(Invited Chief Editor for this column: Professor Chang Xiaorong from Hunan University of Chinese Medicine)

Editorial Preface: In active response to the launch of the new model of collaborative publishing between the Acupuncture Research and university experts, a "Moxibustion" column is specially opened. Through solicited and open submissions, the editorial department carefully reviewed and selected a total of 9 papers for inclusion in this column. These papers are from the acupuncture research teams of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridians, and Hunan University of Chinese Medicine. Most of them are funded by the "973" Program, National Natural Science Foundation projects, and/or provincial and ministerial level projects. They mainly focus on key factors of moxibustion, such as moxibustion materials and temperature, safety assessment of moxa smoke and its impact on indoor air quality, moxibustion in the prevention and treatment of chronic heart failure and premature ovarian failure, as well as the mechanisms of action for moxibustion in chronic or difficult-to-treat diseases. Special moxibustion techniques, such as thunder-fire moxibustion for clinical efficacy in cancer-related fatigue of qi deficiency syndrome type, and special moxibustion techniques, such as moxibustion with separated moxa cones promoting reverse cholesterol transport and inhibiting atherosclerosis formation, as well as its intervention in optimal moxibustion dose combinations for ulcerative colitis in rats, are thoroughly researched and elucidated. This reflects the significant progress made in moxibustion research in recent years, showcasing a fruitful array of academic achievements and indicating new directions for the future development and research of moxibustion.