Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most serious public health problems worldwide, leaving millions with lasting cognitive and physical disabilities. Despite decades of research, early diagnosis and effective treatment remain challenging. Now, researchers have explored a new frontier, theranostic nanomaterials, tiny engineered particles that can both diagnose and treat TBI, while addressing the limitations of traditional biosensing and therapy strategies.

A research team at Hosei University and the University of Tokyo has achieved the world’s first stable production of edamame in an artificial light-type plant factory. Using the NFT hydroponic method, yields surpassed open-field cultivation while enhancing sugar and isoflavone content. This breakthrough enables year-round production of high-quality, nutritious edamame in diverse environments from urban buildings to deserts and even outer space, marking a significant step toward sustainable food systems and healthier diets.

Flash memory is critical for data-centric systems. A novel floating-gate memory using Pt nanocrystals embedded in a h-BN/MoS₂ van der Waals heterostructure combines ultrafast (20 ns) operational speed with retention time exceeding 10⁵ s. Pt nanocrystals formed via rapid thermal annealing spatially isolate charges, suppressing leakage for stable operation. Configurable logic-in-memory circuits were realized based on the flash memory, demonstrating its potential for energy-efficient computing. This work was published in National Science Open (NSO).

Hypersonic planes can bring one from Sydney to Los Angeles in just an hour. What’s standing in the way of such ultra-fast planes becoming reality is our understanding of how the turbulence they generate as they fly at such high speeds impacts their design. Now, a new study suggests that building hypersonic planes may not require a significantly different design approach.

Researchers propose a novel closed-loop system merging brain-computer interfaces and peripheral nerve stimulation to enable real-time, adaptive therapy for neuropsychiatric disorders like depression and ADHD. This approach dynamically tailors treatment to individual brain signals, overcoming limitations of one-size-fits-all methods. The technology promises precision neuromodulation, targeting specific neural circuits without invasive surgery.