Boron-based compounds are known as a class of anion acceptors. Now, writing in the journal Science China Chemistry, a team of researchers from Nankai University use this chemistry in electrolyte design. According to the study, boron-based additives have been found to reduce charge transfer resistance, improve the Li-ion diffusion kinetics, and stabilize high-voltage cathode of batteries. The findings demonstrated versatileness of B-ads that effectively mitigated the critical challenges of energy-dense battery systems.

Recently, a research team led by Professor Caifu Jiang from China Agricultural University published a study titled "The ZmMPK3-ZmGRF1 module promotes maize growth by enhancing cell proliferation under salt stress" in Science Bulletin. This study shows that the ZmMPK3-ZmGRF1 module facilitates maize growth under salt stress through enhanced cell proliferation, providing new insights into how MPK signaling pathways and GRF growth regulators govern plant responses to saline environments. Furthermore, these findings offer valuable genetic resources for developing salt-tolerant maize varieties.

In medicine permanent magnets demonstrate unique advantages in terms of field strength, tunability of field and gradient distributions, and practical implementation. The findings highlight the critical role of spatial magnetic field characteristics in optimizing the interaction of magnetic fields with biological tissues and cells, thereby improving the efficacy of magnetic medical technologies. The insights derived from this study emphasize the transformative potential of permanent magnet systems in shaping the future of both magnetic surgery and therapeutic applications in medicine.

The study investigates the interaction between the human epidermal growth receptor 2 (HER2) and amygdalin, a compound found in peaches, almonds, and apples. To assess the potential of amygdalin, the interaction between HER2 and amygdalin was explored using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Binding energies were evaluated for both the crystal and equilibrated HER2 structures. The effects of water on binding were also assessed. Molecular dynamics simulations analyzed structural changes in HER2, including interdomain distances, hydrogen bond fluctuations, dihedral angle shifts, and residue-residue distances at the dimerization arm. The free energy landscape was constructed to evaluate stability. Binding energies of −33.472 ​kJ/mol and −36.651 ± 0.867 ​kJ/mol were observed for the crystal and equilibrated HER2 structures, respectively, with water further enhancing binding to −41.212,4 ​± ​1.272,7 and −53.513 ± 1.452,3 ​kJ/mol. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed significant conformational changes in HER2, including a reduction in interdomain distance, fluctuations in hydrogen bond lengths, and a shift in dihedral angles from 60° to −30°. The residue-residue distance at the dimerization arm decreased, indicating conformational changes upon binding. The free energy landscape showed a deeper and more defined minimum in the bound state, reflecting enhanced stability. These findings highlight amygdalin’s potential as a therapeutic agent targeting HER2.

Objective: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) had lower vitamin D3 levels than neurotypical (NT)

children, as well as de cits in language, social, and ne motor abilities. Nanotechnology has appeared as a

suitable answer to absorption and bioavailability problems related to vitamin D3. This study aims to investigate

the in uence of vitamin D3-loaded nanoemulsion supplementation on adaptive behavior and language perfor-

mance in children with ASD compared to the in uence of the marketed product of vitamin D3.

Methods: Supplementation of ASD children with an oral vitamin D3-loaded nanoemulsion was performed in group

I while the marketed product of the oral vitamin D3 was used in group II for 6 months. Evaluation of their abilities

and measuring the plasma levels of 2 types of vitamin D3 were performed using ultra-performance liquid chro-

matography before and after supplementation.

Results: Supplementation in group I (n ¼ 40) has led to an elevation of levels of 25 (OH) and 1, 25 (OH)2 forms of

vitamin D3 (P < 0.000,1), to behavioral improvement in the form of a reduction in ASD severity, and to a rise in

the social IQ and total language age of ASD children (P¼ 0.000,2, 0.04, 0.000,9, respectively). On the other hand,

group II (n ¼ 40) did not show adaptive behavioral improvements.

Conclusions: The vitamin D3-loaded nanoemulsion provided better vitamin D3 bioavailability and a true in uence

on severity, adaptive behavior, ne motor abilities, and language performance, re ecting the desired bene ts of

the rise of vitamin D3 levels in the blood.

Low ionic conductivity is a major obstacle for polymer solid-state electrolytes. In response to this issue, a design concept of enhanced regional electric potential difference (EREPD) is proposed to modulate the interaction of nanofillers with other components in the composite polymer solid-state electrolytes (CPSEs). While ensuring the periodic structure of the graphdiyne (GDY) backbone, methoxy-substituted GDY (OGDY) is prepared by an asymmetric substitution strategy, which increases the electric potential differences within each repeating unit of GDY. The staggered distributed electron-rich regions and electron-deficient regions on the two-dimensional plane of OGDY increase the free Li⁺ concentration through Lewis acid–base pair interaction. The adjacent ERRs and EDRs form uniformly distributed EREPDs, creating a continuous potential gradient that synergistically facilitates the efficient migration of Li⁺. Impressively, the OGDY/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) exhibits a high ionic conductivity (1.1 × 10^-3 S cm^-1) and ion mobility number (0.71). In addition, the accelerated Li⁺ migration promotes the formation of uniform and dense SEI layers and inhibits the growth of lithium dendrites. As a proof of concept, Li||Li symmetric cell and Li||LiFePO₄ full cell and pouch cell assembled with OGDY/PEO exhibit good performance, highlighting the effectiveness of our EREPD design strategy for improving CPSEs performance.

Nickel-based cathodes in aqueous nickel-zinc batteries typically suffer from sluggish reaction kinetics and limited energy density. In situ introduction of metal phosphides and rational construction of heterostructures can effectively promote electron/ion transport. However, the complex evolution of phosphidation and intractable phosphidizing degree greatly affect the composition of active phase, active sites, charge transfer rate, and ion adsorption strength of cathodes. Herein, the critical bimetallic phosphide layer (CBPL) is constructed on the NiCo-layered double hydroxide (NiCo-LDH) skeleton by a controllable anion-exchange strategy, yielding a novel nanohybrid cathode (NiCo-P1.0, 1.0 representing the mass ratio of Na₂H₂PO₂ to NiCo-LDH). The high-conductivity CBPL with the inner NiCo-LDH forms extensive heterostructures, effectively regulating the electronic structure via charge transfer, thereby improving electrical conductivity. Remarkably, the CBPL exhibits unexpected electrochemical activity and synergizes with NiCo-LDH for electrode reactions, ultimately delivering extra energy. Benefiting from the bifunctional CBPL, NiCo-P1.0 delivers an optimal capacity of 286.64 mAh g^-1 at 1C (1C = 289 mAh g^-1) and superb rate performance (a capacity retention of 72.22% at 40C). The assembled NiCo-P1.0//Zn battery achieves ultrahigh energy/power density (503.62 Wh kg^-1/18.62 kW kg^-1, based on the mass loading of active material on the cathode), and the flexible quasi-solid-state pouch cell validates its practicality. This work demonstrates the superiority of bifunctional CBPL for surface modification, providing an effective and scalable compositing strategy in achieving high-performance cathodes for aqueous batteries.

Researchers from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics have advanced syngas conversion by integrating Fischer–Tropsch synthesis with heterogeneous hydroformylation. By designing Co–Co₂C and Rh single-atom catalysts, the team achieved efficient, selective, and scalable production of alcohols and α-olefins. Their technologies have already entered industrial use and continue to evolve toward high-value product chains, laying the foundation for greener chemical manufacturing to realize China’s carbon neutrality goals.

A hydroquinone-embedded covalent organic framework (Tz-QH-COF) was designed to address photocatalyst instability in solar-driven H₂O₂ production. The hydroquinone units serve as reversible hole reservoirs, buffering the kinetic imbalances between oxygen reduction and water oxidation. This redox-mediated charge balancing prevents oxidative degradation, enabling continuous H₂O₂ production for 528 hours with an 18.6 mM yield—the longest stability  ever reported for organic photocatalysts. In situ ATR-SEIRAS and DFT calculations confirm an efficient hydroquinone/quinone cycle and favorable reaction pathways.