A study published in National Science Review reveals that carbon-14 (C-14) from algae can integrate into zebrafish biomolecules through a food chain transfer pathway, causing metabolic changes and neurological alterations.

A research team led by Professor Chuanxin He at Shenzhen University employed innovative organic doping strategies to modify a large number of molecules within Pt nanocrystals, significantly altering the catalytic properties of metallic Pt. Notably, the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance, which typically dominates in aqueous solution systems, has been successfully transformed into CO₂ electroreduction reaction (CO₂RR). The synthesized PtNPs@Th catalyst demonstrates the ability to electrochemically reduce CO₂ to methane (CH₄) under acidic conditions, exhibiting stability for over 100 hours.

A research team led by Prof. Jintao Zhang (School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University) demonstrates the in-situ loading of molybdenum carbide nanoclusters (MoC) and zinc single atoms (Zn-SA) within porous carbon fibers to invoke the electrocatalytic conversion of iodine at the interface, providing robust guidance for constructing advanced iodine catalysts and optimizing their battery performance.

In the solar system, Icy Worlds such as Europa and Enceladus hold great potential for extraterrestrial life and may provide humanity an answer, within this century, to the age-old question of life beyond Earth. Exo-AUV technology shows promise in life detection in the icy shell, at the ice-water interface and on the seafloor of Exo-ocean. Space agencies, including NASA and DLR, are enthusiastic about deploying Exo-AUVs to explore life in these regions. However, the where and how to find life, the technologies to be utilized and the goals to be achieved are crucial aspects for future Exo-AUV life detection missions on Icy Worlds. This study delves into a hypothetical mission of life detection on Europa, discussing science goals, detectable objects, potential regions and biogenic analysis for Icy Worlds. It proposes a life detection strategy for Icy Worlds based on Exo-AUVs, presents key contextual elements for Exo-AUV operations, outlines technological requirements for hull, payloads and autonomy, introduces the current state of Exo-AUV research and addresses existing challenges. This study also suggests a roadmap for conceptual development of Exo-AUV and a Concept of Operations for Multiple Exo-AUV System (ConOps for MEAS). This system aims to assist planetary scientists and astrobiologists in exploring Icy Worlds, identifying robust biosignatures and potentially discovering extant organisms, even prebiotic chemical systems.

Recently, the group led by Chuan-Feng Li and Zong-Quan Zhou at University of Science and Technology of China has successfully demonstrated an integrated spin-wave quantum memory, by implementing spin-wave quantum storage protocols using a specially developed device.