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Updates every hour. Last Updated: 1-Apr-2026 05:15 ET (1-Apr-2026 09:15 GMT/UTC)
"Exchanging sulfur for oxygen" strategy unlocks high-performance catalyst for green hydrogen production
Tsinghua University PressScientists have developed an innovative "sulfur-for-oxygen exchange" method to synthesize a porous Fe₂(MoO₄)₃/CoMoO₄ heterojunction electrocatalyst. This material demonstrated exceptional oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance, requiring only 244 mV of overpotential to achieve a current density of 10 mA·cm⁻² – significantly outperforming commercial benchmarks. Furthermore, it exhibited outstanding stability, operating continuously for over 100 hours. This breakthrough paved the way for scalable, cost-effective green hydrogen production.
- Journal
- Nano Research
Carbon-based sensors are poised to facilitate a seamless human-machine interface
Tsinghua University PressA novel fiber optic sensing platform captures real-time bubble dynamics during hydrogen evolution, revealing how bubble growth and detachment impact catalyst performance. This breakthrough bridges interfacial gas behavior with electrochemical efficiency, offering new strategies for green hydrogen optimization.
- Journal
- Nano Research
Study: Virtual reality tours make real difference in home sales
University of Texas at Dallas- Journal
- Information Systems Research
How can we better protect a transplanted kidney?
Wroclaw Medical UniversityResearchers from Wroclaw Medical University investigated why some transplanted kidneys deteriorate despite treatment, focusing on a type of rejection called microvascular inflammation (MVI). This form of injury, now highlighted in the updated Banff 2022 Classification, is difficult to detect without biopsy and is often not accompanied by classic markers such as anti-HLA antibodies. To address this diagnostic gap, the team examined the role of non-HLA antibodies, particularly those targeting the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R).
In a study of 167 transplant recipients, MVI was significantly more common in patients with elevated AT1R antibody levels. Using advanced analytical methods, including artificial intelligence, the researchers identified that only high AT1R titers (>12 U/ml) meaningfully increased the risk of MVI. This suggests that non-HLA antibodies may contribute to graft injury in cases where traditional tests remain negative.
The findings open a path toward developing a more comprehensive, minimally invasive immunological profile to support early diagnosis of rejection. According to the authors, AI-assisted tools may become an essential part of transplant medicine, helping clinicians detect risk sooner and prolong the lifespan of transplanted kidneys.
- Journal
- Frontiers in Immunology
Formulation and evaluation of banana peel-based herbal cream for antibacterial and antifungal applications in cosmetic products
Journal of Dermatologic Science and Cosmetic TechnologyThis study presents a novel approach to natural antimicrobial skincare by formulating herbal creams using fresh (FBP) and dried banana peel (DBP) extracts. Recognizing the rich bioactive and lignocellulosic compounds in banana peels, the researchers explored their potential as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic antimicrobial agents in cosmetic products. The FBP-based cream demonstrated strong antibacterial activity, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with inhibition zones reaching 40.73 mm. Conversely, the DBP-based cream exhibited superior antifungal efficacy against Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger, with zones up to 49.63 mm. Physical and cosmetic properties were carefully assessed, revealing that FBP creams had better spreadability, uniformity, and texture compared to DBP formulations. The study indicates that combining both fresh and dried extracts could provide broad-spectrum antimicrobial protection. Overall, the research demonstrates that banana peel extracts are not only sustainable and low-cost but also highly effective in topical applications, bridging natural waste valorization with innovative cosmetic product development.
- Journal
- Journal of Dermatologic Science and Cosmetic Technology
Reconsidering the future of seawater desalination in China: Proposal of constructing short-cut water cycle in coastal areas
KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.A research team from Tsinghua University and Tongji University has proposed a “100-Kilometer Coastal Desalination for Short-cut Water Cycle (100K-CDS)” strategy to address China’s growing water scarcity. The authors reposition seawater desalination as a transformative solution, highlighting how the integration of reverse osmosis and renewable energy has cut costs and enabled a 57.5~98.3% reduction in carbon emissions. By industrializing water production along the coast—home to 40% of China's population and over half its GDP—this approach treats freshwater as a manufacturable resource, decoupling water security from natural constraints and offering a scalable model for arid regions worldwide.
- Journal
- Water & Ecology
Recent trends in CO2 reduction through various catalytic methods to achieve carbon-neutral goals: A comprehensive bibliometric analysis
Shanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center- Journal
- Frontiers in Energy
Metal halide materials show promise for solar-powered CO2 conversion to clean fuels
Shanghai Jiao Tong University Journal CenterThe utilization of solar energy to address energy and environmental challenges has a seen a significant growth in recent years. Metal halides, which offer unique advantages such as tunable bandgaps, high light absorption efficiencies, favorable product release rates, and low exciton binding energies, have emerged as excellent photocatalysts for energy conversion. This paper reviews the recent advancements in both all-inorganic and organic-inorganic hybrid metal halide photocatalytic materials, including the fundamental mechanisms of photocatalytic CO2 reduction, various synthesis strategies for metal halide photocatalysts, and their applications in the field of photocatalysis. Finally, it examines the current challenges associated with metal halide materials and explores potential solutions for metal halide materials, along with their future prospects in photocatalysis applications.
- Journal
- Frontiers in Energy
Observation of ice‑like two‑dimensional flakes on self‑assembled protein monolayer without nanoconfinement under ambient conditions
Shanghai Jiao Tong University Journal CenterDirectly correlating the morphology and composition of interfacial water is vital not only for studying water icing under critical conditions but also for understanding the role of protein–water interactions in bio-relevant systems. In this study, we present a model system to study two-dimensional (2D) water layers under ambient conditions by using self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) supporting the physisorption of the Cytochrome C (Cyt C) protein layer. We observed that the 2D island-like water layers were uniformly distributed on the SAMs as characterized by atomic force microscopy, and their composition was confirmed by nano-atomic force microscopy-infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. In addition, these 2D flakes could grow under high-humidity conditions or melt upon the introduction of a heat source. The formation of these flakes is attributed to the activation energy for water desorption from the Cyt C being nearly twofold high than that from the SAMs. Our results provide a new and effective method for further understanding the water–protein interactions.
- Journal
- Nano-Micro Letters