Metabolic regulation at the maternal-embryo interface is essential for successful embryo implantation, yet its dynamics in humans remain poorly understood because of ethical and technical constraints. Researchers established a physiologically relevant maternal-embryo interaction model by co-culturing human blastoids with 3D endometrial assembloids, enabling analysis of metabolic changes during the implantation window. The study provides a systematic view of metabolic dynamics at the human maternal-embryo interface, identifies lipid remodeling and arachidonic acid (ARA) metabolism as key regulators of maternal and embryonic responses during implantation, and offers a mechanistic basis for diagnosis and metabolic intervention strategies in implantation failure.

This paper analyzes the mean fine particulate (PM_2.5) and ozone (O₃) levels in 2025, and high-impact air-pollutant events and compound events in China.

Waste plastic and carbon dioxide are two major global waste carbon sources. A new study in Engineering introduces a simple, atmospheric-pressure catalytic method that turns polyethylene and CO₂ into high-value separable aromatics. Using a specially designed oxide–zeolite catalyst, the process delivers high selectivity and stable performance, turning two pollutants into useful petrochemical materials efficiently.

Discarded polyolefin plastics pose severe environmental risks, yet efficient recycling remains challenging. A new study in Engineering presents a simple entropy‑engineering method using silane agents to adjust catalyst surface polarity. This approach stabilizes polymer adsorption, boosts hydrogenolysis activity, and turns waste plastics into high‑value liquid fuels. It works for various catalysts and real‑world plastic wastes, showing strong potential for scalable, sustainable plastic upcycling.

Discarded PET plastic brings serious environmental pressure. A latest study in Engineering offers a green and controllable recycling solution. Without extra catalysts, it uses 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM) to gently break down PET into adjustable oligomers guided by kinetic models. These intermediates can be directly reused to make high-performance elastomers and glycol-modified PET, showing good industrial scalability and promising a more sustainable way for plastic circular economy.

Discarded PET plastic bottles and waste can now be turned into two high-value chemicals without extra hydrogen. A study in Engineering introduces a mild, two-step method using a common Ru/C catalyst to convert PET and methanol into lactic acid and 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid. This green approach makes full use of plastic waste’s carbon and hydrogen, offering a sustainable way for plastic upcycling.

Polyurethane (PU) is one of the most widely used plastics, yet recycling it has long been difficult. A new study in Engineering shares recent progress in chemical recycling methods, including hydrogenation, acidolysis, and chem-solvolysis, that can break down PU into reusable raw materials. It explains how these approaches support a circular economy, while pointing out key challenges for moving lab research into real industrial applications.