Chemists have long been fascinated and frustrated by saxitoxin: a molecule that causes temporary paralysis by blocking the electrical signals that nerve cells (neurons) use to activate muscle, and which accumulates in shellfish like clams, oysters and scallops. Although the way saxitoxin works has inspired interest in developing new anesthetics, extracting it from natural sources is neither scalable nor practical. Since its discovery, the molecule has defied practical laboratory synthesis, slowing the effort to create long-acting, highly targeted pain therapies inspired by its mechanism. Now, scientists at Scripps Research, in collaboration with Merck, report a streamlined approach to synthesize saxitoxin and related molecules (known as analogs) in the lab.

In a paper recently published by npj 2D Materials and Applications, researchers from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (UChicago PME) have created a high-throughput computational strategy, creating a new, data-driven approach to finding ideal 2D materials and substrates. 

We experimentally demonstrate encrypted image transmission over 40 km of optical fiber with high decryption fidelity and achieve a 10 Gbit/s optical encryption rate using a lithium niobate photonic chip. This represents the first implementation of public-key encryption at the physical optical layer. 

Quanta Books is delighted to announce two new upcoming books by mathematician Terence Tao and theoretical physicist David Tong. Six Math Essentials will be Tao’s first math book written for a popular audience. Tong’s book, Everything Is Fields, will illuminate quantum field theory — the physics that explains the fundamental makeup of the universe — drawing from Tong’s distinguished track record as a quantum field theorist and public communicator.

Dr. Nevill Gonzalez Szwacki from the Faculty of Physics at the University of Warsaw has developed a groundbreaking model that explains the diversity of boron nanostructures—from hollow molecular clusters to ultrathin 2D layers. His research, published in the prestigious “2D Materials”, shows that the key to the stability and electronic properties of these structures lies in the atomic coordination, the number of neighboring atoms. This discovery not only makes it possible to understand existing boron nanostructures, but also to predict and design new materials with desirable properties.

Recently, a collaborative team from multiple institutions, including CIOMP, published a review article in Light: Science & Applications, systematically expounding on the cutting-edge developments in Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS)-integrated optical waveguide technology. By reviewing two major technical pathways—remote sensing probes and microfluidic sensing platforms—the study thoroughly analyzes key innovations such as optical fiber structure design, SERS substrate modification, and the integration of emerging technologies. It clarifies the core advantages of this technology in improving detection sensitivity, simplifying operational procedures, and enabling miniaturization. The research not only summarizes the technological breakthroughs and application achievements in this field but also identifies future challenges such as large-scale fabrication and specificity optimization. It provides important academic references for the development of ultra-sensitive trace liquid detection technologies and is expected to drive innovations in detection technologies in fields such as biomedicine and environmental monitoring.