China’s power grid is set to undergo major transformation by 2030 as wind and solar energy expand rapidly. A new article in Engineering identifies five typical grid development scenarios and key technical challenges in power supply, grid stability, and equipment performance. It also proposes targeted research directions to support secure, low-carbon operation of the future power system, offering clear guidance for technology innovation and grid upgrading.

Hydraulic fracturing is moving from experience-based operations to intelligent control. A new study in Engineering introduces an AI-driven framework for subsurface hydraulic fracturing, featuring data-driven analysis, dynamic optimization, and autonomous decision-making. It uses dedicated deep learning models to predict fractures, warn of risks, and forecast production, forming a closed-loop intelligent system. The work also points out current challenges and future directions, supporting the digital shift in unconventional oil and gas development.

Wind turbine blades are hard to recycle, but a new study in Engineering offers a green solution. Researchers have developed a mild catalytic oxidation method to break down epoxy resin from waste blades at 100 °C with a small amount of catalyst. The degraded products directly become high-strength adhesives, while catalysts and fibers can be fully recovered. This eco-friendly approach turns hard-to-dispose waste into valuable materials, supporting the low-carbon and circular development of the wind power industry.

Terahertz wireless communication is a promising technology for future networks, but it often fails when line-of-sight paths are blocked. A new study in Engineering introduces a liquid-crystal programmable metasurface that brings stable connections to non-line-of-sight scenarios. This dual-broadband device flexibly controls terahertz beams, supports high-speed data transmission, and works reliably in real-world blocked environments, making widespread terahertz communication more practical.

Polyurethane plastic is hard to biodegrade and brings big environmental pressure. A study in Engineering reveals the structure and catalytic mechanism of esterase Aes72, and creates an engineered variant F276A/L141I. This modified enzyme shows stronger activity to break down polyurethane materials, offering a greener enzymatic way for sustainable plastic waste recycling.

For patients with diabetic macular edema, vision loss is only part of the burden. Repeated intravitreal injections can also create financial pressure, frequent clinic visits, and treatment anxiety, all of which may affect long-term adherence. A new short-term observational study published in Eye Discovery by researchers from the Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, the Primasia International Eye Research Institute of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and collaborating institutions asks whether treatment burden can be reduced without clearly compromising early visual and anatomical outcomes.

This study mainly focuses on the RE element synergy mechanisms in disilicates. Three novel multicomponent (RE_1/4Tm_1/4Yb_1/4Lu_1/4)₂Si₂O₇ (RE = Gd, Ho and Sc) materials were elaborately designed and subjected to CMAS corrosion at 1300 °C for durations of 1, 4, and 50 h to elucidate the synergistic mechanisms of multicomponent rare-earth elements on CMAS corrosion. Systematical examinations on evolution of reactants and products were conducted to analyze the role of rare-earth cations in CMAS corrosion, and the results reveal that performance divergence in corrosion primarily stems from a mechanistic transition, from dissolution-reprecipitation to intergranular penetration, dictated by rare-earth ionic characteristics. Comparative analysis confirms that an optimal active/inert stoichiometric ratio could simultaneously stimulate the precipitation-induced corrosion mitigation and the intrinsic resistance enhancement, establishing a design framework for multicomponent rare-earth disilicates for anti-CMAS EBC applications.

A research team from the Institute of Aging and Regenerative Medicine at Jinan University, China, has examined how aging and disease are connected by exploring the aging-related remodeling of chromatin architecture. This study of chromatin architecture, the three-dimensional organization of DNA, gives scientists a better understanding of aging and its underlying mechanisms. Their review is published in Aging Research on May 8, 2026.

This study develops a replicable Transformative Service Ecosystem for Sustainable Operations Management (TSESOM) model to address research gaps and empower botanic gardens to deliver integrated sustainability, conservation and visitor economy outcomes.

A new study investigates autologous rib cartilage resorption in microtia reconstruction, identifies fixation material-induced inflammation, gene dysregulation and mitochondrial dysfunction as key mechanisms, and provides insights for clinical intervention.