Researchers from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have developed deepBlastoid, the first deep-learning platform specifically designed for the high-throughput, automated classification of human stem cell-derived embryo models (blastoids). By leveraging a ResNet-18 architecture and a novel Confidence Rate metric, the model achieves up to 97% accuracy and processes images 1,000 times faster than human experts. This tool facilitates large-scale drug screening and basic research into early human development by providing a standardized, objective evaluation framework.

Scientists have introduced the first absolute, contactless thermometry technique based on Brillouin scattering in gases, enabling high-accuracy temperature measurements from room temperature down to deep cryogenic levels. By filling hollow-core fibres with gases such as neon, argon, or helium, the method retrieves temperature directly from the Brillouin frequency shift via the interaction between laser light and acoustic waves, eliminating the need for calibration. The results pave the way for ultra-precise, minimally invasive thermometry in extreme environments.

Several barriers in schools make teaching challenging, particularly for early-career TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) teachers. A study from Doshisha University examined the professional development experiences of three such teachers from their school years through university and into the early stages of their careers. The findings revealed critical factors at each stage that can support teachers’ professional development, even in schools full of constraints, carrying significant implications for advancing TESOL education.