Science

A joint international research team has, for the first time, unveiled the crucial link between the structure of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and the efficiency of lithium-mediated nitrogen reduction to ammonia, a promising eco-friendly approach to fertilizer production. Using in situ spectroscopy, the team directly observed the previously poorly understood SEI formation process, revealing that the ethanol-to-water ratio in the electrolyte significantly impacts ammonia conversion efficiency. This discovery opens a new avenue for sustainable fertilizer production by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

Researchers at The University of Osaka have developed a new program, “postw90-spin,” that enables high-precision calculations of a novel performance indicator for the spin Hall effect, a phenomenon crucial for developing energy-efficient and high-speed next-generation magnetic memory devices. This breakthrough addresses a long-standing challenge in spintronics research by providing a definitive measure of the spin Hall effect, overcoming ambiguities associated with traditional metrics.

Echoes of grief, Unexpected mineral, Insulin on edge, Fingerprinting bacteria, Beefing up taste & Power of glass. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice

Identification and characterization of a novel tRNA modification enzyme in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus kodakarensis

Researchers have created an alloy that maintains its special ability to act as a sort of temperature-activated memory foam at temperatures as low as -200°C – making it highly suitable for space equipment.

Rabi-like splitting is one of the key concepts in modern quantum technology. Fully understanding it can help us advance our knowledge in quantum information processing.

Tropical cyclones hundreds of kilometers away from the Philippines are often more responsible for heavy rainfall than those that hit the country directly during the annual “Habagat” or southwest monsoon season from July to September.

Scientists introduced a second molecule to achieve a donor–acceptor (push–pull) effect, aiming to enhance both the efficiency and stability of perovskite and organic solar cells.

In a significant step towards a carbon-neutral future, researchers developed an atomically precise copper nanocluster that demonstrates high stability and exceptional selectivity in electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reactions.

By just sprinkling it on top and waiting 10 seconds, researchers can use this new fluorescent probe to clearly show synapses, the connection points between brain cells.

Researchers from The University of Osaka have identified key genetic mutations linked to extracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), a rare and potentially serious vascular disorder. They have revealed that these mutations activate the RAS/RAF/MEK signaling pathway and that the MAP4K4 gene may drive pathological angiogenesis. This may mean that existing cancer drugs that target the same pathway could be effective for AVM treatment, potentially paving the way for novel therapies.

Nonlinear quantum dynamics are complicated, but they don’t have to be. A new, real-time simulation may help demystify these unusual dynamics, serving as a guide to develop next-gen quantum devices.

Hyperconjugation between aromatic rings and their side chains to stabilize unpaired electrons

New study explains why too much ultrasound slows chemical reactions

The Honourable Ros Bates, Queensland Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training

Lingnan University’s Science Unit recently published Hong Kong’s first-ever scientific Hong Kong Newt Roadkill Survey Programme. Their findings show that over 1,400 Hong Kong newts were killed by vehicles in two months, accounting for more than 90 per cent of total wildlife carcasses found. The severity of the threat posed to this local species is aggravated after heavy rainfall, and the research team is calling on the government to introduce conservation measures urgently, including eco-friendly road construction, traffic control, and raising public awareness about wildlife conservation.

Machine learning potential can create accurate, large-scale models of catalytic activity for a reaction that turns carbon dioxide into a sustainable energy source.

Phosphorus forms the backbone of DNA, RNA, and cellular membranes. But scientists have struggled to pinpoint the specific conditions under which phosphorus developed in Earth’s younger years. A research group from Tohoku University has recently unearthed evidence pointing to submarine hydrothermal alteration, which released phosphorus from the rocks into the surrounding seawater, enriching early oceans with this essential nutrient.

Geologists from The University of Hong Kong (HKU) have made a breakthrough in understanding how the Earth’s early continents formed during the Archean time, more than 2.5 billion years ago.

Using a global ocean model, researchers from the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, and the Institute of Environmental Radioactivity, Fukushima University, found that short- and long-term contribution of treated water released from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant on oceanic tritium concentration beyond the vicinity of the discharge site is negligible, even in climate change scenarios

Barth syndrome is a rare genetic disorder with no known cure. Researchers at Tohoku University examined a new oral drug called MA-5 that could provide life-changing relief to these young patients.

Lingnan University in Hong Kong welcomes the Audit Report by the Quality Assurance Council (QAC) of the University Grants Committee (UGC) today, 27 June. The Audit Panel praises Lingnan’s robust governance and quality management systems for managing academic standards and academic quality, and commends their proactive approach to digital innovation as reflected in the Strategic Plan since the appointment of the President, Prof S. Joe Qin. A typical example of this is the School of Data Science (SDS), which opened in May 2024 to develop teaching and research in related areas.

Chinese and Australian scientists have reported the discovery of twenty new bat viruses in research published this week.

Researchers from the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, have developed nanoscale ‘molecular flasks’ based on single molecules of bottlebrush polymers to carefully control polymerization reactions in extremely small spaces

After nearly a decade of laboratory work, the research team has confirmed three new forest mice species. This raises the number of endemic mammals on Mindoro to twelve, cementing the island as the smallest known island where mammal speciation has taken place.

In the 2D ferromagnet Fe5GeTe2, researchers reveal atomic-scale coherence linking charge density waves, Kondo physics, and ferromagnetism—the first direct observation of synchronized electric and magnetic quantum states.

Researchers at the Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University, report in Small, a weekly peer-reviewed scientific journal covering nanotechnology, published by Wiley-WCH, Germany, how short peptides self-assemble linearly on atomically-thick solid surfaces, such as graphite and MoS₂. The research addresses a longstanding challenge in materials science: understanding the complex, sequence-specific interactions between peptides and solid substrates, and the critical role of local hydration structures in guiding nanoarchitecture formation. This work offers new strategies for integrating biomolecules with advanced materials in future bioelectronics and sensor devices.

A groundbreaking study led by a global research consortium offers new hope for patients with mycetoma, a neglected tropical disease. Researchers using an insect model and transcriptome analysis have unravelled the mechanism of iron regulation between host tissue and the mycetoma grain, a fungal mass characteristic of the disease. This discovery illuminates how the causative fungus invades and develops these protective grains within subcutaneous tissue, paving the way for new drug development and less invasive treatment strategies beyond surgical removal, potentially reducing the burden on patients significantly.

Researchers find solution to ‘static friction paradox’ — apparent stick state with slow slip is purely mechanical

How halogens uncover the hidden history of lunar crust formation and the striking lunar surface dichotomy.