What do bee venom, frog skin secretions, and the body's own antimicrobial molecules have in common? According to a new review published in the Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines, they all contain naturally derived oncolytic peptides, small proteins that are emerging as promising tools in the fight against cancer. Unlike many conventional therapies that target specific molecular pathways, these peptides primarily attack the outer membranes of cancer cells, allowing them to destroy tumors through a fundamentally different mechanism. Many can also stimulate immune responses against cancer, raising interest in their use alongside modern immunotherapies. The review summarizes recent advances in peptide discovery, molecular engineering, drug delivery, and clinical development, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges involved in translating these natural molecules into future cancer treatments.

Chronic wounds and drug-resistant infections are becoming increasingly difficult to manage, creating an urgent need for new treatment options. Plant essential oils, such as tea tree oil, clove oil, and thyme oil, are known for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, but their medical use has been limited because they evaporate easily and are difficult for the body to absorb effectively. A review published in the Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines explores how nano-emulsions, tiny droplets that improve the delivery of active ingredients, may help overcome these challenges. By enhancing stability, penetration, and bioavailability, nano-emulsions could strengthen the antimicrobial and wound-healing effects of essential oils. The review summarizes recent advances in this rapidly developing field and discusses how these formulations may help transform traditional plant-derived compounds into practical tools for infection control and wound management.

A team led by Professors Jianping Weng, Sihui Luo and Lianxin Liu from the University of Science and Technology of China published the study Hepatic IFRD1 suppresses metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease via GLUD1/α-KG axis in Science Bulletin.This study identifies the IFRD1-GLUD1-α-KG cascade as a vital link between metabolism and epigenetics. It establishes the first clinical association of IFRD1 with MASLD, reveals a GLUD1-dependent pathogenic pathway, and validates α-KG’s epigenetic function, offering a novel metabolism – epigenetics - targeted therapeutic strategy for MASLD.

By harvesting the energy destined for nonradiative decay and redirecting energy flux in dye-sensitized Er³⁺-based nanoparticles via an active shell (Yb³⁺), a three-order-of-magnitude enhancement at 1525 nm was achieved. The mechanistic insights and design principles inform the development of efficient NIR-II nanoprobes, demonstrating substantial potential for advancing vascular biology.

Precise high-speed motion tracking is vital for advanced manufacturing and robotics, yet existing methods force a trade-off between speed and directional accuracy. Now, scientists in China have developed a technique based on chirped power oscillation waves using dispersion-controlled dual-swept lasers. It achieves sub‑micrometer displacement precision at MHz update rates, and even reveals hidden mechanical vibrations in motion‑control equipment, opening a new path for smart ranging systems.

Supercontinuum is an important light-source for spectroscopy and fundamental science. However, on-chip ultraviolet supercontinuum sources have remained challenging due to absorption and dispersion of conventional photonic materials. A team at Zhejiang University demonstrated for the first time, an on-chip UV-C to mid-infrared (270–2400 nm) supercontinuum source using periodically poled lithium tantalate (PPLT) thin films, covering more than three octaves. This platform opens new avenues for broadband on-chip nonlinear photonics and spectroscopic sensing.