Behind the Paper
The real stories behind the latest research papers, from conception to publication, the highs and the lows
Behind the paper: Protic ionic liquids as binders for carbon paste electrode fabrication
A recurring challenge across all electrochemistry systems is achieving fast and efficient electron transfer at electrode surfaces. While attention is paid to the active electrode material, our work shows that a less obvious component—like a binder in a graphite electrode —can play a decisive role.
Improving Watershed Models with Tile and Rotation-Enhanced Cropland (TREC) dataset
Land-use maps drive ecohydrologic modeling and water-quality estimates. In the U.S. Midwest, nitrate and water movement depend on crop rotation and tile drainage, but most national datasets do not fully capture these factors. Our TREC map captures both to improve the realism of the watershed model.
Dynamic stretching beyond electron transfer in a homointerpenetrated MOF for enhanced Fenton-like reactions
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-68917-z
Behind the scenes: when a “metabolic master” keeps disappearing
Every gene has a personality in the literature. Some are divas, some are wallflowers, and some are the kind that show up everywhere, do a little bit of everything, and leave everyone arguing afterward.
Secondary data use of tocilizumab clinical studies to address regulatory needs for rare and pediatric trials
As part of the European INVENTS research project (Innovative designs, extrapolation, simulation methods and evidence-tools for rare and pediatric diseases), a study involving the use of secondary data from 10,000 patients in 20 clinical studies has been registered in the ISRCTN registry.
Gasdermin E mediating lysosome-pore formation curbs pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma via IFN-γ/IFN-β/TGF-β cocktail mRNA-LNP
Our study is the first to identify GSDME-mediated, lysosome-dependent cell death, revealing a novel lysosome-targeted killing mechanism co-regulated by three cytokines. Combined with the LNP system for PDAC targeting provide a new therapeutic direction.
Published in Cellular & Molecular Immunology
Behind the Paper "Smart Water for Sustainable Agriculture Through Climate Resilient Assessment and Integrated Soil Water Crop Management"
Water quality is a key determinant of sustainable irrigation under climate variability. Integrating soil, water, and crop interactions with climate resilient assessment approaches is essential to support productive agroecosystems and long term water security.
Extraordinarily long duration of Eocene geomagnetic polarity reversals
Earth’s magnetic field reversals were long thought to finish within about 10,000 years, but new evidence shows two reversals around 40 million years ago lasted 18,000 and 70,000 years, indicating far greater variability in their durations.
