For more than a decade, Rice University’s Frederi Viens has been studying a body of water that much of the world believes is disappearing. The work centers on Lake Chad, a vast freshwater lake in west-central Africa that borders Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon. Long portrayed as a symbol of climate collapse, Lake Chad is frequently described as having shrunk to a fraction of its former size, a claim that has shaped policy discussions, humanitarian rhetoric and media coverage for years. But Viens’ research tells a more complicated story.

A delegation of researchers from Rice University’s WaTER Institute traveled to Argentina’s Neuquén province this month to help address a pressing question facing one of the world’s fastest-growing energy regions: how to balance rapid oil and gas development with long-term environmental sustainability. At the center of the discussion is Vaca Muerta, a vast shale formation spanning roughly 30,000 square kilometers in the Neuquén Basin. Widely considered one of the most significant unconventional oil and gas resources globally, Vaca Muerta has become critical to Argentina’s energy independence and a focal point for international investment. But its rapid expansion is also bringing new environmental pressures — particularly around water use, wastewater management and land impacts.

A landmark space mission built on UK research excellence is set to accelerate progress in quantum communications, as the Heriot-Watt University led Integrated Quantum Networks (IQN) Hub launches the pioneering “Satellite Platform for Optical Quantum Communications” (SPOQC).

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today showcased its award-winning inventions, which were recognized at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva (Geneva Inventions Expo). The University's 62 participating teams won a total of 62 accolades, including 13 Gold Medals with Congratulations of the Jury, 20 Gold Medals, 20 Silver Medals, and 9 Bronze Medals. This year's achievements set a new record for the University and make it the highest-awarded higher education institution in Hong Kong.

The award-winning inventions from HKUST span various strategic research domains, including AI, electronics, health technologies, the low‑altitude economy, and materials science. Notably, over 60% of these projects leverage AI to drive research breakthroughs, further underscoring HKUST's distinctive strengths and robust capabilities in advancing "AI + X" interdisciplinary innovation and translation of research outcomes.

A team led by Rutgers University researchers has developed a security system that could change how people log in to virtual and augmented reality platforms by eliminating passwords, personal identification numbers and eye scans and replacing them with something far more seamless.

The system, a software program called VitalID, is based on the team’s discovery of a new biometric: tiny vibrations generated by breathing and heartbeats that resonate through the skull in patterns unique to each person’s bone structure and facial tissues.

Student researchers had the opportunity to showcase their presentation skills at the 38^th Annual Student Research Week Feb. 25 – 27. The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences event allows students the opportunity to present their research findings and engage with industry leaders.

Apathy can be an early indicator of dementia. Texas A&M researchers are building a digital human that combines screening questions with facial expression analysis and biometric monitoring to identify subtle signals, including apathy.