News from China
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 29-Oct-2026 01:16 ET (29-Oct-2026 05:16 GMT/UTC)
Facile modulation of hierarchical structures in biomass-derived carbon via metal–organic framework-mediated assembly for enhanced oxygen and carbon dioxide reduction reactions
Tsinghua University PressGrowing environmental impacts of fossil fuels drive demand for zero-emission energy technologies (e.g., PEMFCs, CO2 electroreduction) to advance carbon neutrality—making oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) critical research focuses. Biomass-derived carbon offers cost-effectiveness and sustainability vs. precious metal catalysts, but tailoring its hierarchical structure remains challenging. A team led by Yang Haiping at HUST developed a ZIF-8-mediated assembly strategy to synthesize 3D flower-like N-doped biomass carbon, which exhibits Pt/C-comparable ORR activity and high CO2RR performance, providing insights for customizing biomass carbon for energy applications.
- Journal
- Nano Research
When a virus tames a pathogen — A hypovirulent mycovirus alters stress response and virulence in Talaromyces marneffei
SciOpenPeer-Reviewed Publication
Talaromyces marneffei is a lethal human pathogenic fungus endemic to Southeast Asia. While the previously reported mycovirus Talaromyces marneffei partitivirus 1 (TmPV1) is known to enhance fungal virulence, a study published in Mycology reveals a second mycovirus, Talaromyces marneffei narnavirus 1 (TmNV1), that functions as a key virulence attenuator in T. marneffei. Notably, TmPV1 was found to synergistically amplify most of the hypovirulent effects induced by TmNV1.
Oral epimedium nanovesicles promote hematopoietic stem cell regeneration via gut-microbiota-bone marrow axis to mitigate chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression
Tsinghua University PressMyelosuppression represents a common and severe complication of cancer chemotherapy. Current therapeutic regimens primarily target downstream hematopoietic progenitor cells rather than hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), frequently resulting in the depletion of hematopoietic reserves. Furthermore, their high cost and requirement for parenteral administration render them unsuitable for preventive or long-term management. To address these limitations, Professor Xiangmin Tong at Hangzhou First People's Hospital, in collaboration with Professors Xiaozhou Mou, Qiong Bian, and Zhenye Lv at Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, has developed nanovesicles derived from Epimedium that alleviate chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression. When administered orally, these nanovesicles activate the "gut-lactate-bone marrow" axis to promote hematopoietic stem cell proliferation and restore hematopoietic function.
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- Nano Research
Oxygen vacancy-intensified generation and transfer of photo-induced electron for efficient generation and orienting conversion of hydrogen
Tsinghua University PressReasonable design of high-activity catalytic sites for reducing the activation energy barrier of O-H bonds is significant for efficient conversion of hydrogen energy involving water dissociation. Herein, a coupling oxygen vacancy (VO) strategy for intensifying generation and transfer of photo-induced electron for enhancing catalytic activity of water dissociation is verified. Using ammonia borane hydrolysis as a verification, the turnover frequency of Ru-TVO reaches up to 1614 min−1 in visible light excitation condition at 298 K, exceeding the highest activity in Ru-based catalysts. Intensified generation and transfer of photo-induced electron via coupling VO reduces the activation energy barrier of O-H bond on Ru sites, leading a boosted intrinsic activity of Ru toward water dissociation. Ru sites enriched by photo-induced electrons also exhibit unprecedented performance in phenylacetylene hydrogenation. This work provides an effective strategy for water dissociation through VO-intensified generation and transfer of photo-induced electron in the field of energy conversion.
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- Nano Research
Cu-Fe crystalline/amorphous interface enables efficient electrocatalytic nitrate-to-ammonia conversion
Tsinghua University PressThe electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (NO3⁻RR) holds significant research value for sustainable ammonia synthesis and wastewater treatment. Despite the low cost of iron and its good ammonia synthesis performance, issues such as particle aggregation, slow kinetics, and poor stability limit the selectivity for ammonia and overall reaction efficiency, hindering large-scale application of catalysts. In this study, an amorphous/crystalline dual-phase (a-Fe/Cu) catalyst was synthesized via ultrasonic process, achieving a highly efficient electrocatalyst for ammonia synthesis. The a-Fe/Cu catalyst achieved high ammonia yield rate of 4.67 mol g–1 h–1 with a Faraday efficiency (FE) of up to 93.48% at -0.5V vs. RHE. In situ analyses demonstrated that the presence of amorphous Fe facilitates interfacial water activation, dissociation and dynamic equilibrium between the production of *H and its prompt consumption by nitrogen intermediates resulting in an enhanced ammonia yield with high Faradaic efficiency. The synergistic interaction between c-Cu and a-Fe optimizes the electronic structure of the catalyst, enhancing the adsorption of nitrate, reaction intermediates, and facilitates efficient electron transfer, thus improving overall electrocatalytic reaction performance. Furthermore, the integration of the catalyst into a Zn-based battery configuration demonstrates its potential applicability in the fields of energy conversion and storage technologies.
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- Nano Research
Hydrocolloid-based OLED patch for enhanced wound-care photobiomodulation with wet-dressing
Tsinghua University PressAs human longevity increases, individuals are increasingly adopting diverse healthcare products to maintain youthful and healthy lives. Examples include wearable devices like smartwatches for real-time health monitoring, various advanced dressings for scarless wound healing, and optical devices for skin care. Focusing on this trend, the researchers of the present study sought to develop a platform that simultaneously achieves scarless wound healing and promotes skin regeneration. This platform is anticipated to be an innovative methodology poised to replace conventional wound dressings..
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- Nano Research
A review of microwave dielectric ceramics: From fundamental mechanisms and property regulation to advanced preparation, applications, and data-driven discovery
Tsinghua University PressPeer-Reviewed Publication
As the core foundational materials for modern wireless communication systems, microwave dielectric ceramics (MWDCs) directly determine the performance of key components such as antennas, resonators, and filters in 5G/6G mobile communications, satellite communications, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. With the rapid evolution of communication frequencies toward millimeter-wave and even sub-terahertz bands, the materials science community has imposed increasingly stringent requirements on the accurate characterization, property regulation, advanced fabrication, and intelligent development of microwave dielectric ceramics.
To systematically review the scientific progress and technological breakthroughs in this field, 14 institutions jointly published a comprehensive review on microwave dielectric ceramics. Starting from the three core parameters (εr, Q×f, and τf), this review discusses the latest research advances, prospects, and challenges across five key dimensions: property evaluation, mechanistic understanding, innovative processing, device applications, and data-driven discovery.
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- Journal of Advanced Ceramics
University botanic gardens: timeless hubs of education, research, and biodiversity stewardship
South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of SciencesA global survey traces six centuries of evolution, revealing how university botanic gardens blend historical roots with modern missions in conservation, education, and public well-being.
- Journal
- Biological Diversity
Europe’s snakes under climate threat: warming reduces habitats, Balkan region emerges as refuge
South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of SciencesA new study projects widespread habitat loss for European snakes under climate change, with cold-adapted species most vulnerable, while the Balkan Peninsula becomes a climate refugium.
- Journal
- Biological Diversity