This work presents the first demonstration of a parallel heterodyne light-induced thermoelastic spectroscopy (PH-LITES) sensor for high-speed and high-sensitivity simultaneous multi-gas detection. By synergistically combining signal enhancement at the physical layer with intelligent decoupling at the information layer, the sensor achieves ppb-level simultaneous and fast multi-gas detection based on a single quartz tuning fork (QTF), providing an important reference for the future development of rapid and highly sensitive multi-gas sensing technologies.

In a post hoc analysis of 210 ICU-admitted patients from the French multicenter COMBAT cohort, nearly half of survivors of community-acquired bacterial meningitis still had unfavourable functional outcomes 1 year after intensive care. Hearing loss, depressive symptoms, and impaired physical quality of life were common, while fewer than half resumed work. The SOFA score on day 3 independently predicted 30-day mortality, highlighting the value of repeated organ function assessment.

To support the continued development of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology (ENCECO), the journal is launching its Youth Talent Program. The initiative aims to bring together outstanding early career researchers in environmental chemistry and ecotoxicology, foster collaboration and knowledge exchange with leading international experts, and cultivate the next generation of editorial talent to help shape the journal's future.

A research team at the Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has proposed a method for optimizing superconducting integrated circuits based on “time scaling”. By constructing a dual-active-device layer within a single wafer, the researchers successfully transformed key logic paths from planar structures into vertically compressed ones, significantly reducing pulse propagation time and paving a new path for superconducting computing in the post-Moore’s Law era.

Waveguide-based electro-optic (E-O) frequency combs are prized for their flexible pump wavelength, tunable repetition rate and near-100% conversion efficiency, but their spectral span is usually limited to a few nanometers. Researchers now report a broadband waveguide E-O comb based on "mode circulation": a single beam is recirculated through the same phase-modulation region eight times as four distinct waveguide modes (TE0–TE3). Enabled by a Z-propagation mode multiplexer that suppresses mode hybridization in anisotropic lithium-niobate-on-insulator waveguides, the device boosts the modulation index by ~7.5×, generating 128 comb lines across 25.6 nm at 25 GHz with an effective half-wave voltage of just 1.24 V and only 7 dB on-chip loss.

Since 2017, the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) has annually organized the Global Engineering Frontiers strategic consulting program to assess major trends in engineering science and technology, identify emerging frontiers, and guide the development of engineering-driven industries. The program is supported by CAE’s nine disciplinary divisions and the Engineering Journal series.