Conventional thinking holds that the metal site in single atom catalysts (SACs) has been a limiting factor to the continued improvement of the design and, therefore, the continued improvement of the capability of these SACs. More specifically, the lack of outside-the-box thinking when it comes to the crucial hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), a half-reaction resulting in the splitting of water, has contributed to a lack of advancement in this field. New

research emphasizes the importance of pushing the limits of the metal site design in SACs to optimize the HER and addressing the poisoning effects of HO* and O* that might affect the reaction. All of these improvements could lead to an improved performance of the reaction, which can make sustainable energy storage or hydrogen production more available.

Kyoto, Japan -- From the Japanese cypress to the ponderosa pine, wood has been used in construction for millennia. Though materials like steel and concrete have largely taken over large building construction, wood is making a comeback, increasingly being used in public and multi-story buildings for its environmental benefits.

Of course, wood has often been passed over in favor of other materials because it is easily damaged by sunlight and moisture when used outdoors. Wood coatings have been designed to protect wood surfaces for this reason, but coating damage often starts before it becomes visible. Once the deterioration can be seen with the naked eye, it is already too late.

To solve this problem, a team of researchers at Kyoto University is working to create a simple but effective method of diagnosing this nearly invisible deterioration before the damage becomes irreparable.

Scientists found Escherichia albertii, an emerging foodborne pathogen, in 64% of retail chicken meat in Bangladesh. The study revealed widespread contamination, cross-contamination during processing and high antimicrobial resistance. The findings highlight urgent public health risks and the need for improved hygiene, antibiotic regulations and global monitoring.

The liver is the body’s control tower for metabolism, powering vital functions like converting nutrients to glucose, storing fat and breaking down toxins. Over a third of the world, however, is thought to be affected by conditions including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), which jeopardize key liver functions as the condition progresses.

Hepatocyte organoids – the miniature, 3D models of the organ – hold immense promise for accelerating drug development and advancing regenerative therapies. In a study published in Nature, Keio University researchers unveiled a method to proliferate these hard-to-grow organoids by a million-fold in just 3-4 weeks while maintaining key liver functions. “These organoids are potentially the closest laboratory representations of the liver and its multifunctionality,” says senior author Professor Toshiro Sato of the Keio University School of Medicine.

Getting therapeutic drugs past the blood-brain barrier has long been a major challenge in treating brain diseases. Now, researchers from Japan have explored how cholesterol-modified heteroduplex oligonucleotides (Chol-HDOs) enhance drug delivery to the brain. Their study reveals that Chol-HDOs bind tightly to serum proteins, allowing them to persist in the bloodstream and cross into brain tissue. These findings offer insights into gene-targeting therapies and could help develop treatments for conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.