Researchers achieved the most extensive coordinated comparison of optical clocks to date by operating clocks and the links connecting them simultaneously across six countries.

Chemists at Goethe University Frankfurt have developed a catalyst capable of breaking down per- and polyfluorinated organic substances (PFAS) – also known as “forever chemicals” – in a targeted manner. PFAS are widely used to make surfaces resistant to dirt and water, but their extreme persistence in the environment and potential health risks have made them a growing concern. What sets this new catalyst apart is that it does not rely on costly or toxic heavy metals like platinum, palladium, or iridium. Beyond its ability to degrade PFAS, the catalyst could also be used in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals.

University of Missouri study challenges assumptions about biodiversity near Earth’s first reef systems.

Researchers from the University of South China have developed the Two-Potential approach to obtain the key information about the nuclear structure in heavy and superheavy region.  It is found that atomic nuclei with the number of neutrons near N=162 are more stable. Encouraged by this, the half-lives of unknown nuclei around N = 162 are predicted. More importantly, the half-lives of possible new elements are also predicted. These theoretical results can serve provide guidance for the subsequent synthetic experiments.

A new study led by Prof. Jiandong Feng, Zhejiang University, reported a novel quantum-patch-clamp probe based on manipulating intracellular single quantum sensors to measure the local multi-physical field in real-time and in situ, offering new insights into intracellular dynamics.

Researchers from Fujita Health University have found that chronic hyponatremia (CHN), a condition of prolonged low blood sodium, induces anxiety-like behaviors in mice. CHN disrupts serotonin and dopamine levels and reduces extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation in the amygdala, a key brain region for emotion. These changes are reversible with sodium level correction. The findings suggest that CHN directly affects brain function and support early diagnosis and treatment to improve mental well-being in affected individuals.