Recently, Prof. JIANG Changlong’s research team from the Institute of Solid State Physics, the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, used multi-emission metal organic framework hydrogel (Eu-Dy MOF gel) to construct a non-invasive wearable eye patch fluorescence sensor, combined with the color recognition function of a smartphone to analyze and monitor lysozyme in tears. 

A research team led by Prof. SHAO Dingfu at the Institute of Solid State Physics, the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has unveiled a new mechanism for achieving strong spin polarization using antiferromagnetic metal interfaces. 

A study led by Jenny Frediani at Stockholm University has revealed a planet-forming disk with a strikingly unusual chemical composition: an unexpectedly high abundance of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in regions where Earth-like planets may one day form. The discovery, made using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), challenges long-standing assumptions about the chemistry of planetary birthplaces. The study is published in Astronomy & Astrophysics.

Efficient photocatalytic valorization of lignocellulose, Earth’s most abundant renewable biomass, remains a longstanding scientific challenge. In this study, an atomically dispersed Pt catalyst anchored on carbon nitride was developed, which promotes charge separation and modulates the electronic structure. Mechanistic investigations reveal that •OH radicals induce retro-aldol cleavage of sugars, while photogenerated electrons facilitate proton reduction to H₂. The catalyst exhibits outstanding activity and selectivity, offering a sustainable solar-driven approach for simultaneous energy conversion and platform chemical production from biomass.

A landmark review traces 40 years of changes in pelagic sargassum – free-floating brown seaweed that plays a vital role in the Atlantic Ocean ecosystem. The review takes a deep dive into the changing story of sargassum – how it’s growing, what’s fueling that growth, and why we’re seeing such a dramatic increase in biomass across the North Atlantic. By examining shifts in its nutrient composition – particularly nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon – and how those elements vary over time and space, we’re beginning to understand the larger environmental forces at play.

Researchers at Rice University have developed a mathematical model that enhances our understanding of ovarian aging and the timing of menopause, revealing mechanisms that could inform future strategies for women’s health. A recent study published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters highlights the findings that the depletion of ovarian follicles, tiny functional units that contain immature eggs, follows a synchronized and predictable pattern that accelerates during midlife. This discovery helps explain why menopause typically occurs at similar ages for most women.