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Offshore wind farms, a rapidly expanding sector within wind energy, are playing a significant role in achieving global carbon neutrality, and this trend is to continue. Here, we utilize ERA5 reanalysis to correct offshore wind speed trends predicted by CMIP6 models. This approach led to enhanced projections for changes in offshore Wind Power Density (WPD) under four Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) scenarios. Throughout the 21st century, global offshore WPD is projected to follow an upward trend across all SSP scenarios. Notably, Europe stands out with the most substantial increase in offshore WPD among regions with higher current installations, projected to reach up to 26% under 4°C global warming. Our study uncovers a notable increase of global offshore WPD in a warmer climate, which offers valuable insights for the strategic planning of future global wind energy. Plain Language Summary Wind energy is key to achieving global carbon neutrality. While onshore wind has been extensively studied, offshore wind energy (OWE) projections have received less attention. Climate models, particularly those from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phases 5 and 6 (CMIP5/6), have underestimated changes in OWE in past decades. Our study addresses this by using a state‐of‐the‐art reanalysis, ERA5, to correct these underestimations in CMIP6 models and project future changes in offshore wind power density (WPD) in a warming world. We discover that global offshore WPD is expected to rise throughout the 21st century. By the end of the century, we project an increase in offshore WPD by 3.8%–18.3% under various emission scenarios. Specifically, with global warming of 4°C (and 2°C), we expect increases of 8.9%–9.2% (and 0.2%–2.2%) compared to that at a 1.5°C warming level. Europe stands out under 4°C global warming, with the largest projected increase in offshore WPD (26%). This significant increase of global offshore WPD in a warmer climate offers valuable information for the strategic planning of future global wind energy. It highlights the growing importance of offshore wind in our energy mix and underscores the need for improved modeling to guide investments and policies. Key Points CMIP6 models have consistently underestimated trends of offshore wind speeds from 1940 to 2014 Independent validation demonstrates the corrected simulations reasonably reproduce observed historical wind speed trends Global offshore wind energy is projected to rise significantly, potentially rising by up to 9% under 4°C global warming

We have developed a highly sensitive colorimetric probe based on starch–iodine (I2) crystallization for the precise discrimination of ethanol–water clusters (E-Wc) within binary ethanol–water solutions (E-Ws). This probe enables the identification of specific E-Wc species and their corresponding transition points. Notably, two distinct transition points were identified at ethanol volume fractions of 40–45% and 75–77%. The former corresponds to the structural transition from (H2O)m(EtOH) to (H2O)m(EtOH)n, characterized by a significant loss of blue coloration, while the latter signifies the transition from (H2O)m(EtOH)n to (H2O)(EtOH)n, as evidenced by alterations in the absorption intensity of the starch–I2 complex. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that the observed starch–I2 crystallization is governed by supramolecular E-Wc rather than individual ethanol or water molecules in the binary solution. By leveraging starch–I2 crystallization as a colorimetric bridge, we establish a direct correlation between E-Wc transitions and the iodine chromogenic effect. This approach enables the visual detection of transitions in colorless supramolecular assemblies, offering new insights into supramolecular science. Furthermore, as a simple, rapid, and visually interpretable detection method, this colorimetric probe holds promising applications in fields such as the food industry and supramolecular science.

The continuous reduction in near-surface wind speed (NSWS) before 2010, commonly referred to as ‘stilling’, has been widely observed across land areas in the Northern Hemisphere (NH), though its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we presented robust evidence linking the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO) to the stilling over China between 1970 and 2010. Positive AMO phases trigger warming across the NH high-latitudes, weakening the large-scale meridional temperature gradient, and eventually leading to the reduction in NSWS in mid-latitude regions. We confirmed this effect through the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 Decadal Climate Prediction Project and historical simulations, which consistently reproduce the AMO’s impact on NSWS change over China. Additionally, large-ensemble simulations suggest that excluding the contribution of AMO reduces the uncertainty in NSWS trends from 1976 to 2005 by 19%. Our findings underscore the critical footprint of natural internal variability, particularly the AMO, in modulating regional NSWS and highlights its important role in the broader climate system.

Bacillus sp. 7PJ-16, an endophytic bacterium isolated from a healthy mulberry stem and previously identified as Bacillus tequilensis 7PJ-16, exhibits strong antifungal activity and has the capacity to promote plant growth. This strain was studied for its effectiveness as a biocontrol agent to reduce mulberry fruit sclerotiniose in the field and as a growth-promoting agent for mulberry in the greenhouse. In field studies, the cell suspension and supernatant of strain 7PJ-16 exhibited biocontrol efficacy and the lowest disease incidence was reduced down to only 0.80%. In greenhouse experiments, the cell suspension (1.0 × 10⁶ and 1.0 × 10⁵ CFU/mL) and the cell-free supernatant (100-fold and 1000-fold dilution) stimulated mulberry seed germination and promoted mulberry seedling growth. In addition, to accurately identify the 7PJ-16 strain and further explore the mechanisms of its antifungal and growth-promoting properties, the complete genome of this strain was sequenced and annotated. The 7PJ-16 genome is comprised of two circular plasmids and a 4,209,045-bp circular chromosome, containing 4492 protein-coding genes and 116 RNA genes. This strain was ultimately designed as Bacillus subtilis based on core genome sequence analyses using a phylogenomic approach. In this genome, we identified a series of gene clusters that function in the synthesis of non-ribosomal peptides (surfactin, fengycin, bacillibactin, and bacilysin) as well as the ribosome-dependent synthesis of tasA and bacteriocins (subtilin, subtilosin A), which are responsible for the biosynthesis of numerous antimicrobial metabolites. Additionally, several genes with function that promote plant growth, such as indole-3-acetic acid biosynthesis, the production of volatile substances, and siderophores synthesis, were also identified. The information described in this study has established a good foundation for understanding the beneficial interactions between endophytes and host plants, and facilitates the further application of B. subtilis 7PJ-16 as an agricultural biofertilizer and biocontrol agent.

In this paper, we provide a phylogenetic overview of Basidiomycota and related phyla in relation to ten years of DNA based phylogenetic studies since the AFTOL publications in 2007. We selected 529 species to address phylogenetic relationships of higher-level taxa using a maximum-likelihood framework and sequence data from six genes traditionally used in fungal molecular systematics (nrLSU, nrSSU, 5.8S, tef1-α, rpb1 and rpb2). These species represent 18 classes, 62 orders, 183 families, and 392 genera from the phyla Basidiomycota (including the newly recognized subphylum Wallemiomycotina ) and Entorrhizomycota, and 13 species representing 13 classes of Ascomycota as outgroup taxa. We also conducted a molecular dating analysis based on these six genes for 116 species representing 17 classes and 54 orders of Basidiomycota and Entorrhizomycota . Finally we performed a phyloproteomics analysis from 109 Basidiomycota species and 6 outgroup taxa using amino-acid sequences retrieved from 396 orthologous genes. Recognition of higher taxa follows the criteria in Zhao et al (Fungal Divers 78:239–292, 2016 ): (i) taxa must be monophyletic and statistically well-supported in molecular dating analyses, (ii) their respective stem ages should be roughly equivalent, and (iii) stem ages of higher taxa must be older than those of lower level taxa. The time-tree indicates that the mean of stem ages of Basidiomycota and Entorrhizomycota are ca. 530 Ma; subphyla of Basidiomycota are 406–490 Ma; most classes are 358–393 Ma for those of Agaricomycotina and 245–356 Ma for those of Pucciniomycotina and Ustilaginomycotina ; most orders of those subphyla split 120–290 Ma. Monophyly of most higher-level taxa of Basidiomycota are generally supported, especially those taxa introduced in the recent ten years: phylum Entorrhizomycota , classes Malasseziomycetes , Moniliellomycetes , Spiculogloeomycetes , Tritirachiomycetes and orders Amylocorticiales , Golubeviales , Holtermanniales , Jaapiales , Lepidostromatales, Robbauerales , Stereopsidales and Trichosporonales . However, the younger divergence times of Leucosporidiales ( Microbotryomycetes ) indicate that its order status is not supported, thus we propose combining it under Microbotryales . On the other hand, the families Buckleyzymaceae and Sakaguchiaceae ( Cystobasidiomycetes ) are raised to Buckleyzymales and Sakaguchiales due to their older divergence times. Cystofilobasidiales ( Tremellomycetes ) has an older divergence time and should be amended to a higher rank. We however, do not introduce it as new class here for Cystofilobasidiales , as DNA sequences from these taxa are not from their respective types and thus await further studies. Divergence times for Exobasidiomycetes , Cantharellales , Gomphales and Hysterangiales were obtained based on limited species sequences in molecular dating study. More comprehensive phylogenetic studies on those four taxa are needed in the future because our ML analysis based on wider sampling, shows they are not monophyletic groups. In general, the six-gene phylogenies are in agreement with the phyloproteomics tree except for the placements of Wallemiomycotina, orders Amylocorticiales , Auriculariales, Cantharellales, Geastrales, Sebacinales and Trechisporales from Agaricomycetes. These conflicting placements in the six-gene phylogeny vs the phyloproteomics tree are discussed. This leads to future perspectives for assessing gene orthology and problems in deciphering taxon ranks using divergence times.

This study systematically documented macrofungal diversity in Beijing, China (field surveys conducted from 2020 to 2024) using line-transect and random sampling. A total of 1056 species were identified, spanning 2 phyla, 7 classes, 25 orders, 109 families, and 286 genera. The inventory includes 12 new species, 456 new records for Beijing, 79 new records for China, and comprises 116 edible, 56 edible–medicinal, 123 medicinal, and 58 poisonous species. Among these, 542 species were assessed against China’s Macrofungi Redlist, revealing eight species needing conservation attention (seven Near Threatened, one Vulnerable). Analysis revealed stark differences in dominant taxa between natural ecosystems (protected areas) and urban green spaces/parks. In natural areas, macrofungi are dominated by 31 families (e.g., Russulaceae, Cortinariaceae) and 47 genera (e.g., Russula, Cortinarius). Ectomycorrhizal lineages prevailed, highlighting their critical role in forest nutrient cycling, plant symbiosis, and ecosystem integrity. In urban areas, 10 families (e.g., Agaricaceae, Psathyrellaceae) and 17 genera (e.g., Leucocoprinus, Coprinellus) were dominant. Saprotrophic genera dominated, indicating their adaptation to decomposing organic matter in human-modified habitats and the provision of ecosystem services. The study demonstrates relatively high macrofungal diversity in Beijing. The distinct functional guild composition—ectomycorrhizal dominance in natural areas versus saprotrophic prevalence in urban zones—reveals complementary ecosystem functions and underscores the conservation value of protected habitats for maintaining vital mycorrhizal networks. These findings provide fundamental data and scientific support for regional biodiversity conservation and sustainable macrofungal resource development.

Background Trechispora (Hydnodontaceae) comprises a diverse group of wood- and soil-inhabiting fungi, primarily functioning as saprotrophs, with some species forming symbiotic associations with plants and animals. Despite the recognition of over 100 species worldwide, its diversity in Taiwan remains understudied. This study presents the first comprehensive taxonomic revision of Trechispora in Taiwan, integrating morphological and phylogenetic analyses based on sequence data from the nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS) region and the nuc 28S rDNA (28S). Results We describe four new species ( Trechispora acerosa , T. floralis , T. formosana , and T. orchidophila ) and report seven newly recorded species for Taiwan ( T. crystallina , T. dentata , T. latehypha , T. mollusca , T. odontioidea , T. subsinensis , and T. wenshanensis ). T. sinensis is synonymized under T. odontioidea . Morphological and phylogenetic analyses support their taxonomic placements, and an identification key to accepted Trechispora species in Taiwan is provided. Conclusion This study expands the known diversity of Trechispora in Taiwan to 17 species, highlighting their ecological significance and potential interactions with plants in Taiwan’s forest ecosystems.

Chinese quince (Chaenomeles sinensis) is used in food and pharmaceutical products, but it is seldom eaten as a raw fruit due to its astringent, woody flesh. The structural characterization of lignin fractions from Chinese quince was very important to investigate the structure-activity relationships of lignin. In this investigation, to characterize the structure of lignin in Chinese quince fruits, the milled wood lignin sample was isolated from the fruits (FMWL) and the chemical structure of FMWL was investigated by sugar analysis, FT-IR, GPC, pyrolysis-GC/MS analysis, UV spectra analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and advanced NMR spectroscopic techniques. In addition, the lignin fraction from the stalk of Chinese quince (SMWL) was also prepared for comparison to obtained more information of lignin structure in the fruits. The results showed that the two lignin fractions isolated from fruit and stalk of Chinese quince exhibited different structural features. The two MWL samples were mainly composed of β-O-4 ether bonds, β-5 and β-β′ carbon-carbon linkages in the lignin structural units. Compared to the SMWL, the FMWL fraction had the higher S/G ratio and more carbohydrates linkages. The predominant carbohydrates associated with FMWL and SMWL fractions were glucans-type hemicelluloses and xylan-type hemicelluloses, respectively. Understanding the structure of lignin could give insight into the properties of the lignin and enable the food processing industry to separate lignin more efficiently.

Hyperactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling has been reported in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the mechanisms underlying the hyperactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling are incompletely understood. In this study, Pantothenate kinase 1 (PANK1) is shown to be a negative regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Downregulation of PANK1 in HCC correlates with clinical features. Knockdown of PANK1 promotes the proliferation, growth and invasion of HCC cells, while overexpression of PANK1 inhibits the proliferation, growth, invasion and tumorigenicity of HCC cells. Mechanistically, PANK1 binds to CK1α, exerts protein kinase activity and cooperates with CK1α to phosphorylate N-terminal serine and threonine residues in β-catenin both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, the expression levels of PANK1 and β-catenin can be used to predict the prognosis of HCC. Collectively, the results of this study highlight the crucial roles of PANK1 protein kinase activity in inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling, suggesting that PANK1 is a potential therapeutic target for HCC.

Meruliaceae is one of the three major families of the phlebioid clade in the Polyporales that consists primarily of wood-decaying species. We undertook an in-depth survey on species diversity, generic delimitations, phylogeny, and divergence times within the Meruliaceae with an emphasis on specimens from East Asia. In total, 26 genera including two new genera, Meruliella and Porophlebia, are recognised; ten new species, viz. Crustodontia vietnamensis, Luteochaete odontoidea, Meruliella hainanensis, Merulius pinicola, Mycoacia beijingensis, Phlebiporia crystallifera, P. odontoidea, Pseudophlebia vesiculosa, Scopuloides ellipsoidea, and S. grandinioides are introduced; eleven new combinations, viz. Allophlebia formosana, Aurantiopileus albidus, A. semisupina, Meruliella lindtneri, Merulius croceum, M. leptospermi, M. serialis, Phlebicolorata austroasiana, Phlebiodontia caspica, P. fissurata and Porophlebia fimbriata, and one new name, Mycoacia neotuberculata, are proposed. Noblesia is placed as a synonymy of Merulius, whereas Ceriporiopsis and Lilaceophlebia are accepted as synonyms of Mycoacia. Descriptions and illustrations are provided for the new genera and species, and discussions are provided for all 26 genera and new taxa. The molecular clock analysis results show that the Meruliaceae emerged with a mean stem age of 186.71 Mya of the early Jurassic, and the genera diverged with a mean stem age between 44.29 to 169.46 Mya.