A global survey traces six centuries of evolution, revealing how university botanic gardens blend historical roots with modern missions in conservation, education, and public well-being.

A new study projects widespread habitat loss for European snakes under climate change, with cold-adapted species most vulnerable, while the Balkan Peninsula becomes a climate refugium.

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) and proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs) are key devices for achieving efficient "hydrogen-electricity" conversion. They have attracted significant attention due to their high energy conversion efficiency and zero carbon emissions. However, their core component, oxygen reduction/evolution (ORR/OER) electrocatalysts, still face challenges of activity and stability. Among them, platinum-group catalysts (such as Pt, Ir, Ru) are currently the most effective ORR/OER catalysts, but issues like their scarcity and high cost severely limit their large-scale utilization in PEMFCs/PEMWEs. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) and multi-atom catalysts (MACs), with their nearly 100% metal utilization rate and unique electronic structures, provide a new path for developing low-loading, high-activity, and high-stability platinum-group catalysts.

A novel combination of silybin and carvedilol is firstly confirmed to synergistically block hepatic stellate cell activation by targeting the Wnt4/β-catenin signaling pathway, and its 50:1 fixed ratio in vivo can reverse liver fibrosis in a dose-dependent manner, providing a scientific and practical experimental basis for the clinical translation of liver fibrosis therapy.

A method using a “green” solvent made from ethylenediamine and choline chloride is provided to restructure industrial lignin. The process significantly increases the active sites on lignin while preventing unwanted clumping, transforming a low-value byproduct of the paper industry into a viable substitute for petroleum-based materials.

Researchers have developed an ultrathin yet ultrastrong hydrogel membrane that enables robust and conformal integration between electronic devices and biological tissues. The ~10 μm-thick material combines high strength, exceptional toughness, and tissue-like softness through a biomimetic microfibrillar network design. It supports multimodal sensing and stimulation while maintaining stable contact with complex 3D tissues, offering new opportunities for wearable and implantable bioelectronics.