Shock waves should not be shocking — engineers across scientific fields need to be able to precisely predict how the instant and strong pressure changes initiate and dissipate to prevent damage. Now, thanks to a team from YOKOHAMA National University, those predictions are even better understood.

Researchers at the Federal University of São Carlos used pieces of cork and lasers to create a mechanism that detects the presence of the substance, which has potential carcinogenic effects, in mineral water, orange juice, and wine.

Restoring the molecule, called pleiotrophin, could improve brain function in Down syndrome and other neurological diseases – possibly even in adults, the researchers say.

Scientists know dark energy makes up about 70% of the universe and is responsible for the universe’s accelerating expansion. Beyond that, little about it is certain, so a West Virginia University engineer is enhancing the calibration of radio telescopes that can tell astronomers about dark energy by measuring the “neutral hydrogen” in the universe, a simple form of hydrogen with no net electric charge.

In addition to linguistic prompts, large language models can also understand, interpret, and adapt their responses to heart frequency data. Dr. Morris Gellisch, previously of Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, and now at University of Zurich, Switzerland, and Boris Burr from Ruhr University Bochum verified this in an experiment. They developed a technical interface through which the physiological data can be transmitted to the language model in real time. The AI can also account for subtle physiological signals such as changes in heart activity. This opens new doors for use in medical and care applications. The work was published in the technical magazine Frontiers in Digital Health on September 26, 2025.

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST; Saudi Arabia) researchers have set a record in microchip design, achieving the first six-stack hybrid CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) for large-area electronics. With no other reported hybrid CMOS exceeding two stacks, the feat marks a new benchmark in integration density and efficiency, opening possibilities in electronic miniaturization and performance.