Not all poisonous gases have a smell or a color. But a tiny grid of pastel- and candy-colored squares that effectively “sniffs” out hazardous chemicals in the air such as chlorosarin — a highly toxic nerve agent — could help detect them. Researchers report in ACS Sensors that the colorful patterns in their inexpensive and durable paper-based sensor array changed in the presence of poisonous gases, allowing for quick and accurate measurements within minutes.     

In an era where renewable energy is rapidly transforming our power grids, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems face a persistent challenge: the sun doesn't always shine when we need electricity most. Researchers at Aalborg University have developed an innovative solution that could significantly advance how we store and manage solar energy, making renewable power more reliable and cost-effective.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of electric vehicles (EVs) and large-scale energy storage systems, accurate battery management remains a critical challenge. The state-of-charge (SOC) estimation—essentially how much "fuel" is left in your battery—has long been a complex engineering problem due to the dynamic nature of battery behavior under various conditions. Traditional methods often struggle with initial errors, cumulative inaccuracies, and sparse data collection scenarios, limiting their real-world applicability. This groundbreaking research introduces a novel approach that combines the gas-liquid dynamics model (GLDM) with an advanced filtering algorithm to overcome these persistent challenges.

Scientists have discovered that licorice extract, a common traditional herb, offers powerful protection against Paraclostridium bifermentans spores—a heat-resistant microbe that threatens the safety and shelf life of ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken breast. In laboratory tests, licorice extract concentrations above 12.5 mg/mL significantly suppressed spore growth, while a 50 mg/mL dose nearly doubled product shelf life at 15 and 20 °C. Predictive modeling confirmed the extract’s impact on microbial growth rates and lag phases. Moreover, treated chicken samples showed slower spoilage, with lower acidity and chemical breakdown. The findings open up new possibilities for natural, plant-based preservation strategies in the meat industry.

Shrimp processing waste, often discarded as low-value by-product, may hold untapped therapeutic potential. In a recent study, researchers identified five antioxidant peptides from shrimp by-products, with HFVPVYEGF and EGYPFNPLL showing the most potent protective effects against oxidative damage. These peptides demonstrated the ability to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS), boost antioxidant enzyme activity, and significantly enhance the viability of human liver cells (HepG2) under oxidative stress. The findings reveal a promising avenue for converting seafood waste into high-value bioactive ingredients with health-promoting functions.

Egg yolk, long known for its nutritional benefits, may hold the key to a natural treatment for osteoporosis. A groundbreaking study has found that water-soluble egg yolk fractions, particularly the FC1 subfraction (< 3 kDa), significantly inhibit osteoclastogenesis—the process responsible for bone resorption. This discovery, based on in vitro tests with RAW264.7 macrophages, shows that FC1 not only curbs osteoclast formation but also activates apoptosis in mature osteoclasts. With further research, these egg yolk-derived bioactive compounds could pave the way for safer, natural supplements to promote bone health, offering an alternative to traditional treatments with fewer side effects.