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Tunnel-structured IrOx unlocks catalytic efficiency in proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers

Abstract Proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers face challenges due to high iridium loading and sluggish oxygen evolution reaction kinetics when using conventional rutile-structured iridium oxide nanocatalysts. Here we find that iridium oxide catalysts with a specific tunnel-type crystal structure exhibit highly localized reactivity, where regions at tunnel mouths drive oxygen evolution far more efficiently than tunnel-wall regions. The intrinsic activity of tunnel mouths is 25-fold higher than that of tunnel walls, with shorter nanorods achieving a better balance between active site exposure and electron/mass transport efficiency. When implemented in proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers, this engineered catalyst achieves notable performance at low iridium loading (0.28 mgIr cm−2), delivering over 2.0 A cm−2 at 1.8 V (80 °C) and operating stably for 1800 h—notably outperforming conventional catalysts. Our work identifies catalytic hotspots in tunnel-structured oxides and demonstrates their rational integration into high-performance, durable electrolyzer systems.

Designing supramolecular pastes by controlling host–guest dynamics in reconfigurable networks

A broadly neutralizing antibody recognizes a unique epitope with a signature motif common across coronaviruses

Nutrient diffusion-inspired catalysts with self-reinforced concentration gradient for sustainable electroreduction of dilute CO2

Microalgae-based Intestinal villi-targeting multistage biosystem for irritable bowel syndrome treatment

H2A.Z primes an epigenetic landscape for memory CD8+ T cell recall response

Spin excitations and flat electronic bands in a Cr-based kagome superconductor

Impact of tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene variant in pediatric nephrotic syndrome: a meta-analysis

Abstract This study aims to explore the risk associated with the Tumour Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNFα)-308 G/A (rs1800629) gene polymorphism in relation to Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome (NS). The primary goal of the meta-analysis was to investigate the relationship between Nephrotic Syndrome and the TNFα 308 G/A [rs1800629] polymorphism of the cytokine gene. We conducted a systematic search across electronic databases like PubMed and Google Scholar to collect data from five distinct case-control studies focused on the TNFα 308 G/A gene variant, covering the period from 2010 to 2022. By aggregating allele and genotype frequencies from these studies, we computed the 95% confidence interval of odds ratio [OR] to assess the strength of the association. To evaluate heterogeneity and potential publication bias in the selected studies, Stats Direct software was employed. The sample size encompassed 1,560 individuals, including 628 cases and 932 controls from five separate case-control studies. The TNFα allele-A displayed significant heterogeneity [I²=80%, 95% CI] when compared to the G allele, and a statistically significant pooled OR of 2.32 [P = 0.0056*] was observed. In the overall analysis, no significance association was found in the dominant model [P = 0.068], but a significant association was detected in the recessive model [P = 0.0096*]. Consistent findings were observed in the co-dominant model, where both AA vs. GG [P = 0.0075*] and GA vs. GG [P = 0.0219*] showed significant associations. These results suggest a potential increase in the risk of the disease associated with the polymorphism of TNFα 308 G/A. The small number of studies, high heterogeneity (I² = 80%), and limited ethnic diversity may affect the robustness and generalizability of findings. Additionally, language bias and lack of confounder adjustment limit interpretability. The TNFα 308 G/A polymorphism was identified as being associated with the risk of developing childhood NS. Registration: Registered in PROSPERO with ID: CRD420251083425.

Use AI in the classroom to bring problems to life

Boosting energy metabolism and biosynthesis in diverse organisms by a common bacterial salvage lipoylation protein

Pathways and factors in calcium uptake through the skins of strawberry fruit

Abstract High levels of fruit calcium (Ca) in strawberry are associated with low levels of surface disorders, including water soaking. Because of the dysfunctional xylem in developing strawberry, fruit Ca can only be increased by spray application. The objectives were to quantify 45Ca uptake through the fruit surface from drying spray droplets. Uptake of 45CaCl2 was initially rapid but slowed down after droplet drying. There was no difference in Ca uptake through the rim between achene depressions and that through the achene depressions. The uptake of 45CaCl2 increased with fruit development and with increasing spray concentration. Uptake was highest for CaCl2 and Ca(NO3)2, but was lower for organic salts. The surfactants Glucopon (0.01%) and Triton X-100 (0.1%) increased Ca uptake. Increased temperature and increased relative humidity increased Ca uptake. Incubating ripe strawberries for 1 h in deionized water increased microcracking. Despite the increased microcracking 45CaCl2 uptake did not increase. Spray applications of 30 mM in the greenhouse increased fruit Ca content and decreased susceptibility to water soaking. Our study establishes that strawberry fruit take up Ca very readily from surface sprays of either CaCl2 or Ca(NO3)2. Increases in fruit Ca decrease susceptibility to water soaking.

Europe must safeguard climate data following NASA cuts

Author Correction: Early versus deferred use of CDK4/6 inhibitors in advanced breast cancer

Targeted degradation of cell surface proteins through endocytosis triggered by cell-penetrating peptide-small molecule conjugates

Expert evaluation of ChatGPT accuracy and reliability for basic celiac disease frequently asked questions

Non-temperature environmental drivers modulate warming-induced 21st-century permafrost degradation on the Tibetan Plateau

Enhanced ethylene/ethane selectivity of PI membrane with functionalized zeolite addition

Mapping and engineering RNA-driven architecture of the multiphase nucleolus

Cavity-confined Au@Cu2O yolk-shell nanoreactors enable switchable CH4/C2H4 selectivity

A fluorescence lifetime-based FLIM-timer for measuring the protein turnover of transcription factor Nrf2 in live cells

Abstract Measuring protein turnover in cells has been greatly assisted by fluorescent timers (FT). However, FT quantification requires relatively high fluorescence intensity samples, prohibiting their use for proteins with low or non-uniform expression like transcription factor Nrf2, the master regulator of redox homeostasis. To visualise changes in stability/turnover of Nrf2, we constructed a genetically encoded tag combining sfGFP and mCherry and used intensity-independent Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLIM) to measure Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) within the tag (named FLIM-timer). We show that the ability of mCherry to act as a FRET-acceptor develops as the protein matures, allowing the use of FLIM-FRET as a readout of the FLIM-timer. FLIM-timer-tagged Nrf2 allowed to observe differences in its turnover between cellular compartments with equal precision in regions of high and low brightness. The reduction in fluorescence lifetime of FLIM-timer-Nrf2 confirmed its stabilisation by sulforaphane. Depletion of a degron for either Keap1-Cul3 or SCFβ-TrCP-mediated degradation decreased the fluorescence lifetime of Nrf2-FLIM-timer. FLIM-timer labelled cyclin B was also successfully used to track its destabilisation during mitotic exit. Thus, FLIM-timer methodology increases the FT applicability for visualisation and quantification of protein turnover, expanding it to cells with low and variable levels of any protein of interest.