July 24, 2026
Image credit: Jerome Schröer, Lina Kenzler, Stefanie Kurth & Marc Spehr
07/24/2026
Research Article
How do learning processes related to reward exploitation and exploration interact with one another? Wen-Wei Lin, Ming-Tsung Tseng and co-workers show that sensitivity to punishment histories bias reward learning, increasing exploration and reducing reward maximization via dopaminergic mechanisms, with individual differences linked to loss aversion.
Image credit: pbio.3003922
Current Issue June 2026
07/24/2026
Research Article
Development requires precise temporal coordination of parallel cellular programs, such as molting and cell division in C. elegans larvae. Francisco Romero-Expósito, María Olmedo and co-workers reveal that reduced insulin signaling delays both processes, and that seam cell division is significantly slower as a desynchrony mechanism to realign development before the next molt.
Image credit: pbio.3003867
07/23/2026
Research Article
Toxin-antidote (TA) systems are found in several eukaryotic organisms, including caenorhabditid nematodes. Dongyao Liu, Chaogu Zheng describe an ancient TA system in C. elegans; the maternal toxin SEPT-1 induces a rod-like larval arrest phenotype in progeny that do not carry the antidote ZINA-1.
Image credit: pbio.3003563
07/20/2026
Research Article
How does the auditory cortex maintain noise-invariant sensory representations? This study in mice by Tomas Suarez Omedas and Ross Williamson identifies a functional division of labor between noise-dependent superficial neurons and preferentially noise-invariant deep-layer pathways.
Image credit: pbio.3003915
07/20/2026
Research Article
Reproductive organs from different species contain conserved features and cell types. This study of two Drosophila species, by Imtiyaz Hariyani, José Ranz and co-authors, shows that evolutionary divergence occurs asymmetrically; specific cell types in the testis are hotspots of rapid gene expression change, while ovary cell types remain more broadly conserved. Don't miss the accompanying Primer by Carina Mugal & Marie Sémon
Image credit: pbio.3003869
07/15/2026
Research Article
Peroxisomes detoxify metabolites and regulate lipid metabolism, but how is their protein import coordinated across brain cell types and circadian time in vivo? Anurag Das, John Vaughen, Hua Bai and co-workers reveal that circadian, glia-specific Pex5-dependent peroxisomal import controls sleep behavior and lipid metabolism.
Image credit: pbio.3003901
07/22/2026
Perspective
This Perspective argues that the next era of biological discovery is likely to emerge from AI-driven data reanalysis, but realizing its full potential will require standards, validation and responsible use.
Image credit: Sivan & Talia Abel
07/16/2026
Essay
Understanding how signals are exchanged across the cerebral cortex is a central challenge for theories of perception and cognition. This Essay proposes that several anatomical features of the claustrum suggest a role in signal integration.
Image credit: pbio.3003906
07/16/2026
Unsolved Mystery
G-quadruplexes are dynamic four-stranded DNA knots that may control genes, protect genomes, and drive disease, but when do they form, how do they work, and why do cells need them?
Image credit: pbio.3003874
07/06/2026
Essay
How do bacteria evolve resistance to antibiotics? This Essay argues that the evolution of antibiotic resistance is frequently catalyzed by the presence of ‘resistance potentiators’: genes, elements, or pathways that accelerate evolution in a trait-specific manner.
Image credit: pbio.3003852
Aging affects us all, but we still do not know how the process evolves or if we can modulate its pace. This issue of PLOS Biology presents a Collection of articles that explores different aspects of aging, discussing what challenges still need to be overcome.
This PLOS Biology collection aims to shine a light on the many facets of immunometabolism, highlighting how molecular and cellular mechanisms impact diverse tissue and organismal functions and the exciting potential for leveraging immunometabolism for therapeutic interventions.
Recent technological advancements in omics have unveiled the mechanisms governing tumor progression across spatial and temporal scales. This collection reveals the complexities of the crosstalk between cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment.
Neurotechnology offers unprecedented opportunities to treat neural disorders, restore brain function and enhance cognitive abilities. This collection explores the present and possible futures of neurotechnology to improve human health and cognition.
Translating conservation and biodiversity research from the field into the real world is a complex problem. This collection discusses issues around economics, policy, and how to do research that answers questions that decision makers have.
August 2 - 7
Meet Senior Editor Christian Schnell (cschnell@plos.org)
August 2 - 7
Meet Senior Editor Richard Hodge (rhodge@plos.org)
August 16 - 21
Meet Senior Editor Luke Smith (lsmith@plos.org)
August 17 - 19
Meet Associate Editor Taylor Hart (thart@plos.org)
September 14 - 15
Meet Editor in Chief Nonia Pariente (npariente@plos.org)
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