News from Science China Press

Recently, Professor Hanjun Sun and his team from Nanjing Normal University proposed a novel C_sp–π–d conjugation design strategy. By incorporating carbon–carbon triple bonds (C≡C) into a metalloporphyrin framework, they constructed a C_sp–π–d conjugated structure with unique electronic modulation capability, enabling precise regulation of the adsorption behavior of the key oxygen reduction intermediate *OH and thereby significantly enhancing the performance of non-precious-metal catalysts. The resulting p-Co-TEPP/rGO catalyst not only exhibited outstanding oxygen reduction activity in alkaline media, but also delivered superior overall performance to the Pt/C–RuO₂ cathode in zinc–air batteries, offering a new strategy for the design of low-cost, high-performance energy catalysts.

A deep learning system (DL-T1b) leveraging digital pathology achieved strong performance (AUC 0.910) for predicting lymph node metastasis in T1b gastric cancer. Integration with six clinical risk factors into a nomogram further boosted predictive accuracy, offering a precise tool for personalized treatment decisions. This study establishes proof-of-concept for deep learning-based pathomics in early gastric cancer risk stratification.

Progesterone insensitive has long hindered fertility-preserving treatment for endometrial cancer. Now in Science Bulletin, researchers from Peking University People's Hospital and Peking University, in collaboration with Beihang University show that cholesteryl ester accumulation in the tumor microenvironment predicts response. Adding statins to standard therapy reverses progesterone insensitivity, significantly increasing the likelihood of both achieving endometrial cancer remission and preserving future fertility.

Researchers developed a KRAS-driven mouse model of sporadic brain arteriovenous malformation and identified thalidomide as a candidate therapy. In mice, thalidomide improved survival, reduced lesion growth, and stabilized abnormal vessels. In a proof-of-concept clinical study, most evaluable patients showed stable or regressed lesions.

Efficient electrochemical nitrate reduction to ammonia requires not only active catalysts, but also precise control over active hydrogen utilization under industrial operating conditions. By introducing cerium into Cu₂O, we constructed Cu⁰-Cu⁺ and Cu-O-Ce dual active sites, enabling the regulation of hydrogen transfer pathways and suppressing the competing hydrogen evolution reaction to promote the selective nitrate-to-ammonia conversion.

This review provides a critical assessment of the ongoing debate surrounding altermagnetism in ruthenium dioxide (RuO₂), synthesizes a decade of experimental and theoretical efforts, offering a clear roadmap of the studies conducted on RuO₂.

Spinal cord injury is often seen as damage to the nervous system, but a new review argues that paralysis is only the visible tip of a much larger iceberg. The authors map how spinal cord trauma can disrupt autonomic control, immunity and metabolism, triggering complications across distant organs and reshaping long-term recovery.