Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) technology can harvest low-frequency and low-power energy. However, there is limited research on harvesting energy from secondary effluents using TENG. Now, researchers have developed a droplet-based electricity generator system capable of harvesting energy from treated municipal wastewater. Using TENG technology, the system converts low-frequency energy from secondary effluents into usable electricity while simultaneously supporting wastewater treatment processes. The findings highlight a promising low-carbon pathway for sustainable wastewater resource recovery and energy utilization.

Genetically engineered cyanobacteria developed at Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo), Japan, produce sulfated polysaccharides using sunlight and carbon dioxide. By transferring an entire gene cluster responsible for the production of a sulfated polysaccharide, the researchers enabled a non-producing cyanobacterial strain to produce such a polysaccharide. The research demonstrates a sustainable route for manufacturing biomaterials using photosynthesis, expanding the possibilities for synthetic biology and green chemistry applications.

Magnetic field sensors are found in automobiles, smartphones and security systems. But many of these components are made of materials that are neither health- nor environment-friendly and are complex to produce. In Nature Communications (DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-71077-9), an international team led by researchers from the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) has now presented a sustainable alternative: printed sensors composed of iron, iron oxide and bio-based materials like cellulose and starch. They measure magnetic fields reliably, are resource-saving to produce and can purportedly be disposed of safely or recycled after use.

On the small Greek island of Kastellorizo, researchers have discovered Dolichopoda balrogi, a new species of cave cricket living inside an artificial underground tunnel. Named after Tolkien's subterranean demon, the find proves that human-made structures can harbour entirely unique and isolated ecosystems.

Spin waves are a promising way to reduce the energy-consumption of computing. New research shows that sending spin waves along a zig-zag path boosts the signal over 5,000 times compared to previous methods.

As the global transition toward carbon neutrality accelerates, "water electrolysis"—a technology that splits water electrically to produce clean hydrogen—is drawing significant attention. However, a major limitation has been the decline in efficiency caused by bubbles formed during the electrolysis process that block the pathways. A domestic research team has resolved this challenge by developing an innovative technology that rapidly discharges bubbles and boosts hydrogen production efficiency, much like clearing an expressway through a heavily congested road.

Researchers at the Faculty of Information Technology at the University of Jyväskylä have used artificial intelligence to speed up the analysis of colorectal cancer samples and predict the functioning of the cells’ DNA repair mechanism. The AI model's analysis can help shorten diagnosis times, reduce costs, and improve the analysis's accuracy. The research was conducted in collaboration with the Central Finland Welfare Region and is co-funded by the European Union.

An international team involving Graz University of Technology has investigated how heavy machinery can be operated more safely using extended reality applications. In the process, a disco laser outdid VR headsets.