Prostate cancer treatments often leave survivors with erectile dysfunction, for which inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) surgery is a reliable solution.

Osteocalcin (OCN), a non-collagenous protein synthesized by osteoblasts, is integral to bone mineralization and demonstrates significant effects on metabolic and neurological functions. Its undercarboxylated form, Glu-OCN, has emerged as a key regulator of glucose metabolism in diabetes, bone density in osteoporosis (OP), and lipid metabolism in conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Additionally, Glu-OCN is implicated in neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases through its roles in neurotransmitter synthesis and vascular calcification, respectively. This review examines the essential functions of Glu-OCN in the management of metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders, emphasizing its significance as both a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target. While findings to date are promising, most studies remain observational. Advanced detection methodologies and extensive longitudinal studies are urgently needed to elucidate the mechanisms and clinical applications of Glu-OCN. Advancements in this area could facilitate the integration of Glu-OCN into personalized medicine approaches, improving early diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment monitoring.

The rise in global mean sea level (GMSL) is a critical indicator of climate change. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) researchers have utilised advanced space geodetic technologies to deliver the first precise 30-year (1993-2022) record of global ocean mass change (also known as barystatic sea level), revealing its dominant role in driving GMSL rise. Their research further indicates that GMSL has been increasing at an average rate of approximately 3.3 mm per year with a notable acceleration observed, highlighting the growing severity of climate change. The research findings have been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

A new review in eGastroenterology highlights how single-cell transcriptomics is revolutionizing our understanding of acute liver injury and regeneration. By profiling individual liver cells and mapping their spatial interactions, researchers have identified fetal-like and migratory hepatocytes, distinct hepatic stellate cell states, zone-specific endothelial cell responses, and macrophage heterogeneity critical for repair (e.g., Trem2⁺ macrophages with unique roles in inflammation and recovery). These findings point to new therapeutic targets for liver diseases.

Wind and solar energy are central to China’s pursuit of carbon neutrality and energy transition. From a system-wide perspective, this study examines the future development of wind power, photovoltaic (PV), and concentrated solar power (CSP), covering forecasting methodologies, power system flexibility, energy storage integration, and cross-sector coupling. By 2060, the combined installed capacity of wind and solar is projected to reach 5,496–7,662 GW, accounting for more than 83% of the nation’s total capacity. Despite progress in technological maturity and cost reduction, challenges remain in terms of limited generation efficiency, high storage costs, insufficient grid flexibility, and policy coordination. This paper further proposes a sustainable development roadmap centered on wind–solar synergies.

To achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, China must address the complex challenge of decarbonizing key industrial sectors, including steel, cement, petrochemicals, and non-ferrous metals. This review presents a comprehensive evaluation of major decarbonization technologies across these core sectors, including energy efficiency, clean electrification, hydrogen alternatives, feedstock substitution, recycling, carbon removal, and digitalization. Staged projections highlight the central role of different technologies in achieving industrial decarbonization: energy efficiency improvement (EEI) and feedstock substitution and waste recycling (FSWR) technologies before 2035, the accelerated deployment of clean electricity and green hydrogen between 2035 and 2050, and carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) from 2050 onward. The review further offers policy recommendations to support technological advancement, promote large-scale deployment, and integrate low-carbon solutions into industrial development pathways.

There are many examples of options to tackle various global challenges that have been implemented in ways that only consider the impact on the challenge they are meant to address. Because of this narrow way of thinking, we are missing out on potential synergies that would help us to deliver to multiple challenges simultaneously. Designing options from the outset to co-deliver to multiple challenges would improve efficiency and reduce total cost. It is vital that we progress beyond narrow ways of thinking, and to adopt a “nexus” approach to tackling global challenges.

A landmark study in China covering 42,703 families affected by rare diseases across 32 provincial regions of China has established a new diagnosis framework for rare diseases. It offers new hope to millions of patients struggling with delayed or incorrect diagnoses.

Researchers developed a deep learning-based multimodal prognostic model that shows strong potential to improve disease-free survival prediction and enable personalized treatment in locally advanced cervical cancer.