Depression imposes a staggering global socioeconomic burden. Current pharmacotherapies face major limitations, including slow efficacy, adverse effects, and non-response rates of up to 55%, necessitating novel therapeutic modalities. This study introduces terahertz (THz) photoneuromodulation as an innovative physical intervention for depression, offering several advantages over conventional pharmacological or optogenetic approaches. Mild THz photoneuromodulation circumvents the need for exogenous agents or genetic modifications, mitigating potential risks while precisely modulating neurotransmitter levels and neuronal excitability to alleviate depression-like behaviors. In a chronic restraint stress (CRS) mouse model, THz photostimulation rapidly attenuated hyperactivity and increased serotonin levels by 107.5% ± 45.3% in lateral orbitofrontal cortex glutamatergic neurons (OFC^Glu) compared to those treated with antidepressants. This led to marked improvements in depressive-like behaviors and cognitive function. Furthermore, THz modulation of OFC activity recapitulated the effects of chemogenetic inhibition, underscoring the OFC's pivotal role in regulating depressive states. This research unveils THz photoneuromodulation as a promising, safe, rapid-acting, and durable neurotherapeutic strategy addressing persistent unmet needs in depression treatment.

A new study explores the genetic mechanisms behind root development and salt tolerance in Bok choy, a widely grown vegetable known for its shallow roots.

A recent study reveals how grapevine cells adapt to sugar starvation by reprogramming their DNA methylation and gene expression.

A recent study reveals how tea plants defend themselves against herbivores by activating specific genes.

Researchers from Guangxi Normal University observed a new equilibrium mechanism between Coulomb energy and symmetry energy and deformation energy arising in heavy nuclei at the neutron drip line. They proposed a new reference to verify the undetermined neutron magic number based on the nuclei at neutron drip line. They also provided a set of Coulomb energy coefficients with greater accuracy.

An international team of researchers has developed a novel model to predict the critical energy barriers governing heavy-ion fusion reactions. By combining the Skyrme energy density functional with reaction Q-values, the team created an effective nucleus-nucleus potential that accurately reproduces experimental data for over 440 fusion systems. This advancement could streamline the synthesis of superheavy nuclei and improve predictions for nuclear physics experiments, addressing challenges in energy production and fundamental nuclear research.

A recent study shows that marine oxygen levels were crucial to the evolution of Early Paleozoic trilobite body size, suggesting that oxygen may have influenced the evolution of other animals' body size as well.

A new study reveals that vegetation shifts—triggered by global cooling and paleogeographic change—also accelerated major climate changes during the Late Miocene, creating a feedback loop.

Dedicated to refining our understanding of various brain disorders through the lens of ‘dysconnectivity syndromes,’ Brain Network Disorders (BND) is a new open-access journal, sponsored by the Chinese Medical Association, managed by Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University. BND promotes interdisciplinary research on complex conditions like neurodegenerative diseases, movement disorders, and psychological abnormalities. With a keen focus on systems theory and complexity sciences, the journal hopes to bridge neuroscience and clinical practice, encouraging innovative methods and international collaboration to advance diagnostic methods, treatments, and theoretical frameworks.

A new study in ECNU Review of Education by Yansi Hou analyzes the 2024 National Education Conference, highlighting five major education policy tasks and the rhetorical role of leadership speeches in China’s policymaking. The research reveals how structured political discourse—covering history, theory, current conditions, and future goals—guides national education strategy and public consensus. The study sheds light on China’s evolving efforts to build a world-leading education system by 2035.