Ultraviolet and near-infrared light are widely used in modern technologies but are invisible to the human eye. Researchers from Japan have developed an organic crystal that converts these invisible wavelengths into visible red and green light. Remarkably, the two colors arise from different physical processes coexisting within a single crystal. This dual-mode optical response provides a better understanding of molecular design and crystal packing, opening new possibilities for optical sensing and photonic technologies.

A recent study, led by the Center for Astrobiology (CAB), CSIC-INTA and using modelling techniques developed at the University of Oxford, has uncovered an unprecedented richness of small organic molecules in the deeply obscured nucleus of a nearby galaxy, thanks to observations made with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The work, published in Nature Astronomy, provides new insights into how complex organic molecules and carbon are processed in some of the most extreme environments in the Universe.

MIT researchers built a complete model of pedestrian activity in New York City, the first such comprehensive effort for any U.S. city. The model could help planners decide where to invest in pedestrian infrastructure and public spaces, and illuminate how development decisions affect foot traffic.

Current robots are severely limited in their intelligence by the constraints inherent in rigid electronic hardware frameworks. The advancement of flexible electronic technology has driven a component innovation which penetrates every constituent of robotic systems. Scientists from Nanyang Technological University and Harbin Institute of Technology conducted a systematic review and outlook on this technological revolution. The review provided a detailed summary of existing research, and offered forward-looking guidance for future research.

Three-dimensional cancer organoids and spheroids are powerful models for studying tumor biology, but current imaging methods limit their full potential. In this study, researchers introduce an AI-enhanced optical coherence photoacoustic microscopy (OC-PAM) system that enables high-resolution, label-free, and longitudinal imaging of 3D cancer models. The technology promises more physiologically relevant cancer research and accelerated translation of advanced in vitro models into drug discovery and precision oncology.