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Feature Stories

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 12-Jun-2026 18:15 ET (12-Jun-2026 22:15 GMT/UTC)

What does environmental DNA bring to the table?

Kobe University

Environmental DNA surveys allow us to see what’s living in bodies of water like oceans, rivers and ponds by analyzing the DNA of just a cup of water taken from these sources. About a decade and a half has passed since the chance discovery of floating DNA of aquatic organisms came during other research, and since then, survey methods have been established and knowhow has been passed on to researchers from a wide range of universities and research institutes, as research continues to evolve and improve each day. We talked with Professor MINAMOTO Toshifumi of the Graduate School of Human Development and Environment, a pioneer in the field, about his journey in environmental DNA research, the current state of its social implementation and future prospects for the field.

Thinking about the risks of chemical substances as a human problem

Kobe University

How do people perceive the risks of chemical substances in their everyday lives? Associate Professor MURAYAMA Rumiko of the Graduate School of Human Development and Environment, an expert in environmental health, performs research on that very topic. Her research covers everything from risk perception to the role of communication, while also focusing on how awareness shifts with the changing times. The content of her research is thought-provoking even in understanding the risks associated with things that don’t involve chemical substances. She told us about the nature of risk perception in humans that she has uncovered through her research.

What does the future hold for the rapidly growing Indian economy?

Kobe University

India is set to overtake Japan as the fourth strongest economic superpower as early as this year. With a population of over 1.4 billion, India is known around the world for producing talent in information technology, with many Japanese corporations now heading to India as well. What is behind this growth, and what are some potential problems for sustainable development? We sat down with Professor SATO Takahiro, deputy director of the Research Institute for Economics and Business Administration and an expert on the Indian economy and development economics, to talk about the present and future of India, a global growth engine.

Improving everyday journeys for women and girls

Research shows that women and girls across the UK face disproportionate barriers to mobility stemming from heightened risks of harassment and transport systems that have historically been designed without their specific safety needs or travel patterns in mind.

Kennesaw State University to launch Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences

Kennesaw State University

Beginning in Fall 2027, the doctoral degree will help meet the increasing demand in Georgia and the nation for research scientists in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, and ecology.

DESI finishes observations for largest 3D map of universe

Ohio State University

In pursuit of understanding the role dark energy plays in complex physics, researchers have marked completion of a major milestone: successfully surveying the entire target area in the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI)’s 3D map of the universe.

Game changer in game industry: Dutch scientists find way to charge your game console while playing

Delft University of Technology

What if gaming didn’t need batteries? Researchers at Delft University of Technology built a portable console powered by solar energy and a hand crank—embedded into gameplay. Sustainable, interactive, and powered by the player! The researchers embedded the crank into the gameplay experience, allowing users to, for example, fire a weapon in DOOM, or change the speed of Tetris blocks. They discovered that gamers respond positively to these innovative experiences, and they see huge potential in new, sustainable and battery-free ways of gaming that are also better attuned to our body’s movements.

SURF completes DUNE steel beam test lift

South Dakota Science and Technology Authority

A crew of technicians, riggers, hoist operators, and engineers at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) have successfully completed the first test lift of one of the long steel beams that will be used to construct the far detector cryostats for the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE).

Fishing for better tracking: Tracing anglers in the Gulf Coast

Texas A&M University

Dr. Alan Kuhnle, assistant professor in the computer science and engineering department at Texas A&M University, is using smartphone mobility data collected from anglers to develop machine-learning approaches to estimate recreational fishing effort and classify fishing behaviors.    

How to restore seagrass meadows, salt marshes and mangroves

University of Oldenburg

Thorsten Balke, a geographer from the University of Oldenburg in Germany, focuses on the conservation of coastal wetlands that emerge for several hours at low tide. He and his team have developed their own measuring devices to identify which areas are best suited as habitats for specific biotic communities. Take a visit to this unique landscape.

Journal: Limnology and Oceanography Methods

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