A research paper by scientists from Peking University introduced an octopus-inspired underwater gripper with rapidly tunable stiffness, integrated into an upward transport robot designed for efficient underwater object manipulation.

The new research paper, published on Mar. 31 in the journal Cyborg and Bionic Systems, unveil a soft robotic gripper that softens in 1.3 seconds and rigidifies in 0.8 seconds, enabling versatile grasping and silent vertical transport in cluttered underwater environments.

Effective science communication is a powerful but underrated tool. Metaphors, a common literary device, draw connections between unlike things and are often conceptually, innately understood. In science and science communication, these figures of speech act as a means of structuring concepts to provide the basis for further exploration. The use of metaphors in science can be a catalyst for change, invention, and, unfortunately, misunderstanding. Metaphors should be used responsibly when attempting to make complex scientific concepts easily understandable, and should weigh the accuracy and accessibility of information in a favorable balance.

Postmenopausal women are at higher risk for both osteoporosis and depression, yet no single treatment effectively addresses both conditions because their shared biological basis remains poorly understood. In a recent study, researchers discovered that a traditional plant extract used in traditional Chinese medicine could act on a common molecular pathway underlying both bone loss and mood disorders, paving the way for treatments that target both conditions at once.

Antibiotic resistance is making bacterial infections harder to treat, demanding new therapeutic strategies. A new review highlights bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs) as promising nanoscale tools that can kill pathogens, block infection, enhance vaccines, and deliver drugs. By integrating genetic, chemical, and physical engineering, researchers demonstrate how BEVs can be transformed into customizable “nanoweapons.” This approach could reshape infection treatment by enabling safer, targeted, and more effective alternatives to conventional antibiotics.

Differences in brain connectivity are linked to several neurodevelopmental disorders, yet scientists still struggle to determine what changes are shared or unique to each condition. A new study analyzing brain scans from more than 2,100 individuals reveals a common pattern of disrupted neural connectivity across autism, ADHD, and schizophrenia. The research also identifies distinct molecular and cellular signatures for each disorder, offering insight into how complex psychiatric conditions arise from overlapping yet different biological mechanisms.