Targeted nanoparticles turn cancer's own copper into a lethal weapon
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 26-Oct-2026 09:16 ET (26-Oct-2026 13:16 GMT/UTC)
A major challenge in cuproptosis-based cancer therapy is achieving tumor-selective activation without relying on external copper administration. Published in Biomedical Analysis, a new study from Guizhou Medical University introduces an iRGD-modified PLGA-PEG nanoparticle system that delivers the copper-chelating agent TPEN directly to tumor cells. By exploiting the high copper levels already present in cancer cells, this approach triggers copper-dependent cell death while reducing potential systemic toxicity associated with metal delivery.
Researchers at Shaanxi Normal University have developed a flexible electrode with atomically tuned TixCr1−xN solid-solution nanoparticles for lithium-sulfur batteries. The catalyst enhances polysulfide trapping and conversion via d-band electronic regulation, achieving high rate capacity (801 mAh g⁻¹ at 3 C) and ultralow decay (0.012% per cycle at 2 C). This work provides a practical strategy for high-energy Li-S batteries.Researchers at Shaanxi Normal University have developed a flexible electrode with atomically tuned TixCr1−xN solid-solution nanoparticles for lithium-sulfur batteries. The catalyst enhances polysulfide trapping and conversion via d-band electronic regulation, achieving high rate capacity (801 mAh g⁻¹ at 3 C) and ultralow decay (0.012% per cycle at 2 C). This work provides a practical strategy for high-energy Li-S batteries.
To address the sluggish kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in water splitting, a team led by Academician Lan Jiang from Beijing Institute of Technology developed a novel self-supported oxygen electrocatalyst fabricated through femtosecond laser ablation combined with co-deposition. The catalyst features bimetallic CoCu-MOF nanosheets grown on CoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy substrate, achieving a low overpotential of 231 mV at 10 mA·cm⁻² and exceptional stability exceeding 300 hours for OER. This strategy provides a promising approach for the rational design of high-performance MOF-based electrocatalysts.To address the sluggish kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in water splitting, a team led by Academician Lan Jiang from Beijing Institute of Technology developed a novel self-supported oxygen electrocatalyst fabricated through femtosecond laser ablation combined with co-deposition. The catalyst features bimetallic CoCu-MOF nanosheets grown on CoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy substrate, achieving a low overpotential of 231 mV at 10 mA·cm⁻² and exceptional stability exceeding 300 hours for OER. This strategy provides a promising approach for the rational design of high-performance MOF-based electrocatalysts.
Recently, a team from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (in collaboration with the Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences) made significant progress in strain-modulated optoelectronic perception and neuromorphic vision systems. Their findings were published in Nano Research on February 26, 2026.
The synthesized MXene-PVDF textile exhibits synergistic multifunctional properties, including absorption-dominated electromagnetic protection, Joule heating, and infrared thermal shielding. Such integrated characteristics expand the application potential of MXene-based multifunctional textiles in extreme temperatures, maintaining a human-comfortable temperature (10-40°C) in extremely cold and hot environments.
Researchers from Kansas City University School of Medicine have published a scoping review examining the role of astrocytes in chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Synthesizing evidence from 40 studies, the review suggests that astrocytic dysfunction, neuroinflammation, impaired waste clearance, and disrupted glutamate homeostasis may contribute significantly to disease development and progression. The findings support a shift from a neuron-centric view of CTE toward a broader neuroglial disease model.
This review synthesizes the evolution of aquatic ecosystem health assessment and proposes a paradigm shift from descriptive monitoring to predictive, intelligent governance. Led by Yong Liu from Peking University, the research team introduces a gene-to-landscape framework that integrates multi-omics, environmental DNA, ecological observation, and AI-enabled remote sensing to enable early warning, causal attribution, and anticipatory decision support for freshwater ecosystems under global change.
A Harbin Institute of Technology team proposes a mixed-frequency heterodyne demodulation architecture for dual-gas LITES sensing using a single quartz tuning fork. The sensor achieves low-crosstalk simultaneous detection of methane and acetylene, simplifying system design for cost-effective industrial safety and environmental monitoring.
This review summarizes flexible electromagnetic induction-type tactile sensors that convert touch-induced magnetic-flux variation into electrical signals. It establishes an integrated framework linking magnets, coils, soft materials, signal processing and circuits, and discusses their relevance to wearable electronics, medical monitoring, human-machine interfaces and intelligent robotics.