News from China
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 26-Oct-2026 09:16 ET (26-Oct-2026 13:16 GMT/UTC)
Intelligent breathing electronic skin inspired by nepenthes for active sweat management, multimodal sensing and high‑fidelity electromyographic teleoperation using machine learning
Shanghai Jiao Tong University Journal CenterPeer-Reviewed Publication
Electronic skin (e-skin), a stretchable, conformable, and multimodal sensing platform, is rapidly advancing in healthcare, robotics, and human–machine interaction (HMI). However, prolonged wear and sweat accumulation at the e-skin-skin interface can introduce signal artifacts, cause discomfort, and eventually lead to interfacial failure. Inspired by the unidirectional liquid transport of the Nepenthes peristome, we constructed an intelligent breathing e-skin (SPTL) featuring a Janus bilayer structure that creates a “liquid diode” effect for active sweat transport, achieving a remarkable cumulative one-way transport index of 956.36 while maintaining a dry interface even under profuse perspiration. This device exhibits a high tensile strain of 627%, a breathability of 20.02 mm s−1, and a pressure sensitivity of 7.39 kPa−1. Furthermore, the SPTL demonstrates versatile multimodal sensing capabilities, including real-time Morse code and non-contact capacitive sensing, while sustaining stable performance over 10,000 pressing cycles (capacitance decay < 3%). As a bio-integrated electrode, SPTL enables high-fidelity acquisition of electroencephalogram (EEG), electromyogram (EMG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) signals, significantly outperforming commercial Ag/AgCl electrodes. Integrated with machine learning algorithms and EMG signals captured by the SPTL, it facilitates precise teleoperation of a quadruped robot and handwritten letter recognition with over 95% accuracy. This bionic strategy provides a versatile solution for intelligent, breathable, and multimodal bio-integrated interfaces.
- Journal
- Nano-Micro Letters
What’s new in assisted reproduction research? A 40-year review reveals changing priorities
Shanghai Jiao Tong University Journal CenterAssisted reproductive technology (ART) has transformed infertility treatment but is associated with a 2–5-fold increased risk of ectopic pregnancy (EP) compared with natural conception. Despite accumulating evidence, a comprehensive bibliometric evaluation of ART-related EP (ART-EP) research—encompassing its evolution, knowledge gaps, and collaboration patterns—remains lacking. This study aimed to systematically map the ART-EP research landscape, identify critical gaps, and characterize global collaborative networks in alignment with the evidence-based optimization goals of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.
- Journal
- Reproductive and Developmental Medicine
BMI and fertility: New insights into IVF outcomes in women with PCOS
Shanghai Jiao Tong University Journal CenterPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder, accounting for approximately 80%–95% of anovulatory infertility cases. Patients with PCOS face various challenges during in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) treatment, including a high rick of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), reduced fertilization rates, and increased miscarriage risk. The clinical manifestations of PCOS are diverse, with common symptoms including menstrual irregularities, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovarian morphology. Notably, approximately 50%–75% of patients with PCOS are affected by obesity, which not only exacerbates the clinical manifestations of the disease but also potentially affects reproductive outcomes. Body mass index (BMI) significantly influences IVF-ET outcomes in patients with PCOS by affecting ovarian function, oocyte quality, and endometrial receptivity. This review aims to explore the impact and underlying mechanisms of BMI on IVF treatment outcomes in patients with PCOS and emphasize the importance of weight management, with the goal of providing evidence-based support for optimizing assisted reproductive strategies, thereby improving pregnancy rates and reducing the risk of complications.
- Journal
- Reproductive and Developmental Medicine
Hexokinase expansion in thermophilic snails supports extreme heat tolerance
Science China PressPeer-Reviewed Publication
In a paper published in Science China Life Sciences, researchers report a lineage‑specific expansion of the hexokinase (HK) family in the genomes of extremely thermotolerant Echinolittorina snails, and identify novel isoforms anchored to the cell membrane via post‑duplication domain fusion. These membrane‑localized HKs enhance cell viability under heat stress by optimizing hexose catabolism, suggesting a crucial role in sustaining the energy‑demanding protective responses that allow Echinolittorina snails to survive thermally harsh intertidal habitats.
- Journal
- Science China Life Sciences
A walking-support robot learns to follow the body through touch
Science China PressPeer-Reviewed Publication
Researchers developed a walking-support robot that uses large-area tactile contact at the waist and underarms to continuously follow movement intent and provide balance support. In tests with healthy adults, the same touch-based interaction enabled forward, backward and turning assistance, responded to mild balance disturbances, and reduced hamstring activity compared with handle-based support.
- Journal
- National Science Review
How the brain handles more information with less energy
Science China PressPeer-Reviewed Publication
The human brain performs perception, memory, learning and decision-making with only about 20 watts of power. A new study in National Science Review proposes a physics-based framework to explain this extraordinary efficiency. By modeling cooperative neuronal activity, the researchers suggest that brain information may be stored and processed through dynamic electrical patterns, offering new clues for brain science and energy-efficient artificial intelligence.
- Journal
- National Science Review
Biochar helps reduce soil toxicity from copper and glyphosate mixtures
Maximum Academic PressPeer-Reviewed Publication
A research team has shown that biochar can reduce the ecological stress caused by copper and commercial glyphosate formulations in soil, using earthworm behavior as an early warning signal of contamination.
- Journal
- Biochar X
Mulberry branch biochar offers a greener feed strategy for healthier largemouth bass aquaculture
Maximum Academic PressPeer-Reviewed Publication
A research team has found that adding mulberry branch-derived biochar to feed can improve intestinal health and water quality in largemouth bass aquaculture without significantly changing fish growth performance.
- Journal
- Biochar X
Wood-derived high-entropy alloy catalyst achieves efficient hydrogen evolution through electronegativity engineering
Journal of Bioresources and BioproductsPeer-Reviewed Publication
- Journal
- Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts