Phys.org
Copper's 'gatekeeper' could unlock cleaner energy future
Chalcopyrite, the mineral responsible for roughly 70% of global copper supply, has long resisted efficient processing — but new research from Monash University may finally explain why. Published in Nature Geoscience, the study uncovers the hidden chemistry governing the mineral's behavior, pointing toward faster and cleaner extraction methods. The findings arrive at a critical moment, as surging demand for copper threatens to bottleneck the clean energy transition.
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Mushroom slime removes up to 98.4% of microplastics from water, researchers report
Researchers have discovered that slime produced by a common mushroom species can remove up to 98.4% of microplastics from water, offering a potentially breakthrough solution to one of environmental science's most stubborn problems. Microplastics have infiltrated aquatic ecosystems worldwide, yet no safe, scalable filtration method has existed — until now. The finding is significant because the biological material is natural, suggesting a filtration approach that avoids introducing additional chemical harm to ecosystems.
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Scientists just solved a 160-million-year fossil mystery “I’ve never seen anything like it”
A 550-million-year-old soft-bodied sponge fossil is filling a critical gap in the early history of animal life, offering the first concrete explanation for why evidence of ancient sponges is so rarely found. Without hard skeletal parts, these primitive organisms simply didn't preserve well — a deceptively simple answer to a puzzle that has frustrated paleontologists for decades. The discovery forces a rethink of how and where scientists should be searching for the deepest roots of the animal kingdom.
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Doing this throughout life may cut Alzheimer’s risk by 38%
Decades of mentally stimulating activity — reading, writing, and skill-building — may reduce Alzheimer's risk by 38%, according to new research. People with the highest levels of cognitive enrichment not only developed the disease less often but also experienced symptoms significantly later in life. The findings add compelling weight to the case for treating intellectual engagement as a lifelong health habit, not just a retirement pastime.
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Scientists turn AI-generated proteins into smart molecular sensors
Researchers at QUT have engineered AI-designed proteins that activate only in the presence of a specific target molecule, functioning as programmable biological switches. The breakthrough, published in Nature Biotechnology, represents a significant leap in biosensor technology. Its implications span diagnostics, environmental testing, and biotech applications where precise, low-cost detection tools are in high demand.
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