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High-resolution X-ray imaging requires a high radiation dose. Here, the authors achieve low-dose 3D imaging by increasing the XEPL intensity using a double-shell nanostructure with two heterogeneous interfaces.

China’s agricultural sector continues to mechanize, but this could generate up to one-fifth of future carbon dioxide, particulate matter and nitrogen emissions. Renewable energy sources could mitigate two-thirds of these emissions.

The trade-off between dexterity and payload capacity has limited the broad application of advanced aerial manipulation systems. Here, the authors introduce the Aerial Elephant Trunk, an aerial continuum manipulator, capable of performing operations in constrained and densely clustered environments.

We fabricated silicon heterojunction back-contact solar cells using laser patterning, producing cells that exceeded 27% power-conversion efficiency.

The synthesis of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) by a soft-template methodology is challenging. Here, the authors attach the soft templates to the COFs backbone via ion bonds, avoiding crystallization incompatibilities and allowing subsequent removal of the template by ion exchange for enhanced U(VI)/Th(IV) adsorption performance.

Expression of the metabolic enzyme CD73 has been associated with immunosuppression in cancer. Here the authors show that tumor cell-autonomous CD73 promotes regulatory T-cell accumulation and that CD73 targeting sensitizes pancreatic cancer to PD-1 blockade.

Combining observations and biogeochemical theories, mariculture greenhouse gas emissions are estimated in comparison with freshwater aquaculture. Climate-friendly farm designs, species selection and low-density operational practices can mitigate damage to marine ecosystems and avoid carbon loss.

The application of graphite as anodes for anion-intercalation chemistry-based batteries suffers from durability issues. Here authors demonstrate that a positively charged two-dimensional poly(pyridinium salt) membrane can work as the artificial skin of the graphite electrode to enable long-term cycling stability.

Li electrodeposition is a fundamental process in Li metal batteries and its reversibility is crucial for battery operation. The authors investigate the effects of stack pressure on Li deposition and associated processes and discuss strategies for achieving dense Li deposits and practical Li metal batteries.

A study reports a combination of processing, optimization and low-damage deposition methods for the production of silicon heterojunction solar cells exhibiting flexibility and high performance.

Bone and blood lineage cells communicate with each other to maintain skeletal homeostasis. Here, the authors show that MIRO1-mediated mitochondrial transfer from osteolineage to myeloid lineage cells regulates bone resorption by altering glutathione metabolism.

The power/energy trade-off is a common feature seen in a Ragone plot for an electrochemical storage device. Here the authors approach this issue by showing water-incorporated α-MoO₃ anodes with expanded interlayer gaps, which allow for the assembling of dual-ion energy storage devices.

Chinese agricultural production is key to achieve the country’s 2060 carbon neutrality target. Combining meta-analysis and life-cycle assessment, this study estimates the climate change mitigation potential of straw, biochar, and an integrated biomass pyrolysis and electricity generation system.

Improvements in the power conversion efficiency of silicon heterojunction solar cells would consolidate their potential for commercialization. Now, Lin et al. demonstrate 26.81% efficiency devices using a p-doped nanocrystalline silicon and low-sheet-resistance transparent conductive oxide contact layer.

A free-standing thin-film solid electrolyte (LiPON) shows remarkable mechanical flexibility and the ability to form uniform and dense lithium metal deposition for future solid-state batteries.

The molecular mechanisms of resistance to immune checkpoint therapy remain elusive. Here, the authors perform immunogenomic analysis of TCGA data and data from clinical trials for antiPD-1/PD-L1 therapy and highlight the association of 9p21 loss with a cold tumor microenvironment and resistance to therapy.

Lithium metal is considered an ideal anode for high-energy rechargeable lithium batteries, but understanding its nucleation and growth at the nanoscale remains challenging. Using cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and simulations, a structural and morphological evolution scenario for Li deposits is proposed.

Single-cell analysis of gastric cancer samples tracks the cell of origin of metastatic lesions and identifies an independent prognostic signature of the clinical outcome.

Miniaturization of optical components could give way to dense photonic-integrated circuits. Here, the authors demonstrate the control of evanescent waves using all-dielectric metamaterials and show that they can reduce cross-talk and bending loss, which limit the integration density in photonic circuits.

A single-cell analysis of tumor-infiltrating T cells from 16 cancer types identifies new T cell subsets and a stress response cell state enriched in tumors resistant to immunotherapy.

Titration gas chromatography is developed as an analytical method of distinguishing between lithium metal and lithium compounds within a cycled battery and assessing the amount of unreacted metallic lithium available.

A large number of painted bronze artifacts were unearthed from the sacrificial pits at Sanxingdui, reflecting the outstanding bronze decorative techniques of ancient China. The material of red pigment, binding agent and decorative painting techniques used on Sanxingdui bronze artifacts are revealed by this paper. Specifically, red-painted samples were collected from a bronze ware with a tiger head and dragon body. Analysis by Optical Microscopy (OM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed that the painted decoration was created through a multi-layer coating process. Raman spectroscopy and SEM-EDS analysis confirmed that the material of red pigment is cinnabar. Analysis by Bicinchoninic Acid (BCA) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) confirmed that the binding agent was not animal glue. Furthermore, Infrared Spectroscopy (IR) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed that the red cinnabar pigment was bonded by lacquer. Based on the analytical data above, it can be inferred that the red in the grooves of sunken decors on Sanxingdui bronze wares was conducted by a multi-layer filling process. Firstly, lacquer was applied within the grooves, and then before it got fully solidified, a cinnabar layer was added for coloring. The cinnabar particles were gently pressed to secure them in the lacquer, with some particles embedding into the lacquer layer. The cinnabar and lacquer layers were applied alternately till the grooves were filled with red. The present study clarifies the filling process of red-painted decoration on Sanxingdui bronze wares, enhancing the understanding of the appearance of bronze civilization in ancient Shu as well as in Southern China.

A novel and cost-effective activation process has been developed to macroscopically produce three-dimensional (3D) porous Ni@NiO core-shell electrode by activated Ni foam (ANF) in HCl aqueous solution. The ANF electrode yielded a remarkable areal capacitance of 2.0 F cm⁻² at a high current density of 8 mA cm⁻² and exhibited ultrahigh long-term cycling stability without any decay of capacitance after 100 000 cycles.