/ en-us Â鶹ÒùÔº internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Â鶹ÒùÔºics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine. It is a fully biodegradable and eco-friendly system for hydroponic agriculture, made of hydrogel and capable of supporting plant growth with minimal water; in the future, it will be able to monitor plant health in real time. This innovation is the result of joint research between the Faculty of Engineering at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano (UniBz) and the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT-Italian Institute of Technology) in Genoa. The invention offers a zero-waste, low-environmental-impact solution for agriculture, a sector increasingly threatened by climate change, drought, pollution, biodiversity loss, and soil degradation. /news/2025-09-super-absorbent-hydrogel-soilless-farming.html Biotechnology Agriculture Fri, 26 Sep 2025 12:20:02 EDT news678107807 Polymer-based conductive nanocomposites, particularly those incorporating carbon nanotubes, are highly promising for the development of flexible electronics, soft robotics and wearable devices. However, CNTs are difficult to work with as they tend to agglomerate, making it hard to obtain a uniform dispersion. Moreover, conventional methods limit control over CNT distribution and shape. /news/2025-09-3d-carbon-nanotube-sensors-potential.html Bio & Medicine Nanomaterials Fri, 26 Sep 2025 11:43:03 EDT news678105781 A research team in South Korea has developed a next-generation sensor material capable of integrating the detection of multiple light wavelengths. /news/2025-09-broadband-photodetector-material-visible-infrared.html Nanophysics Nanomaterials Wed, 24 Sep 2025 15:45:04 EDT news677947501 Research led by a physicist at the University of California, Riverside, shows how viruses form protective shells (capsids) around their genomes, a process that—while messy and complex—consistently results in highly symmetrical icosahedral structures. /news/2025-09-qa-viruses-symmetrical-shells.html Molecular & Computational biology Wed, 24 Sep 2025 14:00:05 EDT news677862661 Nanocellulose is a renewable nanomaterial made from plant fibers, with unique properties including lightness, very high strength and large surface area. The doctoral dissertation of Mohammad Karzarjeddi from the University of Oulu, Finland, investigated nanocellulose-based porous foam materials in water purification, smart packaging and wireless communications. These advanced cellulose applications reduce dependence on fossil-based materials. /news/2025-09-nanocellulose-based-foam-materials-purification.html Nanomaterials Tue, 23 Sep 2025 14:59:02 EDT news677858341 The collision and merger of two neutron stars—the incredibly dense remnants of collapsed stars—are some of the most energetic events in the universe, producing a variety of signals that can be observed on Earth. /news/2025-09-neutrinos-colliding-neutron-stars-merger.html Astronomy Sun, 21 Sep 2025 13:40:02 EDT news677507921 Trying to assess the effects of research and innovation is a recurring topic in science worldwide. A macroeconomic impact study by Fraunhofer IPK and Fraunhofer ISI now confirms that a national research network in Brazil contributes to 0.66% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). /news/2025-09-brazilian-network-generates-national-gdp.html Economics & Business Education Fri, 19 Sep 2025 11:40:03 EDT news677500801 Antibiotic-resistant bacteria and emerging viruses are a rapidly increasing threat to the global health care system. About 5 million deaths each year are linked to antibiotic-resistant germs, and more than 20 million people died during the COVID-19 virus pandemic. Empa researchers are therefore working on new, urgently needed strategies to combat such pathogens. One of the goals is to prevent the spread of resistant pathogens and novel viruses with smart materials and technologies. /news/2025-09-antibiotic-resistance-surface-coating-germs.html Biotechnology Thu, 18 Sep 2025 14:53:03 EDT news677425981 Picture the smartphone in your pocket, the data centers powering artificial intelligence, or the wearable health monitors that track your heartbeat. All of them rely on energy-hungry memory chips to store and process information. As demand for computing resources continues to soar, so does the need for memory devices that are smaller, faster, and far more efficient. /news/2025-09-atom-thin-crystals-power-future.html Nanophysics Nanomaterials Fri, 12 Sep 2025 09:14:04 EDT news676887241 Researchers at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), Lithuania, have developed new organic compounds that act as highly sensitive oxygen sensors. These sensors can accurately detect even the slightest amounts of oxygen in the environment—information that is crucial in situations where oxygen concentration can determine the success of a process or even a person's life. /news/2025-09-newly-compounds-highly-sensitive-oxygen.html Biochemistry Analytical Chemistry Thu, 11 Sep 2025 14:57:04 EDT news676821421 A research team has developed a next-generation display core material with excellent stretchability and superior color reproduction. The team developed a high-performance color-conversion layer that is more flexible and vivid than conventional ones. This layer was successfully applied to the development of a stretchable micro-LED display, drawing significant attention. /news/2025-09-quantum-dot-polymer-linking-enables.html Nanomaterials Mon, 08 Sep 2025 15:14:03 EDT news676563241 Organ donors can save lives, for example, those of patients with kidney failure. Unfortunately, there are too few donors, and the waiting lists are long. 3D bioprinting of (parts of) organs may offer a solution to this shortage in the future. But printing living tissues, bioprinting, is extremely complex and challenging. /news/2025-09-ai-printer-partner-tissue.html Biotechnology Health informatics Fri, 05 Sep 2025 12:17:05 EDT news676293421 Neural networks are computing systems designed to mimic both the structure and function of the human brain. Caltech researchers have been developing a neural network made out of strands of DNA instead of electronic parts that carries out computation through chemical reactions rather than digital signals. /news/2025-09-dna-based-neural-network-examples.html Biotechnology Molecular & Computational biology Wed, 03 Sep 2025 16:58:04 EDT news676137481 Researchers have developed a powerful tool capable of scanning thousands of biological samples to detect transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) modifications—tiny chemical changes to RNA molecules that help control how cells grow, adapt to stress and respond to diseases such as cancer and antibiotic‑resistant infections. This tool opens up new possibilities for science, health care and industry—from accelerating disease research and enabling more precise diagnostics, to guiding the development of more effective medical treatments for diseases such as cancer and antibiotic‑resistant infections. /news/2025-09-automated-tool-enables-rapid-large.html Cell & Microbiology Molecular & Computational biology Wed, 03 Sep 2025 16:15:04 EDT news676134901 Serina Diniega always wanted to plant an avocado tree at her Altadena home, but now she worries the creamy green fruit might pose a threat. /news/2025-09-tainted-soil-la-residents-nature.html Environment Wed, 03 Sep 2025 10:00:17 EDT news676109905 From medicine to electronics and optics, new materials developed by scientists at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) can be applied in various fields where cleanliness, precision, and durability are essential. They stand out not only for their functionality but also for their sustainability: they are made from renewable raw materials, and no solvents are used during production. /news/2025-09-sustainable-polymers-antimicrobial-action-3d.html Biochemistry Polymers Tue, 02 Sep 2025 11:46:03 EDT news676032361 A recent report on "The Future of Jobs" by the World Economic Forum found that while analytical thinking is still the most coveted skill among employers, several emotional intelligence skills (i.e., motivation, self-awareness, empathy, and active listening) rank among the top 10 in a list of 26 core competencies. /news/2025-09-qa-employers-workers-high-emotional.html Social Sciences Economics & Business Mon, 01 Sep 2025 11:36:23 EDT news675945378 Seen from the air, a Florida freshwater spring is a bit of liquid heaven, luring humans and wildlife to enjoy its aquamarine cool. With at least 1,000 of them—more than any other state—the springs serve as beaches for large swaths of central and northwestern Florida far from the ocean, with teenagers backflipping from docks and snorkelers peering into the crystalline depths. /news/2025-08-florida-pristine-threatened-pollution-climate.html Environment Fri, 29 Aug 2025 13:27:35 EDT news675692845 New research from the University of St Andrews paves the way for holographic technology, with the potential to transform smart devices, communication, gaming and entertainment. /news/2025-08-optoelectronics-holograms-smartphone-closer-everyday.html Condensed Matter Optics & Photonics Fri, 29 Aug 2025 12:40:03 EDT news675688168 Researchers in McGill's Department of Mechanical Engineering have discovered a safe and low-cost method of engineering living materials such as tissues, organs and blood clots. By simply vibrating these materials as they form, scientists can dramatically influence how strong or weak they become. /news/2025-08-safe-scalable-vibration-technique-lab.html Cell & Microbiology Biotechnology Mon, 25 Aug 2025 15:50:06 EDT news675355266 A research team has developed upconversion nanoparticles to assist in powering molecular motors. The nanoparticles can convert near-infrared radiation, which is capable of penetrating bulk material, into blue or UV light that can efficiently power the motors. As a result, these motors can now be effectively used to make bulk materials responsive or act as molecular switches in biological applications. The results were published last month in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. /news/2025-08-upconversion-nanoparticles-aid-application-molecular.html Nanomaterials Thu, 21 Aug 2025 12:53:18 EDT news674999589 It's hard to believe that there is anything positive that could come out of wildfires. They have devastated homes, taken lives, erased memories, leveled cities and destroyed our forests and wildlands. But a University of Delaware professor has found that there is something of value to be learned from what's left behind in the remnants. /news/2025-08-qa-wildfire-char-atmospheric-methane.html Earth Sciences Environment Tue, 19 Aug 2025 14:09:45 EDT news674831378 A-level results in 2025 show the increasing popularity of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) among students. For students taking three A-levels—the majority—the most popular combination of subjects was biology, chemistry and math. /news/2025-08-teenagers-stem-subjects.html Education Tue, 19 Aug 2025 13:40:33 EDT news674829630 Solitonic waves—waves that keep their shape and direction of motion for a long time—have intrigued physicists for almost two centuries. In real-world circumstances, these waves eventually die out due to energy loss. A team of UvA physicists have now discovered how a particular type of interaction can be used to create very stable solitons, even in circumstances where energy is not conserved. /news/2025-08-physicists-stable-solitons-energy.html Condensed Matter Tue, 19 Aug 2025 10:33:04 EDT news674818381 There are high hopes for quantum computers: they are supposed to perform specific calculations much faster than current supercomputers and, therefore, solve scientific and practical problems that are insurmountable for ordinary computers. The centerpiece of a quantum computer is the quantum bit, qubit for short, which can be realized in different ways—for instance, using the energy levels of atoms or the spins of electrons. /news/2025-08-smart-qubits-orbit-approach-boosts.html Quantum Â鶹ÒùÔºics Mon, 18 Aug 2025 11:19:04 EDT news674734741 A team of scientists from Korea and Japan has discovered a new type of crystal that can "breathe"—releasing and absorbing oxygen repeatedly at relatively low temperatures. This unique ability could transform the way we develop clean energy technologies, including fuel cells, energy-saving windows, and smart thermal devices. /news/2025-08-crystal-oxygen-possibilities-energy-electronics.html Condensed Matter Fri, 15 Aug 2025 14:12:48 EDT news674485958 Researchers have developed a novel way for liquid crystals to retain information about their movement. Using this method could advance technologies like memory devices and sensors, as well as pave the way to future soft materials that are both smart and flexible. /news/2025-08-method-liquid-crystals-recall.html Soft Matter Thu, 14 Aug 2025 12:07:04 EDT news674392022 Scientists say they have at last solved the mystery of what killed more than 5 billion sea stars off the Pacific coast of North America in a decade-long epidemic. /news/2025-08-scientists-mystery-billion-sea-stars.html Ecology Sat, 09 Aug 2025 14:40:02 EDT news673536739 What if chemical manufacturers could cut their energy costs while eliminating toxic heavy metals from their processes? Researchers at Nagoya University have developed a catalyst system that does exactly that by converting alcohols to valuable chemical products at lower temperature using safer iodine compounds instead of dangerous heavy metals, expensive precious metals, and reagents. /news/2025-08-cleaner-cooler-cheaper-catalyst-temperature.html Analytical Chemistry Materials Science Thu, 07 Aug 2025 11:15:04 EDT news673784101 Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and despite advancements in diagnosis and treatment, it continues to impose a significant health burden globally. Researchers have now started exploring various innovative methods, such as engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) that can enable targeted drug delivery to cancer cells. While promising, the in vivo behavior of pH-responsive ENMs, which continuously interact with body fluids once administered, remains poorly understood. /news/2025-08-ph-responsive-graphene-nanocarriers-precision.html Bio & Medicine Nanomaterials Thu, 07 Aug 2025 10:20:04 EDT news673780802