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UVA Engineering’s John Scully named one of SURA’s two 2026 Distinguished Scientist Award recipients

John Scully, a renowned materials scientist, has been recognized with the SURA Distinguished Scientist Award for his groundbreaking work on corrosion research. His contributions have led to significant advancements in understanding materials degradation in harsh environments, impacting human health and national defense.

Irradiation may help CAR-T cell therapy work better against solid tumors, Mount Sinai researchers find

Researchers at Mount Sinai discovered that focused irradiation can help CAR-T cells survive longer and work more effectively inside tumors. Irradiation turns dendritic cells into a local source of stimulation for CAR-T cells, promoting durable control of advanced lung tumors.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Cancer·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2026

Electron beam irradiation helping to turn plastic waste into gas

Researchers at National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology developed a technique to decompose polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) into gaseous products using electron beam irradiation. This process reduces energy required by 50% compared to traditional methods, making large-scale recycling of fluoropolymers more viable.

SourceThe National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology·JournalRadiation Physics and Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 24, 2025

Breakthrough in solar thermoelectric generation: organic radical photothermal cocrystals lead the way

Researchers have developed a new material, coronene-Br2 NDA cocrystal, which converts solar heat into electricity with an exceptional photothermal conversion efficiency of 67.2% under 808 nm irradiation. The material is integrated into a thermoelectric generator to achieve high-performance solar-thermoelectric energy harvesting.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2025

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles improve survival in mice exposed to high-dose irradiation

A new study found that mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles significantly enhance survival and facilitate substantial peripheral blood recovery in mice exposed to high-dose irradiation. The treatment promoted hematopoietic recovery, with increases in red blood cell, platelet, white blood cell, and hemoglobin levels.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalStem Cells and Development·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 9, 2025

New photochemical tools based on thioketal

A new universal photocage modification strategy based on thioketal enables real-time live cell subcellular imaging. The thioketal-based probe SiR-EDT exhibits improved dark stability and can be specifically activated by UV-visible light.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 25, 2025

Tumor irradiation, individualized daily

Researchers integrated personalized daily adjustments into proton therapy, ensuring more precise treatment and reduced radiation exposure. The new workflow, developed by PSI researchers, involves low-dose CT scans before each irradiation and adapts the treatment plan to the patient's current anatomy.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalPhysics in Medicine and Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 20, 2024

Researchers shed light on how to make photopolymerization much more efficient

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a novel strategy to increase the efficiency of photopolymerization reactions by leveraging dynamic UV lighting. This technique produces heavier polymer chains with reduced energy consumption, offering potential for sustainable industrial processes and polymeric materials.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalMacromolecules·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2024

Microbes conquer the next extreme environment: Your microwave

A study found that microwaves contain a unique microbial community, comprising 747 different genera, which resembles those on solar panels and kitchen surfaces. The diversity of the microbiome varies between single-household kitchens, shared domestic spaces, and laboratory microwaves.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateAug 8, 2024

Shining light on similar crystals reveals photoreactions can differ

Scientists at Osaka Metropolitan University have found that single crystals of anthracene derivatives react differently when irradiated with light, holding clues for functional applications. The research team discovered non-uniform photoreactions in two of the compounds, which proceed from the edge to the center of the crystal.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalChemical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2024

Scientists discover CO2 and CO ices in outskirts of solar system

A research team led by UCF's Mário Nascimento De Prá and Noemí Pinilla-Alonso discovered carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide ices on 59 trans-Neptunian objects using the James Webb Space Telescope. The findings suggest that carbon dioxide was abundant in the protoplanetary disk, while the origin of carbon monoxide remains uncertain.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeImaging analysis·DateMay 24, 2024

Ruptured Achilles tendon shows faster repair amid plasma irradiation treatment

Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have discovered that plasma irradiation can accelerate tendon repair, showing faster regeneration and increased strength in lab rats. This breakthrough could lead to shorter treatment times and more reliable tendon healing for athletes and individuals with sports-related injuries.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 21, 2024

Radiation from massive stars shapes planetary systems

A study of the Orion Nebula reveals that massive stars play a crucial role in shaping planetary systems. The intense ultraviolet radiation from these stars can either facilitate or hinder planet formation, depending on the mass of the star at the system's center.

SourceCNRS·JournalScience·DateFeb 29, 2024

A novel strategy for extracting white mycelial pulp from fruiting mushroom bodies

A team of researchers at Shinshu University has successfully extracted mycelial pulp and fibers from fruiting mushroom bodies using sunlight, preserving their intricate mycelial structures. The fibers show excellent formability and potential applications in packaging materials, textiles, and soundproofing.

SourceShinshu University·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 8, 2024

ASTRO issues patient-centered clinical guideline on partial breast irradiation for early-stage invasive breast cancer and DCIS

A new ASTRO clinical guideline recommends partial breast irradiation as a viable alternative to whole breast radiation for patients with early-stage invasive breast cancer or DCIS, based on evidence from large randomized trials. The guideline provides guidance on patient selection and best practices for delivering effective partial bre...

SourceAmerican Society for Radiation Oncology·JournalPractical Radiation Oncology·DateNov 15, 2023

Oxygen charge for battling multidrug-resistant pathogens

Researchers have developed a molecular 'singlet oxygen battery' that can target and kill methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria in deep tissue layers. The technology, which does not require external light or oxygen, is highly effective in treating pulmonary infections caused by MRSA.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 16, 2023

A novel green photoreactor for the synthesis of desirable chiral enantiomers

A team of Japanese researchers has successfully developed a recycling photoreactor that enables the synthesis of optically pure compounds with high yields, achieving an optical purity of 98-99%. The system uses a two-step rapid photoracemization process and can produce enantiomerically pure chiral sulfoxides in yields higher than 80%.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalThe Journal of Organic Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2023

Laser-induced monolayer graphene nanoprocessing

Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a technique to micro/nanofabricate silicon nitride thin devices using a femtosecond laser. The method enables precise machining and contaminant removal, opening doors for non-destructive cleaning of high-purity graphene. By applying this method to an ultra-thin atomic layer of graphene, t...

SourceTohoku University·JournalNano Letters·DateMay 26, 2023

Mission to beat rare cancers

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf developed a new strategy to increase target molecules for radionuclide therapy in pheochromocytoma tumors, delaying tumor growth. The combination of valproic acid and decitabine prior to therapy doubled the radiation dose absorbed by the tumor.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalTheranostics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 9, 2023

New horizons for organoboron and organosilicon chemistry with triple elementalization

Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a new synthesis method that allows the introduction of multiple B- and Si-containing groups into aromatic nitrogen heterocycles. This breakthrough unlocks the creation of versatile platforms for organic compounds relevant to medicinal chemistry. The approach enables the production o...

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 7, 2023

Plasma-Structural Coloring: A new colorful approach to an inkless future

Scientists at Shinshu University have created a new method for achieving structural coloring through plasma irradiation of graphite, eliminating the need for harmful color dyes. The technique produces erasable and stable colors that can be manipulated using various factors, offering a sustainable solution for the art world.

SourceShinshu University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 1, 2023