Population structure and adaptive signals in the white-backed planthopper, Sogatella furcifera inferred from genome-wide analysis.

Background: The white-backed planthopper (WBPH), Sogatella furcifera (Horváth) (Homoptera: Delphacidae), is a highly migratory insect pest that poses a significant threat to rice production in East and Southeast Asia. Although considerable advances have been made in understanding its migration sources and dispersal patterns with the advent of newer molecular tools, genomic-level insights into these processes, as well as its environmental adaptation mechanisms, remain limited.

Results: This study conducted whole-genome resequencing of 289 WBPH individuals from China and Southeast Asian countries, including Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam, to investigate population structure, gene flow and selective signals.

AI-Enhanced SERS with Probe Combinations for Concurrent Identification and Quantification of Coexisting Metal Ions in Water.

Efficient and simultaneous detection of coexisting metal ions is essential for preserving water quality and mitigating ecological risks during environmental emergencies. However, traditional methods often fall short, either lacking the sensitivity required for trace-level detection or the ability to quantify multiple ions concurrently. Here, we propose an AI-enhanced surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) approach that combines advanced spectral analysis with tailored probe combinations, enabling precise identification and quantification of four coexisting metal ions, even in complex environmental water.

Agricultural biotechnology in China: product development, commercialization, and perspectives.

Meeting the increasing demand for food and industrial products by the growing global population requires targeted efforts to improve crops, livestock, and microorganisms. Modern biotechnology, particularly genetic modification (GM) and genome-editing (GE) technologies, is crucial for food security and environmental sustainability. China, which is at the forefront of global biotechnological innovation and the rapid advancements in GM and GE technologies, has prioritized this field by implementing strategic programs such as the National High-tech Research & Development Program in 1986, the National Genetically Modified Organism New Variety Breeding Program in 2008, and the Biological Breeding-National Science and Technology Major Project in 2022.

A chromosome-level genome assembly of the Hermonassa cecilia (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Hermonassa cecilia is a Lepidoptera pest primarily distributed in East Asia, belonging to the subfamily Noctuinae, which includes species that typically target and damage the underground parts of plants. However, there is limited information available on the life history and genomic resources of H. cecilia to date.

Improving the oxygen and water vapour barrier properties of PLA via a novel interface engineering.

In this work, we adopt "hyperthermal hydrogen-induced cross-linking (HHIC) technology" to fix an interfacial control layer of polyacrylic acid (PAA) on polylactic acid (PLA) to improve the adhesion and integrity of the permeation barrier film, and meanwhile, the HHIC treatment causes no measurable damage to the functional groups of PAA and PLA. Consequently, the oxygen transmission rate decreases from 150.00 to 0.

3D Printing of Objects with Bulk Superhydrophobicity Using Self-Foaming Polydimethylsiloxane-Based Ink.

Although bulk superhydrophobic material can maintain durable superhydrophobicity by its micro-nanostructure regeneration for promising application, the 3D printing is still challenging due to the requirement of a large amount of solvent and complicated fabrication processing. Herein, a solvent-free and self-foaming polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based ink is developed for 3D printing bulk superhydrophobic objects. The ink incorporates thermally expandable microspheres (EMs) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) particles, enabling hierarchical roughness and low surface energy throughout the bulk.

Genome-Wide Identification of the BREVIS RADIX Gene Family in Foxtail Millet: Function, Evolution, and Expression.

Background: Foxtail millet (), domesticated from green foxtail ), is crucial for global food security. Given increasing environmental challenges, exploring its stress-resistance mechanisms via researching the BREVIS RADIX (BRX) gene family is urgent.

Methods: The study combines advanced bioinformatics and experimental validation.

Analysis of International Coexistence Management of Genetically Modified and Non-Genetically Modified Crops.

The coexistence of genetically modified (GM) and non-GM crops has been a subject of considerable concern, particularly in the context of the extensive utilisation of GM crops. In response to this concern, various countries have devised coexistence strategies that are tailored to their respective national contexts, taking into account economic, political, technological and public acceptability factors. In the context of planting, countries such as the United States and Brazil have adopted a strategy of coexistence management, whereby the responsibility for implementing isolation measures falls upon premium producers.

Changes in the grain quality of foxtail millet released in China from the 1970s to the 2020s.

Foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.

Multigenerational effects of cultivating transgenic maize straw on earthworms: A combined laboratory and field experiment.

The cultivation of genetically modified (GM) maize has aroused notable public concern related to the potential risks to soil fauna caused by the release of foreign proteins. In this study, the potential effects of cultivating the GM maize variety DBN9936, which exhibits the expression of the Cry1Ab and EPSPS proteins, on earthworms (Eisenia fetida) were evaluated under laboratory and field conditions. No significant differences in the survival, body weight, cocoon production, or hatching of earthworms fed GM or non-GM DBN318 maize were detected after three consecutive generations in a laboratory test.

Impact of incorporating wheat straw together with basal nitrogen ratio on panicle formation and grain yield in rice.

Increasing spikelets differentiation, reducing their degradation and promoting big panicle formation are crucial approaches to increasing grain yield in rice. Straw incorporation and nitrogen (N) application have vital effects on rice yield, but the influence of incorporating wheat straw with N fertilizer ratio on spikelet differentiation, degeneration, and grain yield in rice is not clear. In this experiment, hybrid rice Fengyouxiangzhan (FY) and Yongyou 2640 (YY) were used as materials.

Multi-chromatic and multi-component lateral flow immunoassay for simultaneous detection of CP4 EPSPS, Bt-Cry1Ab, Bt-Cry1Ac, and PAT/bar proteins in genetically modified crops.

A multi-chromatic and multi-component lateral flow immunoassay (MCMC-LFIA) was developed for simultaneous detection of CP4 EPSPS, Bt-Cry1Ab, Bt-Cry1Ac, and PAT/bar proteins in genetically modified (GM) crops. Captured antibodies specific to these exogenous proteins were separately immobilized on a nitrocellulose membrane as test zones. Multi-colored microspheres, used as visible multi-probes, were conjugated with corresponding antibodies and sprayed on the conjugate pad.

Hierarchical Ordered Mesoporous SrBiTiO Microflowers with Rich Oxygen Vacancies In Situ Assembled by Nanosheets for Piezo-Photocatalysis.

The Aurivillius phase layered perovskite ferroelectric material SrBiTiO (SBTO) exhibits spontaneous polarization and piezoelectric properties, which confer significant potential for piezo-photocatalysis. Its ability to enhance electron-hole separation while providing excellent fatigue resistance positions it as a promising candidate in this field. Defects were introduced to improve the structural polarization and photoelectrochemical properties of SBTO.

Enhancing Ultrasonic Echo Response of AlN Thin Film Transducer Deposited by RF Magnetron Sputtering.

Accurate measurement of the pretightening stress for bolts has great significance for improving the assembly quality and safety, especially in severe environments. In this study, AlN thin film transducers were deposited on GH4169 nickel base alloy bolts using the RF magnetron sputtering, enabling a systematic investigation into the correlation between structures and the intensity of ultrasonic echo signals. Employing the finite element method resulted in consistency with the experimental data, enabling further exploration of the enhancement mechanism.

Metabolic profiling and spatial metabolite distribution in wild soybean () and cultivated soybean () seeds.

Wild soybeans retain many substances significantly reduced or lost in cultivars during domestication. This study utilized LC-MS to analyze metabolites in the seed coats and embryos of wild and cultivated soybeans. 866 and 815 metabolites were identified in the seed extracts of both soybean types, with 35 and 10 significantly differing metabolites in the seed coat and embryos, respectively.

Mechanical Characteristics of Multi-Level 3D-Printed Silicone Foams.

Three-dimensional-printed silicone rubber foams, with their designable and highly ordered pore structures, have shown exceptional potential for engineering applications, particularly in areas requiring energy absorption and cushioning. However, optimizing the mechanical properties of these foams through structural design remains a significant challenge. This study addresses this challenge by formulating the research question: How do different 3D-printed topologies and printing parameters affect the mechanical properties of silicone rubber foams, and how can we design a novel topological structure? To answer this, we explored the mechanical behavior of two common structures-simple cubic (SC) and face-centered tetragonal (FCT)-by varying printing parameters such as filament spacing, filament diameter, and layer height.

Rapid Fabrication of Antilunar Dust Aluminum Surface by Nanosecond Laser Etching.

Although a dust-repellent surface is desirable for lunar exploration missions, its fabrication process is complicated and time-consuming. Herein, we report a simple and fast method to fabricate a lunar dust-repellent surface by texturing on an Al substrate via nanosecond laser etching. The laser-induced photothermal effect can rapidly create hierarchical papillary structures on 25 × 25 mm Al substrates (within 30 s).

Assessment of Breeding Potential of Foxtail Millet Varieties Using a TOPSIS Model Constructed Based on Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability Test Characteristics.

Foxtail millet () is an important cereal crop with rich nutritional value. Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability (DUS) are the prerequisites for the application of new variety rights for foxtail millet. In this study, we investigated 32 DUS test characteristics of 183 foxtail millet resources, studied their artificial selection trends, and identified the varieties that conform to breeding trends.

Highly Sensitive Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Detection of Hydroxyl Radicals in Water Microdroplets Using Phthalhydrazide/Ag Nanoparticles Nanosensor.

The spontaneous generation of hydrogen peroxide (HO) within atmospheric microdroplets, such as raindrops and aerosols, plays a crucial role in various environmental processes including pollutant degradation and oxidative stress. However, quantifying hydroxyl radicals (•OH), essential for HO formation, remains challenging due to their short lifespan and low concentration. This study addresses this gap by presenting a highly sensitive and selective surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanosensor specifically designed for quantifying •OH within water microdroplets.

Effect of altrenogest treatment before weaning on reproductive performance and production efficiency in primiparous and multiparous sows.

Background: Most sows will experience negative energy balance during lactation resulting in impaired follicular development. This study aimed to treat 28-day lactating sows with altrenogest (ALT) to suppress follicle enlargement during lactation, and to assess the estrus and reproductive performance post-weaning.

Methods: In this study, we conducted two trials.

In Situ Characterizations of the Dynamics of Cathode Electrolyte Interfaces at Different Current Densities.

LiNiMnCoO with high nickel content plays a critical role in enabling lithium metal batteries (LMBs) to achieve high specific energy density, making them a prominent choice for electric vehicles (EVs). However, ensuring the long-term cycling stability of the cathode electrolyte interfaces (CEIs), particularly at fast-charge conditions, remains an unsolved challenge. The decay mechanism associated with CEIs and electrolytes in LMB at high current densities is still not fully understood.

PCR Independent Strategy-Based Biosensors for RNA Detection.

RNA is an important information and functional molecule. It can respond to the regulation of life processes and is also a key molecule in gene expression and regulation. Therefore, RNA detection technology has been widely used in many fields, especially in disease diagnosis, medical research, genetic engineering and other fields.