A team led by Prof. GAO Caixia from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences developed two new genome editing technologies, known collectively as Programmable Chromosome Engineering (PCE) systems to achieves multiple types of precise DNA manipulations ranging from kilobase to megabase scale in higher organisms, especially plants.

Decoding cosmic evolution depends on accurately predicting the complex chemical reactions in the harsh environment of space. Traditional methods for such predictions rely heavily on costly laboratory experiments or expert knowledge, both of which are resource-intensive and limited in scope. Recently, a research team developed an innovative AI tool that predicts astrochemical reactions with high accuracy and efficiency, demonstrating that deep learning techniques can successfully address data limitations in astrochemistry. Titled “A Two-Stage End-to-End Deep Learning Approach for Predicting Astrochemical Reactions,” this research was published May 15 in Intelligent Computing, a Science Partner Journal.

Raman spectroscopy is based on the principle of inelastic light scattering, enabling precise analysis and identification of materials by detecting spectral characteristics of low-frequency modes such as vibrations and rotations in molecules, solids, and two-dimensional materials. This technology offers advantages including label-free detection, rich information content, and non-destructive analysis, demonstrating broad application prospects in chemistry, biology, medicine, environmental science, and other fields. However, as a higher-order light-matter interaction process, Raman scattering has an inherently tiny scattering cross-section, with signal intensity far lower than fluorescence and Rayleigh scattering.

To meet the demand of ultrahigh-temperature thermal insulation, a novel porous dual-phase high-entropy ultrahigh-temperature ceramic (TiZrHfNbTa)C-(TiZrHfNbTa)B₂ with outstanding merits is designed and fabricated, which has superhigh porosity, low density, high strength, low thermal conductivity, and excellent oxidation resistance. The research results provide a potential alternative for ultrahigh-temperature thermal insulation materials in aerospace field.

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with many patients experiencing poor outcomes despite successful recanalization. Researchers from China and the United States reviewed how the JAK2/STAT3 inflammatory pathway contributes to ongoing brain damage after stroke. They explored the roles of brain cells and the regulation of this pathway in stroke-related inflammation. Their findings suggest that targeting JAK2 could offer a promising new treatment strategy to improve recovery and reduce long-term damage.

Tigray conflict devastated Ethiopia’s natural resources and soil conservation efforts, destroying terraces, forests, and millions of seedlings. Military activities and survival needs drove severe environmental damage and resource exploitation, undoing decades of restoration.

There are 157 non-native species have successfully invaded Dongting Lake, which is the second largest freshwater lake in China. Although some non-native species become important species in local aquaculture, aquarium trade and other industries. Many non-native species have caused significantly negative impacts on native biodiversity, environmental safety, human health and sustainable development.

Recent advances in spatial and single-cell omics have significantly revolutionized biomarker discovery in tumor immunotherapy by addressing critical challenges such as tumor heterogeneity, immune evasion, and variability within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Immunotherapeutic strategies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive T-cell transfer, have demonstrated promising clinical outcomes; however, their efficacy is limited by low response rates and the incidence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Therefore, the identification of reliable biomarkers is essential for predicting treatment efficacy, minimizing irAEs, and facilitating patient stratification. Spatial omics integrates molecular profiling with spatial localization, thereby providing comprehensive insights into the cellular organization and functional states within the TME. By elucidating the spatial patterns of immune cell infiltration and tumor heterogeneity, this approach enhances the prediction of therapeutic responses. Similarly, single-cell omics enables high-resolution analysis of cellular heterogeneity by capturing transcriptomic, epigenomic, and metabolic signatures at the single-cell level. The integrated application of spatial and single-cell omics has enabled the identification of previously undetected biomarkers, including rare immune cell subsets implicated in resistance mechanisms. In addition to spatial transcriptomics (ST), this technological landscape also includes spatial proteomics (SP) and spatial metabolomics, which further facilitate the study of dynamic tumor-immune interactions. Multi-omics integration provides a comprehensive overview of biomarker landscapes, while the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI)-based approaches enhances the analysis of complex, multidimensional datasets to ultimately enhance predictive potential and clinical utility. Despite substantial progress, several challenges remain in the context of standardization, data integration, and real-time monitoring. Nevertheless, the incorporation of spatial and single-cell omics into biomarker research holds transformative potential for advancing personalized cancer immunotherapy. These emerging strategies pave the way for the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, thereby enabling precision oncology and improving treatment outcomes across a wide range of tumor profiles.

This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the integration of spatial omics with single-cell omics in the discovery of biomarkers for tumor immunotherapy. Specifically, it examines the strategies by which these emerging technologies address the challenges related to tumor heterogeneity, immune evasion, and the dynamic nature of the TME. By elaborating on the principles, applications, and clinical potential of these technologies, this review also critically evaluates their limitations, challenges, and the current gaps in clinical translation.

The relentless pursuit of advanced X-ray detection technologies has been significantly bolstered by the emergence of metal halides perovskites (MHPs) and their derivatives, which possess remarkable light yield and X-ray sensitivity. This comprehensive review delves into cutting-edge approaches for optimizing MHP scintillators performances by enhancing intrinsic physical properties and employing engineering radioluminescent (RL) light strategies, underscoring their potential for developing materials with superior high-resolution X-ray detection and imaging capabilities. We initially explore into recent research focused on strategies to effectively engineer the intrinsic physical properties of MHP scintillators, including light yield and response times. Additionally, we explore innovative engineering strategies involving stacked structures, waveguide effects, chiral circularly polarized luminescence, increased transparency, and the fabrication of flexile MHP scintillators, all of which effectively manage the RL light to achieve high-resolution and high-contrast X-ray imaging. Finally, we provide a roadmap for advancing next-generation MHP scintillators, highlighting their transformative potential in high-performance X-ray detection systems.