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Disease and bleaching drive divergent net carbonate production across Caribbean reef systems

Álvarez-Filip et al. estimate changes in reef carbonate budgets across two biogeographical regions in the Western Atlantic and demonstrate that the 2023 heatwave, combined with a lethal disease outbreak, have pushed over 70% of Caribbean reefs into net-erosional states, while reefs in the Gulf of Mexico have maintained positive budgets.

📷 Graphical abstract © Álvarez-Filip et al.

To find out more, check out the link in our bio and here: https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(26)00452-5

Symbiotic fungi underlie the regeneration potential of island rainforests

Cornwallis et al. map mycorrhizal fungi on Palmyra Atoll, a key seabird nesting site dominated by Pisonia grandis trees. Pisonia roots, including aerial roots, are obligately associated with Tomentella fungi. The atoll also harbors globally rare fungal species, and fungal diversity is higher in areas with active crab burrowing.

📷 Graphical abstract © Cornwallis et al.

To find out more check out this open access article linked in our bio and here: https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(26)00435-5

Thermal adaptation and the potential anticipation of overnight weather in the nesting decisions of chimpanzees

Al-Razi et al. show that chimpanzees adjust nest construction in relation to thermal conditions, with nesting decisions aligning more closely with overnight weather than with conditions at the time of construction, suggesting that nest building may integrate environmental cues linked to subsequent night-time conditions.

📷 Graphical abstract © Al-Razi et al.

To find out more check out this open access article linked in our bio and here: https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(26)00440-9

Our newest issue is now out!

On the cover: A boring giant clam, Tridacna crocea, reared at a stock enhancement facility on Miyako Island, Okinawa, Japan. Giant clams are iconic “solar-powered” animals that rely on photosynthetic products from their extracellular algal symbionts. In this issue, Uchida et al. present a chromosome-scale genome and transcriptomic analyses of T. crocea, identifying host genes potentially involved in photosymbiosis. Their findings suggest that giant clams share some nutrient exchange strategies with corals, such as sterol transport mediated by NPC2, while also revealing a distinct feature: the presence of a “plant-like” nitrate transporter (NRT2) that may supply nitrogen to symbionts. These results highlight both conserved and unique molecular mechanisms underlying photosymbiosis in reef-dwelling invertebrates and provide new insights into the evolution and ecological resilience of coral reef ecosystems. Image by Taiga Uchida.

Link here and in Instagram bio: https://www.cell.com/current-biology/current

Read the cover article here: https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(26)00395-7

Trophic cascades drive sustainability in the agricultural heritage rice-fish coculture system

Wan et al. reveal that rice-fish coculture enhances invertebrate natural enemies (i.e., predators and parasitoids), suppresses pests (i.e., invertebrate herbivores, diseases, and weeds), and boosts rice yields, validating its role as a sustainable agricultural system that harnesses biodiversity for ecological intensification and natural pest regulation.

📷 Graphical abstract © Wan et al.

To find out more, check out the link in our bio and here: https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(26)00366-0

Microtubule organization and molecular architecture of ciliary basal bodies in multiciliated airway cells

van Grinsven et al. use expansion microscopy and computational averaging to map the 3D microtubule network and basal body architecture of airway multiciliated cells. They identify components of the basal foot, which serves as the microtubule-organizing center, and reveal a key role for the γ-TuRC adaptor NEDD1 in this structure.

📷 Graphical abstract © van Grinsven et al.

📹 3D render of a secretory cell stained for tyrosinated tubulin.

To find out more check out this open access article linked in our bio and here: https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(26)00384-2

Microtubule organization and molecular architecture of ciliary basal bodies in multiciliated airway cells

van Grinsven et al. use expansion microscopy and computational averaging to map the 3D microtubule network and basal body architecture of airway multiciliated cells. They identify components of the basal foot, which serves as the microtubule-organizing center, and reveal a key role for the γ-TuRC adaptor NEDD1 in this structure.

📷 Graphical abstract © van Grinsven et al.

📹 3D render of a secretory cell stained for tyrosinated tubulin.

To find out more check out this open access article linked in our bio and here: https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(26)00384-2

Songbird connectome reveals tunneling of migratory neurons in the adult striatum

Shvedov et al. use electron microscopy-based connectomics to characterize migrating immature neurons in the adult songbird striatum. These new neurons make extensive contacts with mature neurons and appear to physically deform surrounding axons, dendrites, and cell bodies, suggesting that neuron migration may physically reshape established circuitry in the adult brain.

📹 Video abstract © Shvedov et al.

To find out more, check out the link in our bio and here: https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(26)00377-5

Cognitive ethology of nest building in a shell-dwelling cichlid

Grätsch et al. examine nest-building behavior in the shell-dwelling cichlid Lamprologus ocellatus. Nest building follows a stereotyped sequence of innate behavioral motifs that improve with experience. Fish adapt their behavior to manipulations of shell shape and nest state. Neurons in the dorsolateral telencephalon (hippocampus homolog) are active during nest building.

📹 Video abstract © Grätsch et al.

To find out more check out this open access article linked in our bio and here: https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(26)00324-6

Rapid growth in a Neandertal infant from Amud Cave in Israel

Been et al. present Amud 7, the most complete Neanderthal infant skeleton aged 6–14 months. The skeleton shows Neanderthal features in both cranial and postcranial remains with signs of unusually rapid somatic growth, suggesting Neanderthals followed a distinct developmental trajectory in early life, different from that of H. sapiens.

📷 Graphical abstract © Been et al.

To find out more, check out the link in our bio and here: https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(26)00374-X

Check out our newest issue where we interview Linda Wordeman, who studies microtubule dynamics and cell division at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

Read the interview to find out more about who Linda’s key early influences were, her favourite scientific book, and what she thinks are the next big questions to be answered in cell biology!

To read the Q&A, check out the link in our bio and here: https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(26)00427-6

The environmental impacts of deep-sea mining

Adrian Glover and colleagues review evidence for impacts of the three types of deep-sea mining — nodules, hydrothermal vents and seamounts — on marine life and assess the potential for biodiversity loss and ecosystem disruption.

📷 Summary schematic of the main environmental impacts of deep-sea polymetallic nodule mining, in the context of the broader regional abyssal region and areas set aside for marine protection under current regulatory guidelines © Julie Sung, CellPress, and Eva Stewart, Natural History Museum.

To find out more check out this open access review linked in our bio and here: https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(26)00303-9

Have you ever wanted to learn more about Soybean?

In our recent issue, Duan et al. discuss the history of soybean domestication, global dispersal and adaptation, and key challenges for improving future soybean production.

📷 Figure showing the diversity of soybean products. (A) Soybean protein powder; (B) soybean oil; (C) soybean milk; (D) soybean sauce; (E) tofu; (F) tofu pudding; (G) stinky tofu; (H) fermented soybean curd; (I) spiced dried tofu; (J) fried tofu puff; (K) dried tofu skin; (L) tofu sheets; (M) mock chicken (made of tofu); (N) fermented black soybeans (douchi); (O) soybean paste; (P) edamame; (Q) soybean sprouts; (R) miso; (S) natto; (T) tempeh

Learn more here: https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(26)00328-3