A research paper by scientists from Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, and other institutions proposed a hollow mesoporous carbon (HMC) nanoparticle prepared via the sacrificial template method, featuring a porphyrin-like structure that enables efficient singlet oxygen generation and synergistic sono-immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer.

The new research paper, published on May 9 in the journal Cyborg and Bionic Systems, presented the preparation, characterization, and therapeutic application of MOF-derived HMC nanoparticles, and demonstrated their potential to enhance sono-immunotherapy efficacy by inducing tumor cell apoptosis and activating the immune

 Undiagnosed trauma is a silent driver of chronic illness, often missed by healthcare systems. This study introduces Emotional Memory Images (EMIs) as subconscious imprints formed in overwhelming moments that continue to affect mental and physical health, offering a rapid, non-invasive method to clear them.

Pressure sensors are essential for a wide range of applications, including health monitoring, industrial diagnostics, etc. However, achieving both high sensitivity and mechanical ability to withstand high pressure in a single material remains a significant challenge. This study introduces a high-performance cellulose hydrogel inspired by the biomimetic layered porous structure of human skin. The hydrogel features a novel design composed of a soft layer with large macropores and a hard layer with small micropores, each of which contribute uniquely to its pressure-sensing capabilities. The macropores in the soft part facilitate significant deformation and charge accumulation, providing exceptional sensitivity to low pressures. In contrast, the microporous structure in the hard part enhances pressure range, ensuring support under high pressures and preventing structural failure. The performance of hydrogel is further optimized through ion introduction, which improves its conductivity, and as well the sensitivity. The sensor demonstrated a high sensitivity of 1622 kPa⁻¹, a detection range up to 160 kPa, excellent conductivity of 4.01 S m⁻¹, rapid response time of 33 ms, and a low detection limit of 1.6 Pa, outperforming most existing cellulose-based sensors. This innovative hierarchically porous architecture not only enhances the pressure-sensing performance but also offers a simple and effective approach for utilizing natural polymers in sensing technologies. The cellulose hydrogel demonstrates significant potential in both health monitoring and industrial applications, providing a sensitive, durable, and versatile solution for pressure sensing.

A new study published in Engineering reveals that NSUN2, a key protein involved in RNA modification, significantly contributes to cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure by activating the LARP1–GATA4 axis. This research not only deepens our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying heart failure but also identifies NSUN2 as a potential therapeutic target for preventing and treating cardiac diseases.

A new study published in Engineering reveals that dihydrotanshinone I (DHT), a compound from Salvia miltiorrhiza, can induce autophagic cell death in ovarian cancer by targeting sortilin 1 (SORT1). This discovery offers a potential new therapeutic strategy for treating ovarian cancer through disrupting the autophagy–lysosome pathway.

Thermoelectric technology that utilizes thermodynamic effects to convert thermal energy into electrical energy has greatly expanded wearable health monitoring, personalized detecting, and communicating applications. Encouragingly, thermoelectric technology assisted by artificial intelligence exerts great development potential in wearable electronic devices that rely on the self-sustainable operation of human body heat. Ionic thermoelectric (i-TE) devices that possess high Seebeck coefficients and a constant and stable electrical output are expected to achieve an effective conversation of thermal energy harvesting. Herein, we developed an i-TE paster for thermal chargeable energy storage, temperature-triggered material recognition, contact/non-contact temperature detection, and photo thermoelectric conversion applications. An all-solid-state organic ionic gel electrolyte (PVDF-HFP-PEO gel) with onion epidermal cells-like structure was sandwiched between two electrodes, which take full advantage of a synergy between the Soret effect and the polymer thermal expansion effect, thus achieving the enhanced ZT value up to 900% compared with the PEO-free electrolyte. The i-TE device delivers a Seebeck coefficient of 28 mV K⁻¹, a maximum energy conversion efficiency of 1.3% in performance, and ultra-thin and skin-attachable properties in wearability, which demonstrate the great potential and application prospect of the i-TE paster in self-sustainable wearable electronics.