Here we report the observation of a linear carbon-atom chain, synthesized using an arc discharge from a graphite double anode. We use high-resolution TEM to evidence the formation of a carbon-atom chain along the axis of a needlelike structure consisting of concentric cylindrical graphitic shells. The atomic chain in the core of the innermost cylinder, by calculations on the basis of van der Waals interactions, demonstrates an extremely high thermal stability ͑up to 4200 K͒ and exhibits high mechanical strains.

Zinc‐oxygen batteries are promising candidates for electrical vehicles and electric grid energy storage due to their low cost, high safety levels, and low environmental impact. The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) represent the most significant processes in zinc‐oxygen batteries. The development of nonprecious metal catalysts for OER with satisfactory performances and low cost (especially prepared by a straightforward synthesis route), still poses a significant challenge. Herein, we report an exceptionally facile and easily scalable method to produce NiFe layered double hydroxide (LDH) coated nickel foam by immersing nickel foams into aqueous solutions containing NiCl2 and FeCl2 and keeping them standing for a certain period of time. Without any other complicated technique or organic reagent, microflower‐shaped NiFe LDHs can be obtained. The resulting electrode shows excellent OER performance with a low overpotential of 210 mV at a 10 mA cm−2 constant current polarization and stable operation for more than 100 charge‐discharge cycles in zinc‐oxygen batteries.

Nano materials is a new type of drug carriers with very promising application. In recent years, great progress was achieved in making drugs own the characteristics of targeted and controlled release via nanotechnologies. This paper addressed the capability of nano drugs on targeting to cells, penetrating through epicyte, controlled release and the security issues resulting from its using. We gave the prospect of nano drugs in biology and medicine applying.

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The first patient suffering from severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) was identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Physicians and scientists consequently diagnosed and identified this case of SARS as COVID-19, which was caused by infection with SARS-CoV-2, a new coronavirus. To date, it has spread as a global pandemic, with more than 2.5 million confirmed patients and 175 thousand deaths. Unfortunately, we have yet to find a specific effective therapy; although, some maintenance therapies are known to improve symptoms, partially referencing the experiences from anti-SARS-CoV and the Middle East respiratory syndrome. In addition, many clinical trials are completed or ongoing. Accordingly, a new strategy for development of therapeutic drugs is urgently needed. Here, we propose to prepare a kind of carbon nanotube with functions to exert acidification for cytoplasmic and local cellular temperature-rising through photothermal conversion, according to the physical and chemical nature of carbon nanotubes having been well applied to facilitate such a response. Dexterously, we will put the above effects into practice to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication with respect to the biological nature of coronavirus.

Traditional drugs are facing bottlenecks of lower solubility, absorption, and especially the inefficient organs or cells targeting during the precision medicine era. It is urgently needed to discover and establish new methods or strategies to modify old drugs or create new ones against the above defects. With the support of nanotechnology, the solubility, absorption and targeting of traditional drugs were greatly improved by modifying and fabricating with various types of nanoparticles to some extent, though many shortages remain. In this mini-review we will focus on advances in several most commonly used nanoparticles, from their nature and design, to drug delivery system and clinical application, that they overcome heterogeneous barriers in precision medicine, thereby ultimately improve patient outcome overall.

High incidence (10.2%) and mortality (9.2%) rates led to the ranking of colorectal cancer (CRC) as the second most malignant tumor spectrum worldwide in 2020. Treatment strategies are becoming highly dependent on the molecular characteristics of CRC. The classical theories accept two models depicting the origin of CRC: The progression of adenoma to cancer and transformation from serrated polyps to cancer. However, the molecular mechanism of CRC development is very complex. For instance, CRCs originating from laterally spreading tumors (LST) do not adhere to any of these models and exhibit extremely serious progression and poor outcomes. In this article, we present another possible pathway involved in CRC development, particularly from LST, with important molecular characteristics, which would facilitate the design of a novel strategy for targeted therapy.