Bioluminescent plankton are marine organisms capable of emitting visible light through chemical reactions in their bodies. This unique biochemical trait is attributed to a luciferin-luciferase reaction, which produces a striking blue light. This fascinating phenomenon, often referred to as the “blue tears” effect, has become a major attraction for tourist attractions in many countries. Since their discovery, most investigations related to these marine organisms have primarily focused on the fields of biology, ecology, oceanography, and microbiology. However, there has been limited to almost no study of their potential applications in the area of energy or lighting. This paper provides viewpoints on the opportunities for using these marine organisms and their light-emitting characteristics as an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly lighting solution, rather than just as a tourist attraction. Additionally, it addresses the challenges associated with sustaining the growth of bioluminescent plankton collected from the marine environment, the importance of establishing suitable protocols for in-house cultivation, challenges in stimulating the light-production at desired time, constraint imposed by the circadian rhythm, the toxicity of certain bioluminescent plankton, and the capacity of their luminous intensity.

Protonic ceramic cells (PCCs) are emerging as highly efficient devices for power generation, hydrogen production, and chemical synthesis at intermediate temperatures. However, their advancement depends on a deeper understanding of proton transport, hydration mechanisms, and surface catalytic reactions. This review highlights how diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) provides a powerful, surface-sensitive approach to uncover these mechanisms in real time. By probing hydroxyl formation, carbonate species, reaction intermediates, and proton migration pathways, DRIFTS enables researchers to decode key phenomena that govern PCC performance. The study also outlines major challenges and proposes strategies to expand DRIFTS capabilities for improving materials design and accelerating PCC development.

Comorbidity—the co-occurrence of multiple diseases in a patient—complicates diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Understanding how diseases connect at a molecular level is crucial, especially in aging populations and complex conditions like COVID-19, where comorbidities worsen outcomes. While network medicine has used the human interactome—a map of protein-protein interactions—to study these links, accurately predicting comorbid pairs remains challenging.

For decades, cancer research has highlighted angiogenesis—the growth of new blood vessels—as a critical process that tumors hijack to fuel their growth. Mathematical models, particularly the classic Keller-Segel system, have been instrumental in simulating how endothelial cells (ECs) migrate toward a tumor driven by chemical gradients. However, most models assume a closed, no-flux boundary at the tumor, which may not reflect the "leaky" nature of real tumor vasculature.

In November 2025, a team led by Dr. Yuting Guo at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences revealed how mitochondria-ER contact sites (MERCS) decode proteotoxic stress via calcium nanodomain regulation, activating adaptive mitochondrial responses. Published in Protein & Cell, the work proposes new therapeutic avenues for neurodegenerative diseases.

Artificial intelligence becomes a predictive tool that can provide assistance in defining a nutritional plan for preterm infants. This is the concept of an innovative study recently published in the Journal of Perinatology, part of the Nature portfolio. It is the joint work of researchers from the IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori Foundation (FSGT) and the Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering (DEIB) of the Politecnico di Milano.