The rapid rise of IoT and AI is exposing the energy and data movement limits of von Neumann computing. Neuromorphic computing, especially spiking neural networks, offers a compelling alternative but demands compact hardware with neuron like nonlinear dynamics. In the new Nano Research review, Prof. Chuanyu Han’s team highlights recent progress in artificial spiking neurons built from emerging electronic devices, spanning memristor-based and transistor-based implementations. The article distills key spiking mechanisms, practical circuit design templates, and system demonstrations for neuromorphic perception and brain inspired computing, and introduces a rigorous unified benchmarking framework to help compare technologies and accelerate interdisciplinary work across materials science and microelectronics.

Infrared focal plane arrays (FPAs) are image sensors, widely used in thermal imaging systems across various fields. Future advancements in FPAs are expected to require high data rates, which can cause heat leakage from electrical interconnects into FPAs, increasing noise and raising cooling requirements. In a new study, researchers demonstrated cryogenic vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL)-based optical interconnects that can achieve high-speed communication while reducing thermal leakage and power consumption.

Apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, is essential for staying healthy, and its dysregulation contributes to cancer and developmental disorders. In a recent study, researchers from Japan identified the protein Zbtb38 as a direct regulator of a key apoptosis inhibitor called X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP). They showed that Zbtb38 activates XIAP independently of other major regulatory mechanisms, revealing a new pathway for controlling cell survival with potential implications for treating apoptosis-resistant cancers.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for more than 90% of oral cancers and remains associated with poor clinical outcomes despite advances in surgery, radiotherapy, and targeted therapies. Resistance to anti-angiogenic treatment remains a major challenge, partly due to vasculogenic mimicry (VM), a process in which aggressive tumor cells form vessel-like networks independently of endothelial cells, thereby supporting tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis.

Advances in precision oncology necessitate tools capable of effectively imaging and treating deep-seated tumours. Radioactive quantum dots (RQDs) fulfil this requirement by creating self-luminescent probes through the unique fusion of quantum dots’ (QDs) tunable optical properties with the radiological characteristics of radioactive isotopes. This design enables multimodal imaging and synergistic therapy within deep tissues, overcoming the penetration depth limitations of conventional light sources.

SJTU researchers propose a dynamic MCPV model and CZone mechanism, slashing memory footprint by 90%.

In a paper published in SCIENCE CHINA Earth Sciences, a team led by Professor Chuanfeng Zhao from Peking University presents a comprehensive review of global sea-land breeze research. The study systematically synthesizes recent advances in identification methods, key observational benchmarks, and the complex meteorological and non-meteorological factors that govern these coastal wind systems. The authors highlight that future breakthroughs will depend on improving spatiotemporal precision and clarifying how aerosols influence sea-land breeze dynamics through micro-physical mechanisms.

Adoptive cell therapy using tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) has emerged as a powerful immunotherapy for solid tumors, yet its broader application is constrained by reliance on high-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2), a cytokine that activates T cells but also drives T-cell exhaustion and causes severe toxicity.