The challenge of photosynthesizing hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) from water and oxygen lies in the high O–H bond dissociation energy in water molecules, which leads to sluggish kinetics in hydrogen donor reactions. This study presents a novel catalytic strategy by constructing single-atom palladium sites (Pd–CNO₂) within a keto-form anthraquinone-based covalent organic framework (KfAQ-Pd), effectively promoting water oxidation reactions and achieving efficient H₂O₂ photosynthesis in neutral aqueous environments, with a high yield of 3828 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹. Experimental evidence and theoretical simulations reveal that the Pd–CNO₂ sites enhance the hydrophilicity of KfAQ, disrupt the hydrogen-bond network in surface-adsorbed water clusters, and facilitate the cleavage of O–H bonds. The generated H₃O⁺ can be reduced by photoexcited electrons, promoting the anthraquinone hydrogenation reaction and enabling the efficient H₂O₂ synthesis cycle. This study provides a new approach for solar-driven green hydrogen peroxide synthesis under neutral conditions.

The study utilized the CN05.1 gridded observation dataset and ERA5 reanalysis data to investigate the primary systems and mechanisms influencing run-of-river hydropower generation in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River Basin.

The researchers employed an innovative data analysis method based on predictability dynamics. By examining the evolution of initial errors, they systematically investigated the predictability barrier of both symmetric and asymmetric IOD events, as well as the dynamic mechanisms underlying the growth of prediction errors.

Scientists from the City University of Hong Kong have found that nanoplastics can enter zebrafish via two pathways: waterborne exposure and dietary exposure. These tiny particles can cross biological barriers to enter the circulatory system, and then translocate to and accumulate in various organs, including the blood, brain, gills, liver, intestines, gonads, and muscles. The gills and intestines are the most important absorption organs, while the intestines serve as the primary excretion organ.

For the first time, researchers have analyzed outdoor PM₁₀ from Milano Linate Airport and determined concentrations of Benzothiazoles (BTHs), tire-related additives. Not only concentrations were much higher than that of highly trafficked cities, but specific additives were proven to derive mostly from the airport area. Two of them were strongly correlated, suggesting a close link to the airport activities. The ecotoxicological assessment showed a low potential risk of occupational exposure to BTHs at Linate Airport.

Developing accurate and cost-effective genotyping tools is essential for improving breeding efficiency in fruit crops with long juvenile periods. This study presents Litchi40K v1.0, a flexible liquid SNP chip generated using high-depth resequencing data from 875 litchi accessions. The chip demonstrated strong applicability across population structure analysis, genome-wide association studies, genetic mapping, and germplasm fingerprinting. It enabled the identification of key genomic regions linked to fruit quality, growth habit, and environmental adaptation, including haplotypes in LITCHI026966 that significantly influence soluble solid content. Additionally, a derived Litchi384 fingerprinting panel supports standardized digital identification of cultivars. This tool provides a practical platform for modernizing litchi breeding and germplasm resource management.

Strain engineering precisely tunes van der Waals materials' electronic and optical properties for flexible electronics. This review covers uniaxial, biaxial, and localized strain methods, analyzing their effects on band structure, carrier mobility, and phase transitions. Applications include high-performance sensors, transistors, memristors, photodetectors, and LEDs. Future challenges involve scalable material growth, efficient strain transfer, and integration toward intelligent wearable systems.

Papaya yield has been shaped by a long history of domestication, but the genetic basis of high productivity has remained largely unresolved. This study provides a high-quality genome assembly of the widely cultivated papaya variety ‘Zihui’ and integrates population resequencing and pan-genome analysis to uncover key loci linked to yield traits. Notably, two genes—Cp_zihui06549, encoding a leucine-rich receptor-like protein kinase, and Cp_zihui06768, associated with photosystem I protein accumulation—were identified as major contributors to fruit production. Functional validation showed that overexpression of Cp_zihui06549 significantly increases fruit number, enhancing total yield. These findings establish essential genetic targets for improving papaya productivity and accelerating breeding programs.

The transportation sector, the second-largest emitter of global greenhouse gases, is undergoing a transformation with electrification and subsidies aimed at reducing its carbon footprint. Yet, a critical aspect often overlooked is the role of logistics in global trade and how geopolitical decisions can undermine these efforts. This study sheds light on the impact of suboptimal logistics on greenhouse gas emissions, using recent geopolitical restrictions between Russia and Western countries since 2022 and a scenario of reduced trade through the Red Sea observed in 2024.

Tiny organic molecules could become powerful allies in the fight against “forever chemicals,” according to a new study that dramatically boosts the breakdown of a notorious PFAS pollutant in water. Researchers report that adding simple formic acid to a UV driven persulfate process increases the defluorination of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from just 27 percent to 89 percent in 24 hours.