University of Missouri researchers have published a major review of flow matching, an emerging AI approach that helps scientists model how biological systems change over time, offering new opportunities in drug discovery, precision medicine and disease research. The work highlights how flow matching could ultimately help create AI-powered “virtual cells” that accelerate biomedical breakthroughs and improve understanding of living systems.

Invasive fungal infections induced by Candida species are becoming an urgent threat to global health. While a series of antifungal vaccines have been developed, their efficiency is frequently compromised by the failure of immune stimulation. In this study, a novel antifungal vaccine was constructed by assembling β-glucan with the Candida albicans antigen candidalysin on the surface of the genetically engineered Escherichia coli strain EcS. This co-assembly was mediated by the cell surface-exposed artificial glucan-binding protein CipC-mCherry-CipC, leading to the formation of the surface glucan nanofilm with a thickness of ~ 80 nm. Upon coincubation with macrophages, the vaccine efficiently escapes from the lysosomes, leading to enhanced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and macrophage maturation. After mouse immunization, the vaccine persists longer in lymph nodes than free candidalysin or the glucan-free complex, and induces higher levels of CD4⁺, CD8⁺, TNFα⁺/CD4⁺ and IFNγ⁺/CD4⁺ T cells in the spleen. In a murine model of invasive fungal infection,immunization with this vaccine remarkably increases the survival rate, reduces the kidney fungal burdens and attenuates inflammatory responses. This bioengineering strategy offers a potentially viable approach for developing co-assembled whole-cell vaccines and can be extended to leverage bacterial carriers for surface antigen display. The vaccine acts not only as antigens but also as adjuvants, thereby eliciting strong and specific protective immunity against invasive fungal infections.

When Norway's attention turns to Oslo for the King's funeral on Wednesday 9 September 2026, it creates a vulnerable moment in the digital sphere that hostile actors may seek to exploit. Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) professor Basel Katt advises users to be alert.

The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS, President Dr. Lee Ho Seong) has developed a deep learning technology that predicts, in real time, the vibrations at multiple locations inside a nuclear power plant using the signal from just a single seismometer, and that quantifies the risk at each location to enable the prioritization of inspections. In particular, because the AI model can be flexibly designed to match the vibration characteristics of a structure, it is expected to be widely applicable to major industrial facilities such as semiconductor plants and data centers in the future.

Wearable sensors that can heal themselves after damage are critical for the next generation of human-machine interfaces. Researchers from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) have developed a sea cucumber-inspired ionotronic hydrogel that combines room-temperature self-healing, strong adhesion, and highly sensitive pressure sensing. The hydrogel can stretch to over ten times its original length, heal autonomously after cuts and punctures, and detect pressures ranging from gentle touches to firm grips. Integrated into a smart tactile glove, the sensor enables real-time tactile sensing, object-shape recognition, and directional-intent decoding for game control, demonstrating its potential for wearable electronics and seamless human-machine interaction.

Four secondary school students from Italy, France and Germany have been recognised for their achievements in space science at the Opening Reception of the 46th COSPAR Scientific Assembly in Florence, marking an inspiring culmination of the three-year Erasmus+ Students As Planetary Defenders (StAnD) project.