New research in JNCCN from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Center found socially vulnerable patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer were significantly less likely to receive key components of quality care and had poorer survival.

As global crises and inequalities escalate, UN University identifies five deep, fundamental changes needed to address several of the world’s most pressing problems at their roots -- societal structures and mindsets -- to achieve effective, lasting solutions. Throughout the report, authors highlight successful sustainability initiatives worldwide.

The formation of a strong coordination structure, [Zn(H₂O)₆]²⁺ often increases direct contact between the solvated H₂O and Zn anodes on the inner Helmholtz layer, which exacerbates undesirable side reactions and dendrite growth, hindering the practical application of aqueous Zn metal batteries. Researchers identify that the solvated H₂O can be effectively minimized by an artificial solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) consisting of highly nitrogen-doped amorphous carbon (NC) and perfluorosulfonic acid polymer (Nafion). Theoretical and experimental analyses reveal that NC raises the Fermi level of the composite SEI and activates the non-coordinating charge transfer from the SEI to [Zn(H₂O)₆]²⁺, which leads to ultrafast desolvation of hydrated Zn-ions in the outer Helmholtz layer; while the Nafion framework ensures selective transport channels for Zn ions. Remarkably, the derived NC-Nafion@Zn symmetric cell exhibits a long lifespan (3400 h, 1 mA cm^-2; 2000 h, 5 mA cm^-2); moreover, the NC-Nafion@Zn//Mn₄O₃-carbon nanotubes full battery delivers ultralong cycling stability of 9300 cycles at 2 A g^-1 with a high retention of 91.3%.