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: 11-Jan-2026 04:11 ET (11-Jan-2026 09:11 GMT/UTC)
Stowers Institute appoints first AI Fellow to help advance biological research with artificial intelligence
Stowers Institute for Medical ResearchGrant and Award Announcement
Researchers overcome key scaling barriers in photonic AI with a novel deep photonic neural network chip
Light Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CASPeer-Reviewed Publication
Scientists from China have developed a highly scalable on-chip photonic neural network that solves key bottlenecks long limiting the progress of optical computing. The team's new architecture, called a partially coherent deep optical neural network (PDONN), achieves unprecedented network depth by using a cascadable nonlinear activation function with positive net gain. This, combined with the innovative use of more accessible, partially coherent light sources (like LEDs) instead of narrow-linewidth lasers , enable s a chip with the largest input size and deepest structure of its kind to date. The chip successfully performed image classification tasks with high accuracy, marking a critical step toward energy-efficient, scalable, and widely accessible optical computing.
- Journal
- Light Science & Applications
- Funder
- National Natural Science Foundation of China, Knowledge Innovation Program of Wuhan - Basic Research, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
Sampled-data self-learning observer based attitude tracking controlagainst sensor-actuator faults
Shanghai Jiao Tong University Journal CenterThis paper proposes an intermittent measurement-based attitude tracking control strategy for spacecraft operating in the presence ofsensor-actuator faults. A sampled-data (self-)learning observer is developed to estimate both the spacecraft’s states and lumped disturbances, effectively mitigating the impact of faults. This observer acts as a virtual predictor, reconstructing states and actuator fault deviations using only intermittent measurement data, addressing the limitations imposed by sensor failures. The control scheme incorporates compensation based on the predictor’s estimates, ensuring robust attitude tracking despite the presence of faults. We provide the first proof of bounded stability for this learning observer utilizing intermittent information, expanding its applicability. Numerical simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of this innovative strategy, highlighting its potential for enhancing spacecraft autonomy and reliability in challenging operational scenarios.
- Journal
- Aerospace Systems
AI can be trained to provide safe advice for treating opioid use disorder in pregnancy: New study
Journal of Studies on Alcohol and DrugsPeer-Reviewed Publication
- Journal
- Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs
AI tool beats humans at detecting parasites in stool samples, Utah study finds
University of UtahPeer-Reviewed Publication
Utah-based ARUP Laboratories developed an AI tool that excels at detecting parasites in stool samples. Working with University of Utah pathologists and university startup called Techcyte demonstrate the power of the tool, opening the way for potentially transforming how intestinal infections are diagnosed.
- Journal
- Journal of Clinical Microbiology
- Funder
- ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology
5 ways to make AI more trustworthy
University of Colorado at BoulderPeer-Reviewed Publication
- Journal
- AI and Ethics