Birds flock in order to forage and move more efficiently. Fish school to avoid predators. And bees swarm to reproduce. Recent advances in artificial intelligence have sought to mimic these natural behaviors as a way to potentially improve search-and-rescue operations or to identify areas of wildfire spread over vast areas—largely through coordinated drone or robotic movements. However, developing a means to control and utilize this type of AI—or “swarm intelligence”—has proved challenging. In a newly published paper, an international team of scientists describes a framework designed to advance swarm intelligence—by controlling flocking and swarming in ways that are akin to what occurs in nature.

In the human body, stem cells process genetic information in an exceptionally reliable and very fast manner.  To do this, they specifically access certain sections of the DNA in the cell nucleus. Researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have investigated how the DNA-based information processing system works. Their results show that this process is comparable to processes in modern computers and could therefore serve as a model for new types of DNA-based computer chips. Published in “Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.” (DOI: 10.1111/nyas.15415)

Understanding causal relationships between neuronal spike trains is challenging due to their irregular, bursty nature, and the limitations of traditional causality detection methods. Now, researchers from Japan have developed a new approach based on convergent cross mapping that works with irregularly sampled data. Their technique can accurately determine causality between spike trains in small, simulated groups of neurons, even with noise, paving the way for a more comprehensive understanding of brain networks.

A self-powered analytical device that detects toxic amines in water using electrochemiluminescence has been developed by researchers from Japan, enabling pollutant detection without an external power source. The device operates using voltage generated by liquid flow and produces light signals to indicate contamination. This breakthrough makes water quality testing more accessible, enabling real-time, portable monitoring in situations where traditional methods are impractical.

Patients who suffer from chronic conditions often require continuous injections of drugs, which is quite painful and often inconvenient. To address this, researchers from South Korea have developed new wearable microneedles which are inspired by bee stings. These electrospun web microneedles (EW-MNs) deliver drugs continuously through the skin without causing discomfort. In animal models, the system enhanced drug absorption while ensuring comfort—offering a safer and convenient alternative to conventional needle systems.

A study led by University of Oxford and Brookhaven National Laboratory researchers has uncovered how exposure to hydrogen atoms dynamically alters the internal structure of stainless steel.

The findings reveal that hydrogen allows internal defects in steel to move in ways not normally possible – which can lead to unexpected failure.

This discovery offers vital insights that could help make hydrogen fuel systems safer and more reliable, from aircraft and fusion reactors to pipelines and storage tanks.

The study has been published today (9 Sept) in Advanced Materials.

Soft robots, robot systems made of soft materials, open up new perspectives for medical technology and industry. Jun.-Prof. Dr. Aniket Pal from the University of Stuttgart is conducting research into viscoelastic materials that have the potential to embed intelligent functions in soft robots. He is receiving 1.5 million euros in funding for this research as part of the Emmy Noether Program. The funding period began on September 1, 2025.