Chaotic search (CS) has emerged as a promising approach for tackling combinatorial optimization problems. However, it is highly sensitive to control parameters. While heuristic parameter tuning approaches have alleviated this problem, they still have limited adaptability and stability in large-scale problems. In a new study, researchers proposed a new method where particle swarm optimization utilized to dynamically regulate parameters, significantly improving solution quality and stability of the CS process.

Organizational capabilities are important for growth, innovation, and competitive advantage. However, these capabilities are difficult to measure, limiting empirical research. Using financial data from ~45,000 Indian firms and a nestedness algorithm, researchers have created and tested a new approach to quantify firm capabilities and rank their position on a “capabilities ladder.” Analysis revealed a nested hierarchy of capabilities ranging from basic to advanced. With further insights, the study holds relevant implications for organizations and governments.

Some plants are thought to supplement their carbon needs by obtaining carbon through underground fungal networks connected to other plants. This symbiotic relationship is known as mycoheterotrophy. Researchers from Chiba University found evidence that Gentiana squarrosa, a Gentian family plant, can receive carbon through arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal networks in addition to photosynthesis. The findings support the existence of partial mycoheterotrophy and could improve understanding of underground plant–fungus interactions.

Apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, is essential for staying healthy, and its dysregulation contributes to cancer and developmental disorders. In a recent study, researchers from Japan identified the protein Zbtb38 as a direct regulator of a key apoptosis inhibitor called X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP). They showed that Zbtb38 activates XIAP independently of other major regulatory mechanisms, revealing a new pathway for controlling cell survival with potential implications for treating apoptosis-resistant cancers.

Researchers at the University of Osaka have used machine learning to develop a systematic framework for structural descriptors in supercooled water. A neural network model was used to quantitatively assess the performance of 16 structural descriptors in differentiating between two states of water, a high-density liquid and a low-density liquid. The framework could be used to further our understanding of the anomalous behavior of water.

The formation of supramolecular polymers within living cells is an emerging strategy for regulating cellular functions, and lipid droplets (LDs) are promising environments for such processes. LDs are cellular organelles composed mainly of neutral lipids, such as triacylglycerols and cholesterol esters, and are deeply involved in cellular functions. However, the self-assembly of supramolecular polymers in neutral lipid-rich environments, such as LDs, is not well understood. To this end, researchers from WPI-ITbM at Nagoya University in Japan have achieved programmable construction of supramolecular polymers in triolein (TO), one of the most abundant lipid components of LDs.

Contemporary civil engineering practices highlight the need for safer, more reliable, uplift-resistant foundations for lifeline infrastructure and also seek solutions for environmental and social problems associated with surplus soil from construction projects. Using surplus construction soil, researchers have developed a winged composite pile system that can enhance uplift resistance. This approach supports cleaner and safer construction practices, helping projects achieve environmental goals without sacrificing structural integrity.

Researchers at the National Institute for Basic Biology (NIBB) have developed an alternative approach for preparing pseudopregnant recipient mice by utilizing female mice showing nonestrous signs. By combining the Lee-Boot and Whitten effects, this method achieves stable copulation and pregnancy rates. The approach offers a practical solution for research facilities to significantly reduce the number of stock animals maintained for embryo transfers, directly aligning with the "Reduction" principle of laboratory animal welfare (the 3Rs).

Researchers at Tohoku University have discovered a promising strategy that converts harmful carbon dioxide into valuable fuels and chemicals by precisely altering nanoclusters made of copper.