For over a century, the well-known 18-electron rule has guided the field of organometallic chemistry. Now, researchers at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) have successfully synthesized a novel organometallic compound that challenges this longstanding principle. They have created a stable 20-electron derivative of ferrocene, an iron-based metal-organic complex, which could lead to exciting possibilities in chemical science.  

In the production of dimethyl carbonate (DMC), a versatile chemical critical for manufacturing lithium-ion battery electrolytes, pharmaceuticals and high-performance polymers, an ultra-high purity (≥99.95%) is needed to meet stringent industrial standards. Melt crystallization, as a green manufacturing method is highly important for this purpose; however, the widespread adoption of this technology has been hindered by complex heat and mass transfer phenomena, which can lead to uneven crystal growth and suboptimal yields.

Patients with glioblastoma (GBM)—a type of brain cancer—have a poor prognosis owing to the aggressive nature of GBM disease and limited GBM treatment options. A new study by researchers from Croatia provides critical insights into the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in advancing the diagnosis and treatment of GBM. From accurately distinguishing tumor tissue in GBM to enabling personalized treatment, AI-based tools and models can revolutionize GBM treatment and care.

A study led by UC San Diego biologists is calling attention to the availability of food for bees in the Southwestern U.S. Non-native honey bees, the study found, extract an overwhelming majority of pollen from regional flowers, posing a significant ecological threat to native bee species.

The control model, devised by a team from the University of Cordoba, makes it possible to reduce the waste of an essential and limited resource and to extend the useful life of pipes

Positively and neutrally buoyant microplastics mainly outflow from the Seto Inland Sea into the Pacific Ocean, whereas negatively buoyant MPs hardly leave the Seto Inland Sea and are primarily deposited and degraded near river mouths. Traditional microplastics are difficult to degrade quickly and thus remain in the marine environment for long periods. However, the use of biodegradable microplastics can significantly reduce microplastic pollution in the marine environment, especially in sediments.

Forest fires cause irreversible ecological and economic losses worldwide, often exacerbated by delayed or inefficient rescue efforts. A new study presents a groundbreaking data-driven framework to revolutionize aviation emergency networks. By integrating fire probability predictions with multi-objective optimization, the research enables faster, cost-effective rescue planning tailored to real-world fire risks. Tested in China’s Hainan Province, the model reduces response times while balancing ecological and operational costs—offering a scalable solution for global forest protection.