Emerging two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors are among the most promising materials for ultra-scaled transistors due to their intrinsic atomic-level thickness. As the stacking process advances, the complexity and cost of nanosheet field-effect transistors (NSFETs) and complementary FET (CFET) continue to rise. The 1 nm technology node is going to be based on Si-CFET process according to international roadmap for devices and systems (IRDS) (2022, https://irds.ieee.org/), but not publicly confirmed, indicating that more possibilities still exist. The miniaturization advantage of 2D semiconductors motivates us to explore their potential for reducing process costs while matching the performance of next-generation nodes in terms of area, power consumption and speed. In this study, a comprehensive framework is built. A set of MoS₂ NSFETs were designed and fabricated to extract the key parameters and performances. And then for benchmarking, the sizes of 2D-NSFET are scaled to a extent that both of the Si-CFET and 2D-NSFET have the same average device footprint. Under these conditions, the frequency of ultra-scaled 2D-NSFET is found to improve by 36% at a fixed power consumption. This work verifies the feasibility of replacing silicon-based CFETs of 1 nm node with 2D-NSFETs and proposes a 2D technology solution for 1 nm nodes, i.e., “2D eq 1 nm” nodes. At the same time, thanks to the lower characteristic length of 2D semiconductors, the miniaturized 2D-NSFET achieves a 28% frequency increase at a fixed power consumption. Further, developing a standard cell library, these devices obtain a similar trend in 16-bit RISC-V CPUs. This work quantifies and highlights the advantages of 2D semiconductors in advanced nodes, offering new possibilities for the application of 2D semiconductors in high-speed and low-power integrated circuits.

Understanding the genetic resistance to biotic stresses in peach (Prunus persica) and apricot (Prunus armeniaca) is crucial for sustainable fruit production. A comprehensive study was conducted using Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) across multiple environments, identifying key genetic markers associated with resistance to seven major pests and diseases. This study uncovered genotype-by-environment interactions (G × E), highlighting the complexity of breeding for disease resistance in these crops. The results provide valuable insights into the genetic architecture of resistance, offering a solid foundation for marker-assisted selection (MAS) in future fruit tree breeding programs aimed at improving pest and disease tolerance.

Researchers have developed a novel computational imaging system that integrates optical compression and deep learning to achieve high-speed video capture using only 5% of the data required by conventional cameras. The system successfully visualized Leidenfrost droplet dynamics at 1,200 frames per second, delivering performance comparable to commercial high-speed cameras while significantly reducing cost and storage requirements.

Drought severely jeopardizes global apple production, yet the core molecular mechanisms enabling stress resistance remain insufficiently understood. This study reveals that strigolactones (SLs) significantly enhance drought tolerance by activating the gene MsABI5, which promotes proline biosynthesis via MsP5CS2.2. Meanwhile, MsABI5 also increases MsNAC022 expression and suppresses the negative regulator MsSMXL1, relieving transcriptional inhibition that limits stress responses. Together, the regulatory architecture improves water retention, reduces membrane damage, and maintains chlorophyll stability under drought. These findings uncover a hormone-responsive module that can serve as a valuable genetic target for developing drought-resilient apple cultivars.

Leaf lobes play a critical role in improving gas exchange, canopy architecture, and enabling high-density planting, which benefits Brassica crops in agricultural practices. Despite their importance, the genetic mechanisms behind leaf lobe formation in Brassica species, particularly Brassica rapa, have been unclear. In this study, researchers identify a key gene, BrRCO, that regulates leaf lobe formation. Using CRISPR/Cas9 and overexpression techniques, they demonstrate that BrRCO controls leaf lobe presence by repressing the expression of BrACP5, offering new insights into the genetic pathways of leaf morphology.

Gray blight poses a major threat to global tea production, yet the epigenetic mechanisms regulating plant immunity have remained unclear. A new study uncovers that the arginine methyltransferase CsPRMT5 suppresses disease resistance by mediating H4R3 symmetric dimethylation, which inhibits immune-related genes. When CsPRMT5 is reduced, histone H4R3sme2 levels decline, allowing stronger activation of defense pathways, including enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and elevated expression of CsMAPK3. Both gene-silenced tea leaves and Arabidopsis mutants showed improved resistance after infection. The discovery highlights histone methylation as a regulatory switch controlling tea plant immunity and offers a potential molecular target for breeding disease-resistant cultivars.