To realize a sustainable low-carbon society, it is essential to establish a catalytic process that converts various concentrations of CO₂ in combustion exhaust gases from thermal power plants and other sources into useful chemicals using renewable hydrogen. However, due to the high oxygen (O₂) content (about 10%) in such exhaust gases, conventional catalytic methods face a major challenge in that H₂ reacts preferentially with O₂, making efficient CO₂ conversion technically impossible. A research team led by Hokkaido University has developed a tandem system that continuously captures and converts CO₂ in a wide concentration range, from atmospheric levels to exhaust gases. Their work is published in the journal Industrial Chemistry & Materials on June 13, 2025.

In a paper published in National Science Review, scientists demonstrate quantum key distribution using a room-temperature GaN-based single-photon source directly emitting in the telecom band in a deployed fiber link. Special technics are used to minimize the effect of Polarization Mode Dispersion.

Current cancer screening methods are limited in scope, often detecting only a few cancer types with low positive predictive value and suboptimal patient adherence. In recent years, liquid biopsy-based multi-cancer early detection (MCED) has emerged as a promising approach to revolutionize cancer control. Despite several MCED tests reaching clinical trial phases and seeking regulatory approval, none have yet been approved for clinical use, highlighting uncertainties regarding their efficacy and applicability. This review comprehensively examines the advancements in MCED technologies and offers insights into the selection of cancer types for inclusion in MCED panels. Researchers explore the clinical development pathway for MCED, from biomarker discovery and analytical validation to large-scale randomized controlled trials, emphasizing the importance of selecting appropriate endpoints such as reducing late-stage cancer incidence or cancer-specific mortality. Key challenges, including achieving optimal sensitivity for early-stage cancers, minimizing false positives and negatives, and ensuring equitable access to MCED tests, are also addressed. Finally, they evaluate the added value and health economic benefits of integrating MCED into established healthcare systems through widespread implementation. By providing a thorough analysis of these aspects, this review aims to advance the field of cancer screening and guide future research and development efforts.

Hybrid Photonic polycrystals with a synthetic hybrid dimension enable versatile control of edge channels and corner modes in multiple frequency bands.

Estrogen plays an important role in keeping bones healthy. Now, researchers investigated how membrane-initiated estrogen receptor alpha (mERα) signaling in specific cell types of female mice affects bone health. They found that mERα activity in bone-forming cells (osteoblasts) is crucial for maintaining strong cortical bone, while its role in hematopoietic cells is minimal. These findings provide insights into how estrogen protects bone and could help develop safer therapies that strengthen bones without unwanted side effects.

In a paper published in National Science Review, a team of researchers utilized an astronomical telescope equipped with a quantum-limited superconducting mixer as the receiver. The experiment successfully demonstrated real-time high-definition video wireless transmission at 500 GHz over a record distance of 1.2 km at a dry site situated 4445 meters above sea level. This experiment offers valuable insights for the future development of satellite and airborne-to-ground communication technologies and their applications.

Scientists have developed an innovative emergency power source by transforming warm paste into functional batteries. The hydrogel-based iron-air battery can operate in temperatures as low as -20 °C and provides ampere-hour level capacity, offering a promising solution for emergency power in harsh outdoor environments.

A recent review published in National Science Review delves into the significance and potential of synchronous electrolytes for aqueous zinc-halogen batteries. The review examines challenges such as zinc corrosion and halogen instability, while proposing advanced strategies like gradient hydrogels and biphasic electrolytes to simultaneously optimize both sides. These insights pave the way for practical applications in grid-scale energy storage.

Background: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) had lower vitamin D3 levels than neurotypical (NT) children, as well as deficits in language, social, and fine motor abilities. Nanotechnology has appeared as a suitable answer to absorption and bioavailability problems related to vitamin D3. The aim was to investigate the influence of vitamin D3-loaded nanoemulsion supplementation on adaptive behavior and language performance in children with ASD compared to the influence of the marketed product of vitamin D3.

Methods: Supplementation of ASD children with an oral vitamin D3-loaded nanoemulsion was performed in Group I while the marketed product of the oral vitamin D3 was used in Group II for 6 months.  Evaluation of their abilities and measuring the plasma levels of two types of vitamin D3 were performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography before and after supplementation.

Results: Supplementation in Group I (N=40) has led to an elevation of levels of 25 (OH) and 1, 25 (OH)2 forms of vitamin D3 (p< 0.0001), to behavioral improvement in the form of a reduction in ASD severity, and to a rise in the social IQ and total language age of ASD children (p=0.0002, 0.04, 0.0009, respectively).  On the other hand, Group II (N=40) did not show adaptive behavioral improvements.

Conclusion: The vitamin D3-loaded nanoemulsion provided better vitamin D3 bioavailability and a true influence on severity, adaptive behavior, fine motor abilities, and language performance, reflecting the desired benefits of the rise of vitamin D3 levels in the blood.