• share
• favorite_border

A recent study presents a practical approach to addressing both industrial waste and carbon emissions through material innovation. Researchers have developed a gas diffusion electrode (GDE) by repurposing waste proteins and heavy metals from industrial wastewater. These components are transformed into nickel single-atom catalysts (Ni SACs), which demonstrate high efficiency in converting carbon dioxide (CO₂) into carbon monoxide (CO). The electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (ECO₂RR) achieved a Faradaic efficiency of up to 96% and maintained stability under high current conditions. This approach not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also provides a resource-efficient use for industrial byproducts, supporting carbon neutrality and circular economy goals.

• share
• favorite_border

A sweeping new analysis unpacks the complex role of iron-based nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) in agriculture, revealing a delicate balance between benefit and risk. Synthesizing findings from 57 peer-reviewed studies, researchers examined how Fe-NPs influence plant growth and soil health, especially under polluted conditions. The results are striking: these particles can enhance plant biomass and limit pollutant absorption, offering new tools for remediation. Yet, at higher concentrations, they may hinder plant pigment production and disrupt soil microbiomes. As scientists race to unlock the potential of nanotechnology in farming, this study provides a critical roadmap for using Fe-NPs safely and effectively.

• share
• favorite_border

High-altitude forest soils host microscopic communities with outsized influence on ecosystem stability. A recent study unveiled how microbial sub-communities—generalists, intermediates, and specialists—respond to environmental changes along the towering Shergyla Mountain in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.

• share
• favorite_border

A research team has developed a sustainable method to extract antibacterial triterpenoids from the discarded husks of Carya cathayensis (Chinese hickory) using surfactant-assisted ultrasound techniques.

• share
• favorite_border

A research team has revealed how apple variety and growing environment shape the nutritional composition and flavor of apples cultivated in Shanxi Province, China.

• share
• favorite_border

The article conducts an in-depth analysis of the history, key indicators and difffculties of water ecological assessments in typical countries and organization around the world. It points out the significance of water ecological assessments , and provides future implications for advancing water ecological assessment practices.

• share
• favorite_border

This review introduced a novel concept for host-guest systems, named “controllable ultrahigh-affinity molecular recognition”. The systems provide as powerful supramolecular tools which combine ultrahigh binding affinity and stimulus-triggered guest release. This concept would provide a new sight for advancing host-guest systems in drug delivery, sensing and biotechnology.

• share
• favorite_border

Scientists from China have developed a breakthrough asynchronous optical computing accelerator based on wavelength encoding. This architecture overcomes synchronization challenges in conventional optical recurrent processors, significantly reducing both the energy consumption of electronic components and the complexity of optical layout design. The chip enables efficient computing for large-scale AI tasks, such as DNA analysis and speech recognition, while achieving high energy efficiency.

• share
• favorite_border

This review examines imaging-based nanophotonic biosensing and interferometric label-free imaging, with a particular focus on vesicle detection. It specifically compares dielectric and plasmonic metasurfaces for label-free protein and extracellular vesicle detection, highlighting their respective advantages and limitations.

• share
• favorite_border

Deep-penetration light-triggered pyroptosis based on nanomedicine for tumor precision therapy still remains challenging.

• share
• favorite_border

A research team has uncovered a promising solution to reduce the explosive potential of tert-butyl perbenzoate (TBPB), a widely used chemical initiator in polymerization processes.

• share
• favorite_border

In a recent study, researchers have uncovered the potential of medium-chain dicarboxylic acids (MCDAs)—specifically azelaic acid (AZA), succinic acid (SUA), and glutaric acid (GLA)—to replace sulphites in preserving fresh salmon. These naturally occurring acids, already known for their antimicrobial properties, could offer a safer and more effective way to combat the challenges of salmon preservation. Notably, AZA demonstrated impressive antibacterial activity, significantly extending the shelf life of salmon while maintaining its freshness during refrigerated storage.

• share
• favorite_border

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) progresses from seemingly benign preneoplastic lesions, but understanding the epigenetic triggers for this transition remains limited. A new study reveals lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) as a crucial player in OSCC initiation. The researchers show that inhibiting LSD1 in early-stage lesions, through either genetic knockout or pharmacological agents like SP2509, prevents tumor growth, restores immune function, and halts the progression of OSCC. This groundbreaking research highlights LSD1 inhibition as a potential therapeutic strategy for intercepting OSCC before it becomes invasive, offering new hope for early detection and intervention.

• share
• favorite_border

A new Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) grating modulator has been developed, offering significant advancements in optical efficiency and scalability for communication systems. By integrating a tunable sinusoidal grating with broadside-constrained continuous ribbons, a large-scale aperture of 30 × 30 mm is achieved and supports high-speed modulation up to 250 kHz.

• share
• favorite_border

A new wave of innovation is reshaping the landscape of flexible devices, driven by Digital Light Processing (DLP) 3D printing. This high-resolution, rapid prototyping technology is redefining how soft sensors, actuators, and energy devices are fabricated, unlocking performance and customization levels once thought impossible. By merging advanced materials like hydrogels, liquid metals, and sustainable elastomers, DLP printing enables intricate designs with enhanced sensitivity, stretchability, and functionality. As detailed in a new review published in Microsystems & Nanoengineering, researchers are showcasing how this approach overcomes traditional manufacturing hurdles and opens the door to a new era of human-machine interfaces, wearable healthcare systems, green electronics and energy devices.

• share
• favorite_border

In a leap forward for miniaturized electronics, researchers have unveiled a groundbreaking method to fabricate high-aspect-ratio 3D microstructures with sub-10 micron resolution—tackling one of the most persistent challenges in radio-frequency (RF) device engineering.

• share
• favorite_border

Tomatoes, like many crops, often face growth challenges under limited nitrogen and water conditions. A new study reveals that the diversity and complexity of rhizosphere bacterial communities play a crucial role in helping tomatoes absorb multiple essential nutrients under such stresses. Researchers introduced the concept of a Multinutrient Cycling Index (MNC) to quantify plant nutrient traits and found that higher microbial diversity and a robust core bacteriome significantly improved nutrient uptake. These findings suggest that manipulating rhizosphere microbiomes could be a sustainable strategy to enhance crop performance in fluctuating environments, supporting the development of resilient agricultural systems.

• share
• favorite_border

A recent study reveals how tea plants defend themselves against herbivores by activating specific genes. Researchers identified two leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases (LRR-RLKs), CsLRR-RLK44 and CsLRR-RLK239, which play a pivotal role in triggering defense responses. These genes enhance resistance by activating signaling pathways involving jasmonates, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MPKs), and WRKY transcription factors. The findings not only deepen our understanding of plant-herbivore interactions but also offer potential strategies to improve crop resilience in woody plants, which have been understudied compared to grasses. This discovery could lead to sustainable pest control methods, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides.

• share
• favorite_border

A new study explores the genetic mechanisms behind root development and salt tolerance in Bok choy, a widely grown vegetable known for its shallow roots. Researchers identified a key regulatory module involving BcWRKY33A, BcLRP1, and BcCOW1 that promotes root elongation and stabilizes root hair development under salt stress. The findings reveal how plants adapt to salinity by enhancing root system performance, which could inform strategies for developing more resilient crops in challenging environmental conditions.

• share
• favorite_border

A recent study reveals how grapevine cells adapt to sugar starvation by reprogramming their DNA methylation and gene expression. Under carbon-deficient conditions, these cells undergo significant metabolic shifts, slowing growth while activating survival mechanisms like autophagy and photosynthesis. The research highlights the critical role of epigenetic changes, particularly increased DNA methylation at transposable elements, in helping cells cope with energy stress. These findings deepen our understanding of plant resilience and could inform strategies to improve crop tolerance to environmental stresses, such as drought or nutrient scarcity.