《自然》（20260115出版）一周论文导读

 

编译|冯维维

Nature, 15 January 2026,Volume 649 Issue 8097

《自然》，2026年1月15日，第649卷，8097期

物理学Physics

Little red dots as young supermassive black holes in dense ionized cocoons

神秘“小红点”可能是黑洞

▲ 作者：V. Rusakov, D. Watson, G. P. Nikopoulos, G. Brammer, R. Gottumukkala, T. Harvey, K. E. Heintz, R. Damgaard, S. A. Sim, A. Sneppen, A. P. Vijayan, N. Adams, D. Austin, C. J. Conselice, C. M. Goolsby, S. Toft & J. Witstok 

▲链接：

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09900-4

▲摘要：

英国科学家发表了对詹姆斯·韦布太空望远镜数据的一项分析，认为遥远星系里一群被称为“小红点”的神秘天体，可能是被中性气体和电子云遮盖的年轻超大质量黑洞。这一发现揭示了此前未知的早期宇宙中黑洞的发展阶段。

天文学家一直在争论韦布望远镜早期实验中发现的一组“小红点”的身份。这些红点被认为是超大质量黑洞或者恒星形成的迹象，但其行为不完全符合二者特征。

曼彻斯特大学的Vadim Rusakov和同事分析了12个单独研究的星系的数据，结合其他18个星系的数据，来更好地理解“小红点”随时间的变化规律。

通过研究这些星系中心的发射光谱，他们发现这些光谱源于光子在围绕黑洞的星系中心致密气体云中与电子散射产生的现象。作者计算出这些黑洞的体积可能比此前估计的小100倍。他们还认为，这些较小的黑洞被高密度气体茧包裹，该结构可能是其辐射的主要来源。

研究者认为，这些黑洞处在发展早期阶段，它们被高密度物质包围，阻隔了X射线和无线电波，光线被重塑成特定的模式。某些细节（如X射线为何如此微弱）仍需进一步研究。未来的观察将致力于探索这一“茧期”是否普遍存在，以及它将如何影响黑洞和星系的发展。

▲ Abstract：

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has uncovered many compact galaxies at high redshift with broad hydrogen and helium lines, including the enigmatic population of little red dots (LRDs). The nature of these galaxies is debated and is attributed to supermassive black holes (SMBHs) or intense star formation5. They exhibit unusual properties for SMBHs, such as black holes that are overmassive for their host galaxies4 and extremely weak X-ray and radio emission. Here we show that in most objects studied with the highest-quality JWST spectra, the lines are broadened by electron scattering with a narrow intrinsic core. The data require very high electron column densities and compact sizes (light days), which, when coupled with their high luminosities, can be explained only by SMBH accretion. The narrow intrinsic line cores imply black hole masses of 105?7M⊙, two orders of magnitude lower than previous estimates. These are the lowest mass black holes known at high redshift, to our knowledge, and suggest a population of young SMBHs. They are enshrouded in a dense cocoon of ionized gas producing broad lines from which they are accreting close to the Eddington limit, with very mild neutral outflows. Reprocessed nebular emission from this cocoon dominates the optical spectrum, explaining most LRD spectral characteristics, including the weak radio and X-ray emission.

宇宙演化早期科学观测计划图  图源：CEERS

Coherent nonlinear X-ray four-photon interaction with core-shell electrons

基于芯—壳电子的相干非线性X射线四光子相互作用

▲ 作者：Ana Sofia Morillo-Candas, Sven Augustin, Eduard Prat, Antoine Sarracini, Jonas Knurr, Serhane Zerdane, Zhibin Sun, Ningchen Yang, Marc Rebholz, Hankai Zhang, Yunpei Deng, Xinhua Xie, Elnaz Zyaee, David Rohrbach, Andrea Cannizzo, Andre Al-Haddad, Kirsten Schnorr, Christian Ott, Thomas Feurer, Christoph Bostedt, Thomas Pfeifer & Gregor Knopp 

▲链接：

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09911-1

▲摘要：

相干非线性X射线光与物质的相互作用为超快光谱学开启了一个新领域，使得原子级空间分辨率与飞秒至阿秒级时间分辨率得以结合。研究者利用自由电子激光产生的宽带单X射线脉冲，演示了与芯壳电子的相干、无背景四光子相互作用。

在气态氖中测量的全X射线四波混频信号，源自包含拉曼跃迁的双共振非线性过程，其中包括X射线相干反斯托克斯电子拉曼散射。所获得的二维光谱映射（入射光子/出射光子）标志着向原子尺度多维关联光谱学迈进了一步。

通过采用多色延时X射线脉冲方案，研究者进一步证明了将所提方法扩展到超快时间域的可行性。这些结果揭示了该方法在研究从生物分子到关联量子材料等多种体系中局域电子动力学的潜力，其应用可涵盖能量转换、生物医学成像和量子信息技术等领域。

▲ Abstract：

Coherent nonlinear light–matter interaction with X-rays gives access to a regime in ultrafast spectroscopy in which atomic resolution meets femtosecond and attosecond timescales.Here we demonstrate coherent, background-free four-photon interactions with core-shell electrons using single broadband X-ray pulses from a free-electron laser. The all-X-ray four-wave mixing signals, measured in gaseous neon, arise from doubly resonant nonlinear processes involving Raman transitions6, including X-ray coherent anti-Stokes electronic Raman scattering. The 2D spectral maps (photon-in/photon-out) represent a step towards multidimensional correlation spectroscopy at the atomic scale. Using a multicolour time-delayed X-ray pulse scheme, we further demonstrate the feasibility of extending the proposed methodology to the ultrafast time domain. These results reveal potential for studying localized electron dynamics in multiple systems, from biomolecules to correlated quantum materials, with applications in areas such as energy conversion, biomedical imaging and quantum information technologies.

Exciplex-enabled high-efficiency, fully stretchable OLEDs

基于激基复合物的高效率全拉伸型OLED

▲ 作者：Huanyu Zhou, Hyun-Wook Kim, Shin Jung Han, Danzhen Zhang, Woo Jin Jeong, Haomiao Yu, Youichi Tsuchiya, Bin Hu, June Huh, Teng Zhang, Seungyeon Cho, Joo Sung Kim, Dong-Hyeok Kim, Hyung Joong Yun, Jinwoo Park, Kyung Yeon Jang, Eojin Yoon, Amit Kumar Harit, Min-Jun Sung, Yooseong Ahn, Hao Chen, Qingsen Zeng, Chan-Yul Park, Kwan-Nyeong Kim, Tae-Woo Lee, etc.

▲链接：

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09904-0

▲摘要：

全拉伸型有机发光二极管（OLED）完全由本征可拉伸材料构成，是用于皮肤表面显示器的关键元件。然而，其器件效率低下一直是十余年来阻碍实际应用的持久瓶颈。

研究者通过引入一种本征可拉伸的激基复合物辅助磷光层应对了这一挑战。其弹性体耐受的三重态循环机制缓解了由绝缘弹性体基质引起的激子能量转移限制，从而制备出发光层拉伸率超过200%、外量子效率达21.7%的材料。

为将这一性能转化为全拉伸型器件，研究者集成了MXene接触式可拉伸电极，该电极具有高机械鲁棒性和可调控的功函数，确保了高效的空穴和电子注入。这些进展使得全拉伸型OLED实现了17.0%的创纪录外量子效率，并在60%应变下仅有极小的发光损失。这种高效率、机械适应性强的光电器件设计方法将推动下一代可穿戴与可变形显示器的发展。

▲ Abstract：

Fully stretchable organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), composed entirely of intrinsically stretchable materials, are essential for on-skin displays. However, their low device efficiency has been a persistent barrier to practical applications for more than a decade. Here we addressed this challenge by incorporating an intrinsically stretchable exciplex-assisted phosphorescent (ExciPh) layer. The elastomer-tolerant triplet-recycling mechanism mitigates exciton energy transfer limitations arising from the insulating elastomer matrix, yielding a light-emitting layer with more than 200% stretchability and an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 21.7%. To translate this performance to fully stretchable devices, we integrated MXene-contact stretchable electrodes (MCSEs), which feature high mechanical robustness and tunable work function (WF), ensuring efficient hole and electron injection. These advances enable fully stretchable OLEDs with a record EQE of 17.0% and minimal luminescence loss under 60% strain. This approach to designing high-efficiency, mechanically compliant optoelectronics will enable the next-generation wearable and deformable displays.

An electrically injected solid-state surface acoustic wave phonon laser

电注入固态表面声波声子激光器

▲ 作者：Alexander Wendt, Matthew J. Storey, Michael Miller, Dalton Anderson, Eric Chatterjee, William Horrocks, Brandon Smith, Ping-Show Wong, Shawn Arterburn, Thomas A. Friedmann, Lisa Hackett & Matt Eichenfield 

▲链接：

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09950-8

▲摘要：

表面声波（SAW）技术广泛应用于射频滤波器、化学与生物传感器、声光器件、芯片实验室系统中的微流体声学控制以及量子声子学等领域。虽然目前有多种产生SAW的方法，但各自存在固有局限性，制约了其性能、高频运行能力以及在尺寸、重量和功耗受限系统中的使用。

研究提出了一种全固态、单芯片SAW声子激光器，该器件由铌酸锂SAW谐振腔和内部直流电注入的宽带半导体增益介质构成，占地面积小于0.15平方毫米。在36V阈值偏压以下，器件表现为谐振放大器；超过该阈值则呈现自持相干振荡、线宽压缩和高输出功率特性。该器件在1GHz频率下产生高达-6.1dBm的连续片上声波输出功率，分辨率极限线宽小于77Hz，在1kHz偏移处的载波相位噪声为-57dBc Hz-1。

通过详细建模，研究者指出了提升此类器件性能的路径，包括实现毫赫兹级线宽、高功率效率，以及在10GHz频率下将占地面积缩小至550平方微米以下。这一成果为片上超高频率SAW源和无需外接射频源的高度微型化SAW系统开辟了道路。

▲ Abstract：

Surface acoustic waves (SAWs) enable a wide array of technologies, including radiofrequency filters, chemical and biological sensors, acousto-optic devices, acoustic control of microfluidic flow in lab-on-a-chip systems and quantum phononics. Although numerous methods exist for generating SAWs, they each have intrinsic limitations that inhibit performance, operation at high frequencies and use in systems constrained in size, weight and power. Here we present a completely solid-state, single-chip SAW phonon laser consisting of a lithium niobate SAW resonator with an internal, d.c. electrically injected and broadband semiconductor gain medium with <0.15?mm2 footprint. Below the threshold bias of 36?V, the device behaves as a resonant amplifier, and above it exhibits self-sustained coherent oscillation, linewidth narrowing and high output powers. A continuous on-chip acoustic output power of up to ?6.1?dBm is generated at 1?GHz with a resolution-limited linewidth of <77?Hz and a carrier phase noise of ?57?dBc?Hz?1 at 1?kHz offset. Through detailed modelling, we show pathways for improving the performance of these devices, including mHz linewidths, high power efficiencies and footprints under 550?μm2 at 10?GHz. This demonstration paves the way for ultrahigh-frequency SAW sources on-chip and highly miniaturized SAW-based systems that can be operated without an external radiofrequency source.

生命科学Life Science

Albumin orchestrates a natural host defence mechanism against mucormycosis

白蛋白调控宿主防御毛霉病的天然机制

▲ 作者：Antonis Pikoulas, Ioannis Morianos, Vassilis Nidris, Rania Hamdy, Evangelia Intze, ángeles López-López, Maria Moran-Garrido, Valliappan Muthu, Maria Halabalaki, Varvara Papaioanou, Maria Papadovasilaki, Irene Kyrmizi, Yiyou Gu, Sandra Camunas-Alberca, Robina Aerts, Toine Mercier, Yuri Vanbiervliet, Sung-Yeon Cho, Amy Spallone, Ying Jiang, Dimitrios Samonakis, Efstathios Kastritis, Carlos Lax, Maria Tzardi, Georgios Chamilos 

▲链接：

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09882-3

▲摘要：

毛霉病是一种由毛霉菌目真菌引起的、危及生命的新发人类感染。代谢紊乱通过尚未明确的机制，使日益扩大的患者群体特别易感毛霉病，提示尚未明确的宿主代谢效应因子可能赋予针对该感染的保护性免疫。研究者揭示了白蛋白通过调控真菌致病性，在宿主防御毛霉病中发挥关键调节作用。

他们初步研究发现，在三个不同的毛霉病患者队列中，严重低白蛋白血症是突出的代谢异常指标，也是毛霉病预后不良的独立生物标志物。

值得注意的是，纯化的白蛋白能在一系列病原体中选择性抑制毛霉菌生长，而白蛋白缺陷小鼠表现出对毛霉病的特异性易感性。白蛋白的抗真菌活性通过释放其结合的自由脂肪酸（FFAs）介导。白蛋白可防止FFAs氧化（否则会使其丧失抗真菌特性），且毛霉病患者血清中氧化FFAs水平较高。

在生理条件下，白蛋白结合的FFAs通过抑制蛋白质合成来抑制关键毒力因子表达，从而使毛霉菌在体内无毒力。整体来说，研究者发现了一种宿主防御机制：该机制引导病原体响应白蛋白调控的不利代谢信号，从而抑制其毒力程序。这些发现对毛霉病的发病机制与临床管理具有重要启示。

▲ Abstract：

Mucormycosis is an emerging, life-threatening human infection caused by Mucorales fungi1,2,3. Metabolic disorders uniquely predispose an ever-expanding group of patients to mucormycosis through poorly understood mechanisms1,2,4,5, suggesting that uncharacterized host metabolic effectors may confer protective immunity against this infection. Here we uncover a master regulatory role of albumin in host defence against Mucorales through the modulation of fungal pathogenicity. Our initial studies identified severe hypoalb uminaemia as a prominent metabolic abnormality and an independent biomarker of poor mucormycosis outcome across three distinct cohorts of patients with mucormycosis. Notably, purified albumin selectively inhibits Mucorales growth among a range of pathogens, and albumin-deficient mice display susceptibility specifically to mucormycosis. The antifungal activity of albumin is mediated by the release of bound free fatty acids (FFAs). Albumin prevents FFA oxidation, which otherwise abolishes their antifungal properties, and sera from patients with mucormycosis display high levels of oxidized FFAs. Physiologically, albumin-bound FFAs suppress the expression of key virulence factors by inhibiting protein synthesis, the reby rendering Mucorales avirulent in vivo. Overall, we identify a host defence mechanism that directs the pathogen to suppress its pathogenicity program in response to unfavourable metabolic cues regulated by albumin. These findings have major implications for the pathogenesis and management of mucormycosis.

An integrated view of the structure and function of the human 4D nucleome

人类4D核组结构与功能的整合视图

▲ 作者：Job Dekker, Betul Akgol Oksuz, Yang Zhang, Ye Wang, Miriam K. Minsk, Shuzhen Kuang, Liyan Yang, Johan H. Gibcus, Nils Krietenstein, Oliver J. Rando, Jie Xu, Derek H. Janssens, Steven Henikoff, Alexander Kukalev, Willemin Andréa, Warren Winick-Ng, Rieke Kempfer, Ana Pombo, Miao Yu, Pradeep Kumar, Liguo Zhang, Andrew S. Belmont, Takayo Sasaki, Tom van Schaik, Feng Yue

▲链接：

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09890-3

▲摘要：

人类基因组的动态三维（3D）组织结构（即4D核组）与基因组功能密切相关。研究者报道了4D核组计划在常用H1人胚胎干细胞和永生化成纤维细胞（HFFc6）中对4D核组进行测绘与分析的研究成果。

他们生成并整合了4D核组的多样化基因组数据集，每种数据均提供了独特的观测信息，能够建立每种细胞类型超过14万个染色质环互作目录，对染色体结构域类型及其核内位置进行详细分类与注释，并获取所有基因及其与远端元件长程互作的单细胞3D核环境模型。

通过广泛的基准测试，研究者描述了不同基因组检测方法在研究4D核组中的独特优势，为未来研究提供了指导原则。基于群体和单细胞差异的基因组结构三维模型揭示了染色体折叠、核内空间组织、染色质环化、基因转录和DNA复制之间的关联。

他们展示了利用计算方法从DNA序列预测基因组折叠的应用，这将有助于发现遗传变异（包括疾病相关变异）对基因组结构与功能的潜在影响。

▲ Abstract：

The dynamic three-dimensional (3D) organization of the human genome (the 4D nucleome) is linked to genome function. Here we describe efforts by the 4D Nucleome Project1 to map and analyse the 4D nucleome in widely used H1 human embryonic stem cells and immortalized fibroblasts (HFFc6). We produced and integrated diverse genomic datasets of the 4D nucleome, each contributing unique observations, which enabled us to assemble extensive catalogues of more than 140,000 looping interactions per cell type, to generate detailed classifications and annotations of chromosomal domain types and their subnuclear positions, and to obtain single-cell 3D models of the nuclear environment of all genes including their long-range interactions with distal elements. Through extensive benchmarking, we describe the unique strengths of different genomic assays for studying the 4D nucleome, providing guidelines for future studies. Three-dimensional models of population-based and individual cell-to-cell variation in genome structure showed connections between chromosome folding, nuclear organization, chromatin looping, gene transcription and DNA replication. Finally, we demonstrate the use of computational methods to predict genome folding from DNA sequence, which will facilitate the discovery of potential effects of genetic variants, including variants associated with disease, on genome structure and function.