A study in Forest Ecosystems predicts that China’s natural forests will store 10.46 Pg C by 2060, but their carbon sequestration rate will decline as mature. Using satellite data and field surveys, researchers found that younger natural forests have higher carbon storage potential, while older natural forests are reaching their limit. The findings highlight the need to prioritize protecting mature forests alongside preserving and restoring young natural forest areas to sustain China’s high carbon sequestration capacity.

Qi Zhao et al. demonstrate that low-dose exposure to polystyrene microplastics (PSMPs) leads to severely abnormal reproduction in females, manifested by oocyte meiotic maturation defect, overactivation of cell metabolism pathways and H4K16 hyperacetylation, which can be attributed to HDAC3 insufficiency.

Nature ion channels play significant role in the living organisms, which can translocate physiological relevant ions across the cell membranes as demand. To simulate and replace the function of nature channels, researchers are encouraged to develop artificial channels using simple and smart supramolecular structures. Inspired by the complementary hydrogen bonding interactions of DNA/RNA, a team of researchers from East China University of Science and Technology reported a simple synthetic supermolecule system to form stable ion channels in the lipid membranes, and the efficient transport of K⁺ triggers apoptosis of cancer cells. It represents one of the few examples of using complementary hydrogen bonding interactions to construct effective ion channels and offers new perspectives in the developments of anticancer drugs.

High-voltage lithium metal batteries (HVLMB) are appealing candidates for next-generation high-energy rechargeable batteries, but practical applications are still limited by the severe capacity degradation, attributed to the poor interfacial stability and compatibility between the electrode and electrolyte. To address these issues, preparing an artificial solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) with outstanding performance in stabilizing the traditional anode electrolyte is considerably important.

White organic light-emitting diodes (WOLEDs) are promising next-generation lighting sources with flexibility, low power consumption, and eye-friendly properties. Current limitations stem from inefficient use of triplet excitons in unstable blue emitters, restricting their power efficiency and stability. Shenzhen University team recently developed high-efficiency, long-lifetime WOLEDs using stable blue multi-resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR-TADF) materials, paving the way for next-generation energy-saving lighting and display technologies.

A novel flexible COF-based porous liquid, COF-301-PL, has been synthesized by researchers at the Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, CAS. COF-301-PL exhibits remarkable dynamic tunability. High-pressure CO₂ adsorption experiments and theoretical calculations demonstrate that its cavities can adapt dynamically to changes in CO₂ pressure, leading to significantly enhanced CO₂ capture and catalytic performance. This research opens up new avenues for the design and development of porous liquids with functional properties.