The Cultivated B has discovered a chemical class of FGFR1 agonists intended to mimic the effects of basic fibroblast growth factors (bFGF) on cell proliferation, a critical component of cell-culture media. According to the company, these small molecules provide a stable, cost-effective alternative that could have wide-ranging implications for cultivated meat, biopharmaceuticals, regenerative medicine, and…
New “nose-computer interface” aims to upgrade Rover’s nose for better drug detection methods
When you take your dog for a walk, does he stop to sniff every tree trunk and patch of grass he sees, leaving you to wonder what smells so enticing? Scientists have also wondered, although not the trivial lawn fodder, what pups’ sensitive noses pick up to help detect drugs or disease. Lawrence Livermore National…
New AI tool aims to improve building material assessment, potentially transforming urban sustainability
We think of cars and factories as major contributors to carbon emissions, but buildings make up a large chunk of those emissions. A collaborative research initiative led by Peking University and the University of Southern Denmark has developed an advanced framework integrating deep learning with remote sensing to identify building materials. The technology has the…
ULVAC announces lithium coating system aiming to boost battery performance
ULVAC, a Tokyo-based vacuum technology company, has developed the EWK-030, a roll-to-roll lithium deposition system designed to create ultra-thin lithium films for next-generation batteries. The company claims this system will significantly improve battery performance, potentially leading to longer-range electric vehicles (EVs) and enhanced energy storage capabilities. The EWK-030 is slated for release in May 2025,…
Thermo Fisher Scientific launches new spatial imaging system for tissue proteomics research
Thermo Fisher Scientific introduced the Invitrogen EVOS S1000 Spatial Imaging System, designed to help researchers generate more efficient, high-quality, multiplexed images of tissue samples. The system uses advanced spectral technology to capture images of up to nine targets simultaneously, reducing the need for multiple imaging rounds and preserving tissue integrity. “Understanding tissue structure and function…
Researchers create electricity-generating “slime” for medical, energy, and robotics uses
Picture a high-tech version of Silly Putty that generates electricity. It would be capable of speeding up wound healing, delivering medication through the skin, or even producing clean energy, among other inventive uses. Researchers at the University of Guelph (U of G) have developed a slime-like material that generates electricity when compressed. The material is…
RIKEN partners with Quantinuum to develop quantum-supercomputing hybrid platform
RIKEN, Japan’s largest comprehensive research institution, has selected Quantinuum’s H1-Series ion-trap quantum computing technology for its new quantum-supercomputing hybrid platform. The collaboration will see Quantinuum install its hardware at RIKEN’s campus in Wako, Saitama, as part of a project to integrate quantum computers with high-performance computing (HPC) systems like the supercomputer Fugaku. The initiative, commissioned…
UTEP engineers model electric grid demand for in-motion EV charging
Researchers at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) are studying how electric vehicles (EVs) could be charged while in motion, addressing concerns like “range anxiety” and the growing demand for EV infrastructure. Their work, published in the journal IEEE Access, focuses on Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer (DWPT) roadways, which use transmitter pads embedded…
Students use machine learning to predict crime at Thunderbird Hackathon
High school students dove into the world of coding and artificial intelligence (AI) at the second annual Thunderbird Hackathon, held earlier this month. Sponsored by Sandia National Laboratories and Explora’s X Studio, the event challenged teams to create machine learning models predicting crime incidents using real data from Albuquerque’s open-data initiative. “At Thunderbird Hacks, we…
Flame retardants in battery enclosures may pose health risks without fire safety benefits
As incidents of dangerous lithium-ion battery fires increase, regulators and manufacturers are scrambling for solutions. However, a common strategy — adding flame retardants to plastic battery casings — may fail to prevent fires and introduce serious health risks. A new Viewpoint published in Environmental Science & Technology argues that flame retardants in battery enclosures offer…
Satellite data sheds light on wetland health in cloud-covered regions
The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, commonly referred to as the “Third Pole,” is undergoing significant environmental changes. Its alpine wetlands, crucial for regional biodiversity and water regulation, exhibit signs of distress, including diminishing water resources and degradation of meadows. However, persistent cloud and snow cover complicate consistent, long-term monitoring of these ecosystems. Researchers from South China Normal…
Wildfire hazards persist long after flames are extinguished
Fires sweeping through Los Angeles have caused extensive destruction, reducing over 10,000 homes to rubble and claiming at least 27 lives. However, the dangers do not end when the flames are extinguished. Post-wildfire hazards, including toxic chemicals, mudslides, household debris, and dispersed ash, continue to pose significant risks, according to Farshid Vahedifard, professor and Louis…
Researchers tackle material and engineering challenges to advance commercial fusion power
Commercial fusion power, often compared to harnessing the sun’s energy, has the potential to provide a sustainable and virtually limitless energy source. However, significant scientific and engineering challenges must be addressed before fusion power can become a practical reality. Among the most pressing obstacles are the materials required to withstand the extreme conditions inside a…
FAU researchers develop promising solution to combat harmful algal blooms
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science have developed a promising method to address harmful algal blooms (HABs), a growing global environmental concern. The team has created an inventive tool for extracting phosphorus from water — a key contributor to HABs—by converting cyanobacterial biomass, often deemed hazardous waste, into specialized adsorbent…
New printing technology enhances durability and precision in flexible electronics
Tree root systems are often metaphors for strong foundations, strength, and resilience. They are also being used as prototypes for more substantial, adaptable electronics. Researchers at Xi’an Jiaotong University have unveiled a new development in conformal electronics, addressing long-standing mechanical and thermal durability challenges. Their newly developed Template-Constrained Additive (TCA) printing technology, inspired by the…
New optimization model could enhance microgrid efficiency and reliability
Researchers at Incheon National University in South Korea have developed an inventive optimization model designed to improve the operation of microgrids. The model addresses challenges posed by unpredictable energy supply and demand, aiming to enhance energy efficiency and ensure a stable power supply. It could prove particularly valuable in regions with unreliable grid infrastructure or…
New model sharpens antibody predictions, aiding faster vaccine and biologics development
Researchers have made significant strides in predicting a protein’s structure from its sequence using large language models. However, this method hasn’t been as effective for antibodies, primarily due to their hypervariability. This makes it challenging to identify treatments for SARS-CoV-2 and other infectious diseases. MIT researchers have developed a computational technique that more accurately predicts…
Concrete as a potential carbon sink: Ambitious goals, significant hurdles
By replacing conventional concrete aggregates with carbon-based materials, scientists at Empa believe large amounts of CO₂ could be permanently stored in building products. Their concept, “Mining the Atmosphere,” aims to help reduce atmospheric CO₂ levels to 350 parts per million — roughly the 1988 benchmark. To remove CO₂ from the atmosphere is “a very energy-intensive…
DOE commits $136M to industrial decarbonization and advanced manufacturing
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced over $136 million for 66 projects designed to reduce energy consumption and emissions in America’s most critical industrial subsectors. The funding aims to accelerate the adoption of new technologies that can strengthen U.S. manufacturing competitiveness, secure supply chains, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Major funding areas Projects…
Polymer editing offers new life for discarded plastics, though challenges remain
Scientists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have demonstrated a method for converting plastic waste into higher-value materials. By chemically “editing” polymer chains, they upcycle discarded plastics — such as tire-grade polybutadiene and consumer-grade acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) — into new structures with improved performance. This approach could tackle the nearly…
Argonne to oversee two microelectronics projects under DOE initiative
Argonne National Laboratory will manage two major research projects on advanced memory systems and design approaches for microelectronic devices under the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Microelectronics Science Research Centers program. These efforts aim to develop next-generation hardware and software that can handle massive data sets at exceptional speeds, essential for modern computing, telecommunications, electric…
Can AI improve mental health therapy?
Some individuals with mental health disorders hesitate to discuss personal issues with a clinician due to concerns about judgment or stigma. This is especially true for people with addiction disorders, yet foregoing professional help can harm both mental and physical health. Now, researchers at Cedars-Sinai say artificial intelligence (AI) may play a role in addressing…
Researchers expand terahertz harmonic generation using multilayer graphene
Nonlinear optical processes in the terahertz (THz) range are drawing interest for their potential in wireless communication and signal processing. One of the more intriguing effects in this area is harmonic generation, which converts optical energy into new frequencies that could open additional communication channels. Graphene — a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in…
GLP-1 medications: A promising solution for not just diabetes
In the decades-long search for a “silver bullet” to tackle the U.S. obesity crisis, immense sums have been spent on diets, pills, and intensive workout programs. Now, researchers say GLP-1 — originally a treatment for type 2 diabetes — also addresses obesity, effectively solving two problems at once. But there may be additional benefits. A…
Battery Buzz: 5 breakthroughs to watch in 2025
Every day seems to bring new developments in rechargeable battery research, with teams racing to surpass conventional lithium-ion technology, which has significant room for enhancement. As the adoption of electric vehicles rises and the need for storing renewable energy becomes increasingly important, the search intensifies for safer, lighter, and more sustainable power sources. Recent breakthroughs…