A new research perspective highlights bamboo as a promising and sustainable alternative to traditional plastic materials, offering fresh hope in tackling one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time: global plastic pollution.

Recently, a team led by Academician Hongjie Zhang, Researcher Shuyan Song, Associate Researcher Pengpeng Lei, and Dr. Ran An at the Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, developed an innovative strategy to construct a series of biodegradable cesium nanosalts. These nanosalts activate anti-tumor immunity by inducing pyroptosis and metabolic intervention. The nanosalts induce ion endocytosis in tumor cells using a Trojan horse strategy, disrupting intracellular ion homeostasis, causing a surge in osmotic pressure, and ultimately triggering pyroptosis. Cesium ions (Cs⁺) can inhibit the ion channel activity of sodium/glucose cotransporters, hindering glucose transport. The introduction of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) not only amplifies pyroptosis but also initiates immunogenic ferroptosis. The multiple effects of the nanosalts lead to the release of damage-related molecular patterns, thereby activating a robust anti-tumor immune response. The article was published as an open access research article in CCS Chemistry, the flagship journal of the Chinese Chemical Society.

A team of researchers has announced a breakthrough in carbon dioxide (CO2) capture technology, unveiling a novel biochar material synthesized from corn straw using a microwave-assisted, two-step chemical activation strategy. This innovative approach, published in Sustainable Carbon Materials, promises a low-cost, scalable solution for addressing global greenhouse gas emissions and advancing climate change mitigation efforts.

Published in the Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts, a new study presents a novel composite hydrogel combining bacterial cellulose, conductive polypyrrole, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to treat diabetic wounds. The hydrogel mimics the skin’s natural healing cascade, offering antibacterial protection, immune regulation, and enhanced tissue regeneration. In vitro and in vivo results show accelerated wound closure, improved vascularization, and reduced inflammation. The material’s electrical responsiveness allows controlled release of bioactive molecules, making it a promising advanced wound dressing for chronic diabetic ulcers.

New evidence from South China reveals how early humans adapted to environmental transformations during the Late Pleistocene.