This study reveals the spatial heterogeneity and temporal dynamics of vegetation net primary production (NPP) across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) outer ecological barrier, and clarifies the joint impacts of vegetation features, climate and human activities on regional ecological functions.

Tumor cells coexist with diverse immune, stromal, and neural cells in a complex microenvironment. Recent single-cell and spatial transcriptomics have uncovered specialized cell subsets that drive cancer progression, immune evasion, and treatment response. A new review synthesizes these advances, introduces the “virtual tumor” concept for AI-driven ecosystem modeling, and outlines a roadmap from fundamental tumor microenvironment (TME) biology to next-generation precision immunotherapies targeting specific cell populations and their coordinated networks.

A propensity score-matched cohort study compared kidney-sparing surgery with radical nephroureterectomy in patients with ureteral urothelial carcinoma. After matching, radical nephroureterectomy was associated with better overall and cancer-specific survival, especially in selected subgroups. The findings support refined risk stratification and careful patient selection

The practical deployment of lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) is fundamentally limited by the sluggish stepwise sulfur redox kinetics. However, current design philosophies remain heavily constrained by the conventional “adsorption-catalysis” strategy, often overlooking the crucial rate-limiting kinetic obstacle of the high Li⁺ desolvation energy barrier. This sluggish Li⁺ desolvation process imposes a severe kinetic penalty on polysulfide conversion, thereby depressing electrochemical stability. Herein, we propose a catalyst desolvation strategy utilizing a Ce single-atom catalyst to promote the Li⁺ desolvation process, thereby enhancing the redox conversion of polysulfides. Results indicate that the catalyst desolvation strategy increases the proportion of contact ion pairs and aggregates, reduces the Li⁺ desolvation energy barrier, and stabilizes the lithium anode/electrolyte interface. Consequently, the accelerated Li⁺ desolvation facilitates rapid sulfur redox kinetics, thereby realizing stable cycling in LSBs with a low decay rate of 0.036% per cycle over 1700 cycles at 1 C. This work confirms the significant impact of Li⁺ desolvation and provides a new solution for achieving efficient conversion of polysulfides in LSBs.

JUNO's first physics result was published in Nature. Through the analysis of valid data collected over 59 days from August 26 to November 2, 2025, the JUNO Collaboration made the high-precision measurement of the two key oscillation parameters, reducing the associated uncertainties by a factor of 1.6 compared to the combined experimental results in the past decades.

Biochar has often been praised as a “black gold” for sustainable agriculture, pollution control, and carbon storage. Yet despite its promise, its wider use has been limited by a practical challenge: compared with materials such as activated carbon, graphene, and carbon nanotubes, biochar often has lower surface area and electrical conductivity. Expensive post-treatment methods can improve its performance, but they may also increase cost, energy use, and secondary pollution.

A new study reveals that biochar can do more than simply trap pollutants. It may actively redirect antibiotic movement in structured soils, helping reduce the risk of contamination in nearby water systems.

Urban parks, campus lawns, residential gardens, and other greenspaces are vital parts of city life. They cool neighborhoods, support biodiversity, store carbon, and provide places for people to relax. Yet many urban soils are losing organic matter and nutrients under the pressure of rapid urbanization. A new study published in Biochar suggests that the success of common soil restoration practices may depend strongly on one often-overlooked factor: the balance between fungi and bacteria already living in the soil.

Age-related hearing loss is very prevalent in older adults and is associated with accelerated cognitive decline and increased dementia risk. Funded by the Fu Tak Iam Foundation Limited, the School of Nursing (SN) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed the AI-enhanced Gamified Auditory-Cognitive Dual-Task Training System 2.0 (the System) that addresses hearing loss and dementia risk with an integrated innovative solution. In partnership with the Community CareAge Foundation (CCAF), the System has been incorporated into a three-year, territory-wide service under CCAF’s CareAge Hearing Programme and is expected to benefit around 2,400 underprivileged older adults in Hong Kong.