A research team at the Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has used scanning nitrogen-vacancy microscopy and vector magnetic field reconstruction to demonstrate at the nanoscale that zigzag graphene nanoribbons embedded in hexagonal boron nitride exhibit strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. The work was published in the Journal of Functional Materials and Devices.

It is widely recognized that the southern part of the southeastern Tibetan Plateau has experienced significant southeastward extrusion since the Late Eocene. However, recent paleomagnetic studies indicate that the northern part may have undergone northward motion, although the magnitude and timing of this motion remain debated. Paleomagnetic investigations of the Eocene Dongwang Formation red beds in the Deqin area, located in the central part of the southeastern Tibetan Plateau, suggest that this region was situated at 34.4°N during the Eocene and experienced no significant latitudinal displacement relative to Eurasia. Integrating regional structural geology and paleomagnetic data, differential north–south motion has occurred along the southeastern Tibetan Plateau since the Late Eocene: the southern part experienced significant southeastward extrusion, the northern part underwent only limited northward displacement, and the central Deqin area constitutes the northernmost boundary of Southeastward Extrusion. The overall motion was likely accomplished by clockwise rotation centered on the Deqin area.

In a recent study published in Science China Earth Sciences, researchers from the Research Group of Seismic Anisotropy and Deep Tectoncis, the Institute of Earthquake Forecasting, China Earthquake Administration, present a lithospheric azimuthal anisotropic model in the E margin and SE margin of Tibetan Plateau (model AniCD-L). The model reveals distinct north–south zonation of lithospheric anisotropy and provides evidence that the southwestern boundary of the South China block extends at least to the vicinity of the Red River Fault at the upper mantle scale. The model AniCD-L provides new seismological constraints on intracontinental deformation mechanisms associated with the India–Eurasia collision.

A new review in SCIENCE CHINA Life Sciences maps how different types of RNAs regulate growth, development, and stress responses in plants. The authors synthesize decades of research and provide a roadmap for harnessing RNA-based strategies to address food security and sustainable agriculture in a changing climate.

Researchers observed an anomalous splitting of image-potential states on higher-order topological Bi(111). By tuning film thickness and substrate screening, they linked the splitting to a radial active electric field and the development of Bi(111) surface states. The anomaly provides a possible spectroscopic signature of a monopole-like topological magnetoelectric response.

A new review traces the development of carbohydrate-based medicines originating from marine organisms, from early bioactivity studies to approved products and current clinical trials. It links structural features such as sulfation, molecular weight and branching with therapeutic use, and outlines the production, quality-control, mechanistic and pharmacokinetic challenges that still limit clinical translation.