Adenomyosis affects up to one-third of women of reproductive age and is linked to pain, heavy bleeding, and infertility. Researchers from Jiaxing University and Tongji University have developed a new laboratory “assembloid” model that mimics uterine tissue, published in SCIENCE CHINA Life Sciences. The model reveals that abnormal stromal cell subgroups may disrupt BMP and WNT signaling pathways, driving disease progression. This work provides a valuable tool for studying adenomyosis mechanisms and developing new treatments.

Precipitation δ¹⁸O provides important insights into the decadal variability of the East Asian monsoon. Using both isotope-enabled climate simulations and reconstructions, this study found a quasi-11-year cycle in precipitation δ¹⁸O (δ¹⁸O_p) across the monsoon region. The cycle was driven by enhanced solar activity, which strengthens the Walker circulation and increases moisture transport from the equatorial Pacific. The results have suggested that the quasi-11-year δ18O_p cycle primarily reflects shifts in moisture sources driven by solar activity. The findings were recently published in SCIENCE CHINA Earth Sciences.

Chikungunya is a vector-borne disease that affects both adults and children. While global efforts are ongoing to tackle chikungunya in adults, progress in addressing pediatric chikungunya remains inadequate. To shed light on this, researchers have investigated the presentation of pediatric chikungunya and proposed multipronged approaches to diagnose, prevent, and manage this disease. These insights may help clinicians, researchers, and policymakers to develop effective measures to tackle pediatric chikungunya.

Researchers have found widespread exposure to primary aromatic amines (PAAs), toxic chemicals used in industry and consumer products, among the Chinese population. The study indicates that these chemicals may damage DNA, especially in non-adults and smokers, raising long-term health concerns.

This study found interesting, complex and important interactive effects among meteorological factors and ambient air pollutants on influenza incidences in Huaian, China.

The paper proposes a generic risk theory that treats risk as information produced by human cognition. It introduces a quantitative descriptive model linking spontaneous risk perception and analytical risk cognition through disparities between target and realistic value expectations, outlines conditions for when perception occurs, and connects the framework to decision-making and potential AI-enabled implementations.

A study published in the Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts investigates how drying temperatures affect sulfoethylated kraft lignin (SEKL), a sulfonated derivative with applications in textiles, construction, and wastewater treatment. Using nuclear magnetic resonance, XPS, and chromatography, researchers revealed that freeze-drying maintains maximum solubility, charge density, and sulfonic acid group content. In contrast, oven drying induces alkylation and hydrolysis reactions that reduce functionality. The findings highlight the importance of optimizing drying conditions to tailor lignin properties for industrial applications.