A*STAR scientists have developed a new method to directly and efficiently read DNA containing non-standard “letters” (bases) using AI and nanopore sequencing. Until now, DNA sequencers (reading machines) could only recognise the four natural bases (A, T, C, G). This breakthrough removes that limit, enabling scientists to explore an expanded genetic code.This advancement could accelerate drug discovery, improve disease treatment, and enable new approaches to data and information storage.

A new study shows that coal mine waste, often seen as an environmental problem, can actually help create stronger, longer-lasting biochar that locks carbon in soil and supports cleaner environments. The research, published in Carbon Research, reveals that adding low-carbon coal gangue to crop residues during biochar production can significantly increase the carbon stability of the resulting material while reducing the release of dissolved organic matter (DOM), which influences greenhouse gas emissions and pollutant movement in soil.

Ecuadorian scientists have, for the first time, edited the gene of a fungus that destroys banana plantations. Using an optimized, low-cost CRISPR-Cas9 protocol, they successfully modified the SIX9 gene in Fusarium oxysporum (Foc1), which is linked to banana wilt. This breakthrough opens new avenues for protecting tropical crops and strengthening food security.

The resurgence of pertussis among children and adults has reignited global concern despite widespread vaccination efforts. 

Advances in molecular diagnostics have driven multiplex biomarker detection as a critical approach for enhanced diagnostic accuracy. The simultaneous quantification of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and microRNA-21 (miR-21) holds particular clinical value in tumor diagnosis, prognosis assessment, and therapeutic monitoring. Peptide self-assembly technology has emerged as a promising biosensing platform, leveraging its unique molecular recognition capabilities and intrinsic signal amplification properties. Compared to conventional nanomaterials, peptide-engineered structures demonstrate superior biocompatibility, precise controllability, and spontaneous self-assembly into functional nanostructures under mild conditions. By designing dual-functional peptides that merge target recognition with signal amplification, researchers developed an electrochemical biosensor based on peptide self-assembly engineering signal amplification (PSA-e-SA). This innovation achieves ultrasensitive simultaneous detection of CEA and miR-21, addressing the critical need for early cancer diagnosis when biomarker concentrations are extremely low.

Significant relationship between vagus nerve and bone remodeling was identified through artificial intelligence (AI)-based knowledge mining. Iron oxide nanoparticles incorporated injectable hydrogels (termed M-Gels) were applied to rats' left neck vagus nerves, showing at least 20-week retention. Magnetic vagus nerve stimulation (mVNS) at 20 Hz twice daily for 16 weeks enhanced bone metabolism. AI analysis identified gut microbiota as a contributing factor, highlighting mVNS's potential for osteoporosis treatment.

With the growing demand for more efficient and sustainable chemical processes, single-atom catalysts (SACs) have become a research hotspot due to their high atomic utilization and unique catalytic performance. As a core characterization tool, XAFS (X-ray absorption fine structure) technology can deeply study the microscopic chemical environment of SACs, providing key data for catalyst design. This article is based on a review published in Nano Research, exploring the progress, challenges, and future prospects of XAFS in SACs research, aiming to provide readers with comprehensive scientific insights.