Research team developed CLAP, an RL agent for automated penetration testing. It features a coverage mechanism and Chebyshev decomposition critic, reducing attack operations by 35% and enabling efficient testing on networks with up to 500 hosts.

A groundbreaking study published in Supramolecular Materials introduces a novel supramolecular solution of bakuchiol, a plant-derived retinol alternative, using an ionic liquid (IL) carrier. This innovation achieves a breakthrough in anti-aging by delivering both high efficacy and skin-friendly gentleness. The bakuchiol-ionic liquid solution eliminates the irritation commonly associated with retinol while dramatically enhancing bakuchiol’s transdermal permeability, ensuring its full anti-aging potential is realized.

A recent study has unveiled the genetic blueprint behind flowering time in olive trees, a crucial trait for fruit production that is increasingly under threat from climate change. 

This study presents evidence that dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis exacerbates periodontitis through the activation of the NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2)/reactive oxygen species (ROS) axis in M1-like macrophages. This study, which combines animal models and single-cell RNA sequencing analysis, reveals that colitis significantly aggravates periodontal inflammation by upregulating ROS levels in oral macrophages. The researchers found that the NOX2/ROS pathway in M1-like macrophages plays a central role in linking colitis and periodontitis, leading to increased bone resorption and tissue damage in the periodontal region. Notably, administration of a NOX2 inhibitor reduced ROS expression in periodontal tissue, alleviating both periodontal and intestinal inflammation while restoring the balance of the periodontal and intestinal microbiota. By uncovering the pathogenic mechanisms connecting colitis and periodontitis, this study provides new insights into potential therapeutic strategies for treating periodontitis and its associated systemic inflammatory conditions.

A new study in Forest Ecosystems unveils innovative design strategies to dramatically improve Pinus tabuliformis, a cornerstone species of northern China's forests. The research focused on optimizing advanced generation breeding, revealing that direct selection significantly outperforms combined selection, delivering impressive gains: a 7.72% increase in diameter, a substantial 18.56% jump in height, and a remarkable 31.01% surge in overall volume. Furthermore, addressing the critical issue of inbreeding, the researchers developed the Improved Adaptive Genetic Programming Algorithm (IAPGA). This innovative strategy demonstrably reduces inbreeding by a significant 14.36% within advanced seed orchards established using the selected breeding population. The results are pivotal for sustainable forest management, promising enhanced ecological resilience and substantial economic benefits through increased timber yield and improved forest health. This study provides valuable insights for optimizing breeding programs and ensuring the long-term vitality of Pinus tabuliformis forests in China.

While hydrogen production technologies are gaining attraction for a sustainable energy transition, traditional water electrolysis is challenged by its high voltage requirements. To overcome this limitation, chemical water-assisted electrolysis is emerging as a promising alternative. This technology replaces the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) of traditional water electrolysis with various chemical oxidation reactions to produce hydrogen at lower voltages. In addition, it can generate high-value products or remove pollutants in the process, enabling simultaneous energy production and environmental improvement.

However, compared to the thermodynamic potential, the actual driving potential is still high due to overpotential problems. This review presents the latest catalyst design strategies aimed at addressing the high overpotential issues associated with five chemical water-assisted electrolysis reactions, including ammonia, alcohol, urea, hydrazine, and biomass. These strategies contribute to reducing overpotential while simultaneously enhancing long-term stability, demonstrating potential as a clean hydrogen production technology. This work was published on February 24, 2025, in Industrial Chemistry & Materials.

Imagine a world where batteries can repair themselves, extending their lifespan, improving safety, and making electronic devices more resilient. This once futuristic concept is now becoming a reality. Inspired by nature’s ability to heal wounds, self-healing batteries can autonomously recover from physical and chemical damage, making them particularly valuable for flexible electronics, wearable devices, and other high-stress applications. A recent review published in Energy Materials and Devices explores the cutting-edge progress in self-healing materials for battery components, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities in this emerging field.

Researchers have developed a novel ternary electrolyte system combining ionic liquids (ILs) with water-in-salt (WIS) technology, significantly enhancing the high-temperature stability and voltage capacity of aqueous potassium-ion supercapacitors. The optimized electrolyte achieves a record-breaking 3.37 V electrochemical window and maintains 87.6% capacitance after 2000 cycles at 60°C, offering a breakthrough for energy storage in electric vehicles and industrial applications.