A mathematical method borrowed from topology can reveal structural properties of visual art that correspond to how people perceive and respond to them, according to a new study published this week in the open-access journal PLOS Computational Biology by Jacek Rogala of the University of Warsaw, Poland, Shabnam Kadir of the University of Hertfordshire, UK, and colleagues.

Tiny robots just a few centimeters long could change how we explore narrow spaces and gather information. Researchers have created a new type of piezoelectric robot with a built-in ceramic driving unit, delivering impressive speed and strong load capacity. These modules connect magnetically to form flexible structures, adapting to grooves, slits and narrow channels easily. They can also carry cameras for wireless image capture, opening new possibilities for small-scale robotic applications.

As densely populated coastal communities struggle to keep up with rising sea levels, new research reveals a way to predict how river deltas build land and protect coastal regions from encroaching oceans. This insight will help engineers and policymakers estimate how much new land can be created or maintained when human intervention is used to redirect river channels, making these efforts more effective for coastal restoration and flood protection.

A new study in Engineering introduces a precise way to evaluate biological aging by absolutely quantifying two key IgG N-glycans, GP3 and GP8. These glycans show clear changes with age and can be reversed by calorie restriction. The abGlycoAge model built from these markers reliably estimates biological age, while youthful IgG-Ny treatment eases age-related inflammation and organ senescence, offering new clues for aging research and intervention.