A core-shell Pd@CeO₂/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst improves exhaust treatment for stoichiometric natural gas vehicles by promoting lower-temperature CH₄ and NO conversion and strong hydrothermal stability. The design lowers reaction barriers at Pd-CeO₂ interfaces and retains high activity after severe aging. After aging at 800 °C for 16 hours, the catalyst showed only minor losses in CH₄ and NO conversion over a 100-hour test, offering a promising route to cleaner and more durable NGV aftertreatment.

Programmable optical particle transport based on structured light plays a crucial role in microscale manipulation. Scientists in China have developed a multi-prior physics-enhanced neural network (MPPN-RW) that enables high-fidelity generation of arbitrary optical conveyor belts without training data. This technique allows precise and stable transport of microparticles along complex trajectories, offering new opportunities for optical micromanipulation, targeted delivery, and reconfigurable light-field engineering.

A new study reveals that reptile species richness peaks at mid-elevations and that woodland cover creates divergent habitat preferences across lizards, snakes, and chelonians.

A gapless, telomere-to-telomere reference genome of Capsella bursa-pastoris reveals extensive subgenome divergence and large structural variations, providing a pivotal resource for polyploid plant evolution and functional genomic research.

Protecting old-growth forests significantly boosts soil physical–biochemical quality, dissolved organic matter chemodiversity, and beneficial mycorrhizal fungi, offering a proven pathway to safeguard endangered Ocotea porosa and mitigate climate change.

A new field evaluation identifies eight novel papaya hybrid lines with superior agronomic traits, early fruiting, and enhanced tolerance to Moroccan watermelon mosaic virus (MWMV), offering a sustainable solution to boost smallholder productivity in Kenya.

Current homogeneity testing has long relied on a planar “slice‑then‑measure” approach. Professor Sen Han’s team proposes a radial absolute measurement method for cylindrical surfaces. This method requires no slicing, is low‑cost, and enables direct non‑destructive measurement of refractive index distribution, offering an efficient pre‑screening tool for semiconductors, LiDAR, medical imaging, and more.

A new commentary outlines China’s ambitious national park strategy, which balances strict ecological protection, public welfare, and sustainable development to conserve key ecosystems and prioritize global biodiversity goals.