A substance poisonous to humans — hydrogen cyanide — may have helped create the seeds of life on Earth. At cold temperatures, hydrogen cyanide forms crystals. And, according to computer models reported in ACS Central Science, some of the facets on these crystals are highly reactive, enabling chemical reactions that are otherwise not possible at low temperatures. The researchers say these reactions could have started a cascade that gave rise to several building blocks of life.

Early in 2025, scientists discovered a promising new antibiotic in a soil sample from a lab technician’s backyard. The molecule, called lariocidin, is produced by the microbe Paenibacillus and shows broad activity against pathogenic bacteria, including several that are multi-drug-resistant. Now, the researchers report in ACS Infectious Diseases how Paenibacillus avoids harm by its own antibiotic — information that is crucial for developing lariocidin or similar compounds into new drug candidates.

Chemical looping fluidized bed reactors are an innovative technology for green hydrogen and chemical production. Recently, researchers have comprehensively reviewed the latest developments in chemical looping, with a focus on fluidized bed design and oxygen carrier performance. The findings of the study can pave the way for low-emission power generation, inherent carbon dioxide separation, carbon footprint reduction, and industrial decarbonization.

Researchers at TU Wien have discovered an unexpected new state of matter in which topological properties emerge even though the usual particle picture of electrons breaks down. The findings show that topological states can arise in strongly fluctuating, quantum-critical materials, challenging long-held theoretical assumptions. This opens a new pathway for identifying novel topological materials with potential applications in quantum technologies and advanced sensing.

Using a mouse model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, researchers found that early, chronic cannabidiol treatment normalized emotional behavior, reduced alcohol motivation, and modulated key brain biomarkers linked to addiction.

Published in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, this study addresses the most common preventable cause of neurodevelopmental disability, for which no approved treatment currently exists. It shows that CBD reverses gut microbiota dysbiosis and restores gut–brain communication.

Researchers at Kumamoto University have discovered that a purely inorganic crystal grown from water solution can emit circularly polarized light, a special form of light whose “handedness” distinguishes left from right. The finding opens a new pathway toward robust optical materials for security printing, advanced displays, and photonic technologies, using simple inorganic chemistry rather than complex organic molecules.

Scientists have found that adding biochar to farm soils can help steady the release of carbon dioxide during increasingly erratic rain and drought cycles, potentially supporting climate friendly agriculture and healthier soils.

The Oceanography Society has selected Dr. Zhongping Lee of Xiamen University as the recipient of the 2026 Nils Gunnar Jerlov Medal, recognizing his transformative contributions to understanding how light interacts with the ocean, as well as his sustained leadership in education, interdisciplinary research, and collaborative work with meaningful societal impact. Dr. Lee will be recognized at The Oceanography Society Honors Breakfast, February 24, 2026, during the Ocean Sciences Meeting in Glasgow, Scotland, as well as during the Ocean Optics XXVII Conference in Ghent, Belgium, in September 2026.