Inspired by living cells, researchers have designed DNA molecules that allow drug concentrations in blood to be measured digitally using an inexpensive reader.

A research team led by Dr. Hyejeong Seong at the Brain Convergence Research Division of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST, President Sang-Rok Oh), in collaboration with Prof. Seongjun Park at Seoul National University (President Hong-Lim Ryu), announced the development of a breakthrough coating technology that extends the lifespan of implanted electrodes from 1 month to over 3 months.

Reducing residential speed limits from 50 kilometres per hour to 30kph would significantly boost bicycle riding safety without majorly affecting car trip times, a study has found.

Ce-MOFs based solid frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) were designed via a competitive coordination strategy using single-carboxylate ligands. Functional groups (–NH₂, –OH, –Br, –NO₂) modulate the Ce–CUS/Ce–OH acid–base sites, enhancing H₂ heterolytic cleavage through a “push-pull” effect. The optimized MOF-808-NH₂ achieves complete conversion of styrene and dicyclopentadiene at 100 °C and 2 MPa, providing an efficient pathway for green olefin hydrogenation catalysis.

Researchers have discovered a powerful synergy between gold, manganese, and copper that could transform the way we produce valuable chemicals. By supporting tiny gold nanoparticles on a specially designed perovskite material (LaMn_0.75Cu_0.25O₃), the team achieved an impressive 95% yield of acetaldehyde from ethanol at just 225 °C, a major step toward cleaner, more efficient chemical processes. The secret lies in the smart use of copper. A small amount of Cu dramatically improves the catalyst by creating active sites that speed up the toughest step in the reaction. But there’s a catch: too much copper destabilizes the system, reducing efficiency. This delicate balance highlights the importance of atomic-level design in next-generation catalysts for sustainable chemical manufacturing.

July 10, 2025 - A research team led by Professor Yiwei Li and Professor Bi-Feng Liu from the College of Life Science and Technology at Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) published an important research article titled "Mechanical Cell Reprogramming on Tissue-Mimicking Hydrogel for Cancer Cell Transdifferentiation" in the journal Research. The paper can be accessed through this link: https://spj.science.org/doi/10.34133/research.0810.

Professor Yiwei Li and Professor Bi-Feng Liu serve as corresponding authors, with doctoral students Xueqing Ren and Research Scientist Dr. Yachao Wang as co-first authors.

This study developed an innovative tissue-mimicking hydrogel system that achieves cell reprogramming through purely mechanical signals for the first time. The technology not only enhances the stemness and bidirectional differentiation potential of fibroblasts but also promotes cancer cell transdifferentiation into adipocytes, providing novel therapeutic strategies for regenerative medicine and cancer treatment.

MXene-based smart contact lenses demonstrate a cutting-edge advancement in wearable ophthalmic technology, combining real-time biosensing, therapeutic capabilities, and user comfort in a single platform. These devices take the advantage of the exceptional electrical conductivity, mechanical flexibility, and biocompatibility of two-dimensional MXenes to enable noninvasive, tear-based monitoring of key physiological markers such as intraocular pressure and glucose levels. Recent developments focus on the integration of transparent MXene films into the conventional lens materials, allowing multifunctional performance including photothermal therapy, antimicrobial and anti-inflammation protection, and dehydration resistance. These innovations offer promising strategies for ocular disease management and eye protection. In addition to their multifunctionality, improvements in MXene synthesis and device engineering have enhanced the stability, transparency, and wearability of these lenses. Despite these advances, challenges remain in long-term biostability, scalable production, and integration with wireless communication systems. This review summarizes the current progress, key challenges, and future directions of MXene-based smart contact lenses, highlighting their transformative potential in next-generation digital healthcare and ophthalmic care.