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Networks could benefit from more disorder

Researchers found that intentionally designed differences can make systems more stable, including power grids and biological networks. The study suggests that scientists and engineers could harness disorder to build more robust systems, revealing a potential explanation for the prevalence of variation in natural networks.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 17, 2026

Invisible threads: how our environment quietly shapes disease

A new study mapped nearly 10,000 environmental exposures to human genes, revealing clusters of chemicals that disrupt common biological functions. The researchers found that exposures targeting central proteins tend to be more damaging, and that the 'distance' between an exposure and a disease can predict health outcomes.

SourceCeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 2, 2026

World record: 450 Tb/s transmission over a metropolitan link using legacy optical fiber

Researchers have demonstrated a record-breaking 450 terabits per second optical transmission over a field-deployed legacy fiber in London, UK. The achievement uses new optical-amplifier technologies to support ultra-wideband signals, exceeding previous records and unlocking previously untapped capacity in standard optical fibers.

UBCO breakthrough could transform future wireless networks

Researchers at UBC Okanagan have made a groundbreaking discovery in wireless communication by developing nonlinear intelligent surfaces that can process electromagnetic waves more efficiently. These surfaces mimic neurons in computerized neural networks, enabling complex signal transformations and improved communication reliability.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalIEEE Wireless Communications·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 30, 2026

To spread ideas farther, break connections

A new theoretical framework shows that when interactions shift away from familiar contacts, activity can spread more widely. The study suggests that whether something spreads or stalls may hinge on a simple choice: revisit the same connections or explore new ones.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCommunications Physics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 27, 2026

Topology helps build more robust photonic networks

Researchers have shown that topology can guide multiple, information-carrying light signals through chip-based photonic communication systems, making them more powerful and reliable. This breakthrough could enable the creation of networks of chips that communicate using light while taking advantage of topology's robustness.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 19, 2026

Making blockchain fast enough for IoT networks

Researchers develop Dual Perigee, a lightweight algorithm that streamlines network connections to enable secure and low-latency data sharing in IoT networks. The study reduces block-related delays by 48.54% compared to standard approaches.

SourceChiba University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Network and Service Management·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 22, 2026

New algorithm developed that enables wireless communications without perceptible delays in industrial environments

A team of researchers developed an innovative algorithm called 'Ponte' that integrates advanced functionalities to provide reliable wireless communications in industrial environments. The algorithm guarantees strict limits on delay and reliability, even over Wi-Fi, making it suitable for controlling robotic arms and autonomous vehicles.

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·JournalIEEE Internet of Things Journal·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 17, 2025

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prizes 2026

The 2026 Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prizes were awarded to three female and seven male researchers. The winners received €2.5 million in prize money to support their research work for up to seven years. Klaus Blaum, a physicist, was recognized for his high-precision measurements of natural constants and symmetries.

Invitation to co-edit a special issue on intelligent additive manufacturing

Researchers introduce HierSpectrumChain, a hierarchical blockchain architecture for efficient and secure dynamic spectrum sharing among diverse wireless users. The system automates spectrum leasing through smart-contract–driven Stackelberg auctions, minimizing latency while maintaining transparency and trust.

SourceELSP·JournalBlockchain·TypeLiterature review·DateDec 2, 2025

Double disadvantage hurts more than twice as much

A new study from the Complexity Science Hub finds that belonging to more than one marginalized group can significantly harder forming social connections. The researchers developed a mathematical model and tested it using friendship data from around 40,000 U.S. high school students, revealing how overlapping disadvantages can interact.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 5, 2025

Extreme, multi-year droughts drive cumulative collapse in terrestrial productivity

Research findings from the International Drought Experiment reveal that consecutive extreme drought years lead to significant declines in ecosystem productivity, with some sites experiencing a 2.5-fold reduction in productivity over four years. This cumulation is attributed to species mortality, failed establishment, and changes in com...

Applying engineering principles to biological studies could identify disease biomarkers more quickly

University of Michigan researchers propose a technique called Dynamic Sensor Selection to identify disease biomarkers. The approach, which applies control theory and observability principles to biological systems, has been shown to pinpoint biomarkers at each time point and reduce data complexity.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 10, 2025

New framework could defend factories from cyber-attacks

Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a new framework to protect industrial processing facilities from cyber threats. The framework identifies vulnerabilities, detects abnormal activity in real-time, and provides safeguards and mitigation strategies to maintain safe operations.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalReliability Engineering & System Safety·DateOct 9, 2025

KAIST unlocks the secret of next-generation memory​

Researchers at KAIST have precisely clarified the operating principle of an oxide-based memory device using a multi-modal scanning probe microscope. The study reveals that oxygen defects determine the on/off state of the memory and confirms that electronic behavior also plays a role in its resistance changes.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 2, 2025

Breaking the code in network theory: Who leads and who follows?

A new algorithm, bimodularity, breaks the code in network theory by detecting not only which nodes belong together but also how information flows between them. This allows for the identification of bicommunities, where one community sends and another receives information, revealing new organizational structures.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 26, 2025

Students’ image tool offers sharper signs, earlier detection in the lab or from space

A team of UBC Okanagan students developed an adaptive model that can automatically detect subtle shifts in complex images, improving accuracy for doctors and scientists. The technology, called MEBS, uses advanced mathematics to pick out important details, helping to spot illnesses sooner and track wildfires more effectively.