https://phys.org/ en-us Latest news from Nanjing University A team led by Professor Hui Wei, a pioneer in nanozyme research at Nanjing University, has unveiled an ultrasmall theranostic nanozyme with the potential to transform the diagnosis and treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)—a highly lethal vascular disease with limited therapeutic options. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-ultrasmall-theranostic-nanozyme-abdominal-aortic.html Biotechnology Thu, 04 Dec 2025 09:12:53 EST news684061944 Researchers have harnessed nonlocal artificial materials to create optical systems that emulate parallel spaces, wormholes, and multiple realities. A single material acts as two distinct optical media or devices simultaneously, allowing light to experience different properties based on entry boundaries. Demonstrations include invisible optical tunnels and coexisting optical devices, opening new avenues for compact, multifunctional optical devices by introducing nonlocality as a new degree of freedom for light manipulation. https://phys.org/news/2025-10-nonlocality-enabled-photonic-analogies-wormholes.html General Physics Tue, 21 Oct 2025 09:41:00 EDT news680258455 If you've ever traveled through drylands, you may have noticed striking vegetation patterns—stripes, spots, or rings—scattered across otherwise barren landscapes. From "tiger bush" in West Africa to the enigmatic "fairy circles" of Namibia, these patterns have long inspired wonder and scientific curiosity. https://phys.org/news/2025-10-mathematical-reveal-hidden-dryland-vegetation.html Ecology Thu, 09 Oct 2025 13:00:05 EDT news679233388 In a recent study that merges supramolecular chemistry and molecular electronics, a research team has demonstrated how supramolecular porphyrin-based cages can enable tunable photoresponsive charge transport (CT) behaviors in solid-state devices. The findings could pave the way for more versatile and controllable molecular components in optoelectronic applications. https://phys.org/news/2025-05-photoresponsive-cages-tunable-supramolecular-electronics.html Nanophysics Tue, 13 May 2025 09:56:06 EDT news666348962 New theoretical physics research introduces a simulation method of machine-learning-based effective Hamiltonian for super-large-scale atomic structures. This effective Hamiltonian method could simulate much larger structures than the methods based on quantum mechanisms and classical mechanics. https://phys.org/news/2025-03-method-super-large-scale-atomic.html General Physics Mon, 17 Mar 2025 17:40:39 EDT news661452031 In a new study, Professor Hui Wei and coworkers have introduced a predictive descriptor—t2 occupancy—to guide the design of spinel oxide-based nanozymes with enhanced peroxidase-like (POD) activity. https://phys.org/news/2025-01-descriptor-high-nanozymes-peroxidase.html Analytical Chemistry Mon, 20 Jan 2025 11:54:35 EST news656596473 A team of researchers from Nanjing University has introduced an innovative approach to cuproptosis therapy by depleting copper levels in tumor cells, challenging the current paradigm that focuses on copper overproduction. https://phys.org/news/2024-11-scientists-copper-depletion-strategy-advanced.html Bio & Medicine Tue, 19 Nov 2024 15:57:36 EST news651254251 Researchers led by Prof. Cunlan Guo at Wuhan University have pioneered a new approach to control the electrical properties of two-dimensional (2D) metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), specifically porphyrinic 2D MOF nanosheets, by constructing molecular heterojunctions that exhibit tunable rectification behaviors. Their findings could greatly impact the development of future functional electronic devices. https://phys.org/news/2024-11-approach-tuning-current-2d-mof.html Nanophysics Thu, 07 Nov 2024 12:42:45 EST news650205758 In a recent study published in Science Advances, researchers from Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital and others have unveiled a promising approach for treating osteoarthritis (OA) using engineered magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-mgo-nanoparticles-path-synergistic-cartilage.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 14 Mar 2024 13:14:08 EDT news629640846 Urinary tract infections (UTIs), affecting millions worldwide, are predominantly caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). These infections are characterized by bacterial adhesion and colonization in the urinary tract, evading host immune responses. Researchers from Nanjing University have recently reported a new approach to combating UTIs through the development of bioinspired nanozymes acting as nanodecoys. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-nanozyme-enabled-nanodecoys-strategy-urinary.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 14 Mar 2024 13:14:02 EDT news629640839 A team of researchers from Nanjing University has developed a probiotic nanozyme hydrogel to regulate the vaginal microenvironment for Candida vaginitis therapy. Candida vaginitis, a common fungal infection that affects about 75% of women worldwide, is known for its high recurrence rates and negative impact on women's health. https://phys.org/news/2023-06-nanozyme-hydrogel-breakthrough-solution-candida.html Bio & Medicine Mon, 05 Jun 2023 10:34:54 EDT news605180091 Nanozymes, enzyme-like catalytic nanomaterials, are considered to be the next generation of enzyme mimics because they not only overcome natural enzymes' intrinsic limitations, but also possess unique properties in comparison with conventional artificial enzymes. Until now, lots of nanomaterials have been explored to mimic various natural enzymes, such as peroxidase, oxidase, catalase, and hydrolase. Particularly, enormous efforts have been devoted to peroxidase-like nanozymes because of their applications in biomedical diagnosis, bioimaging, anti-biofouling coatings, etc. https://phys.org/news/2019-02-principles-peroxidase-mimicking-nanozymes.html Biochemistry Mon, 18 Feb 2019 08:50:03 EST news469701803 The dysregulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is linked to inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Live organisms have therefore evolved a number of highly efficient anti-inflammation enzymes with ROS-scavenging capabilities to protect tissues from inflammation-induced damage. However, the natural ROS-scavenging enzymes are sensitive to environmental conditions and are hard to mass produce. To address these challenges, numerous artificial enzymes with ROS-scavenging capabilities have been developed. Among them, ROS-scavenging nanozymes have recently attracted great interest owing to their enhanced stability, multi-functionality and tunable activity. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-03-ros-scavenging-nanozymes-anti-inflammation-therapeutics.html Immunology Mon, 05 Mar 2018 05:45:54 EST news439451148 Researchers at Nanjing University have now clarified the quenching mechanism of 2D MnO2 nanosheets on Au nanocluster fluorescence and then built a turn on fluorescent sensor for sensitive and selective detection of glutathione (GSH). https://phys.org/news/2016-04-quenching-mechanism-2d-mno2-nanosheet.html Nanomaterials Fri, 15 Apr 2016 07:15:15 EDT news379923294 Nanozymes are novel nanomaterials with enzyme mimicking activities, which are superior to natural enzymes and even conventional artificial enzymes. They have attracted considerable attention because they offer the possibility of lowered cost, improved stability, and excellent recyclability. However, the specificity and catalytic activity of current nanozymes are still far lower than that of their natural counterparts, which in turn have limited their broad applications. https://phys.org/news/2016-04-nanozymes-brain-chemistry.html Biochemistry Wed, 13 Apr 2016 06:50:02 EDT news379747682