An international research team led by RMIT University have created tiny particles, known as nanodots, made from a metallic compound that can kill cancer cells while leaving healthy cells largely unharmed.

While this work is still at the cell-culture stage – it hasn’t been tested in animals or people – it points to a new strategy for designing cancer treatments that exploit cancer’s own weaknesses.

How far is it really from Hamburg to Rome – by ship, train, or truck? A research team including KLU Professor Arne Heinold has found a way to answer that question within milliseconds using open data. Their work was awarded the 2025 Prize for Open Data from the renowned American research institute, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Using catalytic chemistry, researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo have achieved dynamic control of artificial membranes, enabling life-like membrane behavior. By employing an artificial metalloenzyme that performs a ring-closing metathesis reaction, the team induced the disappearance of phase-separated domains as well as membrane division in artificial membranes, imitating the dynamic behavior of natural biological membranes. This transformative research marks a milestone in synthetic cell technologies, paving the way for innovative therapeutic breakthroughs.

AI and human-movement research intersect in a study that enables precise estimation of hand muscle activity from standard video recordings. Using a deep-learning framework trained on a large, comprehensive multimodal dataset from professional pianists, the researchers introduce a system that accurately reconstructs muscle activation patterns without sensors. This advancement provides a low-cost, non-invasive method for analyzing fine motor control, optimizing rehabilitation strategies, enhancing performance training, and informing future developments in human-machine interaction.

Studies on integrating electric vehicles (EVs) into local energy markets have been hindered by the high computational complexity associated with EV modelling. Seyed Mahoor Ebrahimi’s doctoral dissertation at the University of Vaasa, Finland, overcomes these hurdles by introducing a streamlined virtual battery model and a cost-effective charger sharing concept.

In an increasingly acute surgeon shortage, artificial intelligence could help fill the gap, coaching medical students as they practice surgical techniques.

A new tool, trained on videos of expert surgeons at work, offers students real-time personalized advice as they practice suturing. Initial trials suggest AI can be a powerful substitute teacher for more experienced students.