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Injectable nanoparticles make blind retinas respond to light

A team of researchers has developed nanoparticles that can activate nerve cells in degenerated retinas, potentially leading to a new type of retinal prosthesis. The nanoparticles, made from graphitic carbon nitride, trigger electrical and chemical processes that activate nerve cells and prompt signals towards the brain.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateSep 22, 2026

It bends, but does not break: the Italian Institute of Technology develops a new sustainable treatment for shaping wood

The IIT's new treatment makes wood temporarily flexible, allowing for easy shaping, and uses a green solvent derived from cellulose. The method provides a sustainable alternative to current, more polluting or energy-intensive processes, supporting a circular economy.

SourceIstituto Italiano di Tecnologia - IIT·JournalCommunications Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 15, 2026

Scientists want to 3D print houses on Mars with the help of yeast

Researchers have created a recipe for 3D printing houses on Mars using Martian rocks, gelatin, and yeast. The resulting living building material is strong and can be broken down, recycled, and reused, making it a promising solution for low-energy construction and a circular economy on the Red Planet.

SourceCell Press·JournalChem Circularity·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2026

Untangling the meta-biomaterial puzzle one property at a time

Researchers at Delft University of Technology have developed a method to decouple properties in meta-biomaterials, allowing for tailored biomedical engineering applications. By separating mechanical and morphometric properties, scientists can systematically investigate how individual material characteristics affect cell behavior and ti...

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2026

Bio-Based Fe-MOF nanoreactor builds a redox-cycling strategy for breast cancer therapy

Researchers developed a bio-based Fe-MOF nanoreactor that combines natural-ligand chemistry with multimetallic redox catalysis, biomimetic targeting and MRI visibility. The nanoplatform produced a strong ROS response, increased apoptosis, and tumor inhibition in breast cancer cells and mice.

SourceJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·JournalJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2026

New ‘nanobone’ could help body regrow bone

Researchers develop biodegradable nanobone material that activates body's own healing properties to regrow bone, reducing need for invasive procedures. The material generates 80% more new bone than a material control and activates a key bone-repair growth factor with 10 times the level achieved using conventional methods.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2026

Shake it off

Scientists from Washington University in St. Louis are developing materials that can shake off biofouling organisms in water, a major concern for the US Navy and global shipping lines. The new system uses soft robotics and nontoxic polymers to create a self-healing multiphase coating that can detect and dislodge biofilms, potentially i...

Pusan National University develops injectable microgels for targeted keloid radiotherapy

Researchers from Pusan National University developed an injectable system to deliver radiation directly within keloid tissue, providing a minimally invasive approach to treat abnormal scars. The microgels enabled rapid and efficient radiolabeling, and therapeutic efficacy was demonstrated in mice carrying patient-derived keloid tissue.

SourcePusan National University·JournalJournal of Controlled Release·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 27, 2026

Charging ahead with sustainable zinc-iodine battery development

Flinders University researchers have designed an aqueous zinc-ion battery that can be charged and discharged over 60,000 cycles, potentially mitigating resource shortages and waste issues associated with lithium-ion batteries. The system uses low-cost organic cyclodextrin-based polymer host material to trap and release polyhalides.

SourceFlinders University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 17, 2026

Custom blood vessel grafts made in minutes

Researchers have developed a way to quickly create customizable synthetic blood vessel grafts in just minutes using additive manufacturing. The new technique, called Focused Rotary Jet Spinning, allows for precise control over diameter and wall thickness, making it ideal for acute trauma situations and complex pediatric heart surgeries.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 29, 2026

Shining a light on constructing blood supply systems for artificial tissues

Scientists at the University of Osaka have created a new technique to build blood supply systems for artificial tissues. They successfully fabricated tubular hydrogel structures with controlled lumen sizes and complex geometries, paving the way for creating vascular models that can investigate the development of fully synthetic tissues.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2026

From plants to bones: Researchers develop sustainable material that could help the body rebuild itself

A new study reveals that lignin can be transformed into a bioactive material that promotes the formation of bone-like minerals while supporting the growth of bone-forming cells. The material also degrades gradually under physiological conditions, making it suitable for scaffolds intended to be replaced by newly formed bone during healing.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2026

Scientists detect invisible early signs of skin aging

Researchers at Hiroshima University have developed a new way to detect subtle, early-stage changes in human skin collagen using advanced optical imaging and chiroptical spectroscopy. The study reveals that the molecular organization and supramolecular chirality of dermal collagen collapses prior to visible fiber thinning or fragmentation.

Scientists uncover key protein that helps build and strengthen bone

Researchers found that CAR3 coordinates bone formation and regeneration by forming a molecular complex with collagen type I alpha 1 and recruiting bone sialoprotein. The study identified CAR3 as a previously unrecognized regulator of osteoblast differentiation, highlighting its potential for treating bone disorders.

SourceEditorial Office of West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University·JournalInternational Journal of Oral Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 26, 2026

‘Baked’, printed, ready – premiere of architecture made from yeast

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology developed a new bio-based material using yeast, cellulose, alginate, glycerol, and water. The material can be 3D printed, has customizable properties, and is biodegradable, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional building materials.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalFrontiers of Architectural Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 3, 2026

Stretchy implants could stick to arteries to treat high blood pressure

Researchers developed a new class of stretchy bioelectronics that can stick to biological tissue and relieve hypertension while causing less damage to surrounding tissue. The CaroFlex device uses gentle electrical frequencies to modulate the baroreceptor reflex, providing effective treatment for drug-resistant hypertension.

SourcePenn State·JournalDevice·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 15, 2026

First-in-human trial demonstrates promise of implantable cytokine factories for ovarian cancer

A first-in-human trial demonstrates the potential of implantable cytokine factories for treating ovarian cancer, showing a favorable safety profile and encouraging disease stabilization in patients. The therapy successfully activated key immune cells without expanding regulatory T cells, revealing a promising mechanism of action.

SourceRice University·JournalClinical Cancer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 12, 2026