Tiny robots just a few centimeters long could change how we explore narrow spaces and gather information. Researchers have created a new type of piezoelectric robot with a built-in ceramic driving unit, delivering impressive speed and strong load capacity. These modules connect magnetically to form flexible structures, adapting to grooves, slits and narrow channels easily. They can also carry cameras for wireless image capture, opening new possibilities for small-scale robotic applications.

A new study in Engineering introduces a precise way to evaluate biological aging by absolutely quantifying two key IgG N-glycans, GP3 and GP8. These glycans show clear changes with age and can be reversed by calorie restriction. The abGlycoAge model built from these markers reliably estimates biological age, while youthful IgG-Ny treatment eases age-related inflammation and organ senescence, offering new clues for aging research and intervention.

Want to know your true biological age? A new study in Engineering introduces gtAge, an innovative aging clock built by combining IgG N-glycome and blood transcriptome data with a deep reinforcement learning tool called AlphaSnake. It predicts age more accurately than single-omics models and links biological aging to key health markers like cholesterol and blood sugar, offering a clearer view of how our bodies really age over time.

A recent study in Engineering reveals that IgG fucosylation is closely tied to severe COVID-19. Researchers found altered fucosylation—especially a drop in IgG2 fucosylation—in patients, linked to disease severity and body temperature. Key enzymes FUT8 and FUCA1 regulate these changes. The study also shows that Fuzheng Jiedu Decoction may ease inflammation by targeting fucosylation, offering new clues for treating severe COVID-19.

A review paper by scientists from Imperial College London examined how sensor‑integrated suits and soft exoskeletons could replace traditional exercise hardware with lightweight, modular, and intelligent systems that provide real‑time monitoring, dynamic loading, and personalized training—all while fitting inside a cramped spacecraft.

The new research paper, published on Apr. 17 in the journal Cyborg and Bionic Systems, discussed the challenges of the outer space environment and the musculoskeletal health complications derived from prolonged exposure. The currently employed solutions to address these complications are discussed, along with their limitations and potential solutions.

A research paper by scientists from Huazhong University of Science and Technology presented a jellyfish-inspired magnetic soft robot (J-MSR) capable of ultrafast swimming and seamless multimodal motion transitions in liquid environments.

The new research paper, published on Apr. 3 in the journal Cyborg and Bionic Systems, developed a jellyfish‑inspired magnetic soft robot (J‑MSR) that combining record‑breaking speed with seamless multimodal motion and functional integration.

Nanotechnology is emerging as a transformative force in cancer research, but the future of precision oncology will not be defined by drug delivery alone. 

A new series of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), donated as USC-CP-5-R, have been constructed using 14-connected metal-organic polyhedra as super-molecular building blocks (SBBs), exhibiting ultrahigh water stability. Functionalized with variable hydrophilic groups enables systematic tuning of the water adsorption performances, including uptake capacity and inflection point (a). These frameworks can efficiently capture atmospheric moisture, even in arid environments and can release collected water using low-grade solar thermal energy, highlighting their potential as a sustainable solution for freshwater production in water-scarce regions.

The team of Yanjun Jiang from Hebei University of Technology has constructed an efficient asymmetric reduction system for the synthesis of chiral alcohols by coupling electrochemical coenzyme regeneration with immobilized enzymes.