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Biochar made from brewery waste could help trap harmful bacteria in sandy filtration systems

Researchers found that biochar produced from malt spent rootlets can sharply increase E. coli retention in sand, offering a potential route to cleaner water and productive reuse of brewery waste. Adding more biochar changes how bacteria are retained, shifting from physical trapping to direct attachment.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 10, 2026

Finding the enzymatic needle in the database haystack

A Kobe University team developed a technique to classify thousands of enzymes, allowing for rapid evaluation and identification of highly active and versatile enzymes. The approach enabled the discovery of an enzyme with up to 10 times higher productivity than industry standards.

SourceKobe University·JournalACS Catalysis·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 26, 2025

CPRIT awards UT Health San Antonio $3.4 million to target drug-resistant cancers, raise HPV vaccination rates

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is targeting hard-to-treat cancers and boosting HPV vaccination rates with a $3.4 million funding from CPRIT. The institution will expand its core facilities laboratories to increase researchers' ability to identify therapeutic targets and develop new cancer technologies.

A one-pixel camera for recording holographic movies

Researchers at Kobe University have created a single-pixel camera that can record three-dimensional holographic movies, even through tissues. The camera uses a high-speed digital micromirror device to project patterns required for recording the hologram, enabling the capture of moving objects and images outside the visible spectrum.

SourceKobe University·JournalOptics Express·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 21, 2025

A new smartphone-sized device can test for tuberculosis. Here’s why that matters for children

Tulane University scientists developed a handheld device to deliver rapid and accurate tuberculosis diagnoses in under an hour. The device, called the lab-in-tube assay (LIT), can detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in saliva, blood, and sputum samples, offering a cost-effective tool for improving TB diagnoses in resource-limited areas.

SourceTulane University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateApr 9, 2025

New sensor could help prevent lithium-ion battery fires and explosions

Researchers have developed a new sensor to detect hazardous gas leaks in lithium-ion batteries, which could prevent catastrophic failures and enhance the reliability of battery-powered technologies. The sensor detects trace amounts of ethylene carbonate vapour, targeting potential battery failures before they escalate into disasters.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2025

Genoa Instruments, a deep-tech startup born from the Italian Institute of Technology, secures €1 million funding round led by Deep Blue Ventures to transform super-resolution optical microscopy

Genoa Instruments has secured €1 million funding to expand its market presence, develop new products, and democratize access to super-resolution microscopy. The company aims to enable researchers and professionals worldwide to access cutting-edge imaging technology.

Autonomous imaging robot plays a crucial role in assessing embryos’ response to environmental change

The LabEmbryoCam is a robotic instrument that autonomously monitors embryonic development in aquatic species, providing insights into how environmental conditions impact early life stages. The open-source instrument enables scientists to track key features such as heart rate and growth in large numbers of embryos simultaneously.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalHardwareX·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 6, 2024

Rice, DOE labs tackle knowledge gap in materials science research

Researchers have discovered a new connection between the nanoscale features of a piezoelectric material and its macroscopic properties, providing a new approach to designing smaller electromechanical devices. The mesoscale structures reveal a complex tile-like pattern that aligns dipoles in a specific way under an electric field.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 1, 2024

Groundbreaking approach to sleep study expands potential of sleep medicine

Researchers at the University of Houston have introduced a new method for sleep stage classification that can be performed at home and uses only two leads. This approach achieves expert-level agreement with the gold-standard polysomnography without expensive equipment, paving the way for more accessible and cost-effective sleep studies.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalComputers in Biology and Medicine·DateJul 2, 2024

Unrivalled research infrastructure: Graz University of Technology opens human-centered computing labs

The new Human-Centered Computing Labs at TU Graz offer a unique research infrastructure for interdisciplinary collaboration. The labs are equipped with cutting-edge technology, including virtual reality and motion capturing capabilities, to facilitate research on human-computer interaction, visual computing, and autonomous driving.

SourceGraz University of Technology·TypeNews article·DateMay 15, 2024

Laser printing on fallen tree leaves produces sensors for medical and laboratory use

Researchers in Brazil have developed a novel method to produce electrochemical sensors using fallen tree leaves, offering an eco-friendly alternative to conventional substrates. The sensors were successfully tested for detecting dopamine and paracetamol concentrations, demonstrating their potential for medical and laboratory applications.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·DateMay 9, 2024

SMART researchers pioneer sensor multiplexing for real-time decoding of different plant stresses

SMART researchers develop a nanosensor that selectively detects salicylic acid in live plants, vital for stress response. The sensor combines sensors for H₂O₂ and salicylic acid, enabling simultaneous monitoring of plant hormones and aiding in early diagnoses to improve crop resilience.

SourceSingapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 23, 2024

Game-changing sensor unveiled for spotting chemical threats

A new gas sensor has been developed to detect chemical warfare agents (CWAs) with high sensitivity and rapid response. The passive wireless sensor system uses surface acoustic wave (SAW) technology to identify substances like dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), offering a reliable means of early CWA detection in hazardous environments.

Advancing biomedical diagnostics: Compact photoacoustic sensing instrument for breast tissue characterization

Researchers developed a compact, cost-effective PA sensing instrument for biomedical tissue diagnosis, showcasing its potential to streamline sampling processes and improve diagnostic accuracy for breast disease. The instrument successfully differentiated various tissue types based on quantitative spectral parameters.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateFeb 13, 2024

Unveiling a new era of imaging: Boston University engineers lead breakthrough microscopy techniques

Researchers create new methods to visualize and understand samples with increased accuracy and sensitivity. The development of photothermal microscopy, also known as VIP microscopy, enables scientists to probe specific chemical bonds in a specimen, allowing them to map molecules at low concentrations without dye labeling.

SourceBoston University·JournalNature Communications·TypeImaging analysis·DateDec 4, 2023

The little things matter: Chemists develop new sensor for microvolume pH detection

Researchers at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University have developed a sensitive and robust pH sensor that can detect pH variation in just a few microliters of samples. The new sensor uses novel materials and methods to overcome the current method's limitations, which are not sensitive enough or fragile for commercial-scale use.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalMicrochimica Acta·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 3, 2023

‘Impossible’ millimeter wave sensor has wide potential

Researchers developed a proof-of-concept sensor that detects vibrations and changes in target position with high accuracy, using an innovative design to cancel out noise. The sensor's compact size, low cost, and long battery life make it suitable for various applications, including plant water status tracking and structural integrity d...

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalIEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 2, 2023

Better tools needed to determine ancient life on Mars

Researchers found microorganisms in Martian rocks that are difficult to detect with current instrumentation. The team suggests more powerful tools or bringing samples to Earth to conclusively address whether life existed on Mars. A European Mars rover expected to launch in 2028 will carry a drill capable of analyzing sediments deeper, ...

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 21, 2023

A smoky solution — for plants

Researchers have made a surprising discovery that liquid smoke can enhance plant defense against pests and diseases, leading to new farming practices. The study found that sunflowers grown in soil treated with liquid smoke had larger, thicker, and greener leaves and appeared less prone to pests and disease.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·DateOct 19, 2022

Through thick and thin: X-rays track the behavior of soft materials

Scientists explore the dynamics of soft materials like toothpaste and hair gel using X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS). The technique reveals microscopic dynamics and helps understand properties like viscosity and elasticity. Insights gained can aid in designing consumer products, nanotechnologies, and drug delivery systems.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 10, 2022

NTU Singapore scientists develop inexpensive device that can harvest energy from a light breeze and store it as electricity

The NTU-developed wind harvester generates a voltage of three volts at wind speeds as low as two meters per second, powering commercial sensor devices. The device can also store excess charge for extended periods in the absence of wind, serving as an alternative to smaller lithium-ion batteries.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalMechanical Systems and Signal Processing·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 5, 2022

Let machines do the work: Automating semiconductor research with machine learning

Researchers use machine learning to automatically analyze Reflection High-Energy Electron Diffraction (RHEED) data, enabling faster and more efficient discovery of new materials. The study focused on surface superstructures in thin-film silicon surfaces and identified optimal synthesis conditions using non-negative matrix factorization.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalScience and Technology of Advanced Materials Methods·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 16, 2022