A slowing Atlantic Ocean current is projected to reshape global rainfall patterns, intensifying powerful storms in California while reducing snowfall over Greenland, according to a new University of California, Riverside study.

An ongoing research project exploring the effects of rising levels of oceanic CO₂ on squid neurology reveals that exposure to future levels of ocean acidification could shrink their brain volume by around 50%. This severe brain shrinkage appears to be most pronounced in the areas that interpret visual information, correlating with significant reductions in normal feeding behaviours and suggesting serious consequences for the future of squid and other cephalopods.

MIT engineers developed a hydrogel that is both hydrated and aerated. The stretchy material can be worn for longer periods of time compared to conventional hydrogels, without causing skin irritation. It can also reduce sweat buildup, even during exercise.

Researchers at the Advanced Science Research Center at the CUNY Graduate Center have demonstrated a new approach to wave amplification through interaction with rotating bodies. Rather than mechanically rotating matter, however, the team engineered a radio-frequency device with properties modulated in space and time to mimic spinning.

Cupping therapy is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) technique used to treat chronic pain, expedite muscle recovery, and other conditions. It increases blood flow by creating suction on the skin. But what is released from the skin during treatment? Researchers reporting in ACS’ Analytical Chemistry developed a noninvasive approach to analyze compounds pulled in the cup. In a pilot study with healthy volunteers, they detected changes in 13 volatile compounds before and after treatment. 

A few tears may someday reveal important clues about a person’s neurological health. Researchers reporting in ACS Omega developed a low-cost electrochemical sensor designed to detect dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in movement, learning, motivation, and emotional regulation. They tested the device using artificial human tears, where it accurately detected a range of dopamine concentrations. The technology could support the development of new tools for monitoring Parkinson’s disease and other conditions linked to atypical dopamine levels. 

Weyl topological superconductivity is a rare state promising for quantum computing, but it usually requires complex band properties like strong spin-orbit coupling. Researchers have now shown that transitioning from a 2D square to a 3D cubic lattice, simple repulsive interactions between electrons create geometric frustration. This naturally forms a unique octupolar Weyl superconducting state. By removing the need for spin-orbit coupling, this opens a simpler, universal path for discovering new quantum materials and realizing unconventional 3D superconductivity

A strategy encompassing simultaneous coprecipitation and oxidation has allowed the synthesis of highly oxidized amorphous precursors for BiNi₁₋ₓFeₓO₃. This approach overcomes conventional challenges by reducing environmental impact, improving safety, and reducing synthesis time by generating a highly oxidized amorphous precursor, allowing for a more efficient and controlled production of advanced functional oxides.