A study published in Journal of Railway Science and Technology developed a class of polymer fiber-reinforced concrete that mitigates brittle behavior under low vacuum conditions. Using acoustic emission techniques, the research examined how low vacuum environments, fiber type, fiber content, and coarse aggregates affect the mechanical properties of two fiber-reinforced concretes, identifying an optimal material combination.

In a new study titled “Enteric Viruses and Free-Living Amoebae: Protozoa as Potential Reservoirs and Transport Vessels for human Norovirus and Adenovirus,” published in Water & Ecology, an international team of researchers demonstrated that human norovirus (HNoV) and adenovirus (HAdV) can reside within environmental free-living amoebae (FLA) for up to 12 days. Viruses remained infectious within amoebae while encapsulated, protected from amoebal digestion and structural degradation. The detection of HAdV mRNA further suggests possible viral replication. These findings indicate that FLA may serve as environmental reservoirs and transmission vessels for enteric viruses—challenging the current water treatment efficacy and underscoring the need for updated public health guidance.

A new type of digital image correlation (DIC) system that incorporates a binocular meta-lens, featuring a simple and compact configuration. Meta-lens is one of the promising flat optical imaging devices that are ultra-thin, customizable, and well-suited for use in confined spaces.

Microscopy is a vital tool for exploring the mysteries of life, enabling scientists to observe the dynamic changes of cells and organelles across spatial and temporal scales. However, because cells are primarily composed of water and exhibit low refractive-index contrast, it remains challenging to clearly visualize their internal structures. In recent years, Intensity Diffraction Tomography (IDT), an emerging label-free 3D imaging technique, has attracted increasing attention. Instead of relying on fluorescent dyes, IDT directly exploits the intrinsic refractive-index distribution of cells for imaging, thereby avoiding phototoxicity and photobleaching and making it particularly suitable for long-term live-cell observation. When combined with 3D fluorescence microscopy, this dual-modal approach can simultaneously provide molecular specificity and global structural information, offering a powerful tool for deciphering cellular components and their interactions. Nevertheless, long-term imaging (from several hours to days) is often hindered by the optical complexity of cells, environmental thermal drift, and mechanical instabilities of the microscope, which lead to time-varying aberrations and focal drift. Achieving stable, high-quality tracking of subcellular structures over extended periods therefore remains a key challenge.

Researchers use the WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting) model to conduct a large-eddy simulation of a tornado that occurred in the Foshan area, applying a rederived equation for vertical pressure gradient force, they analyzed the influence of horizontal vortex tubes on the tornado. The results showed that horizontal vortex tubes play a significant role in the development of tornadoes. 

Magnetic compression anastomosis (MCA) is an emerging minimally invasive surgical technique using magnets to join tissues, originally for gastrointestinal procedures and now explored for pediatric esophageal atresia repair. Magnets placed on tissue surfaces create controlled compression promoting fusion. While showing promise for challenging anatomical locations, optimal magnet design, compression forces, and safety protocols require further research. Recent innovations like convex-concave magnets may reduce complications, but more studies are needed to establish best practices and long-term efficacy.

This study provided a comprehensive evaluation of CHARMS™ skincare cosmetics in terms of their ability to improve skin tone, their antioxidant properties, and the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with potential skin benefits. Skincare efficacy has become a growing consumer concern, particularly regarding antioxidant activity and skin-lightening effects. Using a clinical trial on 20 female volunteers, the research revealed that CHARMS™ products significantly enhanced skin appearance, with a 3.23% improvement in skin lightness and a 5.75% reduction in skin redness.

 

Antioxidant analysis demonstrated that the serum and cleanser exhibited the strongest radical scavenging activities, while the moisturizer showed the highest total phenolic content, and the cleanser yielded the highest flavonoid content. These findings suggest that each product in the CHARMS™ line contributes differently to skin protection and rejuvenation. Furthermore, electronic nose gas chromatography (e-nose-GC) detected VOCs such as limonene and γ-terpinene, compounds known for their skin-lightening and antioxidant effects.

 

Together, these results highlight the scientific basis for the cosmetic benefits of CHARMS™ skincare products. The combination of natural ingredients, antioxidant activity, and the presence of VOCs supports their effectiveness in reducing oxidative stress, preventing pigmentation, and improving skin tone. The study also confirmed that CHARMS™ products complied with Malaysia’s Control of Cosmetic Products regulations, underscoring their safety and suitability for daily skincare routines.

 

Overall, this work not only validated the claims of CHARMS™ cosmetics but also provided an evidence-based perspective on how antioxidant-rich ingredients and bioactive VOCs synergistically promote skin tone improvement. The findings suggest promising applications of CHARMS™ in both cosmetic and dermatological contexts, meeting consumer demand for safe, effective, and scientifically proven skincare products.

The Shockley–Queisser (S-Q) model sets a theoretical limit on the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of single-junction solar cells at around 33%. Recently, a PCE of 50%-60% was achieved for the first time in n-type single-junction Si solar cells by inhibiting light conversion to heat at low temperatures. Understanding these new observations opens tremendous opportunities for designing solar cells with even higher PCE to provide efficient and powerful energy sources for cryogenic devices and outer and deep space explorations.

The development of highly efficient and durable bifunctional catalysts with minimal precious metal usage is critical for advancing proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE). We present an iridium–platinum nanoalloy (IrPt) supported on lanthanum and nickel co-doped cobalt oxide, featuring a core–shell architecture with an amorphous IrPtO_x shell and an IrPt core. This catalyst exhibits exceptional bifunctional activity for oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions in acidic media, achieving 2 A cm⁻² at 1.72 V in a PEMWE device with ultralow loadings of 0.075 mg_Ir cm⁻² and 0.075 mg_Pt cm⁻² at anode and cathode, respectively. It demonstrates outstanding durability, sustaining water splitting for over 646 h with a degradation rate of only 5 μV h⁻¹, outperforming state-of-the-art Ir-based catalysts. In situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory simulations reveal that the optimized charge redistribution between Ir and Pt, along with the IrPt core–IrPtO_x shell structure, enhances performance. The Ir–O–Pt active sites enable a bi-nuclear mechanism for oxygen evolution reaction and a Volmer–Tafel mechanism for hydrogen evolution reaction, reducing kinetic barriers. Hierarchical porosity, abundant oxygen vacancies, and a high electrochemical surface area further improve electron and mass transfer. This work offers a cost-effective solution for green hydrogen production and advances the design of high-performance bifunctional catalysts for PEMWE.