Carbohydrate-based vaccines are an effective means for combating bacterial infections, particularly in the face of rising antibiotic resistance. This perspective provides an overview of carbohydrate vaccine against bacterial infections, from the earliest polysaccharide formulations to the latest synthetic constructs, and highlights the full engineering continuum encompassing carbohydrate antigen production, epitope mapping, conjugation chemistry, formulation, preclinical and clinical evaluation, and regulatory approval. By introducing the integrative framework of carbohydrate-based vaccine engineering (CVE), a unified perspective is provided to support both the optimization of current vaccine platforms and the rational design of next-generation glycoconjugate vaccines.

In a paper published in Science China Life Sciences, researchers report a lineage‑specific expansion of the hexokinase (HK) family in the genomes of extremely thermotolerant Echinolittorina snails, and identify novel isoforms anchored to the cell membrane via post‑duplication domain fusion. These membrane‑localized HKs enhance cell viability under heat stress by optimizing hexose catabolism, suggesting a crucial role in sustaining the energy‑demanding protective responses that allow Echinolittorina snails to survive thermally harsh intertidal habitats.

Researchers developed a walking-support robot that uses large-area tactile contact at the waist and underarms to continuously follow movement intent and provide balance support. In tests with healthy adults, the same touch-based interaction enabled forward, backward and turning assistance, responded to mild balance disturbances, and reduced hamstring activity compared with handle-based support.

The human brain performs perception, memory, learning and decision-making with only about 20 watts of power. A new study in National Science Review proposes a physics-based framework to explain this extraordinary efficiency. By modeling cooperative neuronal activity, the researchers suggest that brain information may be stored and processed through dynamic electrical patterns, offering new clues for brain science and energy-efficient artificial intelligence.

A new study demonstrates that ramped pyrolysis/oxidation (RPO) can directly distinguish the sources of organic carbon transported by rivers after earthquakes and extreme rainstorms. By tracing carbon from vegetation, soils, and sedimentary rocks, the technique reveals how different natural hazards reshape carbon cycling and provides a powerful new tool for investigating climate-carbon feedbacks in rapidly changing mountain landscapes. The study was recently published in Science China Earth Sciences.

How can the long-term restoration effects of China’s Shan-Shui Initiative, recognized by the United Nations as one of the first World Restoration Flagships, be scientifically assessed? A research team from Chang’an University used long-term remote sensing and climate datasets from 2011 to 2024 to conduct a quantitative assessment of 25 early Shan-Shui Initiative across China. By developing an improved Remote Sensing Ecological Index, or kRSEI, the study found that vegetation greening does not always translate into broader improvements in satellite-observed ecological conditions. It also identified region-specific restoration pathways for forests, grasslands and croplands, and highlighted soil moisture as a key factor associated with the long-term stability of restoration outcomes. The findings provide a remote-sensing-based assessment framework that may support the Beautiful China initiative and offer a quantitative reference for evaluating large-scale ecological restoration projects.

Glaciers are key indicators of climate change, but their movement is difficult to measure in remote and harsh environments. A review in Geodesy and Geodynamics examines how synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging geodesy helps scientists monitor glacier velocity from space. The article explains major SAR-based methods, with particular attention to pixel offset tracking, which is well suited to fast and large glacier movements. The review also highlights future needs for greater efficiency, accuracy, three-dimensional monitoring, and broader capability worldwide.