Shaanxi University researchers embedded naphthylimide fluorescent particles into ordinary filter paper to create a non-invasive, non-enzymatic platform that detects uric acid in saliva, urine or food within minutes using only a phone camera and a hand-held UV torch. Linear range 0–5 000 μmol L⁻¹, LOD 0.91 μmol L⁻¹, recoveries 95–108 %.

A new material developed by researchers from University of Toronto Engineering could offer a safer alternative to the non-stick chemicals commonly used in cookware and other applications. 

The new substance repels both water and grease about as well as standard non-stick coatings — but it contains much lower amounts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a family of chemicals that have raised environmental and health concerns. 

Scientists at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST; Saudi Arabia) have uncovered a critical molecular cause keeping aqueous rechargeable batteries from becoming a safer, economical option for sustainable energy storage. Their findings reveal how water compromises battery life and performance and how the addition of affordable salts – such as zinc sulfate – mitigates this issue, even increasing the battery lifespan by more than ten times.