In a breakthrough study published in Science on Nov. 15, international researchers have identified mechanisms driving age-dependent morphological changes occurring in the root apical meristem during phase change.

This review introduces the innovative application of radio frequency (RF) treatment in fluid and semifluid foods, and it is divided into the following sections: DPs of fluid and semifluid foods, applications of RF treatment in fluid and semifluid food processing, RF heating uniformity, and current equipment used for fluid and semifluid food processing.

This work successfully prepared an oxygen-doped porous g-C₃N₄ photocatalyst modified with atomically dispersed Fe (Fe₁/OPCN) with significant superiority in removing refractory sulfonic azo contaminants. The modified Fe acted as the electron acceptors, triggered the self-Fenton reaction, and accelerated the mass transfer. The advanced catalyst-contaminant interaction produced abundant multiple active species for mineralizing sulfonic azo contaminants into small molecules.

Rapid human expansion into natural landscapes, resulting in the growth of the wildland-urban interface (WUI), has heightened risks associated with wildfires. Prof. WANG Jianghao’s team from the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has recently mapped global WUI changes in 2000, 2010, and 2020, revealing alarming upward trends in WUI areas.

Researchers have developed a compound metalens that enables distortion-free imaging with a wide field of view, as presented in a study published in Engineering. The compound metalens architecture offers a novel approach to controlling distortion, with potential applications in various fields.

This study argues that ecolinguistics should consider language as a fundamental human activity that shapes technologically mediated environments. It emphasizes the role of languaging in skill development and expertise acquisition, particularly in second language learning. By integrating languaging, statistical learning, and skillful action, technology can foster diverse coordinated activities. Therefore, the authors advocate for creating technology-rich environments that enable individuals to transform themselves through second language acquisition and the development of new skills and expertise.

On April 8, 2024, the Einstein Probe (EP) captured an unusual transient, EP240408a, with its panorama lobster-eye telescope. The newly emerged source exhibited a brief yet intense X-ray flare, lasting only 12 seconds, 300 times stronger than the underlying X-ray emission observed, before fading away within 10 days. With its unique radiation characteristics, this event does not align with any known transient types, suggesting a possible novel category of cosmic transient phenomena. The first official EP science paper from the team, published in "Science China Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy" on October 30, details this finding.

In a feature article published in SCIENCE CHINA Chemistry, Ming Gong’s group summarized their latest progresses in exploring the effects of ions on electrocatalytic reactions, outlined the current challenges and opportunities in the study of ion effects, and provided insights into future research directions.

In a paper published in SCIENCE CHINA Chemistry, a strategy of ligand-protected direct hydrogen reduction was adapted to prepare zeolite-confined Pt-Pd bimetallic cluster catalysts. These catalysts efficiently catalyze hydrogen production from ammonia borane (AB) solvolysis and tandem hydrogenation of nitroarenes. Interestingly, in the tandem reaction, AB undergoes hydrolysis at the Pt sites to produce active hydrogen species, which are then transferred to the neighboring Pd sites to reduce nitroarenes.