Leucine-rich repeat-containing 8A (LRRC8A) is a ubiquitously expressed transmembrane protein that functions as the essential component of volume-regulated anion channels (VRACs). These channels are integral to maintaining osmotic balance, metabolite transport, and intercellular communication, thereby ensuring ion homeostasis and facilitating cellular responses to hypotonic stress, oxidative damage, and mechanical cues.

Methanol production consumes enormous amounts of energy and generates significant carbon dioxide. New process uses tiny bursts of underwater plasma to convert methane to methanol in just one step. Plasma is a rare form of matter on Earth but makes up 99% of the observable universe. If scaled, new system could convert methane into fuels at the source of leaks.

A fluoride-assisted strategy improves perovskite nanocrystals embedded in glass, enabling stable, high-efficiency full-spectrum emission, including record blue performance. The material supports tunable RGB output under a single excitation source. Integrated with holographic techniques and spatial light modulation, it achieves ultra-high pixel density (~20,000 PPI). A vertically stacked RGB design further enhances light utilization and resolution, offering a promising route toward energy-efficient, next-generation multicolor display technologies.

Choroidal melanoma is a prevalent intraocular malignant tumor with high mortality rate and liver metastases, related to the lack of sensitive and noninvasive therapeutic modalities. To address the imaging diagnostics and therapeutic predicaments for choroidal melanoma, a novel nanoplatform is developed through the integration of an aggregation-induced emission photosensitizer with two-dimensional MXene nanosheets (MX@PEG-MeoTTPy). This nanoplatform simultaneously exhibits distinctive properties and multiple functions including exceptional biocompatibility, efficient type I reactive oxygen species generation, high-quality fluorescence bioimaging, mild near-infrared (NIR) photothermal performance and superior cellular uptake. Furthermore, a thermosensitive hydrogel composite is engineered to encapsulate the nanosheets, enabling controlled and sustained release over 72 h via NIR irradiation and tumor microenvironment-induced gel–sol transition. The nanoplatform leverages synergistic mild photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy, leading to precise and sustained tumor ablation through pyroptosis-mediated cell death. Both in vitro and in vivo studies validate that the nanosystem serves as an effective theranostic agent for dual-modal imaging-guided synergistic therapy, offering a multifaceted therapeutic strategy for intraocular tumors and showing significant potential for clinical application in choroidal melanoma therapy.

A study led by Prof. Wei Li and Prof. Qi-Kun Xue and published in National Science Review reveals how strain controls electronic landscape and domain wall states in marginally twisted bilayer graphene device with ultra-small twist angles, uncovering strain-driven transitions between two distinct types of domain walls and opening new routes for quantum device design.

New research reveals a powerful yet overlooked driver of climate change: Intensifying ocean eddies. These swirling currents—that break off from major currents—are redistributing heat and nutrients in the ocean and amplifying climate extremes in key coastal ecosystems.