The research teams of Professors Yu Tang and Fengjuan Chen from Lanzhou University proposed a new mixed ligand strategy. By introducing complementary building units into covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and systematically regulating their ratios, they achieved synergistic optimization of the four key steps in the photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide synthesis, effectively breaking through the constraints between various performance indicators and significantly improving the overall catalytic efficiency. Studies have shown that the introduction of the DTTA unit significantly broadens the light absorption range and enhances the charge carrier separation ability; while the TA component improves the crystallinity and hydrophilicity of the material, thereby promoting the transport and mass transfer of photogenerated charges. At the optimal ratio, TA/DTTA-2-TMT achieved an H₂O₂ generation rate of 3451 μmol·g^-1·h^-1 in pure water, air and 100 mW·cm^-2 light. This work provides new ideas for the development of high-performance H₂O₂ photocatalysts. The article was published as an open access research article in CCS Chemistry, the flagship journal of the Chinese Chemical Society.

Microplastics, tiny bits of plastic less than 5 millimeters in size, are now found in our air, food, water, and even inside the human body, according to new research led by scientists from China and the United States. The study, published in Carbon Research, urges scientists and policymakers to take immediate steps to understand and address potential health risks linked to widespread plastic pollution.

A new study offers a breakthrough solution to one of the world’s most pressing environmental problems: plastic pollution. Researchers have discovered how to transform discarded plastics into valuable carbon-based materials that can clean the environment and power next-generation energy devices.

Adding carbon-rich materials such as biochar and hydrochar to farmland soils is often seen as a promising way to fight climate change. But a new study from Finland shows that the type of char used can make a big difference in whether the soil releases or stores greenhouse gases.

In a surprising twist to one of biology’s most fundamental processes, a new study published on October 17, 2025, in the open-access journal Carbon Research has revealed that plant roots can actively absorb CO₂ from the soil—and this hidden process is powerfully influenced by light, fertilizer, and atmospheric conditions.

This study obtained historical genomes (~1900) of 46 Eastern honeybees. A comparison between historical and contemporary genomes revealed a decline in genetic diversity. Genes related to the nervous system have undergone rapid evolution over the past century, including key insecticide targets nAchRs. Insecticide exposure experiments confirmed genomic divergence among populations: those from central China exhibited stronger pesticide tolerance compared to populations from Malaysia.

According to World Health Organization data, more than one billion people live with a mental disorder. Depression alone affects 5.7% of adults. Bipolar disorder affects about 1 in 150 adults (40 million). Against this backdrop, researchers are using large genetic studies to flag who is at higher risk years before the first clinical sign. A recently posted study in the journal Genes outlines how precision medicine—combining genomics with environment and lifestyle—can move care from reaction to prevention.

In a review article published in MedComm – Biomaterials and Applications, an international team of researchers systematically explores the groundbreaking role of vitamin-engineered nanoplatforms in precision oncology. Categorizing these nanoplatforms by vitamin solubility (fat-soluble: A, D, E, K; water-soluble: B complex, C), the team details their multifunctional applications across three core domains: enhancing cancer immunotherapy by remodeling the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), enabling stimuli-responsive targeted drug delivery, and integrating diagnostic imaging for theranostic purposes. The review also highlights preclinical breakthroughs, addresses key challenges in translation, and outlines a roadmap for advancing next-generation vitamin-based nanomedicines.

The mechanical properties of biological fluids can act as early indicators of disease, reflecting subtle physiological and pathological changes. However, current technologies face challenges in achieving high-throughput measurements, which limits their broader application in clinical diagnostics. To address this issue, the researchers developed a laser-emission vibrational microscopy technique based on whispering gallery mode laser, enabling rapid, high-throughput analysis of fluid mechanical properties. The method demonstrated strong potential for large-scale and efficient screening of hyperlipidemia.

In a review article published in MedComm – Biomaterials and Applications, a team of researchers from multiple institutions in China comprehensively explores lipid‐based nanocarriers (LBNCs) as a transformative solution for liver diseases. The review details the rational design of various LBNC types (including liposomes, micelles, nanoemulsions, and more), their preclinical and clinical applications in treating conditions like hepatitis, liver fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as well as the key challenges hindering their translation from laboratory to clinic. It also proposes forward‐looking strategies, such as AI‐driven lipid optimization, to accelerate the clinical adoption of LBNC‐based therapies.