@article{23159, abstract = {The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has now seen first light, and over a 10 year duration, Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) is projected to catalog tens of millions of quasars, many of which are expected to be associated with subparsec supermassive black hole binaries (SMBHBs). Out of these SMBHBs, up to thousands of relatively massive binary-quasars are expected to exhibit gravitational self-lensing flares (SLFs) that last for at least 20–30 days. We assess the effectiveness of the Lomb-Scargle (LS) periodogram and matched filters (MFs) as methods for systematic searches for these binaries, using toy-models of hydrodynamical, Doppler, and self-lensing variability from equal-mass, eccentric SMBHBs. We inject SLFs into random realizations of damped random walk (DRW) lightcurves, representing stochastic quasar variability, and compute the LS periodogram with and without the SLF. We find that periodograms of SLF+DRW light-curves do not have maximum peak heights that could not arise from DRW-only periodograms. On the other hand, the matched filter signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) can distinguish SLFs from noise even with LSST-like cadences and DRW noise. Furthermore, we develop a three-step procedure with matched filters, which can also recover injected binary parameters from these light-curves. We expect this method to be computationally efficient enough to be applicable to millions of quasar light-curves in LSST.}, author = {Park, Kevin S and Haiman, Zoltán and Xin, Chengcheng and Shen, Tzuken and Villar, Ashley and Davelaar, Jordy}, issn = {2470-0029}, journal = {Physical Review D}, number = {4}, publisher = {American Physical Society}, title = {{Self-lensing flares from black hole binaries. V. Systematic searches in LSST}}, doi = {10.1103/p328-62sl}, volume = {113}, year = {2026}, } @article{23155, abstract = {In this work we establish several monotonicity and decomposition results in the framework of random regular graphs. Among other results, we show that, for a wide range of parameters d1 ≤ d2, there exists a coupling of G(n,d1) and G(n,d2) satisfying that G(n,d1) ⊆ G(n,d2) with high probability, confirming a conjecture of Gao, Isaev and McKay in a new regime. Our contributions include new tools for analysing contiguity and total variation distance between random regular graph models, a novel procedure for generating unions of random edge-disjoint perfect matchings, and refined estimates of Gao’s bounds on the number of perfect matchings in random regular graphs. In addition, we make progress towards another conjecture of Isaev, McKay, Southwell and Zhukovskii.}, author = {Hollom, Lawrence and Lichev, Lyuben and Mond, Adva and Portier, Julien and Wang, Yiting}, issn = {2168-8737}, journal = {Annals of Applied Probability}, keywords = {Random regular graphs, coupling, contiguity, total variation distance, decomposition}, number = {5}, pages = {4716--4738}, publisher = {Institute of Mathematical Statistics}, title = {{Monotonicity and decompositions of random regular graphs}}, doi = {10.1214/26-AAP2345}, volume = {36}, year = {2026}, } @article{22012, abstract = {Single stranded helically folded aromatic oligoamides bearing anionic phosphonate side chains have been shown to bind to some DNA-binding proteins better than DNA itself. However, these DNA mimic foldamers have until now mainly consisted of a single repeat motif, like a poly(dA:dT) DNA duplex, and contained limited sequence information. Here, we introduce new monomers designed to display different chemical functionalities in the major groove of the DNA mimics. Four new Fmoc-protected amino acid monomers have been synthesized and incorporated into oligomers. Sixteen foldamer sequences were prepared on solid phase. Their conformation in solution and in the solid state and their conformational dynamics were investigated using NMR, circular dichroism, molecular modeling, and X-ray crystallography. The results show that three of four new monomers behaved as designed, and that their introduction enhances the conformational dynamics of the DNA mimic foldamers. In a fourth case, conformational behavior proved to be more complex than expected. The modified sequences retained an ability to bind to bacterial histone-like protein HU. These results showcase design strategies to manipulate large molecular biomimetics where not only side chains but also main chain components are varied. The new monomers pave the way to complex DNA mimic foldamer sequences targeting proteins that recognize sequence-selective DNA-binding proteins such as transcription factors or restriction enzymes.}, author = {Wu, Jiaojiao and Corvaglia, Valentina and Chakrabortty, Tulika and Mandal, Pradeep K and Huc, Ivan}, issn = {2041-6539}, journal = {Chemical Science}, number = {32}, pages = {15479–15489}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, title = {{Tailoring the major groove of DNA mimic foldamers}}, doi = {10.1039/d6sc00798h}, volume = {17}, year = {2026}, } @article{23153, abstract = {We study the renormalized Nelson model in a semiclassical regime where the field becomes classical while the particle remains quantum. The degree of classicality is measured by a small parameter ε << 1. In this scaling the particle evolves on microscopic times, whereas the field exhibits nontrivial dynamics only on the macroscopic scale t = O(ε^−2). The natural semiclassical model is the coupled Schrödinger–Klein–Gordon (SKG) system, which encodes the time-scale separation through an explicit ε-dependence. Based on this scale separation in SKG, we apply the adiabatic principle to derive a new PDE for the classical field, the ε-free adiabatic Klein–Gordon (aKG) equation, where the field is driven by the instantaneous ground state of the particle. Our main result is a norm approximation of the Nelson dynamics by the aKGsolution corrected by a quasi-free fluctuation dynamics around the classical field, generated by a renormalized Bogoliubov–Nelson Hamiltonian. As a corollary, we obtain convergence of the reduced one-body densities for both subsystems, where the fluctuation correction vanishes, thereby justifying aKG as a semiclassical Born–Oppenheimer type approximation of the renormalized Nelson model.}, author = {Brooks, Morris and Mitrouskas, David Johannes}, issn = {1432-0835}, journal = {Calculus of Variations and Partial Differential Equations}, number = {10}, publisher = {Springer}, title = {{Adiabatic Klein–Gordon dynamics for the renormalized Nelson model}}, doi = {10.1007/s00526-026-03436-9}, volume = {65}, year = {2026}, } @article{23157, abstract = {The concept of Culture of Care fosters a research environment where lab animals and humans are cared for and respected. Several aspects, such as perception of suffering, time, perceived value of an animal, potential benefits of the research, and public opinion, might influence care for animals. The European Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes has represented an advance in animal welfare standards and care. However, the question of how we care about animals in practice, and of why this debate is important to reflect on still exist. Therefore, we draw upon the case study of laboratory non-human primates, to illustrate how these tensions go from theory to practice. It illustrates the conflicts and emotions, by exposing the limitations of the standards and norms in the field. Debating care requires a more comprehensive notion of care, one that goes beyond normative decisions to enable care in practice.}, author = {Schober, Sophie and Vitale, Augusto and Riso, Brigida}, issn = {2588-9567}, journal = {Journal of Applied Animal Ethics Research}, keywords = {culture of care, culture of care in practice, lab animals, interspecies relationships}, number = {1}, pages = {88--104}, publisher = {Brill Academic Publishers}, title = {{How we care about laboratory animals: Acknowledging differences towards a more comprehensive concept of caring}}, doi = {10.1163/25889567-bja10078}, volume = {8}, year = {2026}, } @article{23158, abstract = {For a tree T and a function f:E(T)→Sd, the imbalance of a subtree T′⊆T is given by |∑e∈E(T′)f(e)|. The d-dimensional discrepancy of the tree T is the minimum, over all functions f as above, of the maximum imbalance of a subtree of T. We prove tight asymptotic bounds for the discrepancy of a tree T, confirming a conjecture of Krishna, Michaeli, Sarantis, Wang and Wang. We also settle a related conjecture on oriented discrepancy of subtrees by the same authors.}, author = {Hollom, Lawrence and Lichev, Lyuben and Mond, Adva and Portier, Julien}, issn = {1432-0444}, journal = {Discrete and Computational Geometry}, keywords = {Trees, High-dimensional discrepancy, Oriented discrepancy}, publisher = {Springer}, title = {{A note on high-dimensional discrepancy of subtrees}}, doi = {10.1007/s00454-025-00790-x}, year = {2026}, } @article{23171, abstract = {Crawling motility is a hallmark of eukaryotic cells and requires a dynamic actin cytoskeleton, regulated adhesion and spatially organized signalling pathways1,2. Asgard archaea, which are considered the closest known prokaryotic relatives of eukaryotes, potentially encode these functions within their large set of ‘eukaryotic signature proteins’3,4,5,6. The few cultivated members show a complex cell morphology, consisting of a central cell body from which several protrusions extend, filled with an actin-based cytoskeleton7,8. Here, live-cell microscopy of two organisms of the Lokiarchaea and Hodarchaea lineages7,9 showed that they dynamically and greatly change their cell shape on a minute time scale and grow and retract their extensive protrusions with a speed of 1.5–4.8 µm min−1, respectively. After adhering to a glass surface, cells use their protrusions to undergo active crawling motion. In the presence of selected actin inhibitors, however, the observed dynamics were arrested, suggesting a central role of actin in these processes. The observed cellular plasticity and motility are unique features among prokaryotes and might have been crucial for the emergence of the first eukaryotic cells that are thought to have formed through the association of a member of the Asgard archaea and an α-proteobacterium, the ancestor of mitochondria.}, author = {Radler, Philipp and Viehboeck, Tobias and Luo, Zhen-Hao and Maslać, Nevena and Schmidt, Katharina and Hauschild, Robert and Nobu, Masaru K. and Bulgheresi, Silvia and Stradal, Theresia E. B. and Rottner, Klemens and Imachi, Hiroyuki and Sixt, Michael K and Schleper, Christa}, issn = {1476-4687}, journal = {Nature}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, title = {{Dynamic protrusions mediate crawling motility in Asgard archaea}}, doi = {10.1038/s41586-026-11063-9}, year = {2026}, } @inproceedings{22622, abstract = {Cooperative software verification aims at improving the effectiveness and efficiency of software verification by enabling multiple verification tools to work together. Existing cooperative verification schemes, however, typically require specialized interfaces or tight integration, limiting their practical applicability. In our International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE) 2025 publication, we introduce dynamic program splitting – a novel approach that enables cooperation between off-the-shelf verification tools without requiring any modifications. The key idea is to probe verification tools on a given verification task under a time limit and split tasks dynamically that cannot be verified under the given time constraints. The process continues recursively, incrementally identifying program parts that are particularly hard for the given verifier. The remaining unverified parts are provided to a second verifier, allowing to leverage the complementary strengths of different tools. Our evaluation on SV-COMP benchmarks demonstrates that cooperation through dynamic program splitting enables the verification of tasks that none of the individual verifiers can solve on their own.}, author = {Richter, Cedric and Chalupa, Marek and Jakobs, Marie Christine and Wehrheim, Heike}, booktitle = {Software Engineering 2026}, issn = {1617-5468}, keywords = {Software Verification, Cooperation, Program Decomposition}, location = {Bonn, Switzerland}, pages = {41--42}, publisher = {Gesellschaft für Informatik}, title = {{Off-the-Shelf cooperative software verification by splitting programs dynamically}}, doi = {10.18420/se2026_45}, volume = {P-377}, year = {2026}, } @article{23173, abstract = {The prevalence of proline residues in intrinsically disordered proteins, functional hinges of enzymes, and protein interaction sites highlights the importance of studying their local dynamics and interactions at atomic resolution. While nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is, in principle, ideally suited for such investigations, the absence of an amide proton precludes the use of conventional 1H–15N amide-detected experiments. 1H–13C-based approaches, though possible, remain challenging in large proteins. In this work, we present a selective labeling strategy that introduces an isolated 1H2δ–13Cδ–15N spin system in proline residues in otherwise deuterated proteins. Our method leverages the enzymatic conversion of ornithine, synthesized from cost-effective isotopic precursors. We demonstrate the utility of this approach by applying it to a 134 kDa enzyme using magic-angle spinning NMR, highlighting its potential to efficiently probe functionally relevant sites in proteins.}, author = {Rohden, Darja and Napoli, Federico and Lichtenecker, Roman J. and Schanda, Paul}, issn = {1554-8937}, journal = {ACS Chemical Biology}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, title = {{Chemoenzymatic proline isotope labeling for solution and magic-angle spinning protein nuclear magnetic resonance}}, doi = {10.1021/acschembio.6c00587}, year = {2026}, } @article{23046, abstract = {Most stars form in dense stellar environments, where frequent close encounters can strongly perturb and reshape the early architecture of planetary systems. The Solar System, with its rich population of distant comets, provides a natural laboratory to study these processes. We performed detailed numerical simulations using the LonelyPlanets framework that combines NBODY6++GPU and REBOUND to explore the evolution of debris disks around Solar System analogues embedded in stellar clusters. Two initial configurations are considered, the Extended model and the Compact model, each containing four giant planets and either an extended or compact debris disk. We find that compact disks primarily form Kuiper belt and scattered disk-like populations through planet–disk interactions, while extended disks are more strongly shaped by stellar encounters, producing Oort cloud-like structures and interstellar comets with ejection velocities of 1–3 km s−1. Stellar perturbations are most effective for encounter inclinations between 0° and 30°, giving rise to distinct dynamical populations, like Sednoids, and inner Oort cloud analogues, and a characteristic tail in semimajor axis-eccentricity space. In coplanar encounters, the disk remains largely flattened, whereas polar flybys redistribute angular momentum vertically, producing nearly isotropic outer populations that resemble an emerging Oort cloud. Our results suggest that cometary reservoirs and interstellar objects are natural byproducts of planet–disk interactions and stellar flybys in dense clusters, linking the architecture of outer planetary systems to their birth environments.}, author = {Torres Rodriguez, Santiago}, issn = {1432-0746}, journal = {Astronomy & Astrophysics}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, title = {{Implications for the formation of Oort cloud-like structures and interstellar comets in dense environments}}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/202554978}, volume = {708}, year = {2026}, } @article{22306, abstract = {The AP3 complex mediates cargo sorting and carrier assembly for the trafficking of transmembrane proteins from endosomes to lysosomes. AP3 is generally believed to localize to clathrin-free, ARF1-positive, elongated carriers in cells, but the architecture of AP3-based coats was unknown. Using in vitro reconstitution and cryo–electron tomography, we demonstrate that AP3:ARF1 spontaneously remodels membranes containing cargo and the phosphoinositide PI(3,5)P 2 into tubular structures coated in spiraling rows of AP3 arches and ARF1 dimers. Targeted point mutations disrupting critical AP3:ARF1 and AP3:AP3 lattice interfaces disrupt AP3 recruitment, carrier formation, and lysosomal cargo trafficking in cells. We propose that AP3 generates tubular carriers on endosomes by organizing ARF1 dimers into elongated membrane-deforming arrays while simultaneously selecting cargo. By demonstrating that AP3:ARF1 can generate carriers without using a clathrin lattice, we explain the clathrin independence of AP3-mediated trafficking.}, author = {Kaufman, Jonathan G.G. and Tagiltsev, Grigory and Stalder, Danièle S. and Taylor, Rebecca J. and Sava, Ioana and Guo, Hui and Ciazynska, Katarzyna A. and Zaccai, Nathan R. and Gray, Sally R. and Vallis, Yvonne and Höning, Stefan and Kelly, Bernard T. and Gershlick, David C. and Briggs, John A.G. and Owen, David J.}, issn = {2375-2548}, journal = {Science Advances}, number = {20}, publisher = {AAAS}, title = {{Architecture of clathrin-independent AP3:ARF1-coated carriers}}, doi = {10.1126/sciadv.aed1529}, volume = {12}, year = {2026}, } @article{21340, abstract = {Equilibrium quantum systems are often described by a gas of weakly interacting normal modes. Bringing such systems far from equilibrium, however, can drastically enhance mode-to-mode interactions. Understanding the resulting liquid is a fundamental question for quantum statistical mechanics and a practical question for engineering driven quantum devices. To tackle this question, we probe the non-equilibrium kinetics of one-dimensional plasmons in a long chain of Josephson junctions. We introduce multimode spectroscopy to controllably study the departure from equilibrium, witnessing the evolution from pairwise coupling between plasma modes at weak driving to dramatic, high-order, cascaded couplings at strong driving. Scaling to many-mode drives, we stimulate interactions between hundreds of modes, resulting in near-continuum internal dynamics. Imaging the resulting non-equilibrium plasmon populations, we then resolve the nonlocal redistribution of energy in the response to a weak perturbation—an explicit verification of the emergence of a strongly interacting, non-equilibrium liquid of plasmons.}, author = {Bubis, Anton and Vigliotti, Lucia and Serbyn, Maksym and Higginbotham, Andrew P}, issn = {2375-2548}, journal = {Science Advances}, number = {7}, publisher = {AAAS}, title = {{Non-equilibrium plasmon liquid in a Josephson junction chain}}, doi = {10.1126/sciadv.ady7222}, volume = {12}, year = {2026}, } @article{21383, abstract = {Planarian flatworms are known for their remarkable regenerative capacity; however, the precise intercellular communication mechanisms underlying this process remain unsolved. Here, we report the discovery and characterization of abundant extracellular vesicles (EVs) in planarians. Using imaging and molecular analysis, we show conservation of biogenesis, morphology, and protein composition of planarian EVs. Environmental stressors significantly elevate EV release, indicating that planarians dynamically regulate vesicle production. Functionally, planarian EVs mediate intercellular communication by transferring regulatory signals: We find that they shuttle small RNAs that effect systemic RNA interference (RNAi) throughout the organism. Notably, gene knockdown experiments reveal a crucial role for AGO-3, a member of the Argonaute family of proteins, in modulating the association of small interfering RNAs with EVs, linking the intracellular RNAi machinery to EV-based signaling. These findings highlight EVs as pivotal mediators of cell-cell communication in planarians, with broad implications for understanding the coordination of gene regulation and tissue regeneration in animals.}, author = {Sasidharan, Vidyanand and Ancellotti, Laura and Doddihal, Viraj and Brewster, Carolyn and Mann, Frederick and McKinney, Mary Cathleen and Varberg, Joseph and Ross, Eric and Deng, Fengyan and Yi, Kexi and Sánchez Alvarado, Alejandro}, issn = {2375-2548}, journal = {Science Advances}, number = {6}, publisher = {AAAS}, title = {{Extracellular vesicles mediate stem cell signaling and systemic RNAi in planarians}}, doi = {10.1126/sciadv.ady1461}, volume = {12}, year = {2026}, } @article{21707, abstract = {Structural and functional differences between brain hemispheres are a common feature of animal nervous systems with reduced bilateral asymmetry often linked to impaired cognitive performance. How neuronal left-right asymmetry is initiated and integrated into a bilaterally symmetrical ground pattern is poorly understood. Here, we show that the directional asymmetry of a Drosophila central brain circuit originates from axonal interactions of two types of bilateral pioneer neurons. Subsequent recruitment of neighboring neurons into the asymmetric neuropil primordium results in hemisphere-specific microcircuits. Circuit lateralization requires dynamic expression of the cell adhesion molecule Fasciclin 2 to maintain structural plasticity in axonal remodeling. Reduced circuit asymmetry following cell type–specific Fasciclin 2 manipulation affects adult brain function. These results reveal an unexpected degree of developmental plasticity of late-born Drosophila neurons in the formation of a circuit node via the lateralized recruitment of symmetric circuit components.}, author = {Markovitsch, Johann W. and Mitić, Daniel and Del Pilar Jiménez García, Alisa and Zane, Alsberga and Kainz, Sarah and Kaur, Rashmit and Hummel, Thomas}, issn = {2375-2548}, journal = {Science Advances}, number = {13}, publisher = {AAAS}, title = {{Sequential formation of Drosophila circuit asymmetry via prolonged structural plasticity}}, doi = {10.1126/sciadv.aea6020}, volume = {12}, year = {2026}, } @article{22315, abstract = {Plant tropisms enable roots to navigate complex soils by responding to directional environmental cues. Biological decay, although central to nutrient cycling, also creates microbially active and potentially hostile niches. In this work, we identified “saprotropism,” a previously unrecognized growth response that enables roots to actively bend away from decaying plant-derived matter. Fungal-driven microbial decomposition released organic acids and formed stable pH gradients in surrounding soil, allowing roots to pinpoint decay without direct contact. Root epidermal cells sensed this acidic gradient through the root meristem growth factor peptide-receptor module, converting external pH asymmetry into asymmetric abscisic acid (ABA) distribution. ABA asymmetry drove microtubule reorganization, which was decoded into decay-avoidant root bending. Together, these findings establish microbial decay–derived chemical gradients as an instructive signal for root navigation and expand the framework of microbe-soil-plant communication.}, author = {Bao, Zhulatai and Wang, Huihui and Zhang, Ai and Gao, Ruxi and Gu, Wen and Fan, Ni and Friml, Jiří and Zhang, Yuzhou}, issn = {1095-9203}, journal = {Science}, number = {6807}, publisher = {AAAS}, title = {{Roots navigate around decay regions by sensing local pH gradients}}, doi = {10.1126/science.adw6568}, volume = {393}, year = {2026}, } @article{23044, abstract = {We report the discovery of 31 new high-z quasars in the redshift range 6.6 < z < 7.8. These quasars were selected from approximately 3000 deg2 of sky covered during the first 1.5 years of the Euclid Wide Survey, representing the initial results of the Euclid high-z quasar search. Our candidate selection employed multiple machine-learning and probabilistic techniques applied to the EuclidIE, YE, JE, and HE images, supplemented by ancillary z-band data when available. Spectroscopic follow-up observations were carried out with Keck, Magellan, and the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT). Among the new discoveries, there are 12 quasars at z ≥ 7, more than doubling the number of previously known quasars at z ≥ 7. The newly discovered quasars exhibit 21.2 < JE < 23.2 (−25.5 < M1450 < −23.6), extending quasar studies to the faint end of the quasar luminosity function (QLF) at z ≳ 7. The quasar with the highest-z, EUCL J172902.75+641018.1 at z ≈ 7.77, sets the new redshift record for the most distant quasar ever reported. These discoveries demonstrate Euclid’s transformative role in high-z quasar discovery and set the stage for future follow-up studies of the early galaxies hosting quasars, supermassive black hole growth, and the intergalactic medium in the epoch of reionisation.}, author = {Yang, D. and Hennawi, J. F. and Guarneri, F. and Wolf, J. and Belladitta, S. and Schindler, J. T. and Hughes, A. C.N. and Bañados, E. and Mortlock, D. J. and Yang, J. and Wang, F. and Fan, X. and Jahnke, K. and Stern, D. and Willott, C. J. and Barth, A. J. and Rottgering, H. J.A. and Varadaraj, R. G. and Decarli, R. and Eilers, A. C. and Ezziati, M. and Fu, Y. and Huang, J. and Jin, X. and Kang, Y. and Martinez-Ramirez, L. N. and Matsuoka, Y. and Onoue, M. and Pello, R. and Remigio, R. P. and Tee, W. L. and Venemans, B. and Vietri, G. and Wang, B. and Abbo, L. J. and Atek, H. and Bisogni, S. and Bosman, S. E.I. and Bowler, R. A.A. and Conselice, C. J. and Davies, F. B. and Gutierrez, C. M. and Harikane, Y. and Rubinur, K. and Lovell, C. C. and Magliocchetti, M. and Matthee, Jorryt J and Ricci, F. and Scialpi, M. and Scott, D. and Spinoglio, L. and Tarsitano, F. and Toba, Y. and Walter, F. and Weaver, J. R. and Zamorani, G. and Altieri, B. and Amara, A. and Andreon, S. and Aussel, H. and Baccigalupi, C. and Baldi, M. and Balestra, A. and Bardelli, S. and Battaglia, P. and Biviano, A. and Branchini, E. and Brescia, M. and Camera, S. and Cañas-Herrera, G. and Capobianco, V. and Carbone, C. and Carretero, J. and Castellano, M. and Castignani, G. and Cavuoti, S. and Chambers, K. C. and Cimatti, A. and Colodro-Conde, C. and Congedo, G. and Conversi, L. and Copin, Y. and Courbin, F. and Courtois, H. M. and Cropper, M. and Cuillandre, J. C. and Degaudenzi, H. and De Lucia, G. and Dolding, C. and Dole, H. and Douspis, M. and Dubath, F. and Dupac, X. and Dusini, S. and Escoffier, S. and Farina, M. and Farinelli, R. and Ferriol, S. and Finelli, F. and Fourmanoit, N. and Frailis, M. and Franceschi, E. and Fumana, M. and Galeotta, S. and George, K. and Gillis, B. and Giocoli, C. and Gómez-Alvarez, P. and Gracia-Carpio, J. and Grazian, A. and Grupp, F. and Guzzo, L. and Gwyn, S. and Haugan, S. V.H. and Hoekstra, H. and Holmes, W. and Hook, I. M. and Hormuth, F. and Hornstrup, A. and Jhabvala, M. and Kermiche, S. and Kubik, B. and Kuijken, K. and Kümmel, M. and Kunz, M. and Kurki-Suonio, H. and Le Brun, A. M.C. and Ligori, S. and Lilje, P. B. and Lindholm, V. and Lloro, I. and Mainetti, G. and Maino, D. and Maiorano, E. and Mansutti, O. and Marggraf, O. and Martinelli, M. and Martinet, N. and Marulli, F. and Massey, R. J. and Mccracken, H. J. and Medinaceli, E. and Mei, S. and Mellier, Y. and Meneghetti, M. and Merlin, E. and Meylan, G. and Mohr, J. J. and Mora, A. and Moresco, M. and Moscardini, L. and Munari, E. and Nakajima, R. and Neissner, C. and Nichol, R. C. and Niemi, S. M. and Padilla, C. and Paltani, S. and Pasian, F. and Pedersen, K. and Percival, W. J. and Pettorino, V. and Pires, S. and Polenta, G. and Poncet, M. and Popa, L. A. and Pozzetti, L. and Racca, G. D. and Raison, F. and Rebolo, R. and Renzi, A. and Rhodes, J. and Riccio, G. and Rix, H. W. and Romelli, E. and Roncarelli, M. and Rosset, C. and Rusholme, B. and Saglia, R. and Sakr, Z. and Sapone, D. and Sauvage, M. and Schirmer, M. and Schneider, P. and Schrabback, T. and Secroun, A. and Seidel, G. and Serrano, S. and Sihvola, E. and Simon, P. and Sirignano, C. and Sirri, G. and Stanco, L. and Steinwagner, J. and Tallada-Crespí, P. and Tereno, I. and Tessore, N. and Toft, S. and Toledo-Moreo, R. and Torradeflot, F. and Tutusaus, I. and Valenziano, L. and Valiviita, J. and Vassallo, T. and Wang, Y. and Weller, J. and Zerbi, F. M. and Zucca, E. and Fabbian, G. and Huertas-Company, M. and Martín-Fleitas, J. and Monaco, P. and Scottez, V. and Viel, M.}, issn = {1432-0746}, journal = {Astronomy & Astrophysics}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, title = {{Euclid: Discovery of 31 new quasars at 6.6 < z < 7.8}}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/202658883}, volume = {711}, year = {2026}, } @article{23049, abstract = {We investigate the properties of extreme emission line galaxies (EELGs) at z = 4 − 9 and their role in reionization. Compact, low-mass galaxies with intense optical emission lines are linked to elevated specific star formation rates (sSFRs) and recent bursts of star formation. Feedback in these systems may enable the leakage of ionizing radiation into the intergalactic medium. Using JWST/NIRSpec spectroscopy from the CAPERS, CEERS, and RUBIES surveys, we compiled 160 NIRCam-selected EELGs in the EGS field. These galaxies show extreme rest-frame equivalent widths (EWs), with a median EW([O III]+Hβ) = 1616 Å and EW(Hα) = 763 Å. They are low-mass (median log(M★/M⊙) = 8.26) with high sSFRs (median 43 Gyr−1), above the z ∼ 6 main sequence. UV slopes are diverse, with a median value of β = −2.0, and only 7% have extremely blue continua (β < −2.6). Emission-line diagnostics suggest stellar populations as the primary ionizing source, although an AGN fraction of 14% cannot be entirely ruled out. These galaxies are efficient ionizing photon producers, with median log(ξion [Hz erg−1]) = 25.37, exceeding typical values at similar redshifts. Escape fractions, however, are heterogeneous: 16% of EELGs at z < 7 show escape fractions > 5% for both Lyα and LyC photons, while 82% lack detectable Lyα emission. The median inferred LyC escape fraction is modest (5%) but enhanced in compact super-Eddington systems with sSFR > 25 Gyr−1. These results indicate that EELGs contribute approximately 16 − 40% of the total ionizing emissivity required to sustain hydrogen reionization. EELGs are extremely compact, with a median effective radius of 0.49 kpc, and exhibit a recent star formation burst. Our analysis indicates that sSFR and star formation rate surface density are the primary drivers of their extreme emission line strengths.}, author = {Llerena, M. and Pentericci, L. and Amorín, R. and Ferrara, A. and Dickinson, M. and Arevalo-Gonzalez, F. and Calabrò, A. and Napolitano, L. and Mascia, Sara and Arrabal Haro, P. and Begley, R. and Cleri, N. J. and Davis, K. and Hu, W. and Kartaltepe, J. S. and Koekemoer, A. M. and Lucas, R. A. and Mcgrath, E. and Mcleod, D. J. and Papovich, C. and Stanton, T. M. and Taylor, A. J. and Tripodi, R. and Wang, X. and Yung, L. Y.A.}, issn = {1432-0746}, journal = {Astronomy & Astrophysics}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, title = {{Extreme equivalent-width-selected low-mass starbursts at z = 4 − 9: Insights into their role in cosmic reionization}}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/202557897}, volume = {708}, year = {2026}, } @article{23050, abstract = {The resonant scattering nature of Lyα photons interacting with neutral hydrogen makes Lyα emitters (LAEs) robust tracers of the intergalactic neutral hydrogen fraction, and thus sensitive probes of cosmic reionization. We present an extensive study of the Lyα evolution from galaxies at 4.5 ≤ z ≤ 11 in the UDS field, observed as part of the CAPERS survey, and complemented with spectra from the DAWN JWST Archive. The combined sample includes 651 spectroscopically confirmed Lyα-break galaxies, among which we find 73 S/N > 3 LAEs in JWST-NIRSpec PRISM spectra. We trace the redshift evolution of the LAE fraction with EW0 > 25 Å (XLyα) between z = 5 and z = 9, extending such an analysis to the UDS field for the first time. At z = 5 and 6, the UDS results agree with the average JWST XLyα values from multiple fields. However, JWST measurements are consistently lower than ground-based results. To investigate this, we compare JWST observations to a population of star-forming galaxies at z ∼ 6 observed with VLT-FORS2. We find that a Lyα slit-loss of 35 ± 10% in JWST spectra accounts for the offset, as the resonant Lyα emission is more spatially extended than the stellar continuum. From z = 6 to 7, the UDS field shows a significant drop in Lyα visibility, from which we infer a neutral hydrogen fraction of XHI = 0.7–0.9. Finally, we identify two robust ionized bubbles at z = 7.29 and 7.77, with radii of Rion = 0.6 and 0.5 physical Mpc and photometric overdensities of N/⟨N⟩ = 3 and 4, based on candidate counts down to the photometric completeness limit. Compared to the large ionized region at z ∼ 7 in the EGS field, these results indicate significant field-to-field variation, supporting a patchy, inhomogeneous reionization process.}, author = {Napolitano, L. and Pentericci, L. and Dickinson, M. and Arrabal Haro, P. and Taylor, A. J. and Calabrò, A. and Bhagwat, A. and Santini, P. and Arevalo-Gonzalez, F. and Begley, R. and Castellano, M. and Ciardi, B. and Donnan, C. T. and Dottorini, D. and Dunlop, J. S. and Finkelstein, S. L. and Fontana, A. and Giavalisco, M. and Hirschmann, M. and Jung, I. and Koekemoer, A. M. and Kokorev, V. and Llerena, M. and Lucas, R. A. and Mascia, Sara and Merlin, E. and Pérez-González, P. G. and Stanton, T. M. and Tripodi, R. and Wang, X. and Weiner, B. J.}, issn = {1432-0746}, journal = {Astronomy & Astrophysics}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, title = {{Lyα visibility from z = 4.5 to 11 in the UDS field: Evidence for a high neutral hydrogen fraction and small ionized bubbles at z ∼ 7}}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/202556912}, volume = {708}, year = {2026}, } @article{23048, abstract = {The previously inaccessible star formation tracer Paschen-Alpha (Paα) can now be spatially resolved by JWST NIRCam slitless spectroscopy in distant galaxies up to cosmic noon. In the first study of its kind, we combine JWST NGDEEP NIRISS and FRESCO NIRCam slitless spectroscopy to provide the first direct comparison of spatially resolved dust-obscured (traced by Paα) versus unobscured (traced by Hα) star formation across the main sequence. We stacked Paα and Hα emission-line maps, along with stellar continuum images at both wavelengths of 31 galaxies at 1 < z < 1.8 in three bins of stellar mass spanning 7.7 ≤ log(M*/M⊙) < 11. Surface brightness profiles were measured and equivalent width (EW) profiles computed. Increasing Paα and Hα EW profiles with galactocentric radius across all stellar masses probed provides direct evidence for the inside-out growth of galaxies both via dust-obscured and unobscured star formation for the first time. For galaxies predominantly on the main sequence (log(M*/M⊙)≥8.8), a weakly positive (0.1 ± 0.1) Paα/Hα line profile gradient as a function of radius is found at 8.8 ≤ log(M*/M⊙) < 9.9, with a negative (−0.4 ± 0.1) Paα/Hα line profile gradient as a function of radius found at the highest stellar masses of 9.9 ≤ log(M*/M⊙) < 11.0. Low-mass galaxies (7.7 ≤ log(M*/M⊙) < 8.8) with predominantly high specific star formation rates relative to the main sequence are also found to have a negative (−0.5 ± 0.1) Paα/Hα line profile gradient as a function of radius. Our results demonstrate that while inside-out growth via star formation is ubiquitous across the main sequence just after cosmic noon, centrally concentrated dust attenuation is not. Along with other recent work in the literature, our findings now motivate future studies of resolved SFR and dust attenuation profiles in large samples of individual cosmic noon galaxies across the main sequence, aimed at understanding the intrinsic scatter in spatially resolved star formation.}, author = {Matharu, Jasleen and Shen, Lu and Shivaei, Irene and Oesch, Pascal A. and Papovich, Casey and Brammer, Gabriel and Reddy, Naveen A. and Cheng, Yingjie and Van Dokkum, Pieter and Finkelstein, Steven L. and Hathi, Nimish P. and Kartaltepe, Jeyhan S. and Koekemoer, Anton M. and Matthee, Jorryt J and Pirzkal, Nor and Wilkins, Stephen M. and Wozniak, Michael A. and Xiao, Mengyuan}, issn = {1432-0746}, journal = {Astronomy & Astrophysics}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, title = {{A first look at a complete view of spatially resolved star formation at 1  <  z  <  1.8 with JWST NGDEEP+FRESCO slitless spectroscopy}}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/202558205}, volume = {708}, year = {2026}, } @article{23045, abstract = {Context. In the convective envelopes of relatively cool (surface temperature ≲6700 K) stars, oscillations are excited by turbulent convection. In these so-called solar-like oscillators, radial oscillation modes appear at nearly equally spaced frequencies. This spacing is referred to as the ‘large-frequency separation’. Deviations from equally spaced frequencies are a result of the internal structure of a star being different from a sphere of ideal gas at constant temperature. Hence, these deviations provide information on the internal structure of the star. Aims. In this work, we investigate the second-order (quadratic) deviation from uniform spacing, referred to as curvature. We aim to provide homogeneous values for observed red-giant stars, understand differences between the results from observations and predictions from stellar models, and reveal the connection between curvature and stellar structure. Methods. We used Kepler data of red-giant stars and computed the curvature for several thousand stars. We compared these to the curvature derived from MESA models. We subsequently investigated the trends and differences between results from observations and models. Finally, we computed sensitivity kernels to identify the stellar region(s) to which the curvature is most sensitive and performed a glitch analysis. Results. We found that the curvature is sensitive to evolutionary phase and mass. Interestingly, the observed values and values from models show some discrepancies. Including the surface effect in the model frequencies reduces the discrepancies, though it introduces a frequency-dependent over- or under-estimation of the curvature from the models compared to the observations. From the kernels, we confirmed that the curvature is mostly sensitive to the near-surface layers of the star. The glitch analysis shows that in theory this provides information on the location and strength of the He I and H I ionisation layers. Conclusions. The curvature provides a probe into the near-surface structure of the star. The deviations between the curvature derived from observations and models call for improvements in the near-surface layers of stellar models.}, author = {Hekker, S. and Elsworth, Y. and Basu, S. and Ahlborn, F. and Ball, W. H. and Bellinger, E. P. and Buchele, Lynn and Espinoza-Rojas, F.}, issn = {1432-0746}, journal = {Astronomy & Astrophysics}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, title = {{The sensitivity and behaviour of the curvature in the échelle diagram of red-giant stars}}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/202557690}, volume = {709}, year = {2026}, }