Just like litter is a big problem on Earth, space junk is cluttering up outer space. To dispose of this junk, a Tohoku University researcher demonstrated the utility of a special plasma thruster.

Ammonia complex etching makes nickel-cobalt Prussian blue analog nanocages (NC-NiCo-PBA) with octahedral cavities.  They boost specific surface area, cut ion transfer distance, ease volume strain, enhancing aqueous nickel-zinc batteries’ energy/power densities and cycling stability.

Scientists have confirmed that East Antarctica's interior is warming faster than its coastal areas and identified the cause. A 30-year study, published in Nature Communications and led by Nagoya University’s Naoyuki Kurita, has traced this warming to increased warm air flow triggered by temperature changes in the Southern Indian Ocean. Previously considered an observation "blind spot," East Antarctica contains most of the world’s glacial ice. This newly identified warming mechanism indicates that current predictions may underestimate the rate of future Antarctic ice loss.  

The iridescent blue of butterfly wings has inspired researchers to find a solution to a challenge previously considered insurmountable – dynamically tuning advanced optical processes at visible wavelengths.

The result is a patterned layer of material a fraction of the thickness of a hair, that could underpin radical new optical technology: applications of the technology are diverse, ranging from adaptive camouflage, through biosensing to quantum light engines for on-chip computing and secure communications.

Okayama University of Science (OUS) has successfully commercialized a premium flounder, “Matsukawa,” cultivated using its unique “Third Water” system—an innovative closed recirculating aquaculture technology that enables both seawater and freshwater species to coexist. As of July 25, the fish is served as nigiri-zushi at Kurasushi’s Osaka Expo 2025 branch, marking the second OUS aquaculture product to reach consumers following its eel in 2023. This achievement highlights the university’s advanced research capabilities and contributions to sustainable aquaculture and global food culture.

The quest for high-performance energy storage solutions continues to drive innovation in materials science. A new study titled "Unlocking Colossal Storage Capacity and Energy Density of Two-Dimensional Biphenylene Oxide for Li-, Na-, and K-Ion Batteries" presents a groundbreaking advancement in the development of anode materials, offering a significant leap forward in battery technology.

Salk Institute scientists developed an improved workflow for characterizing capsids (genome-containing protein cones) in HIV-1 (the most common form of HIV). This novel workflow incorporates advanced technology that will allow scientists to better understand how capsid morphology changes in response to distinct pressures and to pinpoint new, more effective ways to target capsids and treat HIV-1. Importantly, the workflow can also be used to study structural changes in other, non-HIV viruses.