Chinese scientists have uncovered two major genes responsible for sorghum's double-grain spikelet, which dramatically enhance grain number and crop yield. A substantial 35.7-kilobase intrachromosomal inversion at the DG1 (Double-Grain 1) promoter drives the upregulation of DG1 expression, leading to the development of double-grain spikelets that remarkably increase sorghum grain number while illustrating the critical role of genomic structural variation in plant evolution.

Zeolites, crystalline materials widely used in the petrochemical industry, serve as pivotal catalysts in the production of fine chemicals, with aluminium being the source of active sites within zeolite structures. A research team from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has revealed the precise location of aluminium atoms in the zeolite framework. This discovery could facilitate the design of more efficient and stable catalysts, aimed at increasing the yield of petrochemical products, achieving efficient renewable energy storage, and controlling air pollution. This advancement will further promote the application of zeolites in relevant fields. The findings have been published in the international journal Science.

A new study published in Engineering uncovers the dual-faced effects of elevated CO₂ on food security. It shows that while elevated CO₂ can bring certain benefits to plants, it also poses threats such as reducing nutrient content in crops, which may impact global food supplies and human health.

Cellular metabolism plays a critical role in various physiological and pathological processes. High resolution imaging of intracellular metabolic activities is crucial for understanding many biological pathways, and for facilitating disease prognosis and treatment assessment. Raman scattering (RS) spectroscopy/microscopy, in particular stimulated Raman scattering (SRS), has emerged as a powerful imaging technology for cellular imaging with high specificity, high sensitivity, and subcellular resolution. Since its invention, SRS microscopy imaging has been extensively applied in life science for studying composition, structure, metabolism, development, and disease in biological systems. This review focuses on the latest applications of SRS imaging, particularly with heavy water probing, for studying metabolic dynamics of biomolecules in organisms during aging and diseases. Furthermore, future applications and development of SRS imaging in both life science and medicine are considered.

New research reveals how the neurovascular architecture of the murine calvarium, the skull's upper part, changes with age.

Organoids have gained significant interest due to their ability to recapitulate the structural, molecular, and functional complexity of corresponding organs. While methods have been developed to characterize and benchmark organoid structural and molecular properties, capturing the functional development and maturation of organoids remains challenging. To address this, the development of multifunctional bioelectronics for interfacing with organoids has been actively pursued. However, conventional electronics face limitations in achieving multifunctional recording and control across the entire three-dimensional (3D) volume of organoids in a long-term stable manner due to the large morphological and cellular composition changes during development. In this review, we first discuss the application of conventional electronics for organoid interfacing. We then focus on the development of flexible and stretchable electronics designed to create organoid/electronics hybrids for chronically stable interfaces. We also review recent advancements in flexible multifunctional electronics for charting multimodal cell activities throughout development. Furthermore, we explore the integration of flexible bioelectronics with other characterization modalities for comprehensive multimodal charting of cells within 3D tissues. Finally, we discuss the potential of integrating artificial intelligence into the organoid system through embedded electronics, harnessing organoid intelligence for biosymbiotic computational systems. These advancements could provide valuable tools for characterizing organoid functional development and maturation, establishing patient-specific models, developing therapeutic opportunities, and exploring novel computational strategies.

As global temperatures rise, the ability to understand how plants respond to heat has never been more critical. 

A cutting-edge humidity sensing system has been unveiled, capable of monitoring human behaviors in real-time through the detection of respiratory patterns. 

Long-term and precise intracellular signal detection is critical for advancing our understanding of brain diseases and developing effective diagnostic tools. 

A new fully automated in vivo screening system (AISS) has been developed to transform drug evaluation by enabling rapid, precise, and non-invasive multi-organ imaging in zebrafish. Integrating cutting-edge microfluidic technology with computer-vision-based control, this innovative system automates every aspect of zebrafish larvae handling— from loading and encapsulation to immobilization and drug exposure.