High-density tactile sensor arrays are essential for next-generation electronic skins, yet increasing array density inevitably amplifies lateral strain–induced mechanical crosstalk, which severely undermines signal stability, recognition reliability, and long-term service performance—particularly in dynamic applications such as Braille reading. Here, researchers report a capacitive tactile array incorporating a gradient-modulus strain isolation layer that decouples mechanical functions along the thickness direction, effectively suppressing nonlocal strain transfer while maintaining high sensitivity. Guided by quantitative structural design principles supported by simulation and experiment, the device achieves a sensitivity of 3.92 kPa⁻¹ with a crosstalk coefficient of only 4.39%. Integrated into a “sliding–recognition–speech” Braille platform, it achieves 100% static and 99% dynamic recognition accuracy while reducing false triggers by over 70%. This work demonstrates that structural suppression of mechanical crosstalk is a powerful pathway to ensuring the stable, reliable operation of high-density electronic skins and offers a scalable design strategy for future assistive tactile perception technologies.

Recently, a research team led by Professor Zhang Jiachao from the College of Food Science and Engineering, Hainan University, published a new study in Science Bulletin entitled “Calenduloside E produced by Bifidobacterium animalis B960 increases glibenclamide efficacy and alleviates drug-induced adverse effects in a type 2 diabetes model.” This study directly addresses the long-standing challenge of the “microbial drug black hole” in the pharmacotherapy of metabolic diseases. The team successfully identified a tropical probiotic strain with dual “efficacy-enhancing and toxicity-reducing” properties, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis B960 (B960). For the first time, the researchers systematically elucidated the molecular mechanism by which this strain produces the functional metabolite Calenduloside E to synergistically enhance the therapeutic efficacy of glibenclamide while mitigating its adverse effects. Importantly, these findings were further validated using a human-derived gut–liver interconnected organ-on-a-chip platform that recapitulates key aspects of the human physiological microenvironment in vitro. Overall, this work provides an innovative strategy for the development of probiotic-based adjuvant therapies for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Large language models (LLMs) can be manipulated by "trick prompts" that try to override safety rules. We propose a lightweight defense that improves detection while avoiding needless refusals of harmless requests. Two LLM agent teams-one generating tougher test prompts and one analyzing them-iterate in a feedback loop to sharpen judgments. Instead of costly fine-tuning, the method learns through in-context logs, steadily boosting accuracy across standard metrics.

Electronic order in quantum materials often emerges not uniformly, but through subtle and complex patterns that vary from place to place. One prominent example is the charge density wave (CDW), an ordered state in which electrons arrange themselves into periodic patterns at low temperatures. Although CDWs have been studied for decades, how their strength and spatial coherence evolve across a phase transition has remained largely inaccessible experimentally.

Now, a team led by Professor Yongsoo Yang of the Department of Physics at KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology), together with Professors SungBin Lee, Heejun Yang, and Yeongkwan Kim, and in collaboration with Stanford University, has for the first time directly visualized the spatial evolution of charge density wave amplitude order inside a quantum material.

A new framework for understanding the non-monotonic temperature dependence and sign reversal of the chirality-related anomalous Hall effect in highly conductive metals has been developed by scientists at Science Tokyo. This framework provides a clear picture of the unusual temperature dependence of chirality-driven transport phenomena, forming a foundation for the rational design of next-generation spintronic devices and magnetic quantum materials.

Quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy and light-induced thermoelastic spectroscopy are two gas sensing technologies that utilize a QTF as detector. As such, they are collectively referred to as quartz-enhanced laser spectroscopy sensing techniques. The QTF offers many features, which contribute three advantages to the technology: (1) exceptional noise immunity; (2) potential for miniaturization; (3) ultra-high sensitivity. With continued breakthrough advances, this technology is expected to bring about a paradigm shift in gas sensing for applications.

This feature examines how Middle Eastern education systems navigate tensions between global models and local cultures. Drawing on studies across the Gulf, Turkey, Bahrain, Oman, the UAE, and Iran, it explores shadow education markets, policy borrowing, teacher learning communities, culturally grounded early education, and classroom critiques of test-driven systems. Together, these perspectives show education as an ongoing negotiation, not simple adoption, shaping identity, equity, and future readiness across the region.

Researchers at University of Tsukuba have developed a cellulose-based composite sheet that integrates paper pulp with starch, polyaniline (a conductive polymer), Prussian blue (a coordination compound), and alginic acid (a natural polysaccharide). These components were assembled into layered structures using a traditional papermaking technique. The resulting sheet exhibits efficient simultaneous adsorption and immobilization of radioactive elements, including cesium, iodine, and strontium.