A large genetic study shows that many people carry DNA sequences that slowly expand as they get older. Common genetic variants can dramatically alter how fast this expansion happens, sometimes multiplying the pace by four. Researchers also identified specific DNA expansions linked to severe kidney and liver disease. The findings suggest that age-related DNA instability is far more common than previously realized.| More info

A collaboration between Brazilian and German researchers has led to a sunflower-based meat substitute that’s high in protein and minerals. The new ingredient, made from refined sunflower flour, delivers excellent nutritional value and a mild flavor. Tests showed strong texture and healthy fat content, suggesting great potential for use in the growing plant-based food sector.| More info

Researchers at UC San Diego have figured out how to get bacteria to produce xanthommatin, the pigment that lets octopuses and squids camouflage. By linking the pigment’s production to bacterial survival, they created a self-sustaining system that boosts yields dramatically. This biotechnological leap could revolutionize materials science, cosmetics, and sustainable chemistry.| More info

MIT researchers discovered that the genome’s 3D structure doesn’t vanish during cell division as previously thought. Instead, tiny loops called microcompartments remain (and even strengthen) while chromosomes condense. These loops may explain the brief surge of gene activity that occurs during mitosis. The finding redefines how scientists understand the balance between structure and function in dividing cells.| More info

Roughly two-thirds of all atmospheric methane, a potent greenhouse gas, comes from methanogens. Tracking down which methanogens in which environment produce methane with a specific isotope signature is difficult, however. UC Berkeley researchers have for the first time CRISPRed the key enzyme involved in microbial methane production to understand the unique isotopic fingerprints of different environments to better understand Earth's methane budget.| More info

A new topology-based method predicts atomic charges in metal-organic frameworks from bond connectivity alone, making large-scale computational screening practical.| More info

Carbon nanotube sandpaper polishes semiconductor surfaces down to a few atoms, reducing defects by 67% and eliminating chemical slurry waste.| More info

New first-principles simulations reveal how metallic surfaces reshape nanoscale vibrational imaging, advancing the interpretation of tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.| More info

In the rapidly evolving world of two-dimensional materials, a small twist can have outsized consequences.| More info

A new study reveals how neatly ordered (hemi-) spherical or pancake like structures in nature can emerge from completely disordered salt solutions. Moreover, scientists can now harness these structures to create advanced materials.| More info