New review maps out the altermagnetism debate and charts a path forward
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 25-Oct-2026 10:17 ET (25-Oct-2026 14:17 GMT/UTC)
This review provides a critical assessment of the ongoing debate surrounding altermagnetism in ruthenium dioxide (RuO₂), synthesizes a decade of experimental and theoretical efforts, offering a clear roadmap of the studies conducted on RuO2.
Researchers from Zhejiang Normal University and collaborating institutions in China have revealed how crown architecture mediate neighborhood interactions and growth strategies across a shade tolerance gradient. By analyzing nearly 3,600 trees in a subtropical forest, they show that light-demanding species compete mainly through crown trait dissimilarity among neighbors, while shade-tolerant species are more influenced by neighbor density, offering new insights for forest dynamics models.
A new study in the Journal of International Ceramic Studies reconstructs Queen Elisabeth Farnese's renowned collection of Chinese and Japanese porcelain in Bourbon Spain. Drawing on the 1746 and 1766 palace inventories, it traces how around 3,000 objects shaped chinoiserie interiors at La Granja de San Ildefonso, and how wars, political upheavals and the 1918 fire reduced what survives today. The article highlights Blanc-de-Chine figures from Dehua, as well as monumental 'soldier vases' and enameled baluster jars from Jingdezhen, which are now preserved at La Granja and Madrid's Royal Collections Museum.
Vaccination has saved millions of lives and is regarded as one of modern medicine's most important successes. Effective vaccination programs should be based on risk assessment that considers demographic and occupational factors. When developing a vaccination program, it is essential to identify the target groups, including travelers, infants, high-risk workers, and those in critical roles such as farming and agriculture. In biosafety and biosecurity, vaccines are a key component of measures designed to protect laboratory personnel, the community, and the environment. Guidelines from global health organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are tailored to specific pathogens and depend on the type of work performed and the associated risk. These guidelines are continuously revised and updated to ensure the effectiveness of vaccination programs. Vaccines also play a role in One Health approaches that are focused on the interconnectedness of animals, humans, and the environment. Targeted vaccination strategies for both domestic animals and wildlife are necessary to maintain animal health, improve livestock productivity, and prevent the spread of zoonotic and foodborne diseases to humans. In this paper, we aimed to provide an overview regarding the crucial roles of vaccines in biosafety, biosecurity, and One Health approaches, as well as to highlight the importance of targeted and personalized strategies to improve the effectiveness of vaccination programs. Herein, we also discuss various vaccines aimed at specific target groups as recommended by global health organizations, with a particular emphasis on laboratory workers and the vaccines necessary to reduce laboratory-acquired infections. Finally, we discuss animal vaccines and targeted strategies for vaccinating domestic and wildlife populations.
A study of 52 college students found that VR mindfulness meditation improved emotion regulation, relaxation, and mindful attention more than audio-only practice. The strongest results came from a self-developed EEG-interactive VR forest that changed in response to users' brain signals, while lavender scent improved relaxation but appeared to reduce concentration.
PS‑NPs/TPhP alter gut microbiota, impair gut structure and disturb oxidative, inflammatory, detoxifying metabolism via distinct pathways; their antagonistic co‑exposure disrupts lipid metabolism, clarifying gut‑liver-axis risks for salamanders.
Diagnostic laboratories are central to disease surveillance and epidemic preparedness, yet poor adherence to biosafety and biosecurity protocols can put laboratory staff, communities and the environment at risk. This study assessed biosecurity and biosafety practices in 96 public and private biomedical and veterinary laboratories in Benin. Using a cross-sectional design, biomedical laboratories were evaluated with the Biosafety and Biosecurity in Laboratory Tool, while veterinary laboratories were assessed using the Laboratory Mapping Tool. Data were collected through KoBoCollect and analysed using R. Most laboratories showed poor compliance with established guidelines: 42% were classified as very high risk, 38% as high risk, 15% as moderate risk and only 5% as low risk. Strengthened policies and targeted capacity-building for laboratory staff and managers are urgently needed.