A new clinical study shows that electroacupuncture (EA) can significantly improve long-term facial paralysis symptoms and help regulate brainstem excitability, even when using minimal stimulation that patients can barely feel. 

Severe early childhood caries affects millions of children worldwide and remains one of the most destructive forms of tooth decay. Although bacteria are known to play a central role in the disease, identifying the microbes actively involved in lesion progression has remained a challenge. In a new study, researchers combined DNA and RNA sequencing to investigate microbial communities residing within carious lesions, offering new insights into the biological processes that drive this debilitating childhood condition.

A new study examines how pre-service L2 English teachers manage student reluctance during microteaching sessions. Using conversation analysis, it shows how novice teachers use explanatory accounts, including smiles, wait time, and gradual nomination, to reduce participation pressure. The findings suggest that microteaching is a valuable space for pre-service teachers to develop classroom interactional competence and sensitive turn-allocation skills before entering real classrooms as future language educators.

Inspired by insect compound eyes, Prof. Ji Chen’s team from Southeast University proposes a bioinspired motion detector based on planar metalens arrays. It realizes an ultra-wide 135° field of view and achieves high-precision perception of moving targets’ velocity and direction. The design effectively detects tiny and slow-moving objects in complex backgrounds and enables intelligent motion trajectory prediction. Featuring high integration and lightweight structure, it provides solid technical support for autonomous perception, industrial early warning and unmanned intelligent systems.

Hybrid nanomaterials (HNMs) have become more interesting to researchers for various optoelectronic and biological applications. In response, this investigation focuses on the impact of loading ratios of (0, 1 %, 3 %, and 5 %) of HNMs from graphene oxide (GO) and silicon nitride (Si₃N₄). HNMs are utilized to reinforce blended polymers, including polyethylene oxide (PEO), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and nano-polyaniline (PANI) to fabricate (PEO_100K–CMC–PANI/GO–Si₃N₄) using the developed sol–gel-ultrasonic procedure. X-ray diffraction revealed semi-crystalline behavior among all samples, while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed strong physical interfacial interactions among the sample components. Meanwhile, field emission scanning electron and transmission electron microscopies showed a fine dispersion and a homogeneous matrix with significant changes. The optical absorption behavior revealed continuous high absorption peaks at 200–280-nm wavelengths, which strongly impacts (GO–Si₃N₄). Increases in concentration also strongly impact (GO–Si₃N₄), which results in an improved optical energy gap for the allowed and forbidden transitions from 3.5 eV for the blended polymer to 3 and 2.9 eV by increasing the HNM content. The contributions of HNMs notably enhance the ability to reduce the zones of the bacteria, especially Escherichia coli, from 18 to 26 mm. In effect, HNMs with a concentration higher than 5 % assist in inhibiting the growth of lung cancer (A549) cells. As such, these NCs present good optical behavior for multi-applications, such as biosensors and biological and optoelectronic devices.