Self-driven and self-catalytic tripedal DNA nanomachine for rapid and sensitive detection of miR-21 in in colorectal cancer.

A self-driven and self-catalytic (SDSC) tripedal DNA nanomachine was developed for microRNA-21 (miR-21) detection. The microRNA could open one arm of tripedal DNA nanomachine to form DNAzyme with a nearby arm through the proximity effect. After DNAzyme's cleavage, the exposed DNA arm region competed with the third arm and produced a DNA segment (sequence Q).

Co single-atom catalyst on ordered macro-microporous structure as separator for Li-S battery.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have attracted significant attention due to their high theoretical energy density, low cost and environmental friendliness, which are considered one of the most promising candidates for next-generation energy storage devices. However, the sluggish kinetics associated with sulfur oxidation-reduction reactions and the detrimental shuttle effect caused by lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) significantly impacts the electrochemical performance of Li-S batteries. In this work, Co single-atom catalyst (Co-NC) on an ordered macro-microporous structure are designed, and the catalyst are coated onto 2325 separator.

Tracing microplastics in marine fish: Ecological threats and human exposure in the Bay of Bengal.

This research on microplastics (MPs) in marine environments, particularly in Bay of Bengal fish, underscores the limited comprehension of their accumulation and potential health and environmental consequences. The study investigated the abundance of MPs in the organs of nine marine fish species from the north Bay of Bengal, assessing their polymeric risks and implications for human health. The average MPs ingested by each individual was 32.

Combination of Fe-O Species and Fe-O-Zr Bonds Empowers FeO Nanoclusters Anchored on UiO-66 Robust HS-Selective Catalytic Oxidation Performance.

The low sulfur selectivity of Fe-based HS-selective catalytic oxidation catalysts is still a problem, especially at a high O content. This is alleviated here through anchoring FeO nanoclusters on UiO-66 via the formation of Fe-O-Zr bonds. The introduced FeO species exist in the form of Fe and Fe.

Comprehensive benefits evaluation of low impact development using scenario analysis and fuzzy decision approach.

The comprehensive benefit evaluation of LID based on multi-criteria decision-making methods faces technical issues such as the uncertainties and vagueness in hybrid information sources, which can affect the overall evaluation results and ranking of alternatives. This study introduces a multi-indicator fuzzy comprehensive benefit evaluation approach for the selection of LID measures, aiming to provide a robust and holistic framework for evaluating their benefits at the community level. The proposed methodology integrates quantitative environmental and economic indicators with qualitative social benefit indicators, combining the use of the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) and ArcGIS for scenario-based analysis, and the use of hesitant fuzzy language sets and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) for decision-making.

Human urinary occurrence of thiourea vulcanization accelerators and their human exposure.

Thiourea vulcanization accelerators (TVAs) have been detected in various household dust samples, indicating their widespread human exposure. Until now, the occurrence of TVAs in human urine, a suitable matrix for assessing human exposure, has remained unknown. The present study comprehensively examined eight kinds of TVAs in urine samples (n = 277) from participants living in Taizhou, China.

Hydrochemical fingerprints and health risk assessment of groundwater contamination in the Bohai Sea region, China.

Seawater intrusion and human activities have significantly impacted coastal groundwater quality in many regions worldwide. This study systematically assessed groundwater chemistry, its suitability for drinking and irrigation (sample size, n = 3034), and exposure risks (n = 2863) across three key sub-regions of the Bohai Sea area: Bohai Bay, Liaodong Bay, and Laizhou Bay. Significant seasonal variations observed in groundwater chemistry at different depths in Bohai Bay region, with severe contamination from salinity-alkalinity and nitrogen-fluoride.

Photochemical regulation of microcystin synthesis and release in cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa by triplet state dissolved organic matter.

The increasing frequency of cyanobacterial blooms, particularly those induced by Microcystis aeruginosa (M. aeruginosa), poses severe economic, ecological and health challenges due to the production of microcystins (MCs). Environmental parameters such as light and nutrient availability influence MCs production, while the role of dissolved organic matter (DOM) photochemical processes in regulating these remains unclear.

Unveiling the mechanism of micro-and-nano plastic phytotoxicity on terrestrial plants: A comprehensive review of omics approaches.

Micro-and-nano plastics (MNPs) are pervasive in terrestrial ecosystems and represent an increasing threat to plant health; however, the mechanisms underlying their phytotoxicity remain inadequately understood. MNPs can infiltrate plants through roots or leaves, causing a range of toxic effects, including inhibiting water and nutrient uptake, reducing seed germination rates, and impeding photosynthesis, resulting in oxidative damage within the plant system. The effects of MNPs are complex and influenced by various factors including size, shape, functional groups, and concentration.

High selectivity, capacity and stability for electrochemical lithium extraction on boron-doped HMnO by tailoring lattice constant and intercalation energy.

A sustainable supply of lithium from salt-lake brines is necessary due to the surge in demand of the lithium-battery market. However, the presence of coexisting ions, particularly Na, poses a significant challenge due to the similarities in charge, electronic structure, and hydrated size. The electrochemical system with manganese (Mn)-based lithium-ion (Li) sieves electrodes is a promising method for Li recovery, but often suffers from geometric configuration distortion, which reduces their selectivity and capacity.

Electrode functional microorganisms in bioelectrochemical systems and its regulation: A review.

Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) as environmental remediation biotechnologies have boomed in the last two decades. Although BESs combined technologies with electro-chemistry, -biology, and -physics, microorganisms and biofilms remain at their core. In this review, various functional microorganisms in BESs for CO reduction, dehalogenation, nitrate, phosphate, and sulfate reduction, metal removal, and volatile organic compound oxidation are summarized and compared in detail.

Prediction of p-phenylenediamine antioxidant concentrations in human urine using machine learning models.

p-phenylenediamine antioxidants (PPDs) are extensively used in rubber manufacturing for their potent antioxidative properties, but PPDs and 2-anilino-5-[(4-methylpentan-2yl)amino]cyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione (6PPDQ) pose potential environmental and health risks. Existing biomonitoring methods for assessing human exposure to PPDs are labor-intensive, costly, and provide limited data. Thus, there is a critical need to develop predictive models for evaluating PPDs and 6PPDQ exposure levels to facilitate health risk assessments.

Geographic patterns and climatic drivers of the mean genus age of liverworts in North America.

Phylogenetic niche conservatism posits that species tend to retain ancestral ecological traits and distributions, which has been broadly tested for lineages originating in tropical climates but has been rarely tested for lineages that originated and diversified in temperate climates. Liverworts are thought to originate in temperate climates. Mean lineage age reflects evolutionary history of biological communities.

Donor-Acceptor Type Carbon Nitride Photocatalysts in Photocatalysis: Current Understanding, Applications and Challenges.

The exploration of photocatalytic materials with efficient charge separation has always been a prominent area of research in photocatalysis. In the preceding years, the strategy of constructing donor-acceptor (D-A) structured materials has gradually been developed in photocatalytic systems, becoming a new research crossroads and attracting extensive interdisciplinary focus. Polymeric carbon nitride (PCN) has gradually been recognized as the primary photocatalytic material for constructing D-A structures due to its attractive exceptional physicochemical stability, electronic band structure, and cost-effectiveness.

Ultimate water capillary evaporation in bamboo-inspired evaporator.

Bionic evaporators inspired by natural plants like bamboo and mushrooms have emerged as efficient generators through water capillary evaporation. However, primitive natural evaporators cannot currently meet growing demand, and their performance limitations remain largely unexplored, presenting a substantial challenge. Through extensive experimentation and detailed simulation analysis, this study presents a precisely engineered H-type bamboo steam generator.

The swelling-induced fractionation strategy to mediate cellulose availability and lignin structural integrity.

We report a facile fractionation strategy using choline hydroxide (ChOH) based alkaline deep eutectic solvents (DES) for whole-component upgrading of bagasse. Through selective lignin and xylan dissolution, along with extensive biomass swelling, high-value lignin-carbohydrate complexes (LCC, with high β-O-4 bond content of 68.9/100 Ar) and high-purity xylan were extracted without compromising cellulose recovery and hydrolysis.

Composites of YF: Yb, Er, Tm@CN-Au with near-infrared light-driven ability for photocatalytic wastewater purification.

Photocatalytic technology for removing organic dye pollutants has gained considerable attention because of its ability to harness abundant solar energy without requiring additional chemical reagents. In this context, YF spheres doped with Yb, Er, Tm (YF) are synthesized using a hydrothermal method and are subsequently coated with a layer of graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) with Au nanoparticles (NPs) adsorbed onto the surface to create a core-shell structure, designated as YF: Yb, Er, Tm@CN-Au (abbreviated as YF@CN-Au). The core-shell composites demonstrate remarkable stability, broadband absorption, and exceptional photocatalytic activity across the ultraviolet (UV) to near-infrared (NIR) spectral range.

How hydrodynamic conditions drive the regime shift towards a bacterial state with lower carbon emissions in river bends.

Hydrodynamic conditions influenced by river sinuosity may alter carbon (e.g., carbon dioxide and methane) emissions and microbial communities responsible for nutrient turnover.

From plankton to fish: The multifaceted threat of microplastics in freshwater environments.

The detrimental impact of emerging pollutants, specifically microplastics (MPs), on the ecological environment are receiving increasing attention. Freshwater ecosystems serve as both repositories for terrestrial microplastic (MP) sources and conduits for their subsequent entry into marine environments. Consequently, it is imperative to rigorously investigate the toxicological effects of MPs on freshwater ecosystems.

Effects of colloids with different compositions on benzophenone-3 biotoxicity in zebrafish embryos.

The fate of the pollutants in aquatic environment is closely related to colloids, and the carrier effect of colloids on pollutants not only affects their bioaccumulation, but may also affect their toxicity. In this study, the effects of natural colloid with different components on the biological toxicity of benzophenone-3 (BP3) to zebrafish larvae (Diano rerio) were studied. BP3 caused oxidative stress damage, thyroid system disorders and neurotoxicity in zebrafish larvae.

Occurrence and bioaccumulation of organophosphate flame retardants in high-altitude regions: A comprehensive field survey in Qinghai Province, China.

Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are a class of substances that pose potential risks to human health and ecosystems due to their large-scale production, wide range of applications, and ubiquitous presence in the environment. With their potential for long-range atmospheric transport (LRAT), OPFR pollution in high-altitude areas has become an increasing concern. Herein, a general pretreatment method for OPFRs across various sample matrices was established and combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), utilizing a programmed temperature ramp in the vaporization chamber to enable high-throughput detection of OPFRs in various environmental matrices.

Data-Driven Approach for Designing Eco-Friendly Heterocyclic Compounds for the Soil Microbiome.

Soil microbiota plays crucial roles in maintaining the health, productivity, and nutrient cycling of terrestrial ecosystems. The persistence and prevalence of heterocyclic compounds in soil pose significant risks to soil health. However, understanding the links between heterocyclic compounds and microbial responses remains challenging due to the complexity of microbial communities and their various chemical structures.

Distribution patterns and community assembly processes of bacterial communities across different sediment habitats of subsidence lakes.

Subsidence lakes, formed due to extensive underground coal mining activities, present both ecological challenges and opportunities for alternative land use practices, such as photovoltaic power generation and aquaculture. However, the ecological consequences of these anthropogenic activities on bacterial communities within subsidence lakes remain largely unexplored. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a comprehensive investigation of bacterial communities in two typical subsidence lake districts located in Huainan, Anhui Province, China.

MOF-derived Carbon-Based Materials for Energy-Related Applications.

New carbon-based materials (CMs) are recommended as attractively active materials due to their diverse nanostructures and unique electron transport pathways, demonstrating great potential for highly efficient energy storage applications, electrocatalysis, and beyond. Among these newly reported CMs, metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived CMs have achieved impressive development momentum based on their high specific surface areas, tunable porosity, and flexible structural-functional integration. However, obstacles regarding the integrity of porous structures, the complexity of preparation processes, and the precise control of active components hinder the regulation of precise interface engineering in CMs.