In mammals, only 3% of the genome encodes proteins essential for life and development. However, genes do not operate in isolation; they are regulated by other DNA sequences known as enhancers, which function like switches to turn genes on or off. Researchers at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) have identified 2,700 enhancers that regulate genes involved in bone growth.

Our height is largely inherited, and many genetic diseases impact bone growth. The root cause of these conditions might lie not in the genes themselves, but in the enhancers that activate them. Guillaume Andrey, a researcher at UNIGE, explains that enhancers signal DNA to produce RNA, which in turn synthesizes proteins. While the locations of bone growth genes are known, the specific enhancers controlling them had remained elusive.

Tokyo Steel Japan has unveiled its new proprietary green steel brand, Enso. The Enso circle, a symbol deeply rooted in Japanese culture, represents eternity, infinity, harmony, balance, and the cyclical nature of life. This emblem reflects Tokyo Steel’s commitment to the circular economy through its products. The Enso logo, transitioning from charcoal to green, signifies the company’s shift from carbon-intensive production to sustainable green steel.

Tokyo Steel reduces embodied carbon emissions by using electric arc production with recycled steel scrap and highly efficient operating processes, bypassing the emission-intensive steps typical in traditional blast furnace methods. The initial Enso product range includes Hot Rolled Coil (HRC) and Hot Rolled Plate (HRP), with plans for downstream expansion in the future.

A group of researchers from Switzerland’s École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) believes they have designed the thinnest metallic nanowire ever created. Remarkably, this wire remains stable even at 0 Kelvin.

The team, led by Chiara Cignarella with members Davide Campi and Nicola Marzari, devised an innovative approach to discover this nanowire. They aimed to leverage crystalline structures to identify suitable candidates without the need to build thousands in a lab.

Inspired by the movie Jurassic Park, a team of MIT researchers has developed a groundbreaking method to store DNA for extended periods using a glassy, amber-like polymer. This innovative approach allows for the preservation of DNA at room temperature, circumventing the need for energy-intensive freezing methods.

Traditional DNA storage methods require freezing temperatures, which consume substantial energy and are impractical in many regions. The new method developed by the MIT team stores DNA at room temperature, protecting it from damage caused by heat or moisture.

Recent tests have shown that MASH Makes’ waste-based biofuel is a viable ‘drop-in’ replacement for fossil fuels in the shipping sector. In collaboration with the global shipping company NORDEN, this innovative biofuel will now be trialed in live vessels. These trials mark a significant step towards achieving net-zero emissions, with biofuel poised to play a crucial role in decarbonizing shipping and heavy industry.

Shipping, which facilitates over 80% of global trade, consumes more than 330 million tons of fossil fuel annually, accounting for over 3% of global CO2 emissions—more than the entire country of Germany. Decarbonizing this essential part of the global economy is vital to meeting climate goals, but traditional green technologies have struggled to achieve this.

Researchers at Tsinghua University in China have developed a groundbreaking photonic chip that can process, transmit, and reconstruct images in mere nanoseconds. This innovative chip bypasses the traditional optical-to-electronic data conversion used by conventional chips, significantly enhancing the speed and efficiency of image processing.

Machine vision, a rapidly evolving field where cameras, sensors, and algorithms collaborate to interpret the world and execute specific tasks, has traditionally relied on transferring data over long distances for analysis. This process, however, is too slow for many real-time applications. “The world is entering an AI era, but AI is very time- and energy-exhaustive,” said Lu Fang, associate professor at Tsinghua University’s Department of Electronic Engineering. In today’s fast-paced world, machine vision now requires on-device data processing, known as edge computing, to enable quicker decision-making.