News from Science China Press

Global type 1 diabetes (T1DM) burden among children and adolescents aged 0–19 increased during 1990–2021. Incidence rose from 2.71 to 7.42 per 100,000 and prevalence from 20.75 to 56.59 per 100,000. Mortality and YLLs also increased, indicating worsening fatal outcomes. North America and Europe had the highest incidence and prevalence in 2021. Inequalities widened, with poorer countries bearing a growing and disproportionate burden of T1DM mortality and YLLs.

Metabolic regulation at the maternal-embryo interface is essential for successful embryo implantation, yet its dynamics in humans remain poorly understood because of ethical and technical constraints. Researchers established a physiologically relevant maternal-embryo interaction model by co-culturing human blastoids with 3D endometrial assembloids, enabling analysis of metabolic changes during the implantation window. The study provides a systematic view of metabolic dynamics at the human maternal-embryo interface, identifies lipid remodeling and arachidonic acid (ARA) metabolism as key regulators of maternal and embryonic responses during implantation, and offers a mechanistic basis for diagnosis and metabolic intervention strategies in implantation failure.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how biomedical materials are discovered and designed. In a new review published in Science Bulletin, researchers summarize how machine learning and generative AI are helping scientists predict material behaviors such as drug release, biocompatibility, and catalytic activity, and even propose entirely new inorganic materials for biomedical applications. The review highlights emerging applications in drug delivery, cancer therapy, anti-inflammatory treatment, and tissue engineering, while also discussing the challenges that still limit clinical translation.

A research team led by Professor Gao Zexia from Huazhong Agricultural University in China has successfully cultivated grass carp completely lacking intermuscular bones (IBs)—small, sharp skeletal structures that not only pose consumption risks to consumers but also limit processing efficiency. By runx2b gene editing, the team obtained genetically stable F₂ populations of grass carp without IBs. Comprehensive phenotypic analysis revealed no significant differences between IBs-free and the wild-type grass carp in overall skeletal development, bone mineral density, muscle composition or nutritional content. Multi-omics data further demonstrated adaptive remodeling in Calcium Signaling and Muscle Contraction Pathways, indicating normal physiological compensation. This study provides a feasible strategy for improving the fish efficiency of aquaculture breeding and enhancing the supply of high quality fish protein.

Researchers from Capital Normal University and Peking University have revealed how light triggers seed germination at the molecular level. This research demonstrates that the HECT E3 ligase UPL3 targets the core repressor PIF1 for degradation upon light exposure, offering theoretical support and promising genetic targets for improving crop seed vigor and germination uniformity.

A research team led by Professor Jianwu Dai from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with Professor Rui Gu’s team from the China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University and Professor Yi Cui from the National Research Institute for Family Planning, has developed a novel therapeutic paradigm for spinal cord injury repair. By integrating the physical signaling regulation of traditional Chinese electroacupuncture with modern tissue engineering regenerative strategies, this study establishes a new treatment model that integrates complementary strategies from Eastern and Western medical practices.

Researchers have developed a Pt–CuO_x interfacial catalyst that enables near-quantitative conversion of biomass-derived HMF into FDCA at low voltage (0.75 V), significantly reducing energy consumption while achieving 99.1% selectivity and long-term stability.

Researchers at Nanjing University developed platinum(IV)-antibody conjugates that enhance tumor immunogenicity without relying on strong cancer cell killing. The targeted system delivers low-dose platinum selectively to tumors, increasing MHC-I expression and improving immune recognition while reducing systemic toxicity. In mouse models, the strategy significantly enhanced the efficacy of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy.