What if dolphins are listening in on their prey—and their prey are listening right back? Researchers spent two months eavesdropping on dolphins along Florida’s Atlantic coast, using an autonomous wave glider to capture their underwater sounds and clues about where they socialize and hunt. The study revealed distinct acoustic hotspots where dolphins gathered and socialized, and where they hunted in areas rich with sound-producing fish. The findings open a fascinating new question: Are dolphins and their prey listening to—and potentially responding to—each other?

Researchers create the first multi-responsive gel built from ‘foldamers’ - a discovery that could lead to smart sensors, switchable catalysts, and more.

Researchers have applied a water freeze-drying (WFD) method to bacteria, enabling high-resolution SEM observation with a general-purpose laboratory freeze-dryer. This solvent-free technique reduced cracking and shrinkage of specimens and revealed previously obscure variations in the cell poles of Escherichia coli, opening up new possibilities for studying near-native microbial morphology and the damage caused by antimicrobial agents.

Researchers have developed a dopamine-enhanced soft electrode that helps wearable drug-delivery patches operate more reliably in wet conditions. The additive improves the electrode’s structure, protects it during electrical operation and strengthens its attachment to the device. In laboratory tests using pig skin, the electrode delivered model compounds more effectively and remained functional during repeated use, offering a potential route to longer-lasting iontophoresis patches.