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Updates every hour. Last Updated: 17-Dec-2025 04:11 ET (17-Dec-2025 09:11 GMT/UTC)
New genome study connects alfalfa root traits with improved forage yield
Nanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science- Journal
- Horticulture Research
Genes uncovered that keep garlic fresh longer
Nanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science- Journal
- Horticulture Research
Researchers uncover temperature-sensitive genes controlling osmanthus bloom
Nanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science- Journal
- Horticulture Research
Brain training and healthy snacks show promise for older adults with less education
Regenstrief InstituteResearchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine, Eskenazi Health, Regenstrief Institute and other partners have demonstrated the feasibility of conducting dementia prevention trials among older adults with limited formal education, a group at heightened risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
The MINDSpeed trial, a randomized study, tested whether a diet rich in polyphenols, which are plant-based compounds found in foods like nuts and berries, and online speed-of-processing cognitive training could improve cognition in older adults with 12 or fewer years of education.
- Funder
- NIH/National Institute on Aging
Circadian clocks of microbes regulate tea plant rhizosphere ecology
Nanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science- Journal
- Horticulture Research
Bridging the innovation gap: An AI and game-theoretic framework for optimizing angel investor-startup matching
Shanghai Jiao Tong University Journal CenterThis paper introduces a novel methodology for analysing and optimising the matching process between angel investors and startup companies by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and game-theoretic models. Leveraging the natural language processing capabilities of AI engines such as Gemini and ChatGPT 4, we extract and analyse historical investment patterns to identify critical qualitative and quantitative criteria influencing investment decisions. These criteria are further refined through R programming simulations, optimising cutoff values using the Youden index to balance sensitivity and specificity in predicting successful matches. Our findings demonstrate the effectiveness of a hybrid framework that combines qualitative preferences with quantitative metrics, offering a comprehensive tool for enhancing strategic investment decisions. This study represents the first attempt to apply AI technologies systematically to the investor-startup matching process, contributing practical insights for investors, entrepreneurs, and intermediaries in navigating the early-stage investment landscape. The proposed approach not only improves matching efficiency but also supports the creation of stronger, more aligned partnerships within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- Journal
- China Finance Review International
In situ assembled cobalt free PSFNRu nanocomposites as bi functional electrodes for direct ammonia symmetric solid oxide fuel cells
Tsinghua University PressSymmetric solid oxide fuel cells (SSOFCs) have emerged as promising energy conversion devices due to their low fabrication cost and outstanding durability. Ammonia (NH3), a carbon‑free hydrogen carrier with high energy density and ease of storage, serves as an ideal fuel for such systems. In this study, a bifunctional electrode material, Pr0.32Sr0.48Fe0.75Ni0.2Ru0.05O3-δ (PSFNRu), is synthesized by doping 5 mol% Ru into the parent perovskite Pr0.32Sr0.48Fe0.8Ni0.2O3-δ (PSFN). The resulting PSFNRu exhibits abundant oxygen vacancies and enables the in‑situ exsolution of alloy nanoparticles (ANPs) under reducing conditions, which act as additional active sites to enhance electrochemical performance. The PSFNRu‑based SSOFC delivers peak power densities of 736 mW cm-2 with H₂ and 547 mW cm-2 with NH3 at 800 °C, significantly outperforming its undoped counterpart. Furthermore, the cell maintains stable performance for over 172 h at 700 °C under NH3 fuel, confirming excellent operational durability. These findings underscore the potential of PSFNRu as a high‑performance symmetric electrode for direct ammonia SSOFCs (DA‑SSOFCs).
- Journal
- Nano Research
Unlocking the full therapeutic potential of lipid nanoparticles through extrahepatic delivery
Tsinghua University PressLipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have emerged as versatile and widely utilized delivery systems in both academic research and industrial applications, offering immense potential beyond liver-targeted and infectious disease treatments. Despite their success, a significant limitation of LNPs is their inherent liver tropism following systemic administration. This liver-centric accumulation represents a key bottleneck, restricting the broader therapeutic applications of LNP-based delivery systems. In a recent review, the authors explore strategies to overcome this challenge by modulating LNP composition—including ionizable lipids, helper lipids, cholesterol, and other critical components—to achieve extrahepatic targeting. The authors further discuss recent advancements in surface modification techniques designed to redirect LNPs to organs beyond the liver. Additionally, the authors highlight recent progress in local delivery approaches, which offer a direct and effective alternative for achieving extrahepatic delivery. By providing a comprehensive overview of current strategies and limitations, the authors aim to guide future research efforts toward fully realizing the therapeutic potential of LNP-based delivery systems.
- Journal
- Nano Research
Electrochemical co-upgrading CO2 and glycerol for selective formate production with 190% overall faradaic efficiency
Tsinghua University PressThe overall energy efficiency is critical for commercializing promising electrochemical technologies such as the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). Despite the rapid development of advanced catalysts and reactors for CO2RR, its commercial potential is still hindered by the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER), which causes high cell voltages and low energy efficiencies. Herein, we have developed a NiOOH@Ni3S2 catalyst on the surface of nickel foam (NF) via an electrochemical surface reconstruction strategy. We observe that the oxidation of glycerol to formate is more thermodynamically favorable than the OER on the developed NiOOH@Ni3S2/NF catalysts. The Ni2+/Ni3+ redox couples within the NiOOH@Ni3S2 heterojunction enhance the charge transfer kinetics between the active sites and adsorbed reaction intermediates, facilitating the highly selective and active generation of formate from glycerol oxidation reaction (GOR), with a remarkable Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 94% achieved at 100 mA cm-2. Comprehensive mechanistic studies identified that the reaction pathway towards formate generation starts from glyceraldehyde intermediates and the glycolate was considered as the key species. Moreover, benefited from the efficient conversion of CO2 to formate on bismuth nanosheets, the GOR//CO2RR paired electrolysis system realizes a remarkable overall FE of ca. 190% for formate co-production at 160 mA cm-2 (cathodic FE: 91.25%; anodic FE: 98.70%). This proceeds at a cell voltage of ca. 2.32 V, which is ca. 0.85 V lower than that of OER-assisted CO2RR system at the same current density. This work provides new insights for co-upgrading CO2 and biomass to value-added chemicals.
- Journal
- Nano Research