To discover how machine learning (ML) is revolutionizing molecular crystal design and crystallization, a new review in Engineering explores ML’s role in accelerating solvate and co-crystal development, predicting crystal properties, and optimizing crystallization processes. Learn about the latest advancements and future prospects in this field.

Researchers have successfully tested an 80-kA REBCO cable-in-conduit conductor (CICC) for high-field fusion applications. The prototype demonstrated stability under extreme conditions, marking a significant step towards practical high-temperature superconductors (HTS) technology for future fusion reactors. Further work is needed to address remaining challenges, but this achievement brings us closer to realizing large-scale, high-field magnet applications.

The secret to a longer life lies not just in what we eat, but maybe in when we don’t. When young worms went six days without food, they lived about 19% longer as adults.

A fascinating study suggests that fasting might extend lifespan not only for individuals but also for their descendants, even generations later. The study, conducted by researchers from Baylor College of Medicine, was published in the journal Science in September.

In a comprehensive review published in the journal Immunity & Inflammation, a research team led by Professor Tao Dong at the University of Oxford systematically dissects the central role of T cells in anti-tumor immunity and sheds light on the next-generation cancer immunotherapies. The article, titled "Leveraging T cells for cancer immunotherapy," summarizes current understanding and highlights promising strategies to overcome the challenges that limit the efficacy of current treatments.

Constructed wetlands (CWs) effectively remove low concentrations of dissolved carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus pollutants, and prevent contamination and algal blooms from occurring in freshwater bodies. A team of Chinese researchers have identified factors that affect the removal efficacy of CWs and listed strategies to make CWs more effective. These findings can increase the deployment of CWs across diverse environments.

Insect color variation is typically driven by predator avoidance, as seen in the industrial melanism of British peppered moths. A study in National Science Review explores melanism in tea geometrids in Chinese tea gardens, where color variation has minimal impact on predation. The study reveals that these geometrids across continents share convergent melanism loci. It also suggests that a reproductive disadvantage may help maintain the low proportion of melanic tea geometrids in the wild.

A recent randomized controlled pilot study suggests that Baduanjin, a traditional Chinese mind-body exercise, may help alleviate menopausal symptoms and fatigue in breast cancer patients undergoing aromatase inhibitor therapy. The study, published in Translational Exercise Biomedicine (ISSN: 2942-6812), an official partner journal of International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS).

The growing global energy demand and worsening climate change highlight the urgent need for clean, efficient and sustainable energy solutions. Among emerging technologies, atomically thin two-dimensional (2D) materials offer unique advantages in photovoltaics due to their tunable optoelectronic properties, high surface area and efficient charge transport capabilities. This review explores recent progress in photovoltaics incorporating 2D materials, focusing on their application as hole and electron transport layers to optimize bandgap alignment, enhance carrier mobility and improve chemical stability. A comprehensive analysis is presented on perovskite solar cells utilizing 2D materials, with a particular focus on strategies to enhance crystallization, passivate defects and improve overall cell efficiency. Additionally, the application of 2D materials in organic solar cells is examined, particularly for reducing recombination losses and enhancing charge extraction through work function modification. Their impact on dye-sensitized solar cells, including catalytic activity and counter electrode performance, is also explored. Finally, the review outlines key challenges, material limitations and performance metrics, offering insight into the future development of next-generation photovoltaic devices encouraged by 2D materials.

Octopuses, due to their flexible arms, marvelous adaptability, and powerful suckers, are able to effortlessly grasp and disengage various objects in the marine surrounding without causing devastation. However, manipulating delicate objects such as soft and fragile foods underwater require gentle contact and stable adhesion, which poses a serious challenge to now available soft grippers. Inspired by the sucker infundibulum structure and flexible tentacles of octopus, herein we developed a hydraulically actuated hydrogel soft gripper with adaptive maneuverability by coupling multiple hydrogen bond-mediated supramolecular hydrogels and vat polymerization three-dimensional printing, in which hydrogel bionic sucker is composed of a tunable curvature membrane, a negative pressure cavity, and a pneumatic chamber. The design of the sucker structure with the alterable curvature membrane is conducive to realize the reliable and gentle switchable adhesion of the hydrogel soft gripper. As a proof-of-concept, the adaptive hydrogel soft gripper is capable of implement diversified underwater tasks, including gingerly grasping fragile foods like egg yolks and tofu, as well as underwater robots and vehicles that station-keeping and crawling based on switchable adhesion. This study therefore provides a transformative strategy for the design of novel soft grippers that will render promising utilities for underwater exploration soft robotics.