Self-powered sensing technologies have sparked a revolution in electric devices. Furthermore, ultrathin characteristics are highly desirable for on-skin and wearable devices to achieve superior conformability on complex 3-dimensional surfaces, which facilitates improved wearing comfort and detection accuracy. However, developing self-powered sensors with ultrathin and conformal features without complicated fabrication processes remains a formidable challenge. Herein, we present an ultrathin self-powered sensor with high conformability, fabricated by a liquid-phase transferring approach. The sandwich-like sensor is spin-coated layer by layer on a water-soluble substrate. Upon immersion in water and complete dissolution of the sacrificial layer, the sensor can be transferred to a variety of surfaces with diverse morphologies. The ultrathin sensor shows long-term stability. When the 45-μm-thick sensor is transferred to human skin, robotic hands, insole, flat plates with fine bevels, cylinders, undulating surfaces, and leaf textures, the fingerprint and surface details of the objects are vividly reflected on the sensor surface, attesting to its exceptional conformability. Driven by the triboelectric effect, the self-powered sensor and its array exhibit good sensitivity and rapid response time, enabling tactile sensing functions for pressure, material species, surface roughness detection, and motion state. The proposed design strategies for ultrathin self-powered sensors hold immense promises in wearable devices, robotics, and human–machine interfacing.

As an emerging frontier in biomimetic intelligent microsystems, insect-scale flapping-wing micro aerial vehicles (FWMAVs) demonstrate significant application potential due to their exceptional maneuverability and stealth capabilities. This study proposes a novel mechanical self-stabilization architecture validated through systematic engineering design to address the critical challenge of balancing dynamic instability with payload constraints in stable flight control. By integrating a piezoelectric direct-drive actuator to streamline transmission mechanisms with the optimized V-wing configuration, we developed a V-wing FWMAV prototype weighing 204 mg (wingspan: 68 mm) that demonstrates 41.5% enhanced lift performance and 40% reduction in structural asymmetry errors compared to previous iterations. To overcome the inherent limitations of conventional control methods in payload capacity and response latency, we engineered a cylindrically symmetric damping mechanism. Through the symmetrical aerodynamic design of the top layout, this innovation generates 3-dimensional restoring moments through optimized vortex distribution patterns, achieving isotropic damping effects in the vertical axis. Experimental results reveal that the 241-mg Tumbler FWMAV equipped with this damper exhibits breakthrough stabilization performance: Vertical stabilization duration shows 5- and 20-fold improvements over conventional cross-type dampers and undamped systems, respectively, enabling stable untethered hovering flight exceeding 15 s. The established integrated design paradigm combining structural optimization, aerodynamic enhancement, and passive stabilization control provides a new way to the longstanding technical bottleneck between payload capacity and dynamic stability in insect-scale FWMAVs.

Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC), an aggressive and highly malignant subtype of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), arises through drug resistance mechanisms involving genomic alterations, epigenetic remodeling, tumor microenvironment (TME) reprogramming, and lineage plasticity. A hallmark of NEPC is its independence from the androgen receptor (AR) pathway, evidenced by diminished or absent AR expression—a key barrier to effective clinical management. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of NEPC pathogenesis and progression is essential, as it facilitates the identification of potential therapeutic targets and the development of more effective therapies. In this review, we summarize the typical characteristics of NEPC and describe its clinical diagnosis, relevant imaging modalities, current treatment strategies, and associated therapeutic difficulties. We also highlight the core events driving NEPC formation. Furthermore, we discuss potential therapeutic targets for the disease and review pharmacological agents that have demonstrated efficacy against NEPC, aiming to offer innovative perspectives and potential research directions for future NEPC treatment.

The limited energy density inherent in cathode materials remains a marked barrier to the widespread adoption of sodium-ion batteries. Despite considerable research efforts, the precise influence of atomic and crystalline configurations on energy density is not yet fully understood, creating a knowledge gap that hinders the rational design of advanced cathode materials. In this study, we propose a machine learning approach to systematically identify promising cathode materials with high energy densities. Our model highlights the critical roles of entropy and equivalent electronegativity, among other properties such as molecular mass, electron affinity, and average ionic radius. Based on these insights, we successfully synthesized Na₃Mn_0.5V_0.5Ti_0.5Zr_0.5(PO₄)₃ (NMVTZP) electrodes via a sol–gel method. The resulting electrodes exhibit an impressive reversible specific capacity of 148.27 mAh g⁻¹ at a 0.1-C rate, outperforming several previously reported cathode materials. Additionally, the NMVTZP electrodes demonstrate an average operating voltage of 3.14 V, an energy density of 465 Wh kg⁻¹, and exceptional rate performance, retaining 90.20 mAh g⁻¹ at a 5-C rate. We anticipate that our machine learning approach will accelerate the development of high-performance materials and greatly contribute to the advancement of sodium-ion battery technology.

The protonation process of adsorbed *CO intermediates has been widely recognized as a critical determinant governing product selectivity in electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction reaction (eCO₂RR). However, the active hydrogen species and mechanism of *CO protonation in acid eCO₂RR remain ambiguous. Particularly, the involvement of H⁺ in *CO hydrogenation is still under debate. Here, we developed a CuCl-mediated synthesis strategy integrated with rare-earth doping electronic structure engineering, which enriches intermediates and promotes adsorbed hydrogen (*H) participation in reactions, respectively. For the first time, differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were employed to clarify the participation of hydrogen species in liquid and gaseous eCO₂RR products, with isotope labeling utilized to distinguish the distribution of H⁺ and *H in the products. Experimental verification confirmed that in acidic electrolytes, the ethylene pathway was dominated by H⁺ hydrogenation, whereas the ethanol pathway incorporated contributions from both H⁺ and *H. Upon yttrium (Y) doping into Cu₂O/CuCl, interfacial water activation was markedly enhanced, thereby enabling the provision of supplementary *H for catalytic engagement. Notably, our Y-Cu₂O/CuCl catalyst achieves a remarkable 65.7% Faradaic efficiency for ethanol with exceptional 65-h stability at 200 mA cm⁻¹. This work provides new evidence for H⁺ participation in acid eCO₂RR, emphasizing the critical role of H₂O activation degree in selectivity regulation, and thus offering novel insights for designing efficient acid eCO₂RR catalysts.

Doxorubicin (DOX)-based chemotherapy is the basic treatment for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, chemoresistance is still one of the major causes of metastasis, recurrence, and poor outcomes. Recently, a close relationship between chemoresistance and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been found. In this study, ER-associated degradation (ERAD)-related protein EDEM1 (ER degradation enhancing α-mannosidase-like 1) plays a vital role in DOX-induced ER stress, which is up-regulated in tumor cells and tissues. In vitro and in vivo experiments reveal the promoting role of EDEM1 in the progression and chemoresistance of TNBC. Besides, EDEM1 attenuates autophagy and reduces ER stress-related apoptosis, indicating its inhibitory effect on ER stress. Furthermore, EDEM1 promotes ERAD and enhances the antioxidant capacity of tumor cells. Mechanistically, EDEM1 competitively binds Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 to prevent the ubiquitination and degradation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), leading to increased Nrf2 nuclear translocation and antioxidant response element activation to bolster antioxidant defense and cell survival. Moreover, both the expression and function of EDEM1 are down-regulated by miR-32-5p. Clinically, high EDEM1 expression is correlated with poor patient outcomes in breast cancer, especially in TNBC patients treated with DOX-based chemotherapy. These findings reveal EDEM1 as a regulator of ER homeostasis during cancer progression and chemoresistance, and a potential target for breast cancer therapy.

Collagen is a major structural component of human tissues, and its spatial arrangement is critical for maintaining tissue mechanical integrity and regulating cell behavior. In atherosclerosis (AS), collagen fiber arrangement has been implicated in plaque stability and the regulation of vascular calcification, yet its evolution during disease progression and association with other pathological processes remain poorly understood. In this study, male ApoE^−/− mice were fed a high-fat diet to establish a model of AS. Histological staining was performed every 5 weeks to analyze the collagen fiber alignment in the aortic arch of mice, along with calcification-related cells, proteins, and growth factors. The experimental results indicate that collagen fiber arrangement underwent gradual disruption and randomization as the disease progressed. Randomized collagen fibers were found to colocalize with inflammatory infiltration, smooth muscle cell phenotypic switching, osteogenic gene expression, and calcification. Therefore, changes in collagen fiber arrangement can be used to determine the presence of AS lesions, delineate their location, monitor disease progression, and assess plaque stability, thereby providing a solid theoretical foundation for the diagnosis and treatment of AS.

Water extraction from lunar regolith is one of the critical techniques for in situ resource utilization on the Moon. Traditional conductive heating methods show low efficiencies for massive water production from lunar regolith due to the low heat conductivity of lunar regolith and the inherent harsh lunar environment. To enhance the effectiveness of massive water production and reduce energy cost, microwave heating method is used in this study to extract water from icy lunar regolith at an initial cryogenic temperature of −80 °C. Hydrated lunar regolith simulant (LRS) is prepared with the water content from 1.96% to 13.79%. The particles are compacted into large cylinder sample with a size of 70 mm (diameter) × 70 mm (height). An integrated microwave heating system is built by which the icy lunar regolith is heated by microwaves at 2.45 GHz. Water vapor is transmitted in a closed flow path, and liquid water is collected in a cold trap after condensation. Both a high-power heating pattern (800 W) and a low-power heating pattern (400 W) are studied. The results show that microwave heats the sample uniformly, and water content escapes from center to outside. At the high power of 800 W, the samples are dried almost completely at an energy cost of 1.9 to 10.0 W·h/g with the decrease of water content. The rate of water collection is up to 1.57 g/min. Reducing heating power to 400 W prolongs the initial heat input period. Once the liquid water begins to collect, the water collection rate is comparable to that at the high-power heating pattern. The results prove the effectiveness of microwave heating for massive water production from icy lunar regolith, and the technique can be used for future engineering applications.

Dysregulation of ferroptosis is linked to chemoresistance, and reprogramming of glucose metabolism is involved in this progress. However, the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. Herein, using metabolic profiling, we find that hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP) metabolism and the byproduct, UDP-GlcNAc, are substantially up-regulated in chemoresistant tumor tissues and cells. UDP-GlcNAc-derived O-GlcNAcylation levels increase with the decreased ferroptosis and chemosensitivity in cancer cells. Knockout of the rate-limiting enzyme GFPT1 in HBP metabolism inhibits O-GlcNAcylation, induces ferroptosis, and mitigates chemoresistance of orthotopic bladder cancer in Gfpt1^−/− mice. The global O-GlcNAcylation omics mapped the O-GlcNAcylated sites and proteins in resistant and nonresistant tumor cells, showing that NR3C1 is highly O-GlcNAcylated at Thr²⁹⁹ in response to chemotherapy. The chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing delineates that NR3C1 O-GlcNAcylation at Thr²⁹⁹ prominently enhances transcriptional activity of GPX4 by facilitating the binding of NR3C1 on GPX4 promoter, inhibiting ferroptosis. Higher O-GlcNAcylation of NR3C1 improves protein stability and reduces proteasome-dependent degradation by suppressing ubiquitination. Inhibition of NR3C1 O-GlcNAcylation via Thr²⁹⁹ mutant or knockout of NR3C1 facilitates ferroptosis and improves chemosensitivity of resistant cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we propose a novel predicting model for chemoresistance based on the GFPT1 and NR3C1 levels in pre-chemotherapy biopsy tissues through a training set and a validation set. These findings exemplify how metabolic and epigenetic reprogramming regulates ferroptosis via the GFPT1/NR3C1/GPX4 axis, and implicate NR3C1 O-GlcNAcylation as a potential target for reversing chemoresistance.

Understanding the impacts of anthropogenic activities on groundwater is crucial for its management and utilization. However, predicting anthropogenic impacts on groundwater remains challenging due to their complexity. As any anthropogenic activity generates carbon emissions, we employed carbon emissions to characterize the intensity of anthropogenic activities to predict groundwater storage variations. Carbon emission–groundwater machine learning models indicate that groundwater storage will increase in Rhine Valley (7.3% ± 1.9%), the Great Lakes Basin (6.7% ± 4.3%), and Pearl River catchments (1.8% ± 1.5%) in the next 3 decades, but it will continue to decline in Yangtze River catchments (−13.7% ± 3.4%), with R² ranging from 0.916 to 0.995. Furthermore, the existing groundwater protection measures of Yangtze River catchments will not be sufficient to compensate for future declines in groundwater storage caused by anthropogenic activities (5.9% ± 4% decrease in 2050), indicating the necessity of more effective measures. This study developed a method to predict the impacts of anthropogenic activities on groundwater, thus overcoming an important obstacle in predicting groundwater behavior, which is crucial for the utilization and management of groundwater resources. The methodology developed in this study for predicting the impacts of anthropogenic activities on groundwater will raise awareness of the link between anthropogenic activities and groundwater and lead to in-depth research on anthropogenically driven groundwater prediction studies. This will overcome substantial barriers to predicting groundwater behavior, which is critical for groundwater resource use and management.