Transition-metal sulfides can accelerate sulfur reactions in all-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries, but their own stability during cycling has received less attention. Researchers uncovered two major catalyst failure pathways and used these insights to develop a compositionally disordered catalyst. The new design suppresses phase separation and transition metal migration while maintaining carrier transport, enabling efficient sulfur conversion under demanding battery conditions.

Researchers have uncovered how compressive strain and oxygen contents drive Ruddlesden–Popper nickelate thin films toward superconductivity. X-ray reveals that key electronic orbitals become increasingly delocalized while long-range magnetic order is suppressed, yet short-range magnetic excitations remain robust. The findings identify an orbital-selective pathway toward high-temperature superconductivity in Ruddlesden–Popper nickelates.

Researchers have uncovered an unexpected antiviral role for PGK1, an enzyme best known for its function in glucose metabolism. Acting through its non-canonical protein kinase activity, PGK1 phosphorylates the host protein heat shock protein 90-alpha (HSP90AA1), reduces its chaperone function, and promotes its proteasomal degradation. The resulting loss of viral protein stability restricts the replication of several RNA and DNA viruses, highlighting a potential host-directed antiviral strategy.

A new hydrogel electrolyte controls water reactivity and stabilizes both electrodes in aqueous zinc-iodine batteries. Laboratory cells operated from minus 40 to 90 °C Celsius, while a 120 mAh pouch cell retained about 83% capacity after 2,300 cycles.

Researchers have developed an orally administered chirality-engineered nanozyme that protects the heart from chemotherapy-induced damage by targeting the gut rather than the heart itself. The nanozyme reshapes gut microbiota and host metabolism through the gut-heart axis, significantly alleviating doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity while preserving the anticancer efficacy of doxorubicin. The study highlights stereochemical engineering as a promising strategy for designing next-generation nanozyme therapeutics.