Research Appraisals
Evidence-based critical appraisals of the latest medical research, systematically evaluated using Oxford CEBM methodology.
Showing 5 appraisals
PloS one
NLOS/LOS identification with LightGBM ensemble
Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS)/Line-of-Sight (LOS) identification is crucial to accurate Ultra-Wideband (UWB) positioning. The current Machine Learning solutions to this problem have either too many parameters to tune or too simple features to input, which lead to unsatisfactory performance. To address this issue, this paper proposed a novel binary classifier called LightGBM Ensemble which integrates multiple LightGBMs in parallel with multi-scale patch extraction. The heterogeneous LightGBM ensemble architecture boosts the prediction power of individuals. The multi-scale patch extraction scheme extracts informative features from time-frequency domains. Extensive experiments on an open-source dataset were conducted to evaluate the proposed approach, which proves its superior classification performance and generalization performance with feasible complexity compared to the state-of-the-art Deep Learning and Decision Trees methods.
12 July 2026
Read appraisal →Science (New York, N.Y.)
Strain-resilient intrinsically stretchable electrochemical biointerfaces
Stretchable bioelectronics promise seamless integration with dynamic tissues, yet their electrochemical performance often collapses under strain owing to cracking, interlayer delamination, and signal distortion. We introduce an intrinsically stretchable interface for resilient electrochemical sensing (SIRES) built from a strain-resilient conductor, an electrically tunable interlayer, and a stretchable functional coating. By offsetting strain-induced resistance increases with gains in active surface area, SIRES maintains near-constant resistance and high-fidelity electrochemical readouts under strains up to 300%. The platform supports voltammetric, potentiometric, and amperometric modalities and enables multiplexed molecular monitoring across dynamically deforming tissues in wearable and implantable formats. Its unified architecture provides delamination-resistant interfaces suitable for long-term use, and the design rules generalize to affinity-based transduction, establishing a pathway toward strain-resilient molecular sensing for precision diagnostics and therapy.
31 May 2026
Read appraisal →Science advances
Bioinspired ionic thermoreceptors with anisotropic architecture for thermotactile perception in robots
Emulating human skin's ability to perceive temperature and identify material through thermotactile perception is critical for human-machine interaction, robotics operation, and prosthetic sensory feedback systems. However, conventional artificial thermal sensors are largely limited to temperature measurement and cannot replicate the thermotactile-mediated material recognition capabilities inherent in biological systems. Here, we present a bioinspired ionic thermoreceptor with anisotropic thermal response characteristics, enabling high-fidelity material recognition and accurate temperature monitoring. The device incorporates spatially specialized sensing elements that encode thermal signals into modality-specific temporal response patterns, allowing the extraction of the thermal contact coefficient for material discrimination and the absolute temperature for precise thermal monitoring. It achieves high-accuracy material recognition (98.9%) and substantial temperature resolution (0.81 millikelvins). Furthermore, robust covalent bonding between functional layers ensures mechanical durability, signal stability, and environmental resilience. This work establishes a physically grounded and energy-autonomous thermotactile sensing platform for safe, intuitive, and intelligent human-machine interaction.
25 May 2026
Read appraisal →Bioinspiration & biomimetics
Designing McKibben muscles: a critical review for practical implementation
McKibben artificial muscles (AMs) are known as a prominent class of pneumatic actuators in soft robotics and biomechanical engineering, due to their unique structure and multifunctionality. This paper presents a comprehensive review of recent advancements in McKibben AMs, focusing on their performance, structural variations, and operational principles. A systematic literature search on Scopus identified 146 relevant articles, which were analysed for both performance metrics and design characteristics. Inspired by natural muscle behaviour, McKibben AMs enable complex motions such as bending, linear extension, and twisting. These actuators can be organised as individual or bundled systems: individual units are typically arranged in linear or circular patterns, while bundled systems occur in serial, parallel, braided, convergent, or pennate configurations. Recent innovations in smart actuation methods, braided sleeves and internal bladders have expanded their capabilities, enabling embedded sensing, environmental adaptability and untethered operation. Additionally, alternative manufacturing methods offer promising solutions for developing McKibben muscles with enhanced functionality and tailored properties.
19 May 2026
Read appraisal →ACS applied bio materials
Next-Generation MXene-Hydrogel Hybrids: Frontiers in Biosensing and Environmental Surveillance
Hydrogels have emerged as promising soft materials for applications in sensing, energy storage, and wearable electronics due to their tunable physicochemical properties and intrinsic biocompatibility. The integration of two-dimensional transition metal carbides/nitrides (MXenes) into hydrogel matrices has enabled the development of highly conductive, flexible, and electrochemically active composites for advanced sensing platforms. MXene-hydrogel hybrids exhibit enhanced charge transport, mechanical stability, and interfacial functionality, making them particularly attractive for electrochemical sensing applications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of MXene-hydrogel composites, focusing on their design strategies, synthesis approaches, and electrochemical sensing performance. Despite these advantages, critical challenges remain, including susceptibility of MXenes to oxidation, restacking of nanosheets, limited long-term stability, and difficulties in reproducible and scalable synthesis. These limitations significantly impede their translation into practical and commercial devices. Particular emphasis is placed on identifying current bottlenecks and outlining future research directions, including the development of oxidation-resistant MXenes, advanced hybrid architectures, scalable fabrication techniques, and integration into wearable and point-of-care sensing systems. Addressing these challenges is essential for realizing the full potential of MXene-hydrogel systems in next-generation electrochemical sensing technologies.
19 May 2026
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