Extraembryonic trophoblast lineages constitute the placenta, and are essential for individual development. In human early embryo development, these cells can be generated from totipotent blastomeres. However, the ability of generating extraembryonic trophoblast lineages gradually become lost in human early stem cells, and conventional human pluripotent stem cells at the primed pluripotent state are considered to lack such developmental potentials. In the study performed by Chen et al., by transiently treating the conventional human pluripotent stem cells with a chemical cocktail of epigenetic modulators, they showed that these cells can be efficiently induced into trophectoderm-like cells and downstream trophoblast lineages. Further mechanistic exploration highlighted the critical roles of epigenetic modulators HDAC2, EZH1/2, and KDM5s in the activation of trophoblast lineage potential. This study offer new mechanistic insights into human trophoblast lineage specification and in vitro models for studying placental development and related disorders.

Breakthroughs in terahertz nonlinear optics are essential to the development of high-speed wireless communication and signal processing technologies. Leading this charge, researchers from the University of Ottawa have demonstrated innovative methods to enhance terahertz nonlinearities in graphene-based structures, unlocking new potential for faster, more efficient devices. Graphene, with its remarkable optical nonlinearity and ease of integration, is at the heart of this transformation, offering a promising platform for future all-optical switching and frequency conversion applications.

In a paper published in National Science Review, an international team of scientists discovered a universal N₂O emission baseline that could guide the sustainable management of riverine N₂O. The discovery of EF-lines emphasized the importance of targeting hotspots and managing baseline emissions sustainably to balance social and environmental benefits. The priority control of organic and NH₄⁺ pollution could rapidly eliminate global riverine N₂O hotspots and reduce emissions by half. However, the further restoration of baseline emissions on nitrate removal is a long-term challenge.

A research group led by Prof. SHENG Zhigao from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, recently discovered the disappearance of nonreciprocal second harmonic generation (SHG) in MnPSe₃ when integrated into a two-dimensional (2D) antiferromagnetic MnPSe₃/graphene heterojunction. 

A research team led by Prof. CHU Yannan from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has developed a multi-medium approach (MMA) to identify reproducible volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in lung cancer cells. 

A team of researchers from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has developed an innovative green pesticide formulation that could make pest control safer and more effective for both crops and the environment.

A research team led by Professor JIANG Changlong from the Institute of Solid State Physics, the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has successfully developed an innovative multi-scenario real-time fluorescence detection technology to tackle this problem. The team designed and fabricated a sensor by embedding upconversion optical probes into three-dimensional porous hydrogels. This sensor, integrated with the color recognition functionality of a smartphone, allows rapid and on-site detection of methylglyoxal. 

Researchers led by Prof. CHEN Xiaoya from the CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences/Shanghai Chenshan Research Center and Prof. GAO Caixia from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) used targeted gene editing to modify just five amino acids of the Coq1 rice enzyme, creating new rice varieties capable of synthesizing coenzyme CoQ₁₀.

CMOS wafer scale manufactured chiral and nonreciprocal non-Hermitian modulators were demonstrated through AIM photonics. This enables GHz-speed asymmetric electro-optic modulation with 17 dB contrast using CMOS-compatible voltages.

This study utilizes bibliometric analysis to investigate the research landscape of FAP-directed cancer theranostics, focusing on the development and application of radiotracers based on quinoline-based FAP inhibitors (FAPIs).