Sticky compounds found in okra and fenugreek, the same substances responsible for okra’s sliminess and fenugreek’s gel-like texture, may offer a powerful new solution for cleaning polluted water. Scientists have found that natural extracts from these plants can effectively capture and remove microplastics—tiny plastic particles that contaminate oceans, rivers, and even drinking water.

Recent research published in ACS Omega revealed that extracts from okra and fenugreek can eliminate up to 90 percent of microplastics from ocean water, freshwater, and groundwater. The team, led by researcher Rajani Srinivasan, has been focused on developing safe, plant-based approaches to remove pollutants from water systems.

Researchers at MIT, along with collaborators from other institutions, have developed a new fabrication method that integrates high-performance gallium nitride (GaN) transistors onto standard silicon CMOS chips. This breakthrough addresses longstanding challenges related to the high cost and specialized integration requirements of GaN, significantly improving accessibility for a broad range of electronic applications.

Gallium nitride is the second most widely used semiconductor after silicon. Its unique electrical properties make it ideal for applications such as lighting, radar systems, and power electronics. However, to fully harness its capabilities, GaN-based chips must be connected to silicon-based digital chips, commonly known as CMOS chips.

The world’s strangest trampoline doesn’t bounce—it swings sideways and glides around corners. But no one can jump on it, because it’s smaller than the thickness of a human hair.

This miniature trampoline is just 0.2 millimeters wide and incredibly thin—only about 20 millionths of a millimeter thick. Its surface is patterned with regularly spaced, rounded triangular holes, giving it a distinctive perforated look. Despite its delicate appearance, it’s built for endurance. Once set in motion, it barely loses any momentum and can keep swinging for a very long time.

In a breakthrough that could transform water purification, researchers at Ohio State University have developed “nanofibrous blankets” — lightweight mats that float on water and use ordinary sunlight to break down pollutants. These innovative materials could eliminate the need for energy-intensive ultraviolet (UV) lamps and expensive particle recovery systems, offering a simpler, more sustainable way to clean contaminated water.

Photocatalytic water treatment typically relies on titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles, which require UV light to activate. While effective, this method creates two major challenges: UV light makes up less than 5% of natural sunlight, and the nanoparticles must be retrieved after use — a costly and time-consuming process.

Human urine is often regarded as mere waste, but in large quantities, it presents significant environmental challenges. Excess nutrients from urine can overwhelm water systems, leading to pollution and ecological damage. Now, researchers have developed a groundbreaking solution that not only addresses this environmental issue but also creates a valuable medical material in the process.

A team of scientists from the University of California, Irvine, in collaboration with institutions in the U.S. and Japan, has engineered a synthetic yeast system that transforms urine into hydroxyapatite (HAp)—a phosphate mineral widely used in bone and dental implants, archaeological restoration, and biodegradable products.

Scientists at the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) have developed the world’s first practical next-generation betavoltaic cell, marking a significant advancement in long-term, autonomous power generation. By integrating carbon-14 with a perovskite absorber layer, the team has created a compact energy source capable of delivering stable performance over extended periods without the need for recharging.

This innovative device was achieved by embedding carbon-14-based quantum dots into the radioactive electrode and optimizing the structure of the perovskite material. These enhancements led to a substantial increase in energy conversion efficiency and power output stability. The results, recently published in Chemical Communications, highlight the potential of this technology to power advanced electronics in extreme or remote environments.

Scientists at King’s College London have developed a nanoneedle-studded patch that can painlessly collect detailed molecular information from tissues, without cutting, scarring, or removing a single cell. The development could be a game-changer for patients who currently endure invasive procedures to diagnose conditions like cancer and Alzheimer’s. Traditional biopsies are a common procedure performed worldwide. It involves removing small chunks of tissue, often with a needle or scalpel, causing pain, risk of complications, and delays in diagnosis.

For organs like the brain, repeat biopsies are rarely possible. But this new patch with tens of millions of nanoneedles 1,000 times thinner than a human hair offers a pain-free alternative. For many, this could mean earlier diagnosis and more regular monitoring, transforming how diseases are tracked and treated.
“We have been working on nanoneedles for twelve years, but this is our most exciting development yet. It opens a world of possibilities for people with brain cancer, Alzheimer’s, and for advancing personalised medicine,” said Dr Ciro Chiappini, the lead author of the study.

In science fiction films like Frankenstein and Re-Animator, the idea of reviving the dead has fascinated audiences for generations. While these tales were once purely fantastical, recent scientific research suggests a similar phenomenon may be occurring in real life—a “third state” of existence that lies between life and death.

Researchers have found that after an organism dies, some of its cells can continue functioning. Even more remarkably, these cells can sometimes acquire new capabilities they never exhibited while the organism was alive.