In the International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing, researchers reported a multi-material, multi-module microrobot to overcome this limit. Using femtosecond laser direct writing to pattern and integrate different materials at the micrometer scale, their three-dimensional, hand-shaped microrobot can grab, carry and release microscopic objects that single-material systems cannot achieve.

Mass spectrometry (MS) is an analytical technique for molecular identification and characterization, with applications spanning various scientific disciplines. Despite its significance, MS faces challenges in widespread adoption due to cost constraints, instrument portability issues, and complex sample handling requirements. In recent years, 3D printing has emerged as a technology across industries due to its cost-effectiveness, customization capabilities, and rapid prototyping features. This review explores the integration of 3D printing with MS technology to overcome existing limitations and enhance biomedical analysis capabilities. We first categorize mainstream 3D printing methods and assess their potential in MS applications. We also discuss their roles in different MS categories such as liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS), gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS), ambient ionization mass spectrometry (AIMS), and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization MS (MALDI MS) in biomedical research. Additionally, we highlight the current challenges and future research directions for advancing 3D printing-assisted mass spectrometry, emphasizing its role in enabling portable, cost-effective, and customized MS solutions for biomedical analysis.

Professor Nan Ma of Beijing University of Technology and her research team published a paper titled “Interactive Cognition of Self-driving: A Multi-dimensional Analysis Model and Implementation” in the 2025 issue of Research. We introduce the significance of research in the field of self-driving interactive cognition, detailing its components and underlying infrastructure.

Precise tumor diagnosis and treatment require the support of abundant molecular information. However, conventional molecular diagnostic technologies gradually fail to satisfy the demands of clinical therapy due to limited detection performance. Benefiting from highly specific target sequence recognition and efficient cis/trans cleavage activity, CRISPR/Cas system has been widely employed to construct novel molecular diagnostic strategies, hailed as the “next-generation molecular diagnostic technology”. This review focuses on recent advances in CRISPR molecular diagnostic systems for the detection of tumor variant gene, protein, and liquid biopsy biomarker, and outlines strategies for CRISPR in situ molecular detection. In addition, we explore general principles and development trends in the construction of CRISPR molecular diagnostic system and emphasize the revolutionary impact that it has brought to the field of molecular diagnostics.

Tohoku University and Fujitsu Limited demonstrated an important use case for AI technology in new materials discovery, suggesting that the technology has the potential to accelerate research and development.

What if we could design a material that acts like a molecular “sniper,” zeroing in on a single harmful antibiotic in water—while ignoring everything else?

That’s no longer science fiction. Thanks to researchers at Universiti Sains Malaysia, a new class of smart adsorbent is turning this idea into reality.

Soil contamination by cadmium is a growing global challenge that threatens food safety, agricultural productivity, and environmental health. Cadmium is a highly toxic heavy metal that accumulates easily in soils and crops, entering the food chain and posing long term risks to humans and ecosystems. A new study shows that a simple combination of biochar and beneficial microorganisms can significantly reduce cadmium stress in crops while restoring soil health.