How do you develop an AI system that perfectly mimics the way humans speak? Researchers at Nagoya University in Japan have taken a significant step forward to achieve this. They have created J-Moshi, the first publicly available AI system specifically designed for Japanese conversational patterns.  

J-Moshi captures the natural flow of Japanese conversation, which often has short verbal responses known as "aizuchi" that Japanese speakers use during conversation to show they are actively listening and engaged. Responses such as “Sou desu ne” (that’s right) and “Naruhodo” (I see) are used more often than similar responses in English.  

Traditional AI has difficulty using aizuchi because it cannot speak and listen at the same time. This capability is especially important for natural-sounding Japanese AI dialogue. Consequently, J-Moshi has become very popular with Japanese speakers who recognize and appreciate its natural conversation patterns.  

Permanent bunkers and high-security facilities are standard tools for protecting the nation’s most sensitive assets. But in many environments, these options are not available where secure storage is needed most. To meet that challenge, a team at Sandia National Laboratories has developed a mobile, high-security vault that can be rapidly deployed to safeguard critical materials in remote or temporary locations.

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), in collaboration with Wavice, has developed GaN-based MMICs for transmit/receive operations used in military and SAR radars for the first time in Korea using fab-based technology.

The Global ESG Conference, organized by the International ESG Association (IESGA) and hosted by iM Financial Group, brought together experts from world-leading universities to deliver presentations under the theme “Sustainable Finance for the Future.” The conference featured keynote lectures and in-depth discussions on financial markets and key issues for ESG management. Participants explored transition finance, economic models, and global ESG standards, reaffirming the importance of international collaboration in addressing climate, equity, and accountability

Off-grid, modular, and seaworthy: KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) and partners intend to produce synthetic fuels on a floating platform using wind energy, seawater, and ambient air. For this purpose, the “PtX-Wind” project was launched under the H2Mare lead project. A corresponding modular plant was installed on a barge and lies operational at anchor in Bremerhaven. Later this year, it will start producing synthetic fuel directly on the sea just off the Helgoland Island.

In a groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind milestone for coral restoration, scientists from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, Tela Marine and The Florida Aquarium have out planted elkhorn corals onto a Miami reef that were produced by breeding elkhorn parents from Florida with elkhorn parents from an unusually warm reef in Honduras. These “Flonduran” elkhorn corals could hold the genetic keys to increase the diversity of Florida’s remaining elkhorn coral gene pool, while also potentially enhancing their heat tolerance and overall resilience.

From the Politecnico di Milano’s international research, an innovative tool to combat ecomafia activity and protect the environment

Researchers at University of Tennessee, Knoxville are using AI and machine learning to expedite breast cancer staging, reducing diagnosis time significantly. This innovative tool enhances accuracy, supports clinicians, and has potential applications for other cancers, offering hope in a state with high cancer rates.

In the face of growing environmental concerns and the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions, sustainable clean energy solutions have become paramount in addressing the global energy crisis. Hydrogen is emerging as a key solution, as it generates energy with water as its only by-product, offering a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels. However, existing hydrogen storage options, including compressed and cryogenic methods, face challenges such as high cost and safety concerns, limiting their widespread adoption in vehicles. This is where Prof. Tian Tian, Assistant Professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), is making a breakthrough in his research. He has developed advanced nanoporous materials that enhance safety and storage efficiency, thereby making hydrogen a more viable and scalable clean energy solution for future transportation.