Latest Science News
New strategy boosts perovskite solar cell efficiency to 26.5% with long-term stability
A team from Xi’an Jiaotong University and Xiamen University has developed a **molecular press annealing** technique that imprints pyridine-based molecular templates onto perovskite films during thermal annealing, stabilizing the lead–iodine framework and suppressing iodine vacancies. The resulting cells reach a certified **26.5% efficiency** for small-area devices and retain over **98% of initial performance after 1,600 hours** under harsh temperature and humidity conditions, addressing key durability barriers for perovskite photovoltaics.
Record oxide-ion conductivity in thin-film electrolytes advances safer solid oxide fuel cells
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science fabricated ultra-thin samarium‑doped cerium oxide (SDC) films on single‑crystal yttria‑stabilized zirconia, precisely controlling crystal orientation to maximize oxide‑ion transport. The films achieve **world‑record-high oxide-ion conductivity at 200–550 °C**, enabling solid oxide fuel cells that operate at far lower temperatures than conventional systems, which could cut costs, improve safety, and accelerate hydrogen-based clean power technologies.
HiPerGator supercomputer accelerates discovery of next-generation insulin-sensitizing drugs
Scientists at The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute used the University of Florida’s **HiPerGator** supercomputer, hydrogen–deuterium exchange mass spectrometry, and cell-based assays to design new compounds targeting **PPARγ**, a key regulator of fat-cell and insulin metabolism. Their Nature Communications study reports a transferable computational–structural framework that identified candidate insulin-sensitizing molecules for diabetes and other metabolic diseases, with simulations alone consuming about **20 days of supercomputing time**.
Largest single-cell immune cell atlas of multiple myeloma bone marrow published
Researchers from Mount Sinai and collaborators created the **largest immune cell atlas** of bone marrow in multiple myeloma, analyzing nearly **1.5 million immune cells** from 335 newly diagnosed patients using single‑cell RNA sequencing. Published in *Nature Cancer*, the work reveals distinct dysfunctional T‑cell states and immune–tumor communication patterns linked to rapid relapse, offering a new basis for relapse‑risk prediction and future immune-based diagnostics.
Stem cell eye implant trial aims to restore vision in advanced macular degeneration
USC scientists have launched a new clinical trial of a **hair‑thin retinal stem cell patch** designed to replace damaged cells responsible for central vision in advanced dry age-related macular degeneration. Earlier studies showed the implant was safe and improved vision in some participants; the new trial will test whether it can produce **meaningful, lasting gains in eyesight** for a larger group of patients.
Engineered four-pronged antibodies supercharge T-cell attack on cancer
Researchers have developed a new class of **tetrameric (four‑pronged) antibodies** that cluster immune receptors on T cells, converting normally weak tumor‑derived signals into strong activation cues. In early studies, these antibodies outperformed conventional monoclonal antibodies in stimulating cancer‑killing T cells, pointing toward next‑generation immunotherapies with greater potency against solid tumors.
Immune cell atlas of bone marrow in myeloma refines relapse prediction (additional insight)
Further analysis of the Mount Sinai‑led single‑cell atlas shows that patients who relapse quickly after initial therapy harbor distinct bone‑marrow immune cell compositions at diagnosis, including **immunosenescent T‑cell subsets** that are present but functionally impaired. The study suggests these immune signatures could complement genetic profiling to identify high‑risk patients and guide more personalized treatment strategies.
Antiviral drug shows promise against deadly Lassa fever in Nature study
A University of Texas Medical Branch team, funded by the US National Institutes of Health, has reported Nature results showing a candidate antiviral can **prevent death from Lassa fever** in stringent non‑human primate models. Researchers emphasize that such animal studies remain critical for highly lethal infections while they also explore organ‑on‑chip and AI-based approaches to ultimately reduce animal use.
NASA’s Dragonfly mission clears key engineering step toward flight on Titan
Engineers building NASA’s **Dragonfly** rotorcraft, a car‑sized drone destined for Saturn’s moon Titan, have successfully produced and tested full‑scale rotor blades to validate the vehicle’s flight‑dynamics models. Dragonfly, scheduled to launch in 2028 and arrive in 2034, will fly between dozens of sites on Titan—ranging from organic dunes to an ancient impact crater—to study prebiotic chemistry and the moon’s potential habitability.
AI genomics platform ‘Inference’ launched to accelerate kidney and cardiorenal drug discovery
Variant Bio has unveiled **Inference**, an AI‑driven genomics platform that integrates large-scale human genetic data to identify and prioritize targets for **kidney and cardiorenal diseases**. By focusing on genes with strong human genetic evidence, the platform aims to boost success rates in drug discovery and guide partnering programs around novel therapeutics in nephrology and related fields.