This study explores the molecular mechanisms of steatosis-to-NASH progression using two mouse models and identifies genes, non-coding RNAs, proteins, and plasma metabolites involved. GDF3 is found to be up-regulated in NASH mice and serves as a potential non-invasive diagnostic biomarker for NASH patients.
The study found that perceived behavior control, gender, monthly living expenses, BMI, mealtime, meal expectations, and food portion significantly correlate with food waste behavior among university students. Prioritizing school cafeteria management on food portions and mealtimes is crucial for reducing food waste.
Scientists investigated microplastics and plasticizers in municipal wastewater treatment plants, detecting MPs in influent, effluent, and sludge. The study found high MP removal efficiency and accumulation of MPs in sludge, with PAEs detected in the MWTP. Thermal hydrolysis increased plasticizer concentration and decreased MP size.
The study demonstrates that Wilms'tumor 1-associating protein (WTAP) plays an essential role in the postnatal development and maturation of brown adipose tissue. WTAP expression is significantly increased in BAT after birth, and its deletion impairs postnatal development and leads to cold intolerance and reduced energy expenditure.
The uEXPLORER PET-CT scanner provides a comprehensive atlas of glucose uptake across the entire human body, enabling researchers to explore the effects of age, sex, and laterality on glucose uptake. This study demonstrates the utility of PET/CT in understanding human metabolism and metabolomics.
Researchers developed flexible thermochromic fibers that can change color and pattern in response to environmental signals. The fibers were used to create a dynamic colored display fabric with QR code, which was successfully recognized, enabling applications in social contact, information security, and wearable human-computer interaction.
A recent study found high concentrations of perfluoroalkane acids in human milk, with PFOS and PFOA detected in over 90% of samples. The researchers also discovered correlations between PFOA and PFOS levels, as well as geographic and socioeconomic factors influencing body burden.
Research reveals that α-Ketoglutarate (AKG) supplementation promotes skeletal muscle mass, improves exercise endurance, and increases blood flow, making it a potential nutritional supplement for enhancing health and exercise performance. AKG also relaxes vascular smooth muscle, allowing tissues to receive abundant oxygen and nutrients.
Researchers developed a compact robotic finger with adjustable stiffness to withstand physical impacts and mimic human finger dexterity. The finger mechanism is based on gear transmission and mechanically passive compliance, providing an advantage in terms of reliability, ease of manufacture, and maintenance.
The study investigated the removal efficiencies of natural and synthetic progesterones in hospital wastewater treated by different disinfection processes. The results showed that secondary biological treatment significantly reduced progesterone content, while UV/Cl2 had the highest removal efficiency due to ultraviolet photolysis.
Researchers from Huazhong University of Science and Technology developed a scalable metalens array for optical addressing, enabling compact focusing of individual addressing beams onto quantum particles. The design features a periodical metalens molecule with a 'Z' shape, allowing for arbitrary focused spot arrays and low crosstalk.
Seipin deficiency in Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy type 2 leads to loss of subcutaneous fat tissue. PC deficiency suppresses embryonic lethality but exacerbates lipid droplet defect, suggesting distinct mechanisms for seipin's role in lipid homeostasis and physiology.
A study assesses and optimizes the landscape visual aesthetic quality of street pedestrian spaces in Jinan, China's historic downtown, using panoramic images and deep learning methods. The research finds that urban streets with high aesthetic quality serve as corridors among mountains and natural landscapes, improving city image.
A recent study published in Life Metabolism found that impaired phosphorylation of SERCA2a plays a bidirectional role in myocardial insulin resistance, dysregulation of calcium homeostasis, and the early stages of DCM. This mechanism involves the regulation of protein stability and insulin receptor maturation.
Researchers have developed a new type of low-cost selenium solar cell using tellurium alloy, which improves efficiency by expanding the absorption spectrum. The Se-1-x Te-x alloy system has shown promise in achieving high performance, with efficiencies over 1.85% achieved after nine months in air.
A machine learning multi-city model is developed to predict municipal solid waste generation in China, using a wide range of feature variables. The model shows good performance with an R-squared value of 0.939 and is suitable for predicting MSW generation in China.
Researchers discovered AKG/OXGR1 signaling pathway's role in maintaining epididymal fluid acid-base balance and regulating sperm maturation. AKG supplementation improved sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction rates in aging mice, providing a potential strategy for targeting male fertility disorders.
Temporal variation in precipitation caused by climate change negatively affects crop growth, leading to declining yields and increasing reactive nitrogen losses. The study found that adjusting fertilizer application amounts can reduce nitrogen losses, but may not increase crop yields.
A recent study published in Life Metabolism found that maintaining balanced energy intake throughout the day may improve cognitive function. The study analyzed data from over 3,300 participants and discovered that those with unbalanced eating patterns, such as skipping breakfast, were at higher risk of cognitive decline.
Crop residue and pig manure slow down nitrogen release compared to synthetic fertilizer, reducing nitrogen loss through synchronized nutrient release and crop demand. Substituting up to 40% synthetic nitrogen with organic amendments can maintain high crop yield and significantly reduce nitrogen loss from sloping cropland.
Researchers found PTC pre-coagulation significantly improves organic matter removal and filtration quality of ceramic membranes. The study provides a high-effective pretreatment technology to enhance filtration performance and control membrane fouling.
This study highlights the importance of selecting appropriate primers and databases according to the target taxonomic level when studying soil nematode biodiversity. The results show that different primers and databases can affect the annotation of nematode taxa, with finer taxonomic levels resulting in fewer shared taxa among databases.
Researchers found that neonatal serum ketone body production determines the quantity and quality of primordial follicles, reducing ROS-induced apoptosis. This mechanism is crucial for maintaining ovarian capacity and preventing premature ovarian aging.
Researchers have developed a novel RO membrane technology that combines high permeability-selectivity with anti-biofouling properties. The new membranes exhibit improved water flux without sacrificing salt rejection, and enhanced resistance to fouling and biocontamination.
Researchers created a dual temperature control system to improve isoprene production in S. cerevisiae, achieving 34.5% and 72% improvements in cell growth and isoprene yield respectively.
Researchers have developed a novel hydrogel-glass design that enhances indoor illumination while reducing cooling consumption, demonstrating potential for widespread energy savings in buildings. The study published in Frontiers of Optoelectronics shows significant reductions in energy use ranging from 2.37 to 10.45 MJ·m−2 ·year−1.
Researchers found that integrated membrane system (IMS) technology can remove up to 98% of microplastics from wastewater, preventing their entry into coastal waters. This breakthrough could help reduce ocean pollution and solve water resource shortages.
A study in China reveals high infection probabilities for populations exposed to reclaimed water aerosols containing Legionella, exceeding WHO thresholds. To mitigate the risk, researchers recommend disinfecting reclaimed water before use and setting up warning signs in parks.
Researchers have identified Insulin like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) as a key regulator in the development and progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. IGF2BP2 overexpression was found to induce liver steatosis, inflammation, and injury in healthy mice, while knockdown improved NASH pathogenesis.
The study focuses on improving the tribological performance of bearing surfaces by adjusting surface roughness and texture. Evenly-distributed micro patterns are found to be more suitable for artificial joints, reducing friction and wear particles.
Researchers have designed a new online/offline tag generation algorithm to improve preprocessing efficiency and protect medical data privacy. The proposed scheme achieves better auditing performance than previous schemes, addressing the contradiction between high real-time requirements and limited computing power in HealthIIoT devices.
Researchers investigated bioaerosol emissions from municipal solid waste landfilling, finding high levels of culturable bacteria and fungi. The study highlights the need for source control measures to reduce pollution and protect human health, particularly in areas with active-working zones.
Researchers introduce intrinsic strains into thermoelectric devices through mechanical deformation, enhancing stability and efficiency. The power generation efficiency reaches up to 12% in mixed halide perovskites under these conditions.
A novel salt-tolerant HN-AD bacterium, Halomonas venusta TJPU05, was isolated and demonstrated excellent potential in treating high-salinity nitrogenous wastewater. The study showed that 86.12% of NH4+-N, 95.68% of NO3––N, 100% of NO2––N and 84.57% of total nitrogen (TN) could be removed from simulated water within 24 hours.
This study explores how Science and Technology Backyards empower smallholders through participatory technology innovation, building continuous trust and promoting sustainable green production. A collaborative tree-shaped diffusion mode enables the spread of technology innovations to different scales.
Researchers found that soil urease and β-glucosidase increased vegetation diversity and biomass by promoting soil organic matter and nitrate nitrogen, facilitating ecological restoration. Microbes played a positive role in plant and soil substance cycling.
Researchers developed a facile method to transform floc sludge into porous carbon matrix composites for use as an electrode material in high-performance supercapacitors. The treatment process improved conductivity, mass transfer efficiency, and electrochemical performance.
A new electrode material Co3O4@NiMoO4 has been developed for flexible hybrid capacitors, exhibiting high energy density and long cycle stability. The material was grown on porous nickel foam using a two-step hydrothermal method, providing a conductive skeleton for the electrodes.
A novel permeable reactive barrier configuration, PC-PRB, is proposed to enhance hydraulic performance. The PC-PRB system converges plumes towards the PRB due to passive hydraulic decompression-convergent flow effect, increasing capture width and residence time.
China has established an implementation guarantee system and strengthened capacity development to promote the implementation of the Stockholm Convention. The country has seen significant reductions in pesticide residues and PCBs, with a disposal rate of 100% for hazardous waste.
Researchers developed a novel graphene-based NiSe2 nanocrystalline array that significantly enhances the efficiency of hydrogen evolution reactions. The composite material achieves an overpotential of 158 mV and exhibits extremely stable performance, providing a promising approach for the development of high-efficiency electrocatalysts.
Researchers observed band-like transport in OTFTs based on Y6, resulting from its unique molecular packing motif. This phenomenon enables the creation of high-mobility n-type organic semiconductors and TFTs on Y6.
Researchers assessed popular MSW pre-treatment technologies and cement kiln co-processing techniques in China, highlighting environmental risks and opportunities. The study revealed characteristics of mainstream MSW pre-treatment technologies and provided important reference data for optimization design.
A recent study reveals that PFAS significantly increase litter decomposition and alter soil pH, impacting nutrient cycles and ecosystem processes. The presence of PFAS also exerts detrimental effects on soil respiration, microbial populations, and water-stable aggregates.
New research reveals UV disinfection can form trihalomethane disinfection byproducts from halobenzoquinones, posing a risk to public health and the environment. The study found UV enhances THM formation yield by nearly 10 times, highlighting the need for further investigation into combined UV/chlorine processes.
A new design of sustainable cropping diversifications has been established to balance economic, food security, and environmental performances in the North China Plain. The study evaluated 30 crop rotations using PCA and HCA, and employed differential evolution and Pareto optimization models to optimize diversified cropping systems.
Researchers developed Flu-TCNQ cocrystal with integrated red emission and n-type charge transport properties. This innovative strategy enables the design of multifunctional materials with improved optoelectronic performance. The study provides an effective solution to overcome the challenges of organic material shortages.
A new research proposes a cloud model-based LDoS attack detection method with lower false positive and false negative rates, verified through NS2 simulation platform testing
A research group at South-Central MinZu University has achieved the largest complete photonic bandgap (CPBG) of 5.62% in a silicon nitride slab, significantly enhancing nonlinearity and enabling polarization multiplexing. The breakthrough could lead to the development of high-performance CPBG devices in SiN slabs.
A new 'self-healing' anti-corrosion coating has been developed, which can repair microcracks and protect metal from erosion under solar irradiation. The coating's performance is verified to be maintained above 99% regardless of the repair, making it suitable for outdoor facilities.