The NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK), a molecule pivotal for immune system development and function, shows significant yet complex potential as a therapeutic target. The comprehensive review, published by Professor Shao-Cong Sun’s team, systematically details the expanding understanding of NIK. This article summarizes its canonical roles, its newly discovered functions independent of NF-κB, and its pathological contributions to autoimmunity, framing both the opportunities and challenges in targeting this critical immune regulator.

Rotator cuff tears often heal with stiff, dysfunctional scar tissue, limiting recovery. A new study reveals why tendon regeneration fails after injury. Using single-cell profiling of tens of thousands of cells from patient tendon samples, the study maps the first atlas of human tendon scarring and identifies pro-fibrotic stem cells, senescent tendon cells, scar-forming macrophages, and transitioning endothelial cells. Targeting key fibrotic signals reduced scarring in animal models, suggesting new therapeutic strategies.

A research paper just published in Science China Life Sciences reveals how microbes and soil properties respond to drought stress and subsequent recovery in the urban green space. Researchers found that while drought significantly altered microbial communities and enhanced multifunctionality, the drivers of the multifunctionality shifted fundamentally during recovery. Regulation transits from biotic factors during drought to soil properties after rehydration. This insight is vital for managing urban ecosystem resilience against climate change.

A research team from Huazhong University of Science and Technology has developed a novel orbital modulation strategy to suppress anti-site defects in NASICON-type Na₃MnTi(PO₄)₃ cathode for sodium-ion batteries. By Li doping to construct Li–O–Mn configuration, the strategy effectively enhances Mn–O covalent interaction and elevates Mn defect formation energy, thus eliminating voltage hysteresis caused by anti-site defects. The optimized Na_2.97Li_0.03MnTi(PO₄)₃ cathode achieves ultra-long cycling stability, excellent rate performance and wide-temperature adaptability, and the assembled pouch-type full cell further verifies its practical application potential. This study provides a new electronic structure regulation approach for the design of high-performance sodium-ion battery cathodes, paving the way for the development of low-cost and sustainable energy storage technologies.

What if nature’s tiny wonders—waterspider legs and fish scales—hold the key to better energy storage? Researchers have turned these biological structures into a Janus air electrode, unlocking zinc-air batteries with 239.3 mW cm⁻² peak power density and exceptional cycling stability.

Magnetically steerable guidewires enable remote, minimally invasive navigation and precise tip control in complex vasculature. Scientists at Nankai University developed a dual-coil magnetic guidewire robot with independently driven distal microcoils that switch among three modes. Dual-attraction and dual-repulsion provide large-range curvature tuning and better axial force transmission for smoother advancement, while the spoon-shaped mode delivers gradual, continuous bending for safer branch entry. The approach enables reliable, controllable robotic endovascular navigation.