President Joe Biden is in the final weeks of his presidency, entering a 'lame duck' period where he has limited time to make impactful foreign policy decisions. Experts are evaluating potential international actions the Biden administration might undertake before Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, 2025. The article explores the strategic moves Biden could consider to solidify his legacy in foreign affairs.

China's diplomatic success in brokering a peace deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran marks a significant shift in Middle East power dynamics, highlighting China's emerging role as a peacemaker and diminishing U.S. influence in the region. The deal, while lacking detailed concessions, underscores China's strategic leverage and its vision for an alternative world order under President Xi's Global Security Initiative. This development raises expectations for China's potential involvement in other global conflicts, such as the Ukraine war, as it positions itself as a major power player in international diplomacy.

A new diagnostic assay has been developed on a macrochannel-to-digital microfluidic platform, enabling the automatic identification of multiple respiratory pathogens. This advancement in diagnostic technology could significantly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of detecting respiratory diseases.

China's relationship with North Korea, historically described as 'as close as lips and teeth' by Mao Zedong, faces bilateral friction due to North Korea's nuclear weapons program and China's ties with South Korea. Recent global developments, including the war in Ukraine, are influencing China's policy towards North Korea, as seen in China's veto of a UN Security Council resolution to tighten sanctions against Pyongyang. The discussion explores China's evolving stance, potential responses to future North Korean nuclear tests, and the broader implications for regional and international diplomacy.

Recent advances by Myanmar's resistance forces, particularly the capture of Lashio by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, signify a pivotal shift in the ongoing conflict. This development is part of Operation 1027, a strategic campaign altering the dynamics in northern Myanmar. The article explores China's interests and potential influence in the region amidst these changes.

Trade ties between the U.S. and China have evolved significantly over the past decade, with various episodes of the China in the World podcast shedding light on key developments. Topics include the impact of the War in Ukraine on China-Russia relations, the North Korea challenge, U.S.-China diplomacy, and Xi Jinping's diplomatic efforts in Southeast Asia. The podcast also covers U.S.-China dynamics in Southeast Asia, the international order, Sri Lanka's debt crisis, and the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific. Discussions highlight the differing approaches of the EU and the U.S. towards China, the Biden administration's policies, and the evolving U.S.-China relationship under different administrations. Key figures such as Xi Jinping, Kim Jong-un, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and Vladimir Putin are frequently mentioned, with expert analysis provided by various scholars and analysts from Carnegie China.

This study identifies key factors in the activation of peroxymonosulfate on single-atom M–N–C catalysts using a combination of density functional theory and machine learning. The research provides insights into the mechanisms and efficiencies of these catalysts, contributing to advancements in material chemistry.

The article presents a syndromic diagnostic assay utilizing a macrochannel-to-digital microfluidic platform designed for the automatic identification of multiple respiratory pathogens. The research highlights the technological advancements and potential applications in medical diagnostics, emphasizing the efficiency and accuracy of the new platform.

The recent summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un resulted in a treaty upgrading their relationship to a 'comprehensive strategic partnership,' including a mutual defense clause reminiscent of the 1961 Soviet-DPRK treaty. This move signals a defiance against international norms and may influence South Korea's military policies. China's reaction remains reserved, emphasizing bilateral relations over a trilateral alliance with Russia and DPRK. The treaty's implications for military and technological cooperation raise concerns for regional security, particularly for Japan, which views the partnership as a threat to its national security. The summit reflects Russia's broader foreign policy strategy to strengthen alliances in East Asia amidst global geopolitical shifts.

The study investigates the effects of the α-Lactalbumin peptide Asp-Gln-Trp on hepatic insulin resistance and gut microbiota dysbiosis in mice with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by a high-fat diet. The findings suggest that this peptide can alleviate insulin resistance and modulate gut microbiota, offering potential therapeutic benefits for NAFLD.