor based on 462 genes that robustly tracks developmental dynamics across diverse cell types and datasets (error = 2.6 weeks). Our model accurately estimates developmental age in human neural organoids and detects disease-associated shifts. Model predictions further generalize across species, revealing 10-fold accelerated neurodevelopment in mice relative to humans. Our approach provides a robust framework to assess neural maturation across contexts, with broad relevance for developmental biology and disease modeling.

Cell type-agnostic transcriptomic signatures enable uniform comparisons of neural maturation @PLOSBiology.org

Genetic influence on the dynamics of social group formation AnimBeh

Communication Difficulties Among Older Adults With Different Degrees of Cognitive Impairment Brain and Behavior, Volume 16, Issue 4, April 2026.

Communication Difficulties Among Older Adults With Different Degrees of Cognitive Impairment Br&Beh

ICYMI: A midbrain circuit for high-fat-food induced conditioned taste aversion @natcomms.nature.com

Grooming using brushes in cattle: A review of benefits, influencing factors, and monitoring opportunities AAnimBehS