Tech & Engineering
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 2-Apr-2026 16:15 ET (2-Apr-2026 20:15 GMT/UTC)
Virus-inspired DNA needle could pave the way for better medicines
Aarhus UniversityPeer-Reviewed Publication
Researchers at Aarhus University report a proof-of-concept DNA needle inspired by bacteriophages that can deliver molecules directly into cells and help them remain active. In laboratory experiments, the structure avoided endosomal trapping, a major limitation in current delivery methods. The approach may support future development of RNA-based therapies and treatments for rare genetic disorders.
- Journal
- Advanced Science
- Funder
- Novo Nordisk Fonden, Carlsberg Foundation
New machine learning model offers blueprint for super-adsorbent biochar
Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural UniversityA new study published in the journal Carbon Research introduces an advanced machine learning model capable of predicting how to create the most effective biochar for removing antibiotics from water. A collaborative team of scientists from the National Institute of Technology Rourkela, the University of Auckland, and Tarim University has demonstrated that their model can generate reliable, scientifically coherent rules even when working with incomplete, "real-world" datasets, a common challenge in scientific research. This approach avoids the need for data-filling techniques that can introduce bias, offering a more robust tool for environmental remediation.
- Journal
- Carbon Research
New coating could improve safety of medical implants
University of the Sunshine Coast- Journal
- Biomaterials Research
University of Bath research warns AI could erode human capital, thinking and expertise in the workplace
University of BathPeer-Reviewed Publication
- Journal
- Human Resource Management Journal
Lakes harbor a neglected carbon sink critical for climate mitigation
Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural UniversityLakes, despite covering less than 2% of Earth's surface, serve as crucial hubs for the biogeochemical processing of carbon. A significant, yet frequently overlooked, component of this process involves recalcitrant dissolved organic matter (RDOM). A new perspective article highlights RDOM in lakes as an important, but neglected, carbon sink, urging for a more comprehensive understanding of its characteristics and transformation processes to inform global carbon budgets and climate change strategies.
This analysis details how RDOM, a fraction of dissolved organic matter (DOM) that resists degradation over long periods, plays a pivotal role in long-term carbon preservation. While its importance in oceanic carbon sequestration is recognized, the dynamics and precise contribution of lake RDOM remain largely unknown. This knowledge gap presents a considerable challenge for accurately assessing lakes' capacity for climate change mitigation.
- Journal
- Carbon Research
- Funder
- National Natural Science Foundation of China, Youth Innovation Promotion Association, CAS, Provincial Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu, NIGLAS Foundation, TÜBITAK program BIDEB2232
Rapid 'terraforming' technology transforms degraded land into fertile soil
Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural UniversityA pressing global concern is the widespread degradation of fertile land, a consequence of anthropogenic misuse and environmental accidents. This degradation severely threatens global food security and necessitates innovative, short-term rehabilitation strategies. Scientists from Northeast Agricultural University and the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces Department of Colloid Chemistry have developed a pioneering solution: a rapidly reconstructed anthropogenic soil (AS) system. This engineered soil, derived from waste biomass, promises to restore vitality to weak land and significantly enhance agricultural productivity, as exemplified by improved rice seedling growth.
- Journal
- Carbon Research
- Funder
- Outstanding Youth Project of Heilongjiang Province, National Key Research and Development Program of China, National Natural Science Foundation of China