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Tech & Engineering

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 17-Nov-2025 20:11 ET (18-Nov-2025 01:11 GMT/UTC)

Rice’s dean of engineering and computing building new software infrastructure for evolutionary biology

Rice University
Grant and Award Announcement

Rice University computer scientist Luay Nakhleh, who also serves as the dean of the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing, has received a $1.9 million grant from the National Science Foundation to build a powerful new software infrastructure that could significantly expand how scientists study evolution. The project, titled PhyNetPy, aims to bring the next generation of evolutionary modeling tools into the hands of researchers around the world by enabling the widespread use of phylogenetic networks — complex, nontreelike models of evolutionary history.

"Crop–robot co-design" signals crop-breeding breakthrough

Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Scientists from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have reimagined the pollination process by developing a new system that uses gene editing to create flowers that can be easily pollinated by AI-controlled robots working round the clock.

Journal: Cell

Trends and disparities in technology use and glycemic control in type 1 diabetes

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About The Study: In this cross-sectional study, there was a rapid increase in the use of diabetes technology and notable improvements in glycemic control among youths and adults with type 1 diabetes during the past 15 years. Nonetheless, the prevalence of glycemic control remained low, and racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic differences grew over time.

Journal: JAMA Network Open

Common food bacteria could help make vitamins cheaper and greener

Rice University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new study reveals how Lactococcus lactis (L. lactis), a common food bacterium, regulates the production of a key precursor in vitamin K₂ (menaquinone) biosynthesis. The bacteria produce enough of this precursor to support their growth while preventing toxic buildup.

Journal: mBio
Funder: National Science Foundation, Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas

Research update: PFAS found in several reusable period products

American Chemical Society
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or forever chemicals, are being identified in more places. Period products are on that list, likely because of the resistance to stains and liquids conferred by these chemicals. Building on previously presented research, a team publishing in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology Letters found that some reusable products, namely period underwear and reusable pads, contained PFAS, which might be absorbed into the body through skin contact.

Journal: Environmental Science & Technology Letters

New £13m nuclear program to boost UK energy security through sustainable graphite innovation

University of Plymouth
Grant and Award Announcement

A consortium of UK universities - led by the University of Manchester in collaboration with the University of Oxford, University of Plymouth and Loughborough University - has been awarded a major grant for a programme that will transform the lifecycle of graphite in nuclear energy - an essential material for the future deployment of nuclear power.

Funder: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

New solar cells could power devices from indoor light

University College London
Peer-Reviewed Publication

An international team led by UCL (University College London) researchers has developed durable new solar cells capable of efficiently harvesting energy from indoor light, meaning devices such as keyboards, remote controls, alarms and sensors could soon be battery free.

Journal: Advanced Functional Materials
Funder: Henry Royce Institute, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, UCL