Amphetamines disrupt dopamine signaling and can lead to addiction, insomnia and even death. Researchers are using the tiny roundworm C. elegans to uncover how these drugs affect the brain. They identified a dopamine-driven paralysis, known as Swip, as a clear marker of amphetamine’s impact. Building on this, the team will study mutant worm strains to discover new regulators of dopamine release – advancing our understanding of addiction and helping train the next generation of neuroscience researchers.

Conventional handheld photoacoustic and ultrasound Imaging (PAUS), while offering flexibility, offers only a narrow view of the target region, providing limited information on its structure. Alternative methods require external sensors and bulky equipment, which can also make measurements inaccurate. In a new study, researchers developed a MoGLo-Net, a deep-learning model for 3D reconstruction of 2D PAUS images. This method does not require any external sensors and can make treatments more accessible, safer, and effective.

Researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) School of Engineering have cracked a major challenge in display technology by inventing the world’s brightest and most energy efficient quantum rod LEDs (QRLEDs). These next-generation QRLEDs feature optimized deep green emission at the top of the colour triangle, enabling displays with unprecedented colour purity and a maximized colour gamut. Boasting a longer lifespan and triple the brightness of previous models, these cutting-edge light sources deliver energy-efficient, ultra-vivid visuals for smartphones, televisions, and AR/VR devices while further enhancing colour performance.