A recent study comprehensively evaluated the secondary metabolite diversity and in vitro antidiabetic activity of Sanghuangporus quercicola under various culture conditions, highlighting the medicinal fungus’s immense potential for developing new antidiabetic drugs and functional foods.

Pressure sensors are essential for a wide range of applications, including health monitoring, industrial diagnostics, etc. However, achieving both high sensitivity and mechanical ability to withstand high pressure in a single material remains a significant challenge. This study introduces a high-performance cellulose hydrogel inspired by the biomimetic layered porous structure of human skin. The hydrogel features a novel design composed of a soft layer with large macropores and a hard layer with small micropores, each of which contribute uniquely to its pressure-sensing capabilities. The macropores in the soft part facilitate significant deformation and charge accumulation, providing exceptional sensitivity to low pressures. In contrast, the microporous structure in the hard part enhances pressure range, ensuring support under high pressures and preventing structural failure. The performance of hydrogel is further optimized through ion introduction, which improves its conductivity, and as well the sensitivity. The sensor demonstrated a high sensitivity of 1622 kPa⁻¹, a detection range up to 160 kPa, excellent conductivity of 4.01 S m⁻¹, rapid response time of 33 ms, and a low detection limit of 1.6 Pa, outperforming most existing cellulose-based sensors. This innovative hierarchically porous architecture not only enhances the pressure-sensing performance but also offers a simple and effective approach for utilizing natural polymers in sensing technologies. The cellulose hydrogel demonstrates significant potential in both health monitoring and industrial applications, providing a sensitive, durable, and versatile solution for pressure sensing.

A new study published in Engineering reveals that NSUN2, a key protein involved in RNA modification, significantly contributes to cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure by activating the LARP1–GATA4 axis. This research not only deepens our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying heart failure but also identifies NSUN2 as a potential therapeutic target for preventing and treating cardiac diseases.

A new study published in Engineering reveals the global spread of tmexCD1-toprJ1-positive Klebsiella pneumoniae, highlighting its multidrug resistance and transmission across ecological niches. The research underscores the urgent need for antimicrobial stewardship and continuous monitoring to combat this emerging public health threat.

A new study published in Engineering reveals that dihydrotanshinone I (DHT), a compound from Salvia miltiorrhiza, can induce autophagic cell death in ovarian cancer by targeting sortilin 1 (SORT1). This discovery offers a potential new therapeutic strategy for treating ovarian cancer through disrupting the autophagy–lysosome pathway.