Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) scientists have used a classic optical phenomenon known as the “Poisson spot” to create stable patterns of light called “optical skyrmions”. Optical skyrmions are tiny, swirling configurations in the properties of light – akin to the spikes of a hedgehog. The team used a laser directed at a small circular disc, instead of the complex and costly engineered materials commonly used to generate these skyrmions. This new method gives scientists a much simpler way to generate, study and adjust optical skyrmions.

Skyrmions are currently a hot scientific subject as they hold potential to store information, paving the way for future data storage, communications and computing systems. Published in a leading scientific journal, Optica, the discovery was led by Nanyang Assistant Professor Shen Yijie from NTU’s School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. 

A joint research team from China Pharmaceutical University, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Engineering Research Center for the Emergency Drug, and Shandong Agricultural University has developed a novel multisite bridging‑mediated lateral flow immunoassay (mbLFIA) that enables ultrasensitive, enzyme‑free, visual on‑site detection of mosquito‑borne viruses such as chikungunya virus (CHIKV). The breakthrough, published in Targetome, addresses a critical global need for field‑deployable diagnostics in resource‑limited regions, where conventional nucleic acid tests rely on bioenzymes and bulky laboratory instruments.

A novel metabolic engineering strategy enhances riboflavin production by manipulating intracellular guanine levels through transporter engineering, demonstrating that overexpression of the NupG transporter can increase riboflavin titers by 15.3%.