14-May-2026 Coconut shell biochar catalyst turns carbon dioxide into useful carbon monoxide with high efficiency Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University As the world searches for practical ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, scientists are developing catalysts that can transform CO2 from a climate concern into a useful industrial resource. A study published in Biochar reports a coconut shell-derived biochar catalyst that efficiently converts CO2 into carbon monoxide, an important building block for producing fuels, chemicals, methanol, olefins, and polymers. Journal Biochar
14-May-2026 Turning plastic bottles and orange peels into a recyclable catalyst for cleaner water Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University Researchers have developed a light-driven catalyst made from two common waste materials, discarded PET plastic bottles and orange peels, that can efficiently break down acetaminophen in water. The study, published in Biochar, presents a sustainable strategy that links plastic upcycling with advanced water treatment. Journal Biochar
14-May-2026 Study finds more than 84% of dogs show signs of fear, anxiety Texas A&M University Drawing from the Dog Aging Project, a large-scale national research initiative that collects owner-reported data on dogs, a atudy examined behavioral responses in more than 43,000 animals, creating one of the most comprehensive datasets to date on canine fear and anxiety. The study found that more than 84% of dogs showed at least mild signs of fear or anxiety in everyday situations, excluding learned fears related to grooming activities like nail trimming and bathing. Journal Veterinary Research Communications
14-May-2026 Advanced manufacturing enables PM-HIP of large, critical parts DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a method that uses additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, to fabricate custom canisters for powder metallurgical hot isostatic pressing, streamlining production of large-scale metal components used in aerospace, energy and medical applications. Journal Powder Technology
14-May-2026 Dual-extended polyhedral MOF design achieves exceptional water stability and high adsorption capacity under low-humidity conditions Tsinghua University Press A new series of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), donated as USC-CP-5-R, have been constructed using 14-connected metal-organic polyhedra as super-molecular building blocks (SBBs), exhibiting ultrahigh water stability. Functionalized with variable hydrophilic groups enables systematic tuning of the water adsorption performances, including uptake capacity and inflection point (a). These frameworks can efficiently capture atmospheric moisture, even in arid environments and can release collected water using low-grade solar thermal energy, highlighting their potential as a sustainable solution for freshwater production in water-scarce regions. Journal Nano Research
14-May-2026 A Rh complex anchored cathode for cofactor regeneration and asymmetric reduction coupled with immobilized enzymes Tsinghua University Press The team of Yanjun Jiang from Hebei University of Technology has constructed an efficient asymmetric reduction system for the synthesis of chiral alcohols by coupling electrochemical coenzyme regeneration with immobilized enzymes. Journal Nano Research
14-May-2026 Smart nanoparticles turn ‘cold’ tumors hot: A new era in cancer immunotherapy China Anti-Cancer Association Scientists have developed smart polymeric nanoparticles that respond to unique signals within the tumor microenvironment to deliver immunotherapy precisely where needed. Journal Cancer Biology & Medicine
14-May-2026 Seed-mediated solid-phase synthesis of carbon-confined Ni3Ga1 intermetallic nanocubes for highly selective hydrogenation Tsinghua University Press In this study, a novel facile and versatile solid phase seed-mediated confined strategy is reported for the synthesis of atomically ordered non-precious Ni3Ga1 intermetallic nanocubes encapsulated in N-doped carbon layer. The resulting confined nanocubes demonstrate exceptional activity and exclusive selectivity in the 1,4-hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds while maintaining high stability over multiple reaction cycles without performance degradation. Journal Nano Research
14-May-2026 Polarization-sensitive ferroelectric photomemristors boost low-contrast image recognition for next-generation AI vision Tsinghua University Press Inspired by dragonfly eyes, researchers at Fudan University have developed a self-driven polarization-sensitive ferroelectric photomemristor that dramatically improves the recognition of low-contrast images. The developed devices combine anisotropic rhenium diselenide with ferroelectric single-crystalline DIPAB, enabling real-time, in-sensor image enhancement and achieving up to 85.9% recognition accuracy—nearly double that of traditional photomemristors. Journal Nano Research
14-May-2026 Children with HIV are living longer but face a rising obesity risk Texas A&M University A new study led by Joshua Yudkin with the Texas A&M University School of Public Health at Texas A&M Health highlights a critical gap in global health research and care. There are currently no evidence-based and clinic-based weight management programs designed specifically for children living with HIV. Journal Sage Open Pediatrics
