A reanalysis of a one-million-year-old human skull found in China is challenging the established timeline of human evolution, and suggests a new branch of the human family tree, as well as a possible link to the mysterious Denisovans.

The synergistic system of H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀ and acetic acid enables efficient lignin depolymerization to monophenols under mild oxygen pressure (0.1 MPa O₂). H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀ delivers dual acidic/oxidative functions, while acetic acid enhances lignin solubility, stabilizes catalyst complexes, and promotes oxygen activation. Crucially, this system stabilizes C_α-hydroxyl groups to inhibit recalcitrant C–C bond formation. This work establishes an industrially promising strategy for lignin valorization through oxidative cleavage under exceptionally mild conditions.

Simultaneously suppressing primary CO₂ formation through the stabilization of phase-pure iron carbides and secondary CO₂ generation via hydrophobic surface engineering and graphene confinement has emerged as a promising strategy in iron-based Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. These approaches effectively mitigate side reactions such as the water-gas shift and CO disproportionation, enhance active phase stability, and ultimately improve carbon efficiency, reduce CO₂ emissions, and promote selective formation of long-chain hydrocarbons under realistic FTS conditions.

Gene editing in plants remains challenging, with the traditional non-homologous end-joining (cNHEJ) repair pathway often hindering precision. 

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) cause about one in three deaths worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 19.8 million CVD deaths in 2022, roughly 32% of all deaths. Care remains reactive and generic.

AI-powered integration of multi-omics and genomic data improves risk prediction and speeds diagnosis beyond traditional tools, study shows. With the support of advanced genetic technology, clinician can choose the right therapy to the right person, thus easing the burden on patients and health systems.

Tiny, three-dimensional organoid models are reshaping cancer research by recreating the intricate architecture and diversity of human tumors.

Genetic newborn screening supports early identification of a child’s critical condition, guiding to a better start in life. Large-scale evidence shows that adding next-generation sequencing (NGS) as a first-tier screen catches conditions that standard blood-spot tests miss. The study found one additional affected newborn in every 500 who would have been missed by routine biochemical screening.

Scientists have reinvented a 19th-century pesticide breakthrough for modern agriculture. While copper-based bactericides like Bordeaux mixture (copper sulfate + lime) revolutionized crop protection in 1885, their heavy metal pollution and plant toxicity remain unresolved. Now, researchers apply cutting-edge single-atom material technology to create Cu₁/CaCO₃, a next-gen copper bactericide where isolated copper atoms are anchored on calcium carbonate. This atomic-level design delivers the same powerful disease protection while reducing copper residue by 20-fold and minimizing plant damage. More than just a new pesticide, this advancement bridges advanced materials science with sustainable agriculture, offering a blueprint for developing eco-friendly crop protection solutions that address both efficacy and environmental concerns.

Professor Alexander Hoffmann and Genhong Cheng from University of California, Los Angeles, jointly with Professor David Baltimore from California Institute of Technology, published a review article in the newly launched journal Immunity & Inflammation. This article provides a systematic overview of NF-κB, covering its activation mechanisms, gene regulatory networks, physiological and pathological roles. It also summarizes recent advances in therapeutic strategies targeting NF-κB, offering a critical foundation for deeper understanding the pathway’s functions and mechanisms.