University of B.C. researchers have developed a groundbreaking coating that could make medical devices safer for millions of patients, reducing the risks associated with blood clots and dangerous bleeding. The new material is designed to mimic the natural behavior of blood vessels so that catheters, stents, blood-oxygenation machines and dialysis machines won't trigger clotting by activating certain proteins in the blood. 

A research team from the University of Basel has succeeded in synthesizing simple, environmentally sensitive cells complete with artificial organelles. For the first time, the researchers have also been able to emulate natural cell-cell communication using these protocells – based on the model of photoreceptors in the eye. This opens up new possibilities for basic research and applications in medicine.

This work introduces a novel tandem hydrothermal-calcination synthesis strategy to construct a p-n heterojunction between ultrasmall Te nanoparticles and CN nanosheets. The optimized Te/CN-NH₃ catalyst exhibits outstanding photocatalytic CO₂ reduction activity and stability, achieving nearly 100% CO selectivity and a yield of 92.0 μmol g^-1 h^-1—four times higher than that of pure CN.

Climate change fueled by global warming is one of the biggest issues facing Earth right now. High emissions of green-house gases are the primary reason for the climate warming. So, researchers conducted a study using measurements and reanalysis data to examine the variability and long-term changes in global tropospheric water vapor. They analyzed the factors affecting the variability and trends in water vapor and quantified the impact of changes in water vapor on temperature by estimating its radiative effects. Their study provides new evidence of global change associated with the increase in global water vapor.

Rice researchers have developed a new photocatalyst that could render steam methane reforming entirely emissions-free and extend catalyst lifetimes.

How well a catalyst works often depends on the surface it is placed on. For years, it has been known that carbon substrates work well with precious metal catalysts, but it could never be properly explained. Now scientists managed to get to the bottom of this phenomenon - with remarkable results: Metal atoms which are placed directly next to carbon are two hundred times more effective as catalysts.