News from China
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 21-Dec-2025 08:11 ET (21-Dec-2025 13:11 GMT/UTC)
Autophagy as a targeted therapeutic approach for skin cancer: Evaluating natural and synthetic molecular interventions
Chinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.This review systematically delineates autophagy’s dual role in skin cancer: tumor-suppressive in early stages (via clearing dysfunctional cellular components to hinder malignant initiation) and tumor-promoting in advanced stages (sustaining cancer cell survival under stress). It characterizes natural, synthetic, and semisynthetic autophagy modulators (e.g., curcumin, rapamycin) that act through PI3K/Akt/mTOR or ROS pathways, with no notable adverse effects in preclinical models .
Its innovation lies in integrating subtype-specific autophagy regulatory mechanisms and modulator safety profiles. Clinically, it provides a framework for stage-specific strategies (inducers for early stages, inhibitors for advanced) and combination therapies, offering insights into personalized skin cancer treatment.
Biochar shows big promise for climate-friendly soil management
Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural UniversityPeer-Reviewed Publication
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- Biochar
Advancing hydrogen production: Overcoming photocorrosion in CdS photocatalysts
Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural UniversityIn a significant stride towards enhancing the efficiency of hydrogen production, researchers are exploring the role of lignin-derived carbon Co-based composites in overcoming photocorrosion in CdS photocatalysts. The study, titled "Overcoming Photocorrosion in CdS Photocatalysts: The Role of Lignin-Derived Carbon Co-Based Composites in Hydrogen Production," is led by Prof. Xueqing Qiu and Prof. Yanlin Qin from the Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Biorefinery at Guangdong University of Technology in Guangzhou, China, in collaboration with the Guangdong Provincial Laboratory of Chemistry and Fine Chemical Engineering Jieyang Center and the Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Ecological Security and Green Development. This research offers critical insights into improving the stability and performance of CdS photocatalysts for sustainable hydrogen production.
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- Carbon Research
High-entropy alloy nanozyme ROS biocatalyst treating tendinopathy via up-regulation of PGAM5/FUNDC1/GPX4 pathway
Tsinghua University PressPeer-Reviewed Publication
Tendinopathy is a common and complex musculoskeletal disorder, unfortunately current clinical strategies for tendinopathy have low therapeutic efficacy because of complicated pathogenesis. Oxidative stress is considered as the major cause of tendinopathy as well as the important target, but still lacking ideal antioxidant solution. To this end , an efficient reactive oxygen species (ROS) biocatalyst, PtIrRuRhCu high-entropy alloy nanozyme (HEANZ), has been designed for treatment of tendinopathy. The non-ionic block copolymer (polyvinyl pyrrolidone) coated PtIrRuRhCu HEANZ with size of ~4.0 nm exhibit good biocompatibility and multiple enzyme-like antioxidant activity (including peroxidase, catalase and SOD-like) to modulate ROS. The therapeutic efficacy of PtIrRuRhCu HEANZ in tendinopathy has been systematically demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. PtIrRuRhCu HEANZ can alleviate the TBHP(t-Butyl Hydroperoxide) stimulated tendinopathy by clearing ROS, reducing inflammation and restoring mitochondrial autophagy. Using PGAM5 siRNA and FUNDC1 siRNA for intervention, we clearly revealed that PtIrRuRhCu HEANZ promoted mitochondrial autophagy through upregulating the PGAM5/FUNDC1/GPX4 axis. This study provides a nanozyme strategy for the antioxidant treatment of tendinopathy and provides insights into the therapeutic mechanism.
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- Nano Research
Scientists reveal dual signal pathway that drives apple peel degreening
Nanjing Agricultural University The Academy of ScienceColor change during fruit ripening greatly influences visual appeal and market value. In apples, the transition from green to red or yellow depends on chlorophyll breakdown, yet the molecular link between hormonal and light cues has remained elusive.
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- Horticulture Research
Supertwisted WS2 spirals synthesized on step-edge non-Euclidean surfaces: Twist angle modulation and optical properties
Tsinghua University PressTransition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) is a two-dimensional (2D) layered material composed of transition metal elements and chalcogenide elements. Among them, supertwisted WS2 spiral structure have attracted significant attention. As a twisted 2D layered material, supertwisted spirals exhibit multiple layers of continuous twisted structures, which give rise to their unique optoelectronic properties. Thus, the research of supertwisted spirals is very important.
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- Nano Research
Direct ink writing nanogenerator: Texture structure and its influence on the piezoelectric performance
Tsinghua University PressAs an additive manufacturing technique enabling complex geometric fabrication, direct ink writing (DIW) has established itself as a cornerstone technology for flexible electronics production. However, the inherent filament deposition process introduces anisotropic texture surface morphologies. Systematic investigation into the causal relationship between these topographical features and device performance is imperative for advancing performance-optimized flexible sensor architectures.
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- Nano Research
Transfer hydrogenation reactions over single-atom catalysts
Tsinghua University PressTransfer hydrogenation (TH) emerges as a frontier in hydrogenation science for utilizing safe and available non-H2 hydrogen sources. Single-atom catalysts (SACs), with maximal atom utilization, well-defined active sites, and tunable structures, are attractive heterogeneous catalysts for TH due to the superior performance, clear structure-performance relationship, and low cost. This review categorizes TH by hydrogen sources, exploring the correlation between SACs’ structural characters and catalytic behaviors as well as corresponding synthetic strategies toward the featured structures of SACs. It also discusses challenges/opportunities remained in the field of TH promoted by SACs, guiding the design of high-performance SACs for the environmental-friendly and cost-effective hydrogenation technology.
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- Nano Research
Highly selective synthesis of Kagome-honeycomb assembled lattice composed of N-doped macrocycles on surfaces
Tsinghua University PressRegarded as a superposition of the Kagome and the honeycomb lattice, the Kagome-honeycomb lattice potentially inherits the exotic electronic band structures of both sublattices, such as topologically nontrivial flat bands and linearly dispersing bands. Due to these unique band structures, the Kagome-honeycomb lattice may serve as a versatile platform for exploring various exotic physical phenomena, including the quantum anomalous Hall effect, tunable superconductivity, and (anti-)ferromagnetism. However, current research on Kagome-honeycomb lattices remains limited, only a few studies have constructed such lattices through hydrogen bonding or π-π interactions. Achieving large-area and well-ordered Kagome-honeycomb lattices remains a significant challenge.
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- Nano Research