In a paper published in SCIENCE CHINA Earth Sciences, a team of researchers employed systematic archaeobotanical flotation and AMS radiocarbon dating at two sites in Romania: Baia-În Muchie and Dobrovăț. It provides valuable data on the chronology of millet cultivation in the SW Eastern European Plain and enhances our understanding of early East-West exchanges and their impact on human-environment interactions in critical regions.

Recently, Professor Peng Xue's team from the Beijing Computational Science Research Center published an article titled "Quantum cooling engine fueled by quantum measurements" in Science Bulletin. The research team employed a linear optical platform to simulate a two-stroke, two-qubit engine. In the experiment, they demonstrated various quantum thermodynamic processes by tuning the energy level spacing of the working substance and adjusting the temperature parameters of the bath. They successfully realized a quantum cooling engine driven by quantum measurements and discovered the influence of entanglement on the energy exchange between the working substance and the measurement apparatus.

A research team has developed an organic radical-activable charge-transfer (CT) cocrystal with a remarkable photothermal conversion efficiency of 67.2% for solar thermoelectric generators (STEGs). This innovation enables STEGs to generate 143 mV under 1 sun irradiation, offering a promising solution for self-powered wearable electronics and Internet of Things. The cocrystal's strong near-infrared absorption and nonradiative recombination properties pave the way for applications in non-contact information conversion and real-time photodetection.

Everyday situations can sometimes feel like big stressors, whether it's delivering an important work presentation, attending a party full of strangers or confronting a partner. Talking to a friend or a therapist can help. But so can practice.

A new project from Carnegie Mellon University researchers aims to make that practice easier by studying whether virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) can simulate stressful situations and help people practice stress-relief strategies. It's a modern spin on exposure therapy: users can put on a pair of VR/AR glasses and practice what they want to say with a digital audience.