Water is everywhere – it covers the major part of Earth, circulates in the human body, and is found even in the smallest molecular clefts. However, what happens if water cannot flow freely, but is enclosed in such structures? Researchers of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and Constructor University in Bremen proved for the first time that enclosed water can influence its surroundings and favors binding between molecules. This discovery could open new paths for the design of drugs and new materials. The researchers report on their findings in the International Edition of the “Angewandte Chemie” journal. (DOI: 10.1002/anie.202505713)

Researchers at Fudan University have achieved a breakthrough by fabricating the first Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) based on wafer-scale two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor materials. Integrating approximately 4,000 transistors, the chip represents a historical leap, moving 2D electronics from simple logic circuits to complex, reconfigurable functional systems. Critically, the 2D FPGA exhibits inherent radiation resistance, maintaining full functionality after enduring a total ionizing dose of 10 Mrad of gamma-ray irradiation, offering a physically superior core device for strategic sectors like aerospace and high-reliability computing.

A new study reveals that the impact humans are having on the Amazon rainforest is so profound it is even changing the evolutionary history and functionality of the forests.

Scientists used molecular simulations to reveal how polymer chains adhere to alumina surfaces. Adhesion depends on both polymer chemistry and surface termination, with different responses before and after yielding. These insights clarify metal–plastic bonding mechanisms and offer guidelines for designing stronger, lighter, and more sustainable hybrid materials for use in transportation.

Intense sand mining is putting the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia at risk of collapse with catastrophic consequences, a new study has found.

Summers on the islands in Okinawa Prefecture are hot and humid. Today, we have AC systems – so how did Okinawans throughout history manage to stay cool and comfortable? One answer lies in the local design tradition. Houses are low and open plan behind thick coral or limestone walls, capturing a fresh breeze while staying protected from typhoon gales, and Okinawans have traditionally been dressed in Bashofu textiles. Bashofu kimonos stay both dry and cool while being remarkably soft, despite being woven from banana fibers which are notorious for their stiffness.

Recently, scientists have turned to Bashofu to learn what makes these sustainably produced textiles so well-adapted for comfort in the subtropics. In a paper now published in Scientific Reports, researchers from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) have produced a comprehensive overview of how exactly the Bashofu materials and techniques alter the structural properties of the banana plant fibers to achieve the desired soft, durable, and breathable fabric.