Fungi might just be the most impressive form of life on Earth. They can live almost anywhere, have both medicinal and poisonous qualities, and are—as new research suggests—capable of transforming industrial waste into useful compounds. Engineers with the German startup Biophelion have successfully developed a method to coax a yeast-like black fungus—Aureobasidium pullulans—into decomposing and […]
Scientists Infuse Cement With Bacteria to Create Living Energy Device
Microbes are known for their remarkable survival abilities. And now, scientists have discovered another remarkable trait: Turning cement into an electricity storage device. In a study published September 9 in Cell Reports Physical Science, researchers at Aarhus University in Denmark describe how they seeded a bacteria called Shewanella oneidensis into cement. These particular bacteria are […]
‘Jelly Ice’ Inspired by Tofu Never Melts
Jelly ice is cold but never melts. Jelly ice is jiggly and reusable. Jelly ice is real, and scientists want to bring it to a store near you. In a presentation for ACS Fall 2025, researchers at the University of California (UC), Davis, introduced “jelly ice,” a gelatin-based hydrogel that freezes and thaws without making […]
This ‘Molecular Shield’ Might Stop Pollen Before It Wrecks Your Nose
Every year, pollen seasons grow longer and more intense—to the great misery of those suffering from pollen allergies—myself included. There’s only so much one can do with antihistamines or hot towels, and no amount of protective measures—masks, firmly shut windows, you name it—appears to offer any protection from the endless sneezing, runny noses, and itchy […]
Edible Microlasers Could Revolutionize Food Tracking and Safety
In a delicious turn of events, scientists succeeded in taking the optics of olive oil to create the first-ever microlaser made entirely from edible materials. If commercialized, they could offer an easy and safe way to monitor food or medications from inside your body. The technology, introduced earlier this month in the journal Advanced Optical […]
Researchers Tattooed Tardigrades. They Promise It Will Be Useful
Microfabrication is—simply put—the construction of tiny things, including microscopic and nanoscopic objects and patterns. Microfabrication has major potential in medicine and biomedical engineering, in addition to fields like electronics and photonics—but first, researchers need to develop techniques that are biologically compatible. One team of researchers thinks a crucial step toward that goal involves tattooing tardigrades. […]
These Mini-Pigs Just Grew Human-Like Teeth—Here’s Why It Matters
When you lose a baby tooth, an adult one grows in its place. But if you lose an adult tooth, your options are limited to dentures, titanium implants, or a stylish gaping hole. Soon, however, there might be a third option: lab-grown teeth. Researchers at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine have grown a mix […]