Researchers have explored the phenomenon of shape coexistence in nuclei surrounding ¹⁷²Hg, revealing the interplay between nuclear pairing interactions and complex shape dynamics. The study provides theoretical insights into shape isomers and structural evolution and refines models of nuclear behavior in mid-shell regions.

In recent years, low-dimensional materials have become a hot spot for nonlinear optics research due to their unique electronic structure and optical properties. However, how to achieve more significant nonlinear optical responses in low-dimensional materials and actively modulate their properties remains an important challenge in current research. To this end, researchers have explored various strategies such as electric field modulation, excitation resonance and heterostructure construction to enhance the ultrafast nonlinear optical response of materials.

Polarons, as quasiparticles formed by the strong interaction between carriers and lattice vibrations, can significantly modulate the band gap, carrier mobility, diffusion, composite and other properties of functional materials, which has become a research hot research topic in recent years. Soft lattice lead halide chalcogenides exhibit strong electron-phonon coupling effects due to their unique polarity and dynamic disorder, which provides an ideal environment for the formation of this polarons. Polarons can also achieve the modulation of the optical properties of materials, such as the formation of polarons can promote the efficient upconversion of photons. However, the direct correlation between polaronic states and nonlinear optical response of low-dimensional has not been fully investigated.

Millions of years ago, during periods known as “Snowball Earth,” when much of the planet was covered in ice, some of our ancient cellular ancestors could have waited out the deep freeze in pools of melted ice that dotted the planet’s icy surface, according to a new study.

New research from DTU in Denmark could change the way the food industry manufactures dairy based yoghurt—making it both more cost-effective and more sustainable. Researchers have developed a simple yet powerful method that has the potential to reduce the use of expensive bacterial cultures by up to 80%, while also extending shelf life.

Rechargeable zinc (Zn)-ion batteries (RZIBs) with hydrogel electrolytes (HEs) have gained significant attention in the last decade owing to their high safety, low cost, sufficient material abundance, and superb environmental friendliness, which is extremely important for wearable energy storage applications. Given that HEs play a critical role in building flexible RZIBs, it is urgent to summarize the recent advances in this field and elucidate the design principles of HEs for practical applications. This review systematically presents the development history, recent advances in the material fundamentals, functional designs, challenges, and prospects of the HEs-based RZIBs. Firstly, the fundamentals, species, and flexible mechanisms of HEs are discussed, along with their compatibility with Zn anodes and various cathodes. Then, the functional designs of hydrogel electrolytes in harsh conditions are comprehensively discussed, including high/low/wide-temperature windows, mechanical deformations (e.g., bending, twisting, and straining), and damages (e.g., cutting, burning, and soaking). Finally, the remaining challenges and future perspectives for advancing HEs-based RZIBs are outlined.