The complete genome of a songbird.

August 6, 2026| Source: Cell

Bird genomes are the smallest among amniotes; however, they remain challenging to assemble due to their structural complexity. This study presents a fully phased diploid telomere-to-telomere reference genome for the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata), a model organism for neuroscience and evolutionary genomics. Combining sequencing strategies allowed the closing of nearly all gaps, adding ∼90 Mbp of sequence (7.8%). The assembly contains gapless sequences for all microchromosomes, including the elusive dot chromosomes with their distinctive architecture. The genome was comprehensively annotated for genes, repeats, and structural variants. Complete centromeres were identified, along with candidate DNA-binding centromere protein B (CENP-B) homologs, suggesting that birds possess a kinetochore-associated CENP system similar to that of mammals. Relative to the previous reference generated by the Vertebrate Genomes Project, 2,710 (8.13%) previously unassembled or unannotated genes were identified. This complete genome of a songbird serves as a public reference and illuminates avian genome architecture and function.

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Spontaneous gas film expansion at an oil-water interface.

Spontaneous interfacial separation of oil and water, by inserting a gas film between the two liquids, is thermodynamically unfavorable because the oil-water interface is replaced by oil-gas and water-gas interfaces with a higher combined interfacial energy. Here, we demonstrate that microstructural confinement enables this transition after bubble introduction through the coupling of wetting, capillarity, and gas transport. Spontaneous oil imbibition into a water-submerged micropillar array, toge

Health & MedicineNovember 10, 2026

Senescent CD8 T effector memory cells are functionally impaired, enriched in aging and disease, and a barrier to immunotherapy.

Senescent cells play important roles in various biological processes that promote fitness and health; however, their timely elimination by immune cells is critical to maintain tissue homeostasis and prevent disease. Despite this, senescent cells accumulate systemically with age, suggesting that certain immune cells also become senescent and dysfunctional during aging. In support of this, we previously demonstrated that CD8 T cells, immune cells capable of targeting senescent cells, increasingly

Health & MedicineNovember 10, 2026

Engineered T cell-agonist chimera for logic-gated STING activation and augmented cancer immunotherapy.

The efficacy of adoptive T cell therapy against solid tumors is markedly hindered by the immunosuppressive microenvironment. Here, we demonstrate that stimulator of interferon genes (STING) activation in tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) enhances the intratumoral infiltration and cytotoxicity of adoptive T cells. We next design a TAM-targeted nanoagonist and engineer a T cell - agonist chimera (SNTC) via covalent surface anchoring, to achieve synchronized biodistribution of STING agonist with a

Health & MedicineNovember 10, 2026

Dysregulation of mechanosensing signaling in monocytes of patients with systemic sclerosis is associated with skin inflammation.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a severe autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by immune dysregulation and progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs, resulting in substantial organ dysfunction and increased mortality. Fibrosis is driven in part by infiltration of immune cells, including monocytes that become activated within fibrotic tissue. However, how the mechanical properties of fibrotic skin regulate their function remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that inc

Health & MedicineNovember 5, 2026

Hydrogen Derivatives Enable Cost-Effective Carbon Neutrality in China.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recommended 1.5°C carbon reduction target, requiring powerful enforcement from major economies. China, the largest CO 2 emitter, is facing severe difficulties for both variable renewable accommodation and decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors. Hydrogen, as a critical green energy carrier bridging renewable to end-users, faces significant obstacles in real-world deployment such as costly transportation, storage and fuel-cell adoption. Affordab