The mechanical strength and toughness of engineering materials are often mutually exclusive, posing challenges for material design and selection. To address this, a research team from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has uncovered an innovative strategy: by simply twisting the layers of 2D materials, they can enhance toughness without compromising material’s strength. This breakthrough facilitates the design of strong and tough new 2D materials, promoting their broader applications in photonic and electronic devices. The findings have been published in the international journal Nature Materials.

Sepsis-induced immune dysfunction is a major contributor to high mortality rates in septic patients. 

This systematic review comprehensively summarizes treatment approaches for all types of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), including recently approved pharmaceuticals and therapeutic strategies, while providing a detailed overview of ongoing clinical trial developments - offering novel perspectives for AMD prevention and treatment.

Researchers at China Pharmaceutical University have developed GseaVis, a user-friendly R package that significantly enhances the visualization of Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) results. This innovative tool addresses longstanding limitations in existing GSEA visualization methods, providing researchers with publication-ready, highly customizable plots that simplify the interpretation of complex genomic data.

A recent perspective article published in eGastroenterology highlights a novel subpopulation of ANXA2+ migratory hepatocytes that play a critical role in liver regeneration following acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure (APAP-ALF). Using a cutting-edge multimodal approach—including single-nucleus RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and in vivo imaging—the research reveals that these hepatocytes form a protective boundary around necrotic regions and contribute to wound closure through migration rather than proliferation. This discovery opens new avenues for therapeutic strategies aimed at enhancing liver repair and function in patients with acute liver injury, potentially reducing the dependence on liver transplantation.

A nationwide study published in eGastroenterology reveals that while age-standardised mortality from digestive system malignancies (DSMTs) has declined in China between 2004 and 2021, significant disparities persist by cancer type, gender, and region. Oesophageal, gastric, and liver cancer rates decreased, reflecting effective public health interventions. In contrast, mortality from pancreatic and colorectal cancers rose, especially in males and rural populations. The study also highlights improvements in life expectancy and reductions in premature mortality from DSMTs. However, persistent inequities underline the need for targeted cancer prevention, improved screening, and equitable healthcare access.

This approach enabled the in situ synthesis of gold–polymer nanocomposites within living E. coli, effectively transforming the bacteria into "living nanofactories".

Researchers develop an innovative implant delivers allowing for controlled and sustained H₂ release to facilitate bone repair in diabetic conditions.

Diabetes affects millions worldwide, causing both nerve and metabolic complications. A recent study suggests that diabetic nerve damage may also lead to impaired bone health. Using a mouse model of Type 2 Diabetes, researchers uncovered that sensory nerve loss in tissues surrounding bones disrupts key cell signaling pathways in bone tissue—leading to reduced strength and regenerative capacity. The study offers new insights on the link between neuropathy and skeletal deterioration.