Technology

Innovative Water-Activated Face Mask Enhances Skincare with Built-in Power

Fig. 1. Structural design and working mechanism of the self-powered iontophoresis mask. (A) Schematic of the self-powered iontophoresis mask. (B) Enhancement of drug penetration with mask use. (C) Comparison of drug penetration areas before and after mask application. (D) Gelation process of superabsorbent fibers (SAFs). Zn-SF: zinc-modified silver fiber anode; MnO₂-Ti: manganese dioxide–modified titanium wire cathode.

A self-powered face mask that activates with just a splash of water could transform at-home skincare by significantly improving how treatments penetrate the skin. Researchers at Qingdao University have developed a wearable iontophoresis mask that creates its own gentle microcurrent to drive skincare ingredients deeper into the skin, potentially doubling treatment effectiveness without requiring batteries … Read more

Electric Pulses Train Cockroaches Like Pets

(A) Maze channel design, (B) guiding electric stimulation, (C) punishing electric stimulation, and (D) punishing heat stimulation. The lower-right image is a thermal image of the maze surface. The pink dotted lines indicate the movement trajectories of the cockroach in the maze.

Scientists have discovered a remarkably effective method for teaching cockroaches to navigate mazes, potentially transforming these common insects into valuable search-and-rescue agents for disaster zones. Researchers at Beijing Institute of Technology revealed that gentle electrical stimulation applied to a cockroach’s cerci—sensory organs on their rear end—not only steers their movement but also helps form strong … Read more

New AI Drones Spot Victims Through Forest, Darkness

The illustrated scenarios are based on locations in Xinyang and Huizhou, China. The system collected samples that included both RGB and infrared spectral bands, which were then used to construct the VTSaR dataset.

Finding survivors in wilderness after disasters has long been a race against time, with rescue teams battling challenging terrain and weather conditions. Now, researchers have developed an artificial intelligence system that dramatically improves how drones detect people during search and rescue missions—even in dense forests or darkness. A team from Northwestern Polytechnical University and Yan’an … Read more

Smart Clothes Power Themselves Through Movement

Infographic of the technology

Your t-shirt might soon track your workout, monitor your health, and control your phone – all without batteries or bulky gadgets. Scientists have created special threads that transform regular clothes into tech hubs using just your body’s movement for power. This new technology, recently published in Wearable Electronics, weaves electronic capabilities directly into fabric fibers … Read more

Satellite Tool Maps Vanishing Seagrass

Fig. 1. Locations of the study sites included in this research: Belmont Bay, USA Strangford Bay, UK Beltringharder Koog, Germany Arcachon Bay, France Santander Bay, Spain Tampa Bay, USA Padilla Bay, USA Izembek Lagoon, USA Caofeidian, China Yifengxi Estuary, China Tieshan Harbor, China Mombasa, Kenya Moreton Bay, Australia Shark Bay, Australia Tauranga Harbor, New Zealand

A groundbreaking algorithm that automatically maps and tracks vital seagrass meadows from space could transform coastal ecosystem conservation efforts worldwide. Scientists from Xiamen University and Tulane University have developed a new approach that overcomes long-standing challenges in monitoring these critical but threatened underwater habitats. The new system, called Automatic Mapping through integrating Optical and SAR … Read more

Tiny Light Rings Enable Massive Quantum Leap

The microresonator supports multiple spectral qumodes, several of which are simultaneously pumped using equally spaced continuous-wave lasers. Quantum microcombs with varying entanglement structures are generated through two-mode squeezing (TMS), enabled by either degenerate or non-degenerate four-wave mixing (FWM) processes.

Scientists have created the largest quantum entanglement network ever built on a single chip, potentially unlocking new possibilities for ultra-secure communications and next-generation computing. The breakthrough, achieved by researchers from Peking University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, connects 60 distinct light modes in a coordinated quantum dance within a device smaller than a fingernail. … Read more