EurekAlert! In the Spotlight

Welcome to In the Spotlight, where each month we shine a light on something exciting, timely, or simply fascinating from the world of science.

This month, we’re focusing on artificial intelligence (AI), a topic that continues to capture attention everywhere. Here, you’ll find the latest research news, insights, and discoveries shaping how AI is being developed and used across the world.

Latest News Releases

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 21-Nov-2025 18:11 ET (21-Nov-2025 23:11 GMT/UTC)

15-Sep-2025

Mount Sinai launches cardiac catheterization artificial intelligence research lab

The Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Business Announcement

New AI research lab at The Mount Sinai Hospital aims to transform patient care for complex heart procedures

15-Sep-2025

Humans and machines learn differently

Bielefeld University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Bielefeld researchers analyze in Nature Machine Intelligence how humans and AI systems learn new things and what this means for the future of Artificial Intelligence.

Journal: Nature Machine Intelligence

15-Sep-2025

Scientists discover how nanoplastics disrupt brain energy metabolism

Trinity College Dublin
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Scientists from Trinity College Dublin have discovered how nanoplastics – even smaller than microplastics – disrupt energy metabolism in brain cells. Their findings may have implications for better understanding neurodegenerative diseases characterised by declining neurological or brain function, and even shed new light on issues with learning and memory.

The study, led by Dr Gavin Davey and undergraduate Devin Seward from Trinity’s School of Biochemistry and Immunology, has revealed the specific mechanism by which these tiny nanoplastics can interfere with energy production in the brain in an animal model. The findings, recently published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials: Plastics, provide fresh insights into the potential health risks posed by environmental plastics.

Funder: Laidlaw Foundation

15-Sep-2025

Harnessing spectral imaging for rapid and non-destructive herbicide diagnosis

Nanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A research team has developed an approach to accelerate herbicide screening by integrating spectral image analysis with machine learning.

Journal: Plant Phenomics

15-Sep-2025

Using ChatGPT to support Chinese and English writing for students with dyslexia: Opportunities, challenges, and insights

ECNU Review of Education
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new study in ECNU Review of Education examines CHATTING, a ChatGPT‑assisted writing system designed for students with dyslexia. Conducted with 101 Hong Kong secondary students, the research found the tool increased motivation and engagement, particularly among learners with dyslexia. However, writing quality declined and plagiarism rates rose. The authors recommend teacher‑guided AI integration to maximize benefits while addressing risks such as over‑reliance, weak question‑asking skills, and ethical concerns in AI‑supported learning.

Journal: ECNU Review of Education

15-Sep-2025

Artificial protein mimicking elastin aids tissue regeneration

Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Joint research team from POSTECH and Inha University Develops Next-Generation Biomaterials for Treating Heart Valves, Blood Vessels, and Ligaments.

Journal: Acta Biomaterialia

15-Sep-2025

How to weigh the risks and benefits of kids' play environments

University of Technology Sydney

A new research-backed tool aims to revolutionise how playgrounds and outdoor learning environments are assessed.

Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health