CAS Academician, Prof. Jihong Yu, and her team from Jilin University developed a post-treatment strategy based on metal replacement reaction using commercial ZSM-5 zeolite as a carrier, and successfully encapsulated a highly active PtCu alloy catalyst in the pores of the zeolite. In the study, Cu²⁺ ions were first introduced into the pores of the zeolite through ion exchange, and then reduced at high temperature to form a Cu@MFI intermediate; then the Pt component was introduced through a metal replacement reaction, and a PtCu alloy was formed in the pores of the zeolite through high temperature reduction. The prepared PtCu₅@MFI-K (Pt/Cu=1/5) showed excellent catalytic performance in the propane dehydrogenation reaction, with a propane conversion rate of 49.7%, a propylene selectivity of more than 90%, and good cyclic stability. This study provides a new low-cost and efficient synthesis strategy for the development of high-performance alloy@zeolite catalysts. These results were published as an open access article in CCS Chemistry, the flagship journal of the Chinese Chemical Society.

A team of researchers has found that hardy native plants could play a surprising role in transforming one of the aluminum industry’s most stubborn waste products into the beginnings of fertile soil.

Excessive use of fertilizers has fueled global food production, but it has also left behind a serious problem: nitrate pollution in soil and water. High nitrate levels threaten drinking water safety, aquatic ecosystems, and public health. Now, a new review published in Biochar highlights how biochar, a carbon-rich material made by heating plant or waste biomass, could provide an effective, low-cost, and sustainable solution.

When it comes to clean energy, solar and wind often dominate the headlines. But in the lush, river-rich landscapes of Southeast Asia, another renewable powerhouse is quietly making waves—hydropower. A major new study published on August 4, 2025, in Carbon Research proves that hydropower isn’t just a side player in the region’s energy mix—it’s a leading force in cutting carbon emissions, with the potential to reshape the future of sustainable development.

Proper maintenance of underground infrastructure is crucial for a city’s sustainable development. However, with its high-density underground utilities, such maintenance work is particularly challenging in Hong Kong. A research team from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has leveraged advanced underground exploration technologies to develop underground utilities inspection systems that support early detection of urban infrastructure anomalies, including voids and pipe leakages, for enhanced urban management.

Potato tuber dormancy and sprouting are pivotal to crop yield, storage, and market value. 

Aging brain shows deterioration of blood-brain barrier (BBB), but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Guo et al, from Massachusetts General Hospital, reported that the effects of astrocytes on endothelial cell permeability depend on the “age” of astrocytes, and increased angiotensinogen expression in senescent astrocytes may be one of the mediators. These data suggest the importance of cell-cell interaction in neurovascular unit, and point towards a potential therapeutic approach to rescue BBB in aging brain.

Phospholipids, essential components of cell membranes, are increasingly recognized for their active roles in regulating innate immunity and inflammation. A new review is published to outline how phospholipid metabolism shapes immune cell behavior, influences the outcome of host defense and tissue homeostasis. The authors also discuss how dysregulation of phospholipid metabolism contributes to inflammatory diseases, such as autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases and cancers, and highlight the potential strategies of restoring phospholipid homeostasis for disease treatment.

A new review published in Environmental and Biogeochemical Processes reveals how tiny iron oxyhydroxide nanoparticles, among the most abundant nanoparticles in soils and water, form and interact with metals, organic matter, and microbes, profoundly shaping Earth’s environment.