A recent study in the Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts describes a bio-based, multimetallic Fe-MOF nanoreactor designed to enhance chemodynamic and ferroptosis-based cancer therapy. The researchers used protocatechuic acid (PCA), a natural phenolic compound, as a redox-active ligand to construct a mixed-valence Fe-MOF framework. Ultrasmall Au nanoparticles and Cu ions were subsequently introduced to establish an Fe/Cu/Au redox-cycling network, while brazilin was incorporated as a natural therapeutic compound and a 4T1 breast cancer cell membrane was used for biomimetic surface coating. The resulting nanoreactor promoted H₂O₂ conversion, hydroxyl-radical generation and glutathione depletion, while increasing lipid peroxidation and disrupting ferroptosis-defense pathways. In 4T1 tumor-bearing mice, the optimized nanoreactor produced an approximately 80% tumor inhibition rate and also provided T1-weighted MRI contrast, demonstrating the potential of the platform for integrated therapeutic and imaging applications.

With the advancement of long-term crewed deep-space exploration missions, the effects of the microgravity environment on astronauts' brain function have become an important topic in aerospace medicine. The disappearance of the hydrostatic pressure gradient during spaceflight induces cephalad fluid shifts, which can alter cerebral blood flow (CBF) and are closely associated with visual impairment, spatial disorientation, and cognitive decline. However, existing studies have predominantly focused on the steady-state phase during the middle and late stages of microgravity exposure, with insufficient understanding of the characteristics of CBF fluctuations during the early phase of postural transitions. Moreover, as an indicator of terminal perfusion in the cerebral microcirculation, the coupling relationship between CBF and the upstream hemodynamics of the internal carotid and vertebral arteries has not been systematically investigated. In addition, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cannot be applied in real time during spaceflight due to its bulky equipment, whereas ultrasound offers the advantages of portability, real-time capability, and radiation-free operation. Therefore, elucidating the association between early macrovascular hemodynamic changes under simulated microgravity and regional CBF alterations, and evaluating the feasibility of using ultrasound parameters as portable predictors of CBF, holds significant scientific importance and application value.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is reshaping the treatment landscape for bacterial infections, and nationwide surveillance is essential for seeing where pressure is easing and where new risks are emerging. 

A research paper by scientists at Tianjin University proposed a magnetically steerable catheter incorporating 2 radially magnetized magnets and a thermosetting shape memory polymer.

The research paper, published on Sep 1, 2026 in the journal Cyborg and Bionic Systems.

Polarization-sensitive photodetectors are critical for advanced optical imaging, secure near-infrared communication and optical encryption, yet most existing two-dimensional devices suffer from narrow spectral coverage, weak anisotropic response and reliance on external power. A collaborative Chinese research team has engineered a vertical van der Waals heterostructure by stacking black phosphorus (BP) with low-symmetry Nb₂SiTe₄, constructing a self-driven photodetector covering an ultra-broad spectrum from ultraviolet (360 nm) to short-wave infrared (2200 nm). The atomically sharp heterointerfaces create strong built-in electric fields for fast charge separation, while intentional symmetry breaking drastically amplifies optical anisotropy, yielding a maximum dichroic ratio of 10.4 under 2200 nm illumination. Proof-of-concept demonstrations validate the device’s capacity for single-pixel polarization-resolved imaging and dual-wavelength polarization encryption and decryption, paving a practical route toward low-power, multifunctional polarization optoelectronic hardware.

This comprehensive review establishes the existing methods and effectiveness of lithium ion battery recycling while putting forth a proposal for the future of lithium ion battery recycling. This proposed mechanism will include artificial intelligence powered diagnoses of the cathode materials to determine the failure features of the cathode and the optimal way to recycle the materials within, as well as the facility to sort the recyclable materials within one facility to establish a closed-loop system.

Researchers at Lund University have demonstrated a new strategy for controlling where light is generated in semiconductor nanowire LEDs. Instead of relying on a material that emits light throughout the device, they used an indirect-bandgap core semiconductor nanowire as a pathway to transport electrical charge into nanoscale branches specifically designed for light emission. The work introduces separating charge transport from light generation, opening opportunities for more efficient nanowire-based optoelectronic devices.

Less UV light may mean less carbon storage in Antarctic tundra

Black phosphorus-based micro-supercapacitors (MSCs) are a highly promising micro-scale energy storage technology beyond traditional lithium-ion batteries. They offer significant advantages in flexible wearable electronics, yet suffer from intrinsic instability and sluggish electron kinetics. The two-dimensional phosphorene/bismuthene (BP/Bi) heterojunction, featuring a highly conductive network and anti-stacking architecture constructed via interfacial P-O-Bi covalent coupling, provides a new solution for the development of high-performance, low-temperature-tolerant MSCs and integrated sensing systems.