Welcome to In the Spotlight, where each month we shine a light on something exciting, timely, or simply fascinating from the world of science.
This month, we’re focusing on artificial intelligence (AI), a topic that continues to capture attention everywhere. Here, you’ll find the latest research news, insights, and discoveries shaping how AI is being developed and used across the world.
Latest News Releases
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 1-Jan-2026 07:11 ET (1-Jan-2026 12:11 GMT/UTC)
AI can deliver personalized learning at scale, study shows
Dartmouth CollegePeer-Reviewed Publication
- Journal
- npj Digital Medicine
Electrically/optically modulated polarization photodetector made of ultrafine perovskite nanoripples
Tsinghua University PressPeer-Reviewed Publication
In photodetection systems, the ability to simultaneously measure light intensity, wavelength, and polarization is critical for advanced optical applications. A groundbreaking study introduces a novel photodetector leveraging halide perovskites, which uniquely combine electro-optic modulation with polarization-sensitive detection. By utilizing ultrafine nanoripples and micron-sized crystals in perovskite materials, this device achieves precise polarization response and electro-optic modulation. These properties, enhanced by the material’s superior optoelectronic performance, enable multidimensional polarization current generation and visualization key advancements for integrated optical systems. The innovation holds promise for applications in machine learning-driven optical technologies and compact photonic devices, marking a significant step toward multifunctional, high-efficiency optoelectronics.
- Journal
- Nano Research
AI’s energy usage is less than previously thought
University of WaterlooPeer-Reviewed Publication
Contrary to popular belief, new research finds that the use of artificial intelligence has a minimal effect on global greenhouse gas emissions and may actually benefit the environment and the economy.
For their study, researchers from the University of Waterloo and the Georgia Institute of Technology combined data on the U.S. economy with estimates of AI use across industries to determine the environmental fallout if AI use continues its current trajectory.
- Journal
- Environmental Research Letters
High-performance computing in Paderborn: new ‘Otus’ supercomputer put into operation
Universität PaderbornBusiness Announcement
A computer that can calculate hundreds of scientific tasks simultaneously and thus helps provide a solution to key social challenges: this is the new IT heart of Paderborn University. The ‘Otus’ supercomputer was put into operation at the Paderborn Center for Parallel Computing (PC2) on Monday 10 November. From now onwards, researchers all over Germany can use it to run challenging computer simulations and conduct scientific enquiry at the highest level.
AI world model to simulate the Earth System
Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)Grant and Award Announcement
From pixels to precision: how large medical imaging models are transforming tumor diagnosis and treatment
Peking Union Medical College HospitalPeer-Reviewed Publication
- Journal
- Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital