A University of Florida study reveals that zero gravity causes astronauts’ brains to shift upward and stretch inside the skull. Led by *Rachael Seidler, the research shows the motor cortex moves about 2.5mm in space, causing temporary balance problems. The findings raise important questions for future Mars missions.
The NA62 Collaboration at CERN has measured an ultra-rare kaon decay with 40 percent smaller uncertainty than before. The process, where a kaon decays into a pion and neutrino pair, happens less than once in ten billion decays. The result matches Standard Model predictions and sets tight limits on possible new physics.
Washington State University researchers have built a beating 3D-printed model of the left side of the heart. Made from soft materials using patient scans, it allows surgeons to practice valve repairs with real tools and imaging. The model successfully simulated a mitral valve repair, showing potential for better surgical training without relying on animals or cadavers.
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba have built a reusable magnesium-air battery using a nitrogen-doped graphene cathode and solid electrolyte. The design resists chloride damage, performs better than platinum-based versions, and stays safe even when bent. It offers a low-cost alternative to lithium batteries for future electric vehicles.
Researchers from the University of Chicago, UC San Diego and LG Energy Solution have improved sulfur-based solid-state batteries by changing how materials are mixed. The new cathode delivers about 1500 mAh per gram, close to sulfur’s theoretical limit, and works in a scalable pouch-cell format. The low-cost design could help electric vehicles travel longer distances.
Oxford and UC Davis researchers have studied how a Harris’s hawk tucks its wings to fly through narrow spaces. Using motion capture and wind tunnel models, they found the bird shifts between unstable and stable flight states. The findings could lead to more agile drones that navigate complex environments.
Chinese scientist Duan Baoyan proposes using space solar beams to tame typhoons by heating storm moisture. His Zhuri project aims for a megawatt-class orbital demonstration by 2030. The station could also charge satellites and lunar bases. A 75-metre test tower already simulates the process on Earth, but safety and scale concerns remain before full construction begins.
Germany’s Fraunhofer institutes have developed a laser method that seals paper packaging without glue or plastic. The process uses a CO laser to turn paper fibers into natural adhesives, creating seams that can hold 20 kilograms. The technology makes paper packaging fully recyclable and will be demonstrated at Interpack 2026.
Cornell University researchers used high-resolution 3D imaging to detect atomic-scale “mouse bite” defects inside computer chips for the first time. Working with TSMC and ASM, the team captured images of transistor channels just 15 to 18 atoms wide. The breakthrough helps chipmakers spot manufacturing flaws during development and could improve everything from phones to quantum computers.
Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory built an AI-guided method that makes X‑ray spectroscopy five times faster. The system cuts measurements by 80 percent while reducing human error and sample damage. It helps researchers study batteries and catalysts in real time, bringing X‑ray science closer to fully autonomous experiments.
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