The BBA (Biochimica et Biophysica Acta) journals are pleased to announce the biennial BBA Rising Stars in Biochemistry and Biophysics initiative.

Regrowth of lost enamel in tooth decay and sensitivity is a major obstacle to overcome. Here, the authors report on a protein-based material that mimics features of natural enamel formation, allowing ...

Hydrogels are emerging as sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based foams and pots in horticulture due to their high porosity, enhancing water and nutrient retention. This study develops κ-carrageenan (Carr)-based hydrogels incorporating hydrolyzed (HSW) and nonhydrolyzed red seaweed (WSW) (0–50 wt %) to introduce biostimulant properties for soilless cultivation. Hydrogels were analyzed for swelling in different media, solubility, microstructure (SEM), physicochemical interactions (FTIR, XRD), and mechanical properties, revealing high porosity, superabsorbent behavior (swelling up to 6000%), and reduced compression modulus with increasing seaweed content. Their biostimulant effect was assessed on Arabidopsis thaliana, with 20 wt % HSW hydrogels promoting enhanced root and shoot growth. Additionally, the hydrogels inhibited Fusarium solani, demonstrating antifungal properties. These results highlight the potential of Carr-seaweed hydrogels as multifunctional substrates for sustainable plant cultivation.

And why do Swedish Fish rock?

Academic scientists and pharmaceutical companies alike are embracing artificial intelligence, even as questions linger about its value

A data-driven approach integrates data mining, experimentation and machine learning to design high-performance adhesive hydrogels from scratch, tailored for demanding underwater environments.

The workshop’s white paper offers guidance to the National Science Foundation on how to prioritize funding for artificial intelligence research in mathematics and the physical sciences

The most common destination for eventual Nobel laureates in physics, chemistry and medicine since 2000 is the United States, Nature has found.

Ashley Ellis, MEng ’25, is using her biology and biotech background, along with the Master of Engineering program, to innovate where science meets business.

Porous materials used for gas storage and catalysis can now be made on a ton scale, but producers still seek opportunities for large-scale use

Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar Yaghi take top prize for discovery and development of versatile materials with a huge surface area

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Medicine honours discoveries that reveal how the immune system keeps itself in check, unlocking cures for autoimmunity and cancer.

Mary Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi discovered cells that protect the body from autoimmune diseases.

In our Quantum Concepts series, we bring key quantum ideas to life by imagining how a familiar object - the apple that inspired Isaac Newton - might act in t...

A short peptide disassembles stable pathogenic tau fibrils of Alzheimer’s disease.

mTORC1 activation by components of a cytokine cocktail enhances NK cell cytotoxicity toward cancer cells.

Scientific Reports - Multifunctional peptide nanofiber coatings enhance bone regeneration on xenograft materials

In this work, immune modulation of the monocyte-derived dendritic cells was studied by in vitro cell culture and organ-on-chip models. Self-assembled mannosylated peptide nanofibers were prepared and ...

We compare these results to our 2024 study.