Nature Communications · 9 October 2026 · From issue 49

pH-responsive manganese carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogel releases pesticide to promote rice tillering and suppress root-parasitic weeds

A new gel blocked a parasitic weed and boosted rice branching in lab tests.

Ali Dai, Zhiguo Zheng et al.

Integrity screen: passed (3 checks) Checked 10 October 2026. Read the source

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Also in issue 49 15 papers

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In a lab model, a bent fiber in a fluid channel can store memory by flipping between two shapes.
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In mice, red light lowered a key protein and reduced signs of aging in skin cells.
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A hidden pocket inside Cas9 switches on its DNA-cutting action when it grabs metal ions.
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In mouse embryos, two genes brake the same signal at different times to guide body building.
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In lab-grown vessels, one cell layer alone caused the worst damage from a rapid aging disease.
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