Chinese scientists have unveiled a groundbreaking discovery: the inability of mouse ear cartilage to regenerate is attributed to insufficient synthesis of retinoic acid, stemming from inadequate expression of the Aldh1a2 gene. By either activating this gene or supplementing with retinoic acid, they have successfully induced regeneration of mouse ear cartilage. This research offers a fresh perspective on the mechanisms underlying the loss of regenerative capacity in mammals and represents a significant advancement in the field of regenerative medicine.