Water droplets might seem simple at first. But when nearing evaporation, a desperate power struggle of competing physical forces can emerge, with explosive effects. In a new Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences publication, researchers have taken a closer look at the physics of charged water droplets on frictionless surfaces, observing spontaneous jets of microdroplet emissions. Their insights may open new opportunities in nanoscale fabrication and electrospray ionization.

Optimization isn’t always about maximization: researchers at Tohoku University found a subtle rule where a bit of restraint actually speeds up chemical reactions in nanoreactors.

Researchers from The University of Osaka, Kyushu University, and the University of Victoria have developed MV-SZZ, a new method that accurately identifies defect-inducing software commits. By combining detailed code tracking with a majority voting system, the approach reduces false positives and outperforms existing techniques. This improvement could help developers debug software more efficiently and build more reliable systems.

Mechanochemistry is a growing field for chemical reactions that proceed in the solid state in the absence, or with miniscule amounts, of solvent added. For decades, solvents have been considered conventional for the progression of modern chemistry, nonetheless, researchers are increasingly demonstrating that mechanochemistry can synthesize complex molecules more effectively. With more progress, mechanochemistry could alleviate solvent-related environmental and financial burdens in chemical industries. New research from WPI-ITbM at Nagoya University demonstrates a simple mechanochemical method for synthesizing a series of synthetically challenging conductive organic molecules.

A new study shows that how a cell fails to divide after copying its DNA can determine its fate.

Sugar-based amphiphilic molecules, which contain a hydrophilic sugar headgroup and a hydrophobic segment, can assemble in water and act at interfaces, making them important models for detergents, emulsifiers, molecular assemblies, and delivery systems. However, how small structural changes alter their aggregation and interfacial behavior remains insufficiently understood. A research team from Saitama University synthesized a series of S-linked octyl α-D-mannosides that share the same mannose headgroup and octyl chain but differ only in the oxidation state of sulfur: sulfide, sulfoxide, and sulfone. Using NMR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray crystallography, Nile Red fluorescence, surface tension measurements, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy, the team showed that sulfur oxidation state changes not only the concentration at which aggregation-related behavior appears in water but also how this behavior corresponds to interfacial activity.

Termites are vital to tropical ecosystems, where they aerate the soil, provide nutrients, and decompose waste material. With almost 2,000 newly sequenced termites, including more than 200 new to science, we now know that their unique abilities, such as soil-eating, fungus farming, and nest construction from fecal matter, did not evolve gradually but instead emerged in two distinct pulses following global mass extinction events.

Japan is an island nation surrounded by the ocean. Fish are deeply familiar to us, yet they hold many mysteries and possibilities—from their ability to change sex depending on environmental conditions to their remarkable vitality in passing life to the next generation. Fascinated by fish traits, Professor Kohei Ohta researches and explores the world of fish with endless curiosity. His research spans from fundamental studies on the origins of life to applied technologies that support Japan’s future fisheries. In this feature, he shares insights into the fascinating aspects of fish reproduction, the potential of aquaculture technologies, and the outlook for sustainable food production.

A study from Kyushu University argues that early medieval images were never truly silent. Focusing on a 12th–13th century English scroll, the research draws on predictive processing and the concept of “sound milieu” to show how visual imagery could activate imagined soundscapes in viewers' minds. The findings show that sonic details in the imagery engaged audiences through the full range of sensory experience, inviting a broader reconsideration of how medieval people encountered their world.

Hole-collecting monolayers (HCMs) have pushed perovskite solar cells to record efficiencies, yet the fundamental mechanisms of electronic behavior and how they work at the molecular scale remain elusive. In a recent study, researchers from Japan developed the first universal model for energy level alignment at electrode/HCM/perovskite interfaces. Using fundamental energy parameters, their model successfully predicts which HCM configurations can achieve efficient charge collection, enabling the rational design of next-generation solar cells with improved performance.