A Chinese research team has developed an advanced semiconductor microprocessor, known as WUJI, which is only a few atomic layers thick.

This 32-bit RISC-V processor utilizes two-dimensional semiconductors and incorporates 5,900 transistors along with a standard cell library consisting of 25 types of logic units.

This innovation facilitates the execution of addition and subtraction operations on up to 4.2 billion data points and allows for programming of up to 1 billion instructions.

The study detailing these advancements was published in the journal Nature.

The WUJI microprocessor represents a significant milestone as it approaches the limits of silicon chip technology.

The design exploits a series of innovative artificial intelligence algorithms that allow for precise control throughout the manufacturing process, from material growth to integration.

The researchers claim this approach addresses the challenges associated with wafer-scale integration specifically for two-dimensional circuits, marking a significant leap in integrated-circuit technology.

In a separate advancement, researchers at Tianjin University have identified a natural compound, silybin, as a potential therapeutic agent against liver cancer by targeting lactate transport mechanisms critical for tumor growth.

Their study reveals that lactate, a metabolic fuel for cancer cells, is transported by the monocarboxylate transporter (MCT1), which facilitates energy delivery to tumors.

By blocking MCT1 with silybin, the researchers noted a disruption in lactate transport leading to toxic buildup in cancer cells.

Laboratory tests indicated that silybin effectively inhibits tumor growth in both cellular and animal studies.

Additionally, a collaborative effort between Chinese and Australian scientists has resulted in a novel imaging technology that merges super-resolution imaging with artificial intelligence.

This development allows for unprecedented visualization of cellular structures and dynamics, which may enhance understanding of various diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

Published in Nature Communications, the new technique employs a single laser and dye to accurately identify 15 different subcellular structures while minimizing cell damage typically caused by traditional imaging methods.

The technology's versatility enables its use across different types of microscopes and cellular contexts, as well as in complex living tissues.

Ongoing collaborations are already in place, aiming to leverage this advancement in medical research settings, particularly in cardiomyocyte studies to further heart disease investigations.