The research team led by Hanmin Huang and Bangkui Yu at the University of Science and Technology of China developed a palladium-catalyzed diastereoselective and enantioselective cascade cyclization strategy, achieving the modular synthesis of chiral nitrogen-bridged ring skeletons. Using readily available salicylaldehyde and aminodiene as starting materials, and based on the team's previously developed strategy of "in-situ generation of three-membered ring palladium active intermediates from aldehydes and amines," the bridged oxazole bicyclic compounds were constructed with high diastereoselectivity through a continuous cyclization process. This method exhibits excellent substrate universality, providing an efficient and precise route for synthesizing drug molecules with complex three-dimensional structures. The article was published as an open access Communication in CCS Chemistry, the flagship journal of the Chinese Chemical Society.

Humans develop sharp vision during early fetal development thanks to an interplay between a vitamin A derivative and thyroid hormones in the retina. The findings could upend decades of conventional understanding of how the eye grows light-sensing cells and could inform new research into treatments for macular degeneration, glaucoma, and other age-related vision disorders. 

In a must-see topical lecture called “From Discovery to Impact: A Framework for Research That Strengthens Communities,” Morton draws on Arizona State University’s pioneering model of use-inspired research — where excellence is measured by the overall economic, social, cultural, and overall health of the communities ASU serves.

Dr. Bruce Gnade, professor emeritus of materials science and engineering and director of workforce development at the North Texas Semiconductor Institute at The University of Texas at Dallas, was elected Feb. 10 as a member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), one of the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer.

As the global electric vehicle (EV) market and renewable energy sector continue to expand rapidly, demand for advanced lithium-ion battery technology continues to grow. A research team from City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) has been awarded funding under the "RAISe+ Scheme" to address the long-standing voltage decay issue associated with lithium-rich cathode materials. This groundbreaking research aims to introduce a new range of battery materials that offer enhanced energy density, extended lifespan and reduced costs.