Climate warming significantly increases plant growth in permafrost regions by altering growing seasons and root penetration, but its impact depends on nitrogen supply. A new study reveals that moss-associated biological nitrogen fixation is a critical factor in sustaining plant growth under warming conditions.
A new study uses fiber-optic sensors to monitor water movement through the soil, revealing that common farming practices can pool water near the surface, reducing its availability to plants. This can lead to crop drought stress and decreased yield.
Researchers break thickness limit for lead-free films, discovering a metastable phase that unlocks latent piezoelectric potential. The films exhibit a piezoelectric coefficient four times higher than conventional forms, paving the way for ultra-miniaturized sensors and devices.
Scientists have developed a novel 2D multiferroic metal, bilayer CrTe2, with intrinsic room-temperature multiferroicity and strong magnetoelectric coupling. The material exhibits reversible out-of-plane polarization and demonstrates 'electrical writing and magnetic reading' capabilities.
Urban parks exhibit enhanced microbial activity and nutrient-cycling capacity, but with smaller genomes and reduced evolutionary potential. This 'function–evolution trade-off' highlights the need for urban green space planning that balances short-term ecological function with long-term microbial diversity and resilience.
Researchers observe rare nuclear isomer in ytterbium-150, measuring its half-life and establishing its decay scheme. The study reveals an isomeric relay mechanism, shifting the configuration of nuclei within the 10+ isomeric chain, extending its persistence into the proton drip line region.
Researchers developed magnetically controlled microrobots made from diatoms to target glioblastoma lesions with photodynamic therapy. The microrobots achieved a significant cytotoxic effect on primary glioblastoma cells and demonstrated good biocompatibility.
Researchers developed a biomimetic platform to enhance CAR T cell therapy against leukemia by creating a molecular bridge that reinforces the interface between CAR T cells and leukemia cells. This platform, called FACE, uses ferritin to bind to CD71 on leukemia cells, improving cell recognition and elimination.
A recent study has precisely dated the end of a geomagnetic field reversal, revealing asynchronous land–ocean responses to ancient ocean anoxia. The findings provide new insights into Early Cretaceous geodynamics and the evolution of marine and terrestrial carbon cycles.
The Tibet ASγ Experiment has measured magnetohydrodynamic turbulence on scales below one parsec within the gamma-ray halo surrounding the Geminga pulsar wind nebula. The study found that particle diffusion is strongly suppressed near Geminga and the turbulent properties follow a Kolmogorov-type scaling law.
The discovery of Eosteus chongqingensis and Megamastax amblyodus provides a major breakthrough in understanding the evolution of bony fishes, revealing primitive characteristics that evolved much earlier than previously thought. These findings confirm South China as the cradle for the origin of jawed vertebrates.
Low-smoke fuels produce a two- to three-fold increase in ultrafine particles, even as total mass of particulate emissions is reduced. UFPs penetrate deep into the respiratory tract and induce severe pulmonary inflammation, promoting higher lung and alveolar deposition.
A research team proposes a generalized trap model to understand the aging behavior of glassy materials, revealing a fundamental mechanism governing their slow evolution. The theory predicts weak ergodicity breaking at a temperature higher than the conventional glass transition temperature.
Researchers developed a new 2D membrane reactor that significantly improves the synthesis of imines, critical precursors for pharmaceuticals and advanced materials. The system achieves high conversion rates and selectivity in under 7 seconds at room temperature.
A new strategy for improving inverted perovskite solar cells has been developed using a crystal-solvate pre-seeding method, enabling precise regulation of the bottom interface and paving the way for high-efficiency large-area photovoltaic modules.
A new mechanism utilizing interfacial phase equilibrium regulates metal ion migration in CZTSSe photovoltaic cells, reducing deep-level defects and improving crystalline quality. The approach achieves a record-high open-circuit voltage of over 600 mV, overcoming long-standing energy losses.
Early land plants began reshaping Earth's surface environments approximately 455 million years ago, boosting organic matter production on land. This increased terrestrial photosynthesis led to elevated organic carbon-to-phosphorus ratios in marine sediments, indicating a significant impact on the Earth system.
Chinese scientists have developed a dual-side electrical refinement strategy for large-area TOPCon solar cells, achieving an open-circuit voltage of 744.6 mV and a fill factor of 85.57%. The breakthrough sets a new record for industrial-scale solar cells, narrowing the gap between mass-production efficiency and theoretical limit.
A recent study found that the Yangtze River fishing ban has halted seven decades of biodiversity decline, triggering an initial recovery in fish resources. Key indicators such as biomass, body condition, and species diversity have shown significant improvement after full enforcement of the ban.
Researchers created a distributed nuclear-spin-based quantum sensor network to experimentally exceed astrophysical constraints on dark matter associated with axion topological defects. The study set the most stringent constraints on axion-nucleon coupling across an axion mass range, opening up new possibilities for probing unexplored p...
A team of Chinese researchers has achieved device-independent quantum key distribution over 100 km, paving the way for practical long-distance quantum networks. This breakthrough enables the creation of scalable quantum repeaters, a critical building block for universal quantum computers.
Climate warming stimulates sphagnum growth, promotes iron protection, and inhibits microbial decomposition in boreal peatlands. This leads to increased soil carbon accumulation, potentially offsetting half of the decline in boreal forest carbon sink under future warming.
Scientists in China have developed a novel silicon-based nanothrombolytic therapy that achieves efficient thrombus clearance and in situ regulation of the coagulation microenvironment while minimizing systemic bleeding risk. The strategy combines enzymatic clot dissolution with intelligent microenvironment reprogramming.
A decade-long study reveals that combined effects of rising atmospheric CO₂ and warming reduce phosphorus availability in rice-upland crop rotation systems. Warming plays a dominant role in redirecting phosphorus into less accessible soil pools.
A team of physicists identified the dominant mechanism responsible for energy release in molybdenum-93m using high-precision experiments. Inelastic nuclear scattering is confirmed to be the primary driver of isomer depletion under experimental conditions, contradicting previous hypotheses about nuclear excitation by electron capture.
A new method has been developed to engineer thin two-dimensional perovskite phases at the buried interface of three-dimensional perovskite solar cells, boosting device performance and operational stability. This technique improves crystallization quality and reduces defect concentrations by over 90 percent.
A research team clarifies the molecular mechanism of Ostα/β, a major basolateral bile acid exporter in enterocytes. The study reveals a unique seven-transmembrane fold and lateral substrate-binding groove that accommodates amphipathic substrates.
Researchers studied a 78-qubit superconducting quantum processor subjected to random multipolar driving. The system exhibited a long-lived prethermal regime before rapid heating, with the plateau's lifetime depending on driving frequency. Entanglement spread across the system, violating classical simulation methods.
Researchers developed AAVLINK, harnessing Cre/lox-mediated intermolecular DNA recombination to enable in vivo reassembly of large genes. The method achieves high-efficiency full-length gene reconstitution and significantly improves therapeutic outcomes in animal models.
Researchers created soft, biodegradable, wireless sensors that can monitor internal physiological signals from a distance. The new implant technology improves accuracy and robustness compared to existing devices, enabling deeper tissue monitoring without strict positional control.
Scientists found that water and key minerals enter a superionic state at extreme depths, preserving water for geological timescales. This discovery provides new insights into deep water cycling and the long-term storage of ancient water and hydrogen.
The Huayuan biota provides a rare snapshot of ancient ecosystems following the Sinsk Event mass extinction, featuring diverse animal species, complex food webs, and fully functional biological carbon pump mechanisms. The discovery sheds light on transoceanic dispersal events and refugia for faunal migration during this critical post-ex...
The development of fluorooxoborate crystal NH4B4O6F (ABF) resolves the field challenge of meeting all criteria for VUV NLO materials. ABF achieves excellent VUV transparency, a strong NLO coefficient, and substantial birefringence while fulfilling practical criteria such as large crystal size and high laser-induced damage threshold.
The Xigou site in central China has yielded evidence of sophisticated stone tool technologies dating back 160,000 to 72,000 years, revealing that hominins in the region were more innovative and adaptable than previously thought. The discovery challenges long-held views on early human technology in East Asia.
A new study finds that soil salinization influences inorganic carbon storage, particularly in regions with elevated salinity. The research reveals a conditional relationship between salinity and inorganic carbon, highlighting the need to incorporate soil chemical processes into global carbon assessments.
Researchers have developed a novel cooling method based on the 'dissolution barocaloric effect,' which offers a promising zero-carbon alternative to traditional refrigeration. The new technology achieves low carbon emissions, high cooling capacity, and high heat transfer efficiency simultaneously.
Researchers identify sequence-dependent RNA splicing abnormalities in 36% of pediatric AML cases, linked to lower complete remission rates and poorer survival. Functional dysregulation of U2AF2 protein drives aberrant splicing, which can be targeted by pharmacological modulation of PRMT enzymes.
Scientists have elucidated how legume plants and rhizobia recognize each other through flavonoids and NodD protein. The study found that the shape of the NodD binding pocket accommodates specific flavonoid molecules, explaining why rhizobial NodD is only activated by certain types of flavonoids.
A fully biodegradable, self-powered implantable electrical stimulation system was developed to address the challenge of effective muscle regeneration. The device combines degradable materials and in situ electrical stimulation intervention, overcoming key limitations of conventional electrical stimulators.
Researchers discovered a crucial role of alternative RNA splicing in schizophrenia by identifying genetic variants affecting splicing and protein isoforms. The study highlights the significance of unannotated isoforms in disease pathogenesis and suggests potential avenues for targeted therapeutic strategies.
The study analyzed Chang'e-6 samples from the South Pole-Aitken Basin, finding significantly heavier potassium isotopic compositions than previous lunar basalts. This suggests that a giant impact event had a profound influence on the Moon's deep interior, affecting its thermal history and geochemical properties.
A large-scale population genomic study has shed new light on the evolutionary history of the button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), one of the most widely cultivated edible fungi in the world. Climate dynamics and a key gene for adaptive evolution and domestication jointly shaped the mushroom's diversity.
Researchers have developed a new approach to suppressing the shuttle effect in transition metal fluoride cathodes, leading to unprecedented discharge plateau voltage and high-performance thermal battery cathodes. The study focused on thermal batteries and utilized an ion-sieving concept to achieve selective confinement.
A Chinese research team detects high concentrations of microplastics and nanoplastics in urban atmospheres, revealing a previously underappreciated source of plastic pollution. The study provides new insights into the environmental transformation, fate, and broader implications of atmospheric plastics.
A recent study found that rice viruses actively manipulate plant defense pathways to protect their insect carriers, creating a self-reinforcing cycle. By disrupting the plant's alarm signal, these viruses gain protection from parasitoid wasps, while also facilitating viral transmission.
Researchers identified a novel natural decoy receptor, IL-17REL, that plays a protective role in inflammatory bowel disease. The decoy receptor suppresses downstream inflammatory genes and improves colitis in mice, suggesting its therapeutic potential.
Scientists have created a system that harnesses the energy in chloride-rich brines to produce chlorine without needing external power. The innovative approach integrates hydrochloric acid recovery with chlorine and hydrogen generation, offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional methods.
Researchers developed SPARK-seq to map aptamer-target interactions in native cellular contexts, identifying binders for low-abundance targets. The platform preferentially enriches slow-dissociating aptamers, vital for diagnostics and therapy.
Researchers demonstrated that 40-Hz auditory stimulation significantly elevates beta-amyloid levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of aged rhesus monkeys, with effects persisting for over five weeks. The study provides evidence supporting 40-Hz stimulation as a non-invasive therapy for Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers used dosage-sensitive genes to detect whole-genome duplication events in ancient angiosperm evolution. Their findings suggest a single ancestral WGD event in seed plants, rather than two independent events, with no additional WGD occurring during angiosperm evolution.