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Updates every hour. Last Updated: 16-May-2026 12:15 ET (16-May-2026 16:15 GMT/UTC)
Recent advances in natural biomaterial-based hydrogels for controlled drug release and cancer immunotherapy applications
Tsinghua University PressThe rising global burden of cancer necessitates innovative therapeutic strategies, with immunotherapy demonstrating remarkable potential. However, its clinical efficacy remains limited by low response rates and non-specific (off-target) delivery. Authors in this review highlights natural polymer-based hydrogels as emerging delivery platforms engineered to enhance the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. These hydrogels exploit the biocompatibility and biodegradability of natural polymers, employing chemical or physical crosslinking to encapsulate and deliver immunotherapeutic agents. The versatility of these hydrogels is discussed in the context of oral, sprayable, injectable, and implantable formulations, adaptable to specific tumor sites. Their responsiveness to stimuli such as pH, temperature, and enzymatic activity enables controlled and sustained release of immunotherapeutic agents, including checkpoint inhibitors, cytokines, and Toll-like receptor agonists. These hydrogels can also modulate the tumor microenvironment by regulating pH, oxygen levels, and immune cell infiltration, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy. Moreover, immunotherapeutic hydrogels can act synergistically with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and phototherapies to enhance antitumor immune responses. Despite their potential, challenges such as degradation kinetics, bioactivity retention, and regulatory hurdles must be addressed to ensure successful clinical translation. This review provides insights into the rational design, development and application of stimuli-responsive hydrogels as next-generation platforms for effective cancer immunotherapy.
- Journal
- Nano Research
Cotton-based sandwich architectures for flexible electromagnetic interference shielding materials with superior flame retardancy
Tsinghua University PressElectromagnetic waves are extensively utilized in many fields such as communication and medicine. Excessive electromagnetic waves will cause electromagnetic pollution. Electromagnetic pollution may lead to electromagnetic interference (EMI), which will interfere sensitive electronic devices. Furthermore, electromagnetic pollution is harmful to human health and may potentially cause information leakage. The development of lightweight and flexible EMI shielding materials with high mechanical strength and excellent flame retardant properties is currently a hot and difficult research topic.
- Journal
- Nano Research
Recent advances in “top-down” synthesis strategies for single-atom catalysts
Science China PressA team of researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) has published a comprehensive review in Science China Chemistry, highlighting the latest breakthroughs in "top-down" synthesis strategies for single-atom catalysts (SACs). Led by Prof. Huang Zhou and Prof. Yuen Wu from USTC’s Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry and Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, the review systematically summarizes a decade of progress in the field, offering valuable insights for advancing SACs’ practical application.
- Journal
- Science China Chemistry
Solvent-free revolution: Dry-coating electrode tech building a greener battery future
Science China PressIn a paper published in SCIENCE CHINA Chemistry, a research team led by Prof. Hao Sun at Shanghai Jiao Tong University discussed the material designs and process optimization of dry-coating electrode fabrication toward sustainable battery production. The review identifies the key challenge of uneven component dispersion in solvent-free systems and introduces emerging strategies designed to effectively address this issue, including the use of composite binders, functional additives, and thermal-assisted processing. These advances enable the fabrication of electrodes that combine structural integrity with enhanced electrochemical performance, while simultaneously reducing manufacturing costs and energy consumption. By elucidating fundamental design principles and presenting practical pathways, this review contributes to the development of more efficient and environmentally sustainable battery technologies.
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- Science China Chemistry
New burner enables stable coal combustion at ultra-low loads without auxiliary fuel
Shanghai Jiao Tong University Journal CenterExisting swirling combustion technology, which relies on faulty coal, is unable to meet deep peak shaving demands without auxiliary methods. This paper developed a deep peak regulation burner (DPRB) to achieve stable combustion at 15%–30% of the boiler’s rated load without auxiliary support. Gas-particle tests, industrial trials, and transient numerical simulations were conducted to evaluate the burner’s performance. At full rated load, the DPRB formed a central recirculation zone (RZ) with a length of 1.5d and a diameter of 0.58d (where d represents the outlet diameter). At 40%, 20%, and 15% rated loads, the RZ became annular, with diameters of 0.30d, 0.40d, and 0.39d, respectively, with a length of 1.0d. At 20% and 15% rated loads, the recirculation peak and the range of particle volume flux were comparable to those at 40% rated load. The prototype burner demonstrated that, without oil support, the gas temperature within 0 to 1.8 m from the primary air outlet remained below 609 °C, insufficient to ignite faulty coal. As the load rate increased from 20% to 30%, the prototype’s central region temperature remained low, with a maximum of 750 °C between 0 and 2.0 m. In contrast, the DPRB’s central region temperature reached 750 °C at around 0.65–0.70 m. At a 3%·min−1 load-up rate, when the load increased from 20% to 30%, the prototype burner extinguished after 30 s. However, the DPRB maintained stable combustion throughout the process.
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- ENGINEERING Energy
Plant invasions disrupt soil carbon balance in tropical coral islands, new study reveals
South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of SciencesResearch finds soil inorganic carbon rise offsets organic carbon loss, masking ecosystem degradation beneath stable total carbon pools.
- Journal
- Biological Diversity
- Funder
- National Natural Science Foundation of China, National Key Research and Development Program of China
Enzyme-mimetic electrocatalysis offers new routes for advancing hydrogen energy
Shanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center- Journal
- ENGINEERING Energy
Wood-derived catalyst boosts green chemical production and hydrogen energy
Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University- Journal
- Biochar