As we come to the end of the year, we’re pleased to share a new set of highlights from the Mathematics, Physical and Applied Sciences Communities. The final quarter of 2025 brings together a rich mix of Behind the Paper stories that span scales and disciplines, from the molecular choreography of photosynthesis and viral infection in the oceans to the inner structure of artificial neural networks and new ways of imaging life in liquid at the nanoscale. These posts offer a window into both cutting-edge research and the personal journeys behind it, revealing how curiosity, persistence, and collaboration drive scientific discovery.
When Light Becomes Both Friend and Foe in Photosynthesis
@Vangelis Daskalakis explores how marine diatoms solve one of nature’s most delicate balancing acts: harnessing sunlight for energy while protecting themselves from light-induced damage. Using molecular dynamics simulations, cryo-EM structures, and machine learning, the study published in Communications Chemistry reveals that diatom light-harvesting proteins are not static structures but “shape-shifting” systems that can switch between efficient energy capture and safe energy dissipation as heat. Discover more in this Behind the Paper post.
How Network Structure Shapes Learning in Artificial Intelligence
This Behind the Paper post by @Haoling Zhang and his team documents a 1,805-day investigation into why some artificial neural networks learn more reliably than others. Moving beyond the prevailing focus on scale, the study uncovers how specific network motifs influence learning dynamics, shaping both performance and resistance to noise.
Alongside the scientific insights, the narrative offers a candid behind-the-scenes account of the research process itself, from early surprises and stalled progress to the role of editors and reviewers in sharpening the work’s real-world relevance. The post highlights how attention to structure, patience, and collaboration can redefine how we think about building intelligent systems. Further details are shared in this Behind the Paper post.
When “Green” Plastics Meet the Ocean
@Cinzia Corinaldesi takes readers behind the scenes of her research, tracing how a simple question about “biodegradable” plastics led to a deeper investigation of their behaviour in the ocean. The study focuses on polylactic acid (PLA), a widely used bioplastic, and examines its fate in controlled marine environments.
Rather than breaking down harmlessly, PLA is rapidly colonised by marine microbes. The findings show that its presence reshapes microbial and viral communities, increasing viral replication and altering organic matter cycling - effects that become even more pronounced under heatwave-like conditions.
Published in Communications Earth & Environment, the work challenges assumptions about the environmental safety of bioplastics and highlights the importance of testing so-called green materials under realistic ocean conditions. Explore the research journey in this Behind the Paper post.
Imaging Life in Liquid: A New Route to 3D Nanoscale Electron Microscopy
@Louis-Marie Lebas shares how his team tackled one of electron microscopy’s toughest challenges: imaging hydrated samples in 3D without destroying them. Published in Communications Engineering, the work introduces environmental liquid-phase electron tomography, a method that allows near-nanometer 3D reconstruction of samples in liquid while carefully controlling electron dose to preserve delicate structures.
By combining custom-built hardware with automated alignment algorithms and fast, low-dose acquisition, the approach makes it possible to follow sensitive materials, from aluminum hydroxide hydrogels to living magnetotactic bacteria in near-native conditions.
Discover in this Behind the Paper post how the study opens new possibilities for imaging soft and biological matter at the nanoscale, where water, structure, and dynamics all play a critical role.
When Viruses Rewrite Photosynthesis
In this Behind the Paper story, @Omer Nadel takes us inside a long-standing mystery in marine virology: how cyanophages repurpose host genes during infection. Published in Nature, the study reveals that many marine cyanophages carry nblA, an auxiliary metabolic gene originally used by cyanobacteria to dismantle their light-harvesting antennas under stress. By developing new tools to genetically engineer marine cyanophages, the team was finally able to test what viral NblA actually does inside an infected cell.
The results show a striking viral strategy: while cyanophages preserve core photosynthetic energy production, they simultaneously deploy NblA to rapidly break down phycobilisomes, freeing amino acids to fuel virion production and speeding up infection. Combining phage genetics, N-terminal proteomics, and metagenomics, the work uncovers how a single viral gene can reshape host metabolism and potentially influence ocean-scale photosynthesis. Read the full story in this Behind the Paper post.
Looking for more? Explore our monthly round-ups and quarterly highlights from across disciplines:
We hope this roundup has sparked your curiosity and given you fresh insight into the diverse research unfolding across our Mathematics, Physical and Applied Sciences Communities.
Whether you’re delving into new ideas or sharing your own research story, the Research Communities offer a space to connect, reflect, and engage with researchers around the world. Join the conversation, explore the posts, and be part of the ongoing exchange shaping these fields.