Poor dietary quality is a well known contributor to upper gastrointestinal cancer, but whether psychological distress amplifies this risk has remained unclear. 

Published in Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts, the study abandons the long-standing "component-independent assumption" used in conventional kinetic models. Instead, it introduces a component-coupled framework based on representative volume element analysis (RVEA) and a controlled-release densification pretreatment using sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide. By transforming lignin-derived inhibitors into quantifiable kinetic indicators, the model captures how lignin removal dynamically exposes hemicellulose, driving the transition from slow to fast hydrolysis phases. Semi-analytical solutions deliver high computational efficiency, while explicit relationships between process parameters and kinetic behavior enable rational design of lignocellulosic biorefinery processes.

With the increasingly urgent demand for non-toxic, high-specific-impulse propellants in space propulsion systems, ammonium dinitramide (ADN)-based liquid propellants have attracted extensive attention as a new-generation green alternative to hydrazine-based fuels. However, existing ADN-based thrusters all adopt the catalytic ignition technology route, which suffers from inherent drawbacks: the catalyst cannot withstand temperatures exceeding 1500 K, long preheating times are required prior to startup (in the Prisma mission, in-flight preheating lasted 600–720 s with a single-event energy consumption of 25 kJ), and insufficient preheating may lead to "hard start" or even explosion—these issues severely constrain the rapid response capability and operational safety of the thrusters. Although active ignition methods such as resistive ignition and laser ignition have been validated at the single-droplet level, how to achieve catalyst-free electric ignition at the thruster system level and systematically evaluate its combustion characteristics remains a critical engineering problem urgently to be addressed in the field of green space propulsion.

A research team mapped hormonal and metabolic changes during molting in captive male Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti). 

In a paper published in Mycology, System and Synthetic Biotechnology, the team in Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, developed PAMP, an open-source automated image-analysis pipeline for quantitative morphological profiling throughout the life cycle of filamentous fungi. The platform enables high-resolution characterization of fungal development from spore germination to pellet formation, reveals quantitative relationships between fungal architecture and fermentation performance, and provides a scalable tool for morphology-guided strain engineering and industrial bioprocess optimization.

The taste of kokumi works outside the five basic tastes of sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami to enhance the perceived texture and flavor complexity of food. Researchers recently wrote a review article summarizing advances in the field of kokumi research, limitations of current kokumi peptides, proposed mechanisms of action and future directions.

Fatigue is physical and mental exhaustion that can often be an early sign of severe health conditions. Current treatments for fatigue are mostly behavioral, including light physical activity, improved diet, stress reduction, and rest. Researchers are studying additional ways to manage fatigue, including supplements and enriched foods.

C-terminal truncated HBx (Ct-HBx) upregulates plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression by increasing chromatin accessibility. The rs2227631-GG and the rs11178-TT of PAI-1 that facilitate PAI-1 expression and their interactions with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-risk hepatitis B virus (HBV) mutations promote HBV-HCC. Serum concentration of PAI-1 increased progressively during HBV-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. rs2227631-GG and rs11178-TT genotypes, along with higher PAI-1 expression, were risk factors for poor postoperative prognosis in HBV-HCC.PAI-1 is a novel prognostic and predictive factor for HBV-HCC.

Accurate positioning with Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) faces a persistent challenge: the highly dynamic ionosphere, characterized by pronounced spatial inhomogeneity and nonlinear temporal variability. 

A research team found that dietary Radix isatidis herbal residue (RIHR), a traditional Chinese medicine by-product, may improve growth, mucosal immunity, gut microbiota, and lipid metabolism in broilers.