Researchers have discovered a new substance that can form during the oriented attachment (OA) process of crystal growth, which may deepen our understanding of crystal formation mechanisms. The discovery was made using state-of-the-art experimental methods and theoretical calculations.
Researchers create a surface acidity- and selectivity-tunable manganese oxide catalyst using enolic acetylacetones. The stable modification of acetylacetones influences the redox-acid cooperative catalysis of MnOx, enabling control over oxidation selectivities.
Researchers summarize the latest progress in low-temperature methane conversion using thermocatalytic, electrocatalytic, and photocatalytic systems. The study highlights the importance of coupling multiple driving forces to activate methane and introduces catalyst design viewpoints for future technology development.
A new method called plainification aims to enhance material properties by creating stable interfaces between grains at different scales, using fewer or no alloying elements. This approach could lower material costs, increase resource independence, and boost recyclability, paving the way for more sustainable materials development.
Researchers developed a thermoelectric module based on liquid-like materials, achieving a record-high energy conversion efficiency of 9.1%. The Cu2Se/Yb0.3Co4Sb12 TE module showed excellent service stability when the ratio of cross-sectional areas between p- and n-legs was higher than four.
Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences uncovered the structural and functional mechanism of SigI/RsgI factors, a new class of σ/anti-σ factors responsible for regulating cellulosomes in Clostridia and Bacilli. The study reveals a unique complex structure and critical recognition specificity among different pairs of proteins.
A new surface tension-controlled crystallization method has been developed to prepare large 2D perovskite single crystals, achieving exceptional device performance. The crystals exhibit anisotropy-dependent optoelectronic properties, with high responsivity and external quantum efficiency.
The Chang'E 4 mission has collected new evidence from the largest crater in the solar system, shedding light on the moon's composition and evolution. The findings suggest that the lunar mantle may consist of equal parts olivine and pyroxene, contradicting previous theories.
Researchers create high-performance organic phototransistors using a novel hybrid-layered architecture that combines charge-trapping effect and efficient carrier transport, enabling enhanced photodetection performance. The devices show excellent flexibility and reliability in photosensitive imaging systems.
Scientists have discovered a 99-million-year-old piece of amber containing diverse coastal organisms, including sea snails, slaters, and terrestrial creatures like mites and spiders. The finding sheds light on the unique preservation process that trapped these animals in the amber.
Researchers developed a new class of single-atom nanozymes with intrinsic enzyme-like active sites, overcoming conventional nanozyme drawbacks. The discovery provides a new perspective on catalytic mechanism and rational design of nanozymes.
A new species of Jurassic scansoriopterygid dinosaur with associated feathers and membranous tissues has been discovered, providing new insights into the origin of flight in Dinosauria. The well-preserved skeleton of Ambopteryx longibrachium preserves a unique wing structure supported by a rod-like wrist bone.
The study provides new insights into the functional role of the PPC in decision-making, showing that it plays an essential role in making judgments about unknown sensory stimuli. The researchers used a novel behavioral technique and precise manipulation of neuronal activity to demonstrate the causal role of the PPC during decision-making.
A recent study published in Nature confirms that Denisovans lived on the Tibetan Plateau during the Middle Pleistocene era. The discovery of a 160,000-year-old human mandible found in Xiahe, China, provides evidence of an early human presence on the plateau, predating modern humans.
A joint China-UK-Russia research team found that oxygen levels played a fundamental role in the Cambrian Explosion of animals. The study analyzed ancient seawater chemistry and determined that evolutionary radiations followed a 'boom and bust' pattern in tandem with oxygen levels.
A Middle Pleistocene human skull found in southeastern China exhibits morphological similarities to other East Asian archaic human remains but also foreshadows later modern human forms. The discovery provides evidence for regional continuity in human evolution during the region's Pleistocene era.
Researchers found indica rice varieties had more bacteria associated with nitrogen metabolism, leading to higher nitrogen-use efficiency. The study established a model using random-forest machine-learning approach and identified NRT1.1B as key factor in root microbiota composition.
Researchers have developed a new catalyst for oxygen evolution, achieving higher catalytic activity and lower overpotential than traditional methods. The study shows that precise control of dual doping sites can lead to enhanced electrocatalysis.
A team of scientists discovered a star with unusually low magnesium and excessive heavy elements, indicating it originated from a disrupted dwarf galaxy. The study provides insight into the chemical evolution of dwarf galaxies and their role in shaping the Milky Way.
Most examined circRNAs form imperfect RNA duplexes that act as PKR inhibitors, but rapid degradation by RNase L triggers PKR activation. CircRNA overexpression reduces aberrant PKR activation in SLE patient-derived cells.
Researchers discovered that bacteria can distinguish themselves from closely related competitors through the use of a virus. A novel phage, SW1, controls formation of a demarcation line by utilizing one of the host's cryptic prophage proteins, providing conditional benefits to E. coli K-12.
A team of scientists has identified a novel lignin gene, Zm4CL1, that controls the maize bm5 mutant with reduced lignin content. The study reveals increased forage digestibility and cell wall saccharification efficiency in the bm5 mutant.
Scientists have developed a room-temperature liquid metal-based super-stretchable sensor with high repeatability, low cost, and great stretchability. The new device was tested with excellent performance, showing the great potential for application in flexible wearable electronic devices.
A recent study synthesizes advances in the causes and formation mechanisms of severe haze pollution in northern China. Researchers found that seasonal emissions from residential heating and efficient secondary aerosol formation contribute to severe haze events.
Researchers at Chinese Academy of Sciences develop CRISPRed wheat with tolerance to sulfonylurea, imidazolinone, and aryloxyphenoxy propionate-type herbicides. The trait offers low-risk weed control for millions of multi-cropping farmers in China.
A research team developed an artificial chemical receptor that effectively facilitates viral binding to T cells, increasing transduction efficiency by up to 80%. The technique is safe and efficient for human primary T cells and shows great potential for clinical engineered T lymphocyte manufacturing.
Researchers developed an Al anode design with Cu codeposition, improving cycling stability and capacity retention. The new battery configuration achieved a capacity retention of ~88% over 200 cycles with a high areal density cathode.
Researchers synthesized new In0.28Ga0.72Sb nanowires with high carrier mobility and fast IR response, outperforming existing materials in terms of responsivity and decay times. The minimized crystal defects are attributed to a catalyst epitaxy technology that enables precise atom alignment.
A new cellular mechanism for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been identified, suggesting a novel therapeutic strategy targeting the RNA degradation pathway. Researchers also found that an asthma drug called Tranilast could potentially rescue cells and fruit flies from C9orf72-induced neurotoxicity.
A recent study has solved the first structures of a full-length plant NLR protein, uncovering previously unknown mechanisms of this important class of immune receptors. The researchers found that plant NLRs form oligomeric complexes called resistosomes, which are essential for disease resistance and hypersensitive cell death-triggering.
Researchers have developed dual-ion batteries that integrate anodes and cathodes, enabling high efficiency and low cost. The batteries use aluminum foil as the cathode material and graphite as the anode, achieving a new level of performance.
Researchers have discovered a class of disordered materials that can exhibit massive cooling effects when subjected to low pressure. The materials, called plastic crystals, display extremely high entropy changes, making them ideal for emerging solid-state refrigeration technologies.
Researchers found that CBX4 gene therapy helps to regenerate hMSCs and prevent osteoarthritis in mice. The study showed that CBX4 promotes nucleolar homeostasis, which is essential for maintaining healthy stem cells.
A team of scientists has developed a way to improve the tolerance of industrial oil-producing microalgae to high levels of CO2, allowing them to grow faster and more efficiently in flue gas environments. This breakthrough could have significant implications for carbon fixation, food production, and future space exploration.
A team of scientists discovered a new Cretaceous fossil with an egg preserved inside its body, revealing unusual reproductive system abnormalities. The fossil, representing a new species Avimaia schweitzerae, shows an eggshell consisting of two layers instead of one, indicating the egg was retained too long inside the abdomen.
Researchers at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics used the Dalian Coherent Light Source to study vacuum ultraviolet water photochemistry, identifying rotationally hot OH radicals. Highly excited 'super rotors' were observed from water photodissociation at 115.2 nm, revealing interesting dissociation mechanisms.
A recent study reveals that transposable element insertions drive rapid phenotypic variation in plants, enabling them to adapt to novel environments. Researchers found that transposable elements are enriched in the gene promoter regions of a plant species with limited genetic variation, associated with changes in gene expression.
Research reveals that gut microbiota is essential for thermoregulation, particularly in animals exposed to cold. The study found that gut microbiota helps stimulate the activation of Brown Adipose Tissue and promotes white adipose tissue browning, leading to improved thermogenic capacity.
Scientists have discovered a 25-million-year-old palm fossil in central Tibet, pushing back the formation of the Tibetan Plateau by millions of years. The discovery suggests that the region was once much flatter than previously thought, with lakes and subtropical vegetation, before becoming a plateau around 2-3 million years ago.
A new study found that physiological coordination between plant height and xylem hydraulic traits is linked to habitat water availability. The researchers discovered that taller plants from wet habitats exhibit greater xylem efficiency, wider conduits, and lower sapwood density.
Researchers produce a colorless liquid reservoir of metal-like discrete platinum atoms with high catalytic activity and stability, offering potential for reducing Pt consumption in the silicone industry. The scalable preparation method shields individual Pt atoms with hydrochlorides and docks them in the liquid through oxygen atoms.
A research team developed a simple correlation to predict bubble diameter using nonlinear least square optimization, validating it with experimental data and literature results. The new correlation shows reasonable accuracy in predicting bubble diameter under various operating conditions.
Researchers found that cytosine base editors (BE3 and HF1-BE3) cause unexpected genome-wide off-target mutations in rice, with single-nucleotide variants predominantly occurring in transcribed genic regions. The high frequency of these mutations suggests a need for optimization to increase the specificity of cytosine base editors.
Researchers developed a new technique called GOTI to evaluate genome-editing tool safety, improving detection sensitivity and accuracy. The method detected off-target effects in CRISPR/Cas9 and base editors, raising concerns about emerging technologies' unpredictable risks.
A new consolidated bio-saccharification (CBS) technique has been developed to improve lignocellulose conversion efficiency and reduce costs. The CBS process integrates enzyme production, cellulose hydrolysis, and fermentation in one step, resulting in a 50% reduction in processing time and increased sugar yield.
Researchers found widespread allomaternal nursing behavior in golden snub-nosed monkeys, where most infants were nursed by one or two additional adult females. This behavior enhanced infant survivorship and supported kin selection and reciprocity hypotheses, expanding our understanding of allomaternal nursing in primates.
Researchers at Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters identified the atomic structure of the catalytically active copper-ceria interface, proposing a copper bilayer model. The copper-ceria interface was found to be responsible for efficient hydrogen production through low-temperature water-gas shift reactions and CO/CO2 hydrogenation.
A recent study reveals the crystal structure of diatom fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c-binding proteins, which have exceptional light harvesting and photoprotection capabilities. The findings indicate that these proteins utilize a unique arrangement of pigments to efficiently harness blue-green light.
Researchers from Yangzhou University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences create a metal-free photocatalyst that can purify pathogen-rich water in 30 minutes with over 99.9999% disinfection efficiency under visible light irradiation. The catalyst's high activity and low ecotoxicity make it a promising approach for global clean water sca...
Astronomers have created a 3D picture of the Milky Way's outer regions using variable stars. The team found that the galaxy's S-like stellar disk is warped in a progressively twisted spiral pattern.