The global antibiotic resistance crisis necessitates alternatives like bacteriophage therapy. However, bacterial phage resistance remains challenging. The authors developed a phage cocktail targeting carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-hvKp) that exploits the dual-layered collateral sensitivity to suppress resistance evolution. The first layer leveraged overlapping capsular polysaccharide (CPS) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) coverage: CPS-binding phage resistance increased susceptibility to LPS-binding phages. The second layer exploited an O serotype switch (O1→O2): resistance to O1-binding phages increased susceptibility to O2-binding phages. This dual-mechanism cocktail effectively constrained phage resistance development and mitigated CR-hvKp infection in mice. This research highlights collateral sensitivity's importance in countering phage resistance and provides a sophisticated phage cocktail design strategy to overcome bacterial resistance.

In the production of dimethyl carbonate (DMC), a versatile chemical critical for manufacturing lithium-ion battery electrolytes, pharmaceuticals and high-performance polymers, an ultra-high purity (≥99.95%) is needed to meet stringent industrial standards. Melt crystallization, as a green manufacturing method is highly important for this purpose; however, the widespread adoption of this technology has been hindered by complex heat and mass transfer phenomena, which can lead to uneven crystal growth and suboptimal yields.

This study demonstrates that Setd2 overexpression rescues bivalent gene expression during zygotic genome activation (ZGA) in somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos, significantly improving cloning efficiency. By mapping H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 dynamics in mouse SCNT embryos, researchers identified aberrant hyperaccumulation of these histone marks at promoter regions during ZGA, leading to dysregulated bivalent gene expression. Overexpression of Setd2, the H3K36me3 methyltransferase, restored chromatin balance by antagonizing H3K27me3 deposition and enhancing transcriptional activation of ZGA-critical genes, thereby increasing blastocyst formation rates.

Scientists demonstrate how a weak handgrip can accurately correlate with numerous diseases and poor performance of daily chores among older adults

Contact sports are becoming increasingly popular in Africa, raising concern about the risk of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). This report highlights the urgent need for awareness, education, and research on CTE across the region. The authors propose a multifaceted approach that includes improving medical infrastructure, increasing funding, addressing sociocultural barriers to brain donation, and educating healthcare professionals. These efforts are essential to prevent serious long-term health consequences and prepare Africa for the growing challenge ahead.

Cucumber fruit spines—once thought to be mere surface features—hold the key to understanding how plants control their outer architecture. 

In the fight against a devastating kiwifruit disease, scientists have discovered that the plant’s own microbiome may be its strongest ally. 

A research team has shed light on how long-term storage affects the viability, vigor, and genetic integrity of African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum) seeds.