Quasicrystals are neither conventional crystals nor amorphous solids, and their magnetic behavior remained a mystery. Researchers have now created the first bulk, annealable ferromagnetic quasicrystals and uncovered an unexpected form of magnetic critical behavior. The results show that the quasicrystal magnetism is controlled by both quasiperiodic structure and spin symmetry, establishing new design principles for magnetic quasicrystalline materials. These materials can form the foundation for new magnetic and quantum functional materials.

Future terahertz systems need front ends that can not only transmit data but also process signals directly. Scientists in China, Poland and Japan have developed a subarray programmable terahertz metasurface that performs optical Boolean logic and four-level amplitude modulation on the same chip. By gating four HEMT-based subarrays, the device achieves broadband control from 170 to 260 GHz, real-time logic up to 200 MHz, PAM-4 signaling, and 6 GHz modulation response.

Why do some coral reefs weather marine heatwaves better than others? A new study published in Scientific Reports shows that the answer may lie not only in local ocean conditions, but also in climate patterns that span entire ocean basins. By combining long-term ocean observations with chemical records preserved in coral skeletons, the researchers reveal how large-scale climate oscillations regulate the natural cooling that can help protect coral reefs during marine heatwaves. First author Dr. Hana Camelia and Dr. Thomas Felis from MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences at the University of Bremen lead the study.

Researchers of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have developed an innovative method to convert climate-damaging carbon dioxide (CO₂) into a useful chemical substance. For their PEReCO₂ project, they were honored with the 2026 Neuland Innovation Award. The technology harnesses electricity from renewable sources and can help to make the chemical industry more climate-friendly. The method offers companies an alternative to fossil resources such as oil.

Ongoing research reveals how the aroma of cannabis is not only heavily influenced by the chosen cultivar, but also by different drying and storage methods. Through a combination of high-resolution chromatography and human-perception aroma assessments, this project provides detailed insights into the impact of preparation and transportation on cannabis chemistry and how humans perceive and interpret its’ aromas.

In most materials, heat absorption and heat emission are linked, meaning a surface that absorbs thermal radiation well from a particular direction will also emit it in the same way. A team from OMU in Japan has designed a reconfigurable device that breaks this symmetry, enabling heat to be absorbed and emitted differently depending on the direction of absorption. This technology could eventually lead to smarter thermal-management systems and infrared sensors.

Tokyo, Japan – The research group of Professor Kotohiro Nomura, Tokyo Metropolitan University, in cooperation with the research groups of Senior Researcher Hiroshi Hirano and Director Seiji Higashi, Osaka Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, and Associate Professor Hiroki Takeshita, The University of Shiga Prefecture, has developed biobased poly(ester amide)s from inedible bio-renewables, which can be easily chemical recyclable and exhibit better mechanical (tensile) properties in film than commodity plastics.

The world’s soils are vast reservoirs of organic carbon, vital for both climate change mitigation and sustaining agricultural productivity. A major component of this vital carbon pool is Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS), a sticky "slime" secreted by microorganisms. Despite its importance, how EPS transforms and persists within soils, particularly in interaction with minerals, remains poorly understood. A study from Huazhong Agricultural University sheds new light on these intricate processes, revealing that microbial activity, rather than simple surface attachment, drives significant changes in soil organic matter (SOM) composition, with iron (oxyhydr)oxides emerging as key players in carbon stabilization.

This investigation addressed a critical gap in understanding the intricate relationship between microbial life and geological structures beneath our feet. The team's work illustrates the complex pathways through which bacterial EPS contributes to SOM persistence, a process crucial for maintaining soil health and securing long-term carbon storage. EPS primarily comprises polysaccharides, proteins, and nucleic acids, acting as the interface for microbial interactions with their environment and impacting the stability of soil aggregates.