The Chinese Alliance of Research for Mesothelioma (ChARM) has released China’s first expert consensus on Malignant Mesothelioma of the Tunica Vaginalis Testis (MMTVT). A rare malignancy accounting for 0.3%–5% of all malignant mesotheliomas, MMTVT has long suffered from misdiagnosis and inconsistent treatment due to nonspecific symptoms and lack of unified guidelines. The consensus integrates global evidence and national expert experience, covering epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and follow-up. It emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration (MDT), stratified screening, and personalized therapy, providing authoritative clinical guidance to enhance patient care.

Researchers have developed a novel polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan/sulfonated lignin (PVA-CS-L) hydrogel that integrates the mechanical and biological benefits of lignin. The hydrogel demonstrates enhanced tensile and compressive strength, pH-sensitive controlled release of lignin, and strong antioxidant and antibacterial properties. The material also supports sustained release of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a bioactive compound found in green tea. The findings suggest a new direction for cost-effective, bioactive wound dressings and drug delivery systems.

Euan Young and colleagues show that under harsh conditions, the biological cost of reproduction can shorten women’s lifespans. Scientific theory indeed predicts that having more offspring leads to a shorter life span, but until now, evidence of this link in humans was mixed.

In California’s Death Valley, where summer temperatures regularly soar above 120 degrees Fahrenheit, life seems almost impossible. Yet among the cracked earth and blinding sunlight, one native plant not only survives — it thrives. That plant, Tidestromia oblongifolia, has helped Michigan State University scientists uncover how life can flourish in extreme heat, revealing a potential blueprint for engineering crops that can adapt to our changing climate. In a new paper published in Current Biology, Research Foundation Professor Seung Yon “Sue” Rhee and Research Specialist Karine Prado report that T. oblongifolia grows faster in Death Valley’s summer conditions by rapidly adjusting its photosynthetic system to withstand the heat. 

FAU’s “Art of Science” contest turns research into stunning visual stories. The top image, “First Selfie … Cephie,” shows an octopus seemingly posing for a camera, showcasing its incredible dexterity. Other top winners are the “Sea Turtle Beginning,” capturing embryonic development inside an egg, and “Journey to Space,” a high-altitude balloon bursting nearly 100,000 feet above Earth. The contest celebrates creativity across science, art, and the community, revealing the hidden beauty and wonder of discovery.