A recent study in Engineering reveals that bank filtration (BF) can be a highly effective pretreatment for gravity-driven membrane (GDM) filtration. This approach addresses common issues in GDM systems, such as poor permeate quality and low stable flux when treating polluted water, offering a sustainable and practical solution.

The Chinese caterpillar fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Berk.) is a valuable traditional medicine, also known throughout Asia by its Tibetan name དབྱར་རྩྭ་དགུན་འབུ (Yartsa Gunbu), meaning “summer grass, winter worm”. The mature fungus O. sinensis contains abundant active biological components, including polysaccharides, alkaloids, amino acids, inorganic elements, and others. Studies have previously confirmed that O. sinensis possesses multiple pharmacological activities. Therefore, it holds high value in the commercial market and is in increasing demand. However, the unique formation process and harsh growth environment contribute to the preciousness and scarcity of the species. To meet market demand, multiple mycelium types have been isolated from natural O. sinensis and cultivated artificially using fermentation technology. Currently, both natural and cultivated O. sinensis products are available as healthy Chinese herbal medicines on the market. However, there is a lack of comparative reviews on the two types of O. sinensis in terms of their compositions and medicinal functions. This mini-review will focus on the bioactive ingredients and medicinal functions of both natural and cultivated O. sinensis, intending to elucidate their medical values as traditional Chinese medicines for human use.

 

Enhanced Durability of Fire-Safe Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries via Electron Sponge Technology

- Dendrite suppression in aqueous zinc-ion batteries via anodic electron sponge for fast electron uptake

- Complete dendrite suppression achieves threefold durability and sustains over 2,500 charge-discharge cycles - Published in the January Issue of Nature Communications (IF 14.7), a leading international journal

Researchers Dr. Jung Hoon Yang and Dr. Chan-Woo Lee of the Energy Storage Research Department at the Korea Institute of Energy Research (President: Chang-Keun Yi, hereinafter referred to as ‘KIER’) have developed a novel copper oxide-based electrode material and successfully applied it to aqueous zinc-ion batteries, achieving a threefold improvement in durability.

If you haven’t heard of a tardigrade before, prepare to be wowed. These clumsy, eight-legged creatures, nicknamed water bears, are about half a millimeter long and can survive practically anything: freezing temperatures, near starvation, high pressure, radiation exposure, outer space and more. Researchers reporting in ACS’ Nano Letters took advantage of the tardigrade’s nearly indestructible nature and gave the critters tiny “tattoos” to test a microfabrication technique to build microscopic, biocompatible devices.

Conservators and museum technicians protect precious archaeological metal objects, such as tools and weapons, with clear coatings, leaving preserved and unobstructed views of these detailed treasures. However, researchers have reported in ACS Central Science that some of the resins used for these coatings react with iron-containing metals and can cause damage. The team developed a non-invasive fluorescence imaging strategy that reveals early signs of these damaging chemical reactions and confirmed its utility on ancient artifacts.  

Conservators and museum technicians protect precious archaeological metal objects, such as tools and weapons, with clear coatings, leaving preserved and unobstructed views of these detailed treasures. However, researchers have reported in ACS Central Science that some of the resins used for these coatings react with iron-containing metals and can cause damage. The team developed a non-invasive fluorescence imaging strategy that reveals early signs of these damaging chemical reactions and confirmed its utility on ancient artifacts.