Bentham Science introduces Beyond Blockchain: Reviewing the Impact and Evolution of Decentralized Networks (Part 1), a beginner-friendly resource that highlights how blockchain technology is reshaping key sectors of modern society.

How we smell is not just a matter of taste – it’s also influenced by our genes. An international team of researchers led by scientists from Leipzig University has conducted the largest genetic study to date on the human sense of smell. Researchers at the Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology (IMISE) identified seven new genetic regions associated with our ability to perceive odours. In the long term, the findings could help improve understanding of olfactory disorders and enable earlier detection of diseases. The scientific paper has been published in Nature Communications.

MIT researchers developed a fully autonomous platform that can identify, mix, and characterize novel polymer blends until it finds the optimal blend. This system could streamline the design of new composite materials for sustainable biocatalysis, better batteries, cheaper solar panels, and safer drug-delivery materials.