Fingernail-sized Chip Untangles Mixed Light
Peer-Reviewed Publication | 3-Nov-2026
The chip could advance microscopy, astronomy, and other fields by revealing details that conventional imaging misses.
Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films in Agriculture
Biodegradable plastic mulch films are increasingly used in agriculture as an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional plastics. They help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and improve crop productivity. However, their safe breakdown in soil remains uncertain. A new study reveals that naturally occurring clay minerals, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and soil burial depth significantly influence these materials' degradation.
Cold Stress During Ewe Pregnancy and Lamb Birth Weight
Research out of South Dakota State University highlights a potential connection between limited exposure to cold stress during ewe pregnancy and higher lamb birth weight. The findings were published in the Journal of Animal Science.
Ultra-Hard Diamond Composite as Shock Absorber
Texas A&M University and Rice University researchers developed an ultra-hard diamond composite and tested it against aluminum projectiles traveling at over eight times the speed of sound. Within microseconds, portions of the diamond transformed into graphite, acting as a shock absorber, which could lead to advancements in shielding and protective materials for aviation, defense, and space technologies.
Laundered Cattle Sales and Modern Slavery
A study found that ranchers on Brazil's "Dirty List," which should prevent them from doing business with major meat packers, were laundering cattle sales through intermediary ranches. This allows products linked to modern slavery to remain in domestic and international supply chains.
Accelerating the Search for Disease-Causing Genes
Researchers at the Macquarie University Brain Institute and Clinic have built new genetic 'families' to help accelerate the search for disease-causing genes in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and motor neuron disease (MND).
Opioid Overdose Death Rates and Historical Redlining
A study from Boston Medical Center found that neighborhoods given low grades on historic redlining maps had 86% higher annual opioid-related overdose death rates than those with high grades. Published in the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, the study suggests that historical disinvestment continues to impact health outcomes based on where people live.
Scanning Vibrations for Rock Extent
Virginia Tech research introduces tools that scan vibrations in terrain to determine how far below the surface rocks extend. Published in IEEE Sensors Journal, the research leverages physical interaction and vibration analysis.