Researchers have identified a critical amino acid transporter, SlAAP6, that enhances tomato growth and salt tolerance by mediating the uptake and distribution of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs).

Early fruit ripening is a valuable trait for grape cultivation, but the underlying epigenetic mechanisms have remained elusive. 

Fruit firmness plays a critical role in apple quality, influencing both shelf life and consumer preference. 

Cataracts are a prevalent ocular condition characterized by a progressive decline in vision, ultimately leading to blindness. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and the subsequent migration of lens epithelial cells are major contributors to cataracts formation. Nonetheless, the mechanisms underlying this transition remain largely unknown.

Neuropathic pain (NP), a chronic and debilitating condition caused by nerve damage, significantly impairs patients' quality of life. Super-enhancers (SEs), important cis-regulatory elements, have been implicated in various pathological processes; however, their specific role in NP remains unclear. This study explores the molecular mechanisms by which SEs contribute to NP progression and identifies potential therapeutic targets.

Rechargeable magnesium batteries (RMBs) have been considered a promising “post lithium-ion battery” system to meet the rapidly increasing demand of the emerging electric vehicle and grid energy storage market. However, the sluggish diffusion kinetics of bivalent Mg²⁺ in the host material, related to the strong Coulomb effect between Mg²⁺ and host anion lattices, hinders their further development toward practical applications. Defect engineering, regarded as an effective strategy to break through the slow migration puzzle, has been validated in various cathode materials for RMBs. In this review, we first thoroughly understand the intrinsic mechanism of Mg²⁺ diffusion in cathode materials, from which the key factors affecting ion diffusion are further presented. Then, the positive effects of purposely introduced defects, including vacancy and doping, and the corresponding strategies for introducing various defects are discussed. The applications of defect engineering in cathode materials for RMBs with advanced electrochemical properties are also summarized. Finally, the existing challenges and future perspectives of defect engineering in cathode materials for the overall high-performance RMBs are described.

Led by Drs. Mijeong Han and Young Hun Kang at the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), the team combined carbon nanotubes with Bi₀.₄₅Sb₁.₅₅Te₃ (BST) in a porous foam structure to maximize thermoelectric performance.