Read article: Asteroid Bennu contains the stuff of life, sample analysis reveals Planetary science Research update Asteroid Bennu contains the stuff of life, sample analysis reveals Rock and dust samples brought back to Earth from the asteroid Bennu contain organic matter and a variety of minerals crucial to the emergence of life
Read article: Tissue-like hydrogel semiconductors show promise for next-generation bioelectronics Biomedical devices Research update Tissue-like hydrogel semiconductors show promise for next-generation bioelectronics A new hydrogel material combines the characteristics of biological tissues with the electronic functionalities of semiconductors
Read article: Elastic response explains why cordierite has ultra-low thermal expansion Advanced materials Research update Elastic response explains why cordierite has ultra-low thermal expansion Interplay between lattice vibrations and elasticity explains anisotropic behaviour
Read article: Thermometer uses Rydberg atoms to make calibration-free measurements Metrology Research update Thermometer uses Rydberg atoms to make calibration-free measurements New technique uses black-body radiation to make direct measurements with low uncertainty
Read article: Filter inspired by deep-sea sponge cleans up oil spills Advanced materials Research update Filter inspired by deep-sea sponge cleans up oil spills Bio-inspired vortex-anchored filter captures more than 97% of floating, underwater and emulsified oils, even under strong turbulent flow
Read article: Anomalous Hall crystal is made from twisted graphene Condensed matter Research update Anomalous Hall crystal is made from twisted graphene Topological electronic crystal emerges from moiré pattern
Read article: Imaging reveals how microplastics may harm the brain Biophysics Research update Imaging reveals how microplastics may harm the brain Studies in mice show that microplastics entering the bloodstream are engulfed by immune cells, forming clusters that can block cerebral blood vessels
Read article: Theorists propose a completely new class of quantum particles Mathematical physics Research update Theorists propose a completely new class of quantum particles Paraparticles are fundamentally different from bosons and fermions and could be created using ultracold atoms
Read article: Alternative building materials could store massive amounts of carbon dioxide Environment and energy Research update Alternative building materials could store massive amounts of carbon dioxide Materials such as concrete containing carbonate-based aggregates, bio-based plastics and biochar could sequester more than 16 billion tonnes of CO2 a year
Read article: Flexible tactile sensor reads braille in real time Detectors and sensors Research update Flexible tactile sensor reads braille in real time A tactile sensor based on an optical fibre ring resonator helps blind or partially sighted people interact seamlessly with braille-based devices