For decades, nuclear physicists believed that “Islands of Inversion” — regions where the normal rules of nuclear structure suddenly break down — were found mostly in neutron-rich isotopes. In these unusual pockets of the nuclear chart, magic numbers disappear, spherical shapes collapse, and nuclei unexpectedly transform into strongly deformed objects. So far, all such islands found were exotic nuclei such as beryllium-12 (N = 8), magnesium-32 (N = 20), and chromium-64 (N = 40), all of which are far away from the stable nuclei found in nature.

But now, a study recently carried out by an international collaboration of the Center for Exotic Nuclear Studies, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), University of Padova, Michigan State University, University of Strasbourg and other institutions have uncovered something no one had seen before: an Island of Inversion hiding in one of the most symmetric regions of all, where the number of protons equals the number of neutrons.

Coherent diffractive imaging (CDI), with its lensless geometry and theoretically perfect transfer function, is considered as one of the most promising paradigms to achieve the Abbe resolution limit. Towards this goal, Chinese scientists developed a novel computational framework termed ‘rigorous Fraunhofer diffraction’ that eliminates the Ewald sphere effect in CDIs, particularly for high NAs. It has achieved a k = 0.501 imaging factor in nearly 0.9NA CDI, pushing the Abbe resolution diffraction limit for the first time in ultra-high-NA scenarios. Leveraging this the ultra-high NA and the Abbe-limit k-factor, it demonstrates a record-high imaging resolution of 0.57 λ for CDIs.

Metallenes are atomically thin metals, whose unique properties make them extremely promising for nanoscale applications. However, their extreme thinness makes them also flimsy. Now, researchers at the Nanoscience Center of the University of Jyväskylä (Finland) have succeeded in identifying the principles that can maximize their stability. The solution may open up opportunities in materials design, nano-electronics, energy production, and biomedicine. 

An Osaka Metropolitan University researcher quantitatively evaluated the optimal approach for a tomato harvesting robot using image recognition and statistical analysis to maximize the success rate of fruit picking.

A cross-disciplinary research team led by Professor Hongjie DAI (Sapientia Eminence Professor, Chair Professor in Department of Chemistry, Department of Mechanical Engineering and School of Biomedical Sciences, Director of The Materials Institute of Life Sciences and Energy (MILES)) and Professor Simon Ying Kit LAW (Chairperson and Cheung Kung-Hai Professor in Gastrointestinal Surgery, Chair Professor in Department of Surgery, the School of Clinical Medicine, HKUMed) at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has, for the first time, successfully applied NIR-II (1000–3000 nm) fluorescence video imaging during esophagectomy – a complex surgical procedure involving the resection of a diseased or cancerous portion of the esophagus, where the most dreaded complication, anastomotic leakage, a gastrointestinal defect at the suture line between the esophagus and the gastric conduit, affects 10-30% of patients and leads to high postoperative morbidity rate and even death. In Hong Kong, about 30 patients have already benefited from esophagectomy performed with the aid of this new fluorescence imaging and video analysis technique, with highly promising outcomes to date.

An international team led by researchers from the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at The University of Hong Kong (HKU), including postdoctoral fellow Dr Tianyang LYU, Professor Man Hoi LEE (also with the Department of Physics), and Mok Sau-King Professor Guochun ZHAO, has made a significant breakthrough in understanding the tectonic evolution of terrestrial planets. Using advanced numerical models, the team systematically classified for the first time six distinct planetary tectonic regimes and identified a novel regime: the “Episodic-Squishy Lid”. The study not only provides crucial clues to the origin of Earth’s plate tectonics but also offers a robust theoretical framework for deciphering the enigmatic geological features of Venus. The findings have been published in the journal Nature Communications.

High-resolution full-color quantum dot light-emitting diode (QLED) displays still face significant challenges, particularly limitations in restricted pixelation manufacturing process and the operational longevity of specific pixels. Researchers have developed a single-layer color-tunable QLEDs technology that achieves color-tunable emission via operating voltage adjustment, avoiding complex tandem structures while demonstrating record-breaking external quantum efficiency （EQE） and broad color gamut including standard white emission, highlighting significant potential for application in full-color display and lighting technologies.

Researchers developed a new, symmetry-consistent way to describe CP-violating neutral triple gauge couplings, correcting problems in the conventional approach since 1999. Using systematic simulations of the e⁺e⁻ → Zγ process, they demonstrated that CP-violating effects have distinctive angular distributions in the Z-boson decay. With optimized observables and polarized beams, the proposed colliders can probe new physics at the multi-TeV scale, offering a powerful indirect window beyond the Standard Model.