Micro/nanorobots with controllable deformation and navigation capability are highly promising candidates to perform complicated biomedical tasks in complex and unstructured biological environments. However, it is still a big challenge to accurately control the deformation and navigation of soft microrobots to better adapt to variable environments for task execution. A recent work published in PhotoniX, a photonic nanojet-regulated soft microalga robot (saBOT) based on Euglena gracilis was developed, which has highly controllable deformation and precision navigation capability working in complex and unstructured microenvironments. Such asBOT can precisely navigate in complex and unstructured microenvironments to perform different biomedical tasks, such as precision drug delivery toward a target cell within cell clusters (Figure 1). This saBOT holds great promise in executing different biomedical tasks in complex and unstructured microenvironments that cannot be reached by conventional tools and rigid microrobots.

Treatment options for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) often result in poor prognosis and declining health-related quality of life. Screening FDA-approved drugs for cancer chemoprevention is a promising and cost-efficient strategy. Here, we found that dronedarone, an antiarrhythmic drug, could inhibit the proliferation of ESCC cells. Moreover, we conducted phosphorylomics analysis to investigate the mechanism of dronedarone-treated ESCC cells. Through computational docking models and pull-down assays, we demonstrated that dronedarone could directly bind to CDK4 and CDK6 kinases. We also proved that dronedarone effectively inhibited ESCC proliferation by targeting CDK4/CDK6 and blocking the G0/G1 phase through RB1 phosphorylation inhibition by in vitro kinase assays and cell cycle assays. Subsequently, we found that knocking out CDK4 and CDK6 decreased the susceptibility of ESCC cells to dronedarone. Furthermore, dronedarone suppressed the growth of ESCC in patient-derived tumor xenograft models in vivo. Thus, our study demonstrated that dronedarone could be repurposed as a CDK4/6 inhibitor for ESCC chemoprevention.

The study focuses on the synthesis of mesoporous biochar (MC) derived from biomass, using a dual-salt template method involving ZnCl₂ and KCl.

A pivotal study has provided unprecedented insights into the genetic architecture of sweet oranges, highlighting the critical role of somatic mutations in shaping fruit development. 

A recent study scientists have decoded the intricate metabolic profiles of citrus fruits, shedding light on the phenylpropanoid pathway—a critical biosynthetic route for flavonoids and other phytonutrients known for their health benefits.

IL-8⁺ neutrophils have been identified as key drivers of inflammation in severe alcohol-associated hepatitis (sAH). Targeting these immune cells offers a novel and specific approach to therapy, addressing a critical gap in treating this condition.

New research published in the journal Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters reports significant progress in studying the relationship between meteorological conditions and atmospheric fine-particle (PM_2.5) concentrations. In this new study, meteorological fields were obtained using two sets of data to analyze the differences in the simulated PM_2.5 concentration. Results showed that the meteorological field had a strong influence on the concentration levels and spatial distribution of the simulated pollution. Also, one of the data sources resulted in relatively smaller simulation errors, allowing more accurate modeling of PM_2.5 concentrations.

Organoids, or living biobanks, are living tissue models widely used in biomedical research and drug screening. A recent review article published in the Chinese Medical Journal, systematically examines standardization efforts in organoid research, including operational procedures, laboratory establishment, and existing published guidelines related to organoid culture. The authors also discuss current challenges in the standardization of organoid construction, highlighting key areas for improvement.