A research group in Italy has developed two new coral protection technologies for healing and restoring coral reefs: a biopaste and a natural patch, both successfully tested on real corals. The two solutions resulted from the collaboration among researchers at the University of Milano-Bicocca in Milan, the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT-Italian Institute of Technology) in Genoa, and the Acquario di Genova (Aquarium of Genoa).

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare across multiple fields, and prostate cancer (PCa)  is no exception. A recent review conducted by researchers discusses the role of AI in clinical practice against PCa. According to this study, AI models enable early detection of PCa with high accuracy while minimizing errors. AI models used in molecular subtyping and precision medicine also offer personalized treatments—improving the overall quality of life of patients.

Over 500 million years ago, nature evolved a remarkable trick: generating vibrant, shimmering colours via intricate, microscopic structures in feathers, wings and shells that reflect light in precise ways. This “structural colour” has continued to fascinate and perplex scientists—but now, researchers from Trinity College Dublin have taken a major step forward in harnessing it for advanced materials science.

A team, led by Professor Colm Delaney from Trinity’s School of Chemistry and AMBER, the Research Ireland Centre for Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research, has developed a pioneering method, inspired by nature, to create and programme structural colours using a cutting-edge microfabrication technique. 

The work, which has been funded by a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant, could have major implications for environmental sensing, biomedical diagnostics, and photonic materials.