Scientists have identified a key gene that regulates sugar metabolism and dramatically improves tomato fruit quality and resilience after harvest. 

The state-of-the-art digital detector array, developed by the Institute of Modern Physics offers a high - precision measurement tool for the study of exotic nuclei decay. This system demonstrates unique advantages in accurately measuring rare decay processes such as β-delayed proton emission, α decay, and direct proton radioactivity. Verified by experiments on the radioactive isotope ³²Ar and its neighboring nuclei, the system achieves excellent timing and energy resolution, promoting our understanding of nuclear structure and astrophysical processes.

A new study in Engineering introduces an innovative N-glycoproteomic workflow. This method aims to overcome the limitations of current approaches in analyzing the low-abundant N-glycoproteome in human blood plasma. It shows promise in expanding the detection range of glycoproteins, differentiating complex N–glycan structures, and identifying rare N-glycans, potentially advancing the discovery of blood plasma biomarkers.

Functional cure of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains a major clinical challenge. Current therapies—including nucleos(t)ide analogs, interferon, siRNA, and therapeutic vaccines—often fail to sustain HBsAg clearance or induce durable seroconversion after treatment cessation. However, a breakthrough study led by Professor Zhu’s team at the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences demonstrates a promising combinatorial strategy. By pairing an HBV-specific siRNA with their proprietary therapeutic vaccine, the researchers achieved striking long-term efficacy in a CHB mouse model. The combined regimen induced 100% sustained HBsAg loss (lasting ~11 months) and an 80% HBs seroconversion rate, with anti-HBs antibodies persisting stably for the same duration. These findings highlight a potent new approach for CHB functional cure, meriting further clinical evaluation.

A research paper by scientists at Westlake University presented a novel 3D cell culturing and noninvasive characterization technique of neural spheroids, holding a potential application in development of brain organoids.

Forests play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by acting as carbon sinks. However, accurately tracking the carbon dynamics of forests, especially in rapidly urbanizing regions, remains a challenge. A recent study published in Forest Ecosystems offers new insights into the carbon effects of continuous forest change in China’s Yangtze River Delta (YRD) from 2000 to 2020, using advanced monitoring techniques.

A research paper by scientists at University of Rome Tor Vergata represented proof of principle of the use of optically-induced dielectrophoresis (ODEP) analysis for the classification of patient-derived endometrial stromal cells, which could be exploited to help clinicians to stratify patients experiencing reproductive failure.