A groundbreaking study led by researchers at Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) has developed a high-performance near-infrared (NIR) computational spectrometer using finely-tuned lead sulfide (PbS) quantum dots (QDs). This innovation, published in Nano Research, achieves a spectral resolution of 1.5 nm, making it a powerful tool for applications ranging from qualitative material identification to quantitative alcohol content measurement in liquor. The study highlights the critical role of QD monodispersity and precise synthesis in enhancing spectrometer performance, paving the way for portable, low-cost NIR spectrometers in industrial and consumer applications.

In a groundbreaking study published in Nano Research, researchers from Beijing Normal University (Zhuhai) and the University of Wollongong have developed a novel catalytic system that significantly enhances the efficiency of hydrogen oxidation reactions (HOR) in alkaline media. This advancement could pave the way for more efficient and durable anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs), a critical component in the transition to clean energy technologies.

Hydrogen fuel cells are a promising alternative to fossil fuels, offering a clean and renewable energy source. However, the efficiency of these cells is often limited by the sluggish kinetics of the hydrogen oxidation reaction, particularly in alkaline environments. Platinum (Pt) is the most effective catalyst for HOR, but its performance is hindered by high hydrogen adsorption binding energy (HBE) and insufficient hydroxyl adsorption energy (OHBE). This study addresses these challenges by introducing a new catalytic system that balances HBE and OHBE, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the reaction.

Single-atom cobalt catalysts have been recognized as promising alternatives to natural enzymes. However, their relatively low catalytic activity greatly limits their further application. Herein, Single cobalt sites immobilized on defective carbon nanosheets (2D Co-CN(H)) can act as efficient oxidase mimics with high atom utilization efficiency. In particular, the 2D Co-CN(H) catalysts are found to be twice as effective as defect-free Co-CN catalysts. Combined experimental and theoretical analyses reveal that the defects around atomic cobalt sites can rationally regulate the electronic distribution, significantly promoting the cleavage of O-O bonds and thus improving their oxidase-like performance. Taking advantage of the excellent oxidase-like activity of 2D Co-CN(H) catalysts and the good photothermal properties of oxTMB, an innovative dual-mode colorimetric-photothermal sensing platform toward effective discrimination and detection of dihydroxybenzene isomers has been successfully constructed. This study not only highlights the important role of defects on the oxidase-like activity of single-atom nanozymes, but also broadens their potential applications in environmental conservation.

Researchers from Sun Yat-sen University’s Shenzhen Campus, led by WenYuan Yang and Gege Jianga, have developed a decentralized federated learning framework, DFUN-KDF, to enhance UAV network efficiency. By leveraging federated knowledge distillation, it reduces data transmission by up to 99% while addressing model heterogeneity. A robust filtering mechanism ensures stability by eliminating faulty or malicious data. DFUN-KDF outperforms traditional methods in communication energy efficiency, adaptability, and resilience to node failures and attacks. This scalable solution offers significant potential for large-scale UAV deployments in urban management and logistics.

Polyoxometalates (POMs) have broad applicability and significant potential in electrocatalysis and photocatalysis. However, the practical application of pure POMs is significantly constrained by their decomposition in polar media (such as neutral and alkaline solutions). The modification of POMs with metal-calixarene clusters is beneficial for fabricating functional hybrid materials with the combined merits of the two components. Four new thiacalixarene-functionalized polyoxometalate clusters were synthesized by researchers at School of Petrochemical Engineering, Liaoning Petrochemical University, China. These four clusters were characterized by Keggin-type PM₄Mo₈ motifs, which confer redox properties similar to those of PMo₁₂O₄₀³⁻ (PMo₁₂) while providing superior structural stability and electrocatalytic reduction of IO₃⁻. The substitution of four metal ions in PMo₁₂, along with the capping TC4A ligand and VO unit, significantly modulated visible-light absorption, enhancing photothermal conversion in the solid state and organic solutions.

Obesity-related metabolic disorders are driven by insulin resistance and inflammation, yet therapeutic efficacy of endogenous lipid mediators is limited by poor bioavailability and enzymatic degradation. Self-assembled vesicles combining inorganic clusters and lipid mediators improve glucose control, reduce inflammation, and promote weight loss in preclinical study.

In a paper published in Mycology, an international team of scientists mainly reported the isolation and characterization of two new pairs of (±)-penithrones A (1) and B (2), and a chlorinated derivative (±)-penithrone C (3), along with their biogenetic precursors (4–6), from the mangrove-derived fungus Penicillium hispanicum LA032. The study demonstrated significant cytotoxic activity of compounds 1 and 2 against multiple cancer cell lines (IC₅₀ = 5.09–9.47 μmol/L), and identified MAPK10 as a potential molecular target through integrated network pharmacology and molecular docking approaches, providing new insights into fungal-derived anticancer agents.

In the context of global aging, aging has become a key risk factor for chronic diseases and death. It remains uncertain which of the several promising DNA methylation (DNAm)-based algorithms best captures the true state of biological aging. Recently, the team led by Li Xiangwei from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, in collaboration with the team led by Tong Tianlang from Hainan International Medical Center published an article titled "Associations of twelve DNA methylation signatures of aging with mortality" on hLife, bringing new breakthroughs to the field of aging and mortality risk assessment. Based on long-term and population-based cohorts, the team found that GrimAge2 has significant advantages over other DNAm signatures of aging in predicting mortality risk and is expected to become a powerful tool for mortality risk assessment.