Scientists and chefs have collaborated on a new study that demonstrates how fermented foods can be used to drive participatory science projects that both engage the public and advance our understanding of microbial ecology. The study focused on working with food experts and the public to examine the microbial communities associated with kombucha, kimchi and chow chow.

Shock wave/boundary layer interaction (SWBLI) has long been a challenge in compressible flow simulations due to its complex multi-scale and non-equilibrium characteristics. Particularly, the simulation of multi-scale SWBLI under near-space conditions poses significant challenges to traditional continuum models such as the Navier–Stokes (NS) equations. To address this, researchers employed a mesoscopic Discrete Boltzmann Method (DBM) to investigate the discrete effects and non-equilibrium behaviors in SWBLI which are beyond the NS description. Given that different interfaces such as temperature and density will provide different characteristic scales, correspondingly, will provide local Knudsen (Kn) numbers of different perspectives. From one perspective, the Kn number is increasing, but from another perspective, it may be decreasing. Therefore, the early understanding based on the definition of the Kn number from a single perspective was one-sided or even wrong. Therefore, researchers proposed the concept of the local Kn number vector: each component of it is a Kn number from one perspective. Based on the developed DBM theory and method, they discovered a series of kinetic features and new mechanisms in rarefied laminar SWBLI.

By focusing on adaptive aerodynamics, the ice-tolerance concept with variable drooping leading edge technology could revolutionize how planes handle icing skies. An ice tolerance solution based on the variable camber leading edge of iced wings is proposed, where the leading edge adapts its camber to counter ice effects. Compared with traditional aerodynamic design for ice tolerance, this concept not only strikes a balance between safety and functionality, but also boosts efficiency even under severe icing conditions.

New research from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa (Wits University), has shown that heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury accumulate in the scales of Black Mambas (Dendroaspis polylepis).

The study, conducted on snakes captured in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal and published in Environmental Pollution, was the first of its kind to examine heavy metal accumulation in an African snake species. The results mean that researchers can use scale clippings from these snakes to accurately measure spatial patterns of environmental pollution levels, without harming the snakes. 

A research team from Tsinghua University has developed a compact, zero dead-zone heterodyne grating interferometer for simultaneous three-degree-of-freedom (3-DOF) atomic-level displacement measurement. The system achieves sub-nanometer resolution, outstanding linearity, and exceptional stability over large ranges, with significantly reduced crosstalk errors. This breakthrough paves the way for next-generation lithography, atomic-scale manufacturing, and ultra-precision aerospace metrology.