In International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing, a team of researchers at the University of Macau has unveiled a tiny, spider-inspired robot that may reshape how doctors diagnose and treat diseases of the stomach and intestines. Their soft, magnetically controlled robot can climb in any direction—even upside down—through the body’s most complex digestive landscapes, where traditional endoscopes cannot go.

Perovskite materials offer exceptional optoelectronic properties for photodetectors, but precise patterning is critical to optimize their performance. This review surveys five key patterning strategies—template-guided growth, inkjet printing, vapor deposition, seed-induced growth, and photolithography—highlighting their roles in controlling perovskite microstructures. The resulting patterned films enable high-sensitivity photodetectors across zero- to three-dimensional architectures, facilitating breakthroughs in flexible wearables and biomimetic vision systems. These advances pave the way for next-generation imaging, health monitoring, and human-machine interfaces.

Using photoelectrocatalytic CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) to produce valuable fuels is a fascinating way to alleviate environmental issues and energy crises. Bismuth-based (Bi-based) catalysts have attracted widespread attention for CO₂RR due to their high catalytic activity, selectivity, excellent stability, and low cost. However, they still need to be further improved to meet the needs of industrial applications. This review article comprehensively summarizes the recent advances in regulation strategies of Bi-based catalysts and can be divided into six categories: (1) defect engineering, (2) atomic doping engineering, (3) organic framework engineering, (4) inorganic heterojunction engineering, (5) crystal face engineering, and (6) alloying and polarization engineering. Meanwhile, the corresponding catalytic mechanisms of each regulation strategy will also be discussed in detail, aiming to enable researchers to understand the structure–property relationship of the improved Bi-based catalysts fundamentally. Finally, the challenges and future opportunities of the Bi-based catalysts in the photoelectrocatalytic CO₂RR application field will also be featured from the perspectives of the (1) combination or synergy of multiple regulatory strategies, (2) revealing formation mechanism and realizing controllable synthesis, and (3) in situ multiscale investigation of activation pathways and uncovering the catalytic mechanisms. On the one hand, through the comparative analysis and mechanism explanation of the six major regulatory strategies, a multidimensional knowledge framework of the structure–activity relationship of Bi-based catalysts can be constructed for researchers, which not only deepens the atomic-level understanding of catalytic active sites, charge transport paths, and the adsorption behavior of intermediate products, but also provides theoretical guiding principles for the controllable design of new catalysts; on the other hand, the promising collaborative regulation strategies, controllable synthetic paths, and the in situ multiscale characterization techniques presented in this work provides a paradigm reference for shortening the research and development cycle of high-performance catalysts, conducive to facilitating the transition of photoelectrocatalytic CO₂RR technology from the laboratory routes to industrial application.

Continuous monitoring of biosignals is essential for advancing early disease detection, personalized treatment, and health management. Flexible electronics, capable of accurately monitoring biosignals in daily life, have garnered considerable attention due to their softness, conformability, and biocompatibility. However, several challenges remain, including imperfect skin-device interfaces, limited breathability, and insufficient mechanoelectrical stability. On-skin epidermal electronics, distinguished by their excellent conformability, breathability, and mechanoelectrical robustness, offer a promising solution for high-fidelity, long-term health monitoring. These devices can seamlessly integrate with the human body, leading to transformative advancements in future personalized healthcare. This review provides a systematic examination of recent advancements in on-skin epidermal electronics, with particular emphasis on critical aspects including material science, structural design, desired properties, and practical applications. We explore various materials, considering their properties and the corresponding structural designs developed to construct high-performance epidermal electronics. We then discuss different approaches for achieving the desired device properties necessary for long-term health monitoring, including adhesiveness, breathability, and mechanoelectrical stability. Additionally, we summarize the diverse applications of these devices in monitoring biophysical and physiological signals. Finally, we address the challenges facing these devices and outline future prospects, offering insights into the ongoing development of on-skin epidermal electronics for long-term health monitoring.

Researchers from the Institute of Biophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have now unveiled the molecular mechanisms that underlie L1's retrotransposition and integration into genomic DNA.

Fusarium wilt, one of the most devastating diseases of bananas, continues to threaten global production. Researchers have now uncovered how the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) deploys a virulent microRNA-like RNA, Foc-milR87, to suppress the banana immune system. This small RNA infiltrates plant cells and targets MaPTI6L, a gene encoding an AP2 transcription factor that activates defense signaling. By blocking MaPTI6L expression, Foc-milR87 weakens salicylic acid (SA) -related immunity and promotes infection. Importantly, natural single-nucleotide variations in the 3′UTR of MaPTI6L in resistant banana varieties prevent Foc-milR87 binding, suggesting a promising strategy for breeding Fusarium-resistant cultivars through genome editing.

A new study has revealed how pear trees use a hidden layer of RNA communication to defend themselves against fungal infection. Scientists discovered that a long non-coding RNA named MSTRG.32189 forms a regulatory network with PcmiR399b and PcUBC24 to control phosphate levels and disease resistance. Acting like a molecular decoy, MSTRG.32189 fine-tunes the plant’s internal balance between nutrition and immunity. When its expression decreases during infection, the pear’s defense system activates, boosting resistance through increased phosphate accumulation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling. This finding offers a new window into how plants coordinate nutrient metabolism with immune protection.

A new study has assembled the first high-quality chromosome-level genome of Acer pentaphyllum, one of the world’s most endangered and ornamental maples. The findings reveal how the species’ genome adapted to the harsh dry-hot valleys of western China through expansions and positive selection of genes related to photosynthesis, plant hormone signaling, and pathogen defense. Population genomic analyses across 28 wild populations uncovered low genetic diversity, high inbreeding, and accumulation of harmful mutations, especially at range edges. These results provide essential genetic insights for guiding conservation planning and genetic rescue of this critically endangered species.

A new study led by Nigerian researchers suggests a simple ingredient could make diesel engines cleaner: water. By blending precise amounts of water with diesel fuel, scientists have shown that emissions of several harmful pollutants can be dramatically reduced without major engine modifications.