Children with idiopathic short stature respond differently to growth hormone therapy, making treatment outcomes difficult to predict. Researchers from South Korea developed a mathematical model to better capture these individual differences in growth response over time. By analyzing treatment and patient characteristics, the study offers new insights into why some children may experience greater catch-up growth than others—and points toward a more personalized approach to predicting outcomes before therapy begins.

The bulk photovoltaic effect (BPVE), a photoelectric effect that generates photocurrent without a p–n junction, can persist even when a material’s average crystal structure remains centrosymmetric, a study from Institute of Science Tokyo has found. Researchers demonstrated this in CuCrP₂S₆, a van der Waals material that transitions from a non-centrosymmetric to a centrosymmetric average structure. The finding challenges the conventional view of BPVE and suggests a new strategy for enhancing photoelectric conversion.

Fungal bloodstream infections can be life-threatening, and accurately identifying the causative fungal species is important for clinicians to administer appropriate treatment. In a recent study, researchers from Japan developed an innovative workflow that uses various genomic and sequence-analysis techniques to identify fungal species in blood samples much faster than conventional methods. Their approach could help patients receive the most effective treatment for their specific fungal infection as soon as possible.

Solid tumors resist CAR cell therapy through antigen heterogeneity, poor infiltration, and an immunosuppressive microenvironment. A new review argues that oncolytic viruses and CAR cells should be co-designed as an integrated, self-amplifying therapeutic system rather than simply combined. The authors describe how oncolytic viruses can install new targets, remodel the tumor microenvironment, and deliver local immune support, outlining engineering strategies, translational challenges, and future directions for next-generation solid tumor immunotherapy.

Researchers at the University of Osaka have developed a method for distinguishing the L- and D-forms of amino acids based on current waveforms generated by single molecules passing through a nanogap. The L/D ratio of amino acids is a potential biosignature of life. Major features of the amino acid composition were captured for astrobiologically relevant samples. The method could be used to develop electrical instruments for extraterrestrial life detection.

Announcing a new publication from Opto-Electronic Sciences; DOI   10.29026/oes.2026.260044.

New research from University of Limerick has found gender bias in the workplace could be replicated in interactions with artificial intelligence.

The study, co-authored by Dr Mary Hausfeld of UL's Kemmy Business School, examined whether the way Artificial intelligence (AI) assistants are presented influences how people treat them in a workplace setting.

Researchers placed 189 workers in a virtual reality office and asked them to complete work-related tasks with different AI assistants, including human-like agents presented with either male or female appearance.

Participants were then given real money to divide between themselves and the AI assistant for completing the tasks, allowing the researchers to recreate a real-world transaction and examine how much people were willing to pay AI for its work. 

AI agents with a female appearance were paid less than their male-presenting counterparts, despite using the same underlying technology, according to the research.

A new study suggests that therapeutic food made from locally available crops such as chickpeas, sorghum, maize and soybeans could help make malnutrition treatment more affordable and accessible in regions where it is needed most. By reducing reliance on costly imported dairy ingredients, the plant-based formulation could support local production, strengthen agricultural supply chains and help close the global treatment gap. The researchers say the approach could offer a more sustainable model for expanding access to lifesaving nutrition care.