Science Advances

UCLA has been awarded $75 million in grants from the US National Science Foundation to advance quantum technology research. The funding will support work in quantum computing, sensing and related fields at the university. The announcement highlights the growing federal investment in quantum science and positions UCLA among the leading US institutions in the field.

Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and the National University of Singapore have jointly launched a new laboratory dedicated to advancing synthetic biology. The initiative, announced with the support of the Singapore Economic Development Board, aims to strengthen research capacity and drive innovation in the field, supporting Singapore's ambitions in biotechnology and the bioeconomy.

Scientists are increasingly using artificial intelligence to speed up the discovery of new materials and to improve medical diagnosis. The approach is reshaping research in physics, chemistry and medicine, with AI tools helping researchers identify promising compounds and detect diseases earlier and more accurately than traditional methods.

Estonia has announced a partnership with French AI biotech company Owkin to advance sovereign AI capabilities in biology and health research. The collaboration aims to develop AI tools for biological data while keeping control of national data and infrastructure. The two governments and media outlets in the region reported the deal, highlighting it as a step toward technological independence in life sciences.

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara will take part in three of the National Science Foundation's Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes, large-scale collaborations aimed at advancing quantum science and technology. The university is expected to contribute expertise in quantum computing, sensing and materials. The news comes as NSF invests heavily in building national quantum research networks across US universities.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has highlighted how regional cooperation is driving progress in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology. The agency framed collaboration between countries as key to advancing applications in areas such as health, agriculture and energy. The announcement comes as part of the IAEA's ongoing promotion of nuclear science for development purposes worldwide.

Researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara will take part in three of the National Science Foundation's Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes, the university announced. The multi-institution institutes are part of the NSF's effort to advance quantum science and technology, and UCSB's involvement underscores its standing as a leading center for quantum research.

Zhen Xu, a researcher at the University of Michigan's biomedical engineering department, has received the Golden Goose Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The award honors federally funded research whose unexpected or seemingly obscure work led to significant societal benefits. Xu's recognition highlights the value of curiosity-driven science, though details of the specific research being honored were not immediately available.

The OAPEN Foundation and the Max Planck Society have announced a partnership to build a dedicated collection of open access books funded by the Max Planck Digital Library. The initiative will gather openly available scholarly books supported by the society's funding, expanding access to research outputs beyond journal articles. The announcement, shared by the Max Planck Digital Library, is being circulated among open science and research communities interested in growing open access monograph infrastructure.

A quadruped robot dog has run a full 42.2-kilometre marathon on a single battery charge, finishing faster than the average human runner. The feat, reported by Popular Science, highlights rapid progress in legged-robot endurance, battery efficiency and locomotion control, prompting discussion about how soon such machines could handle real-world delivery, inspection and rescue work.

Scientists are increasingly using artificial intelligence to speed up biological design for health research, applying AI tools to engineer proteins, model biological systems and accelerate drug and therapy development. The approach is being highlighted as a way to cut research timelines and expand what laboratories can design, with health reporters examining how the technology is changing biomedical science and what it could mean for future treatments.

The Korea Institute for Advanced Study is marking its 30th anniversary with plans to expand basic science research for the AI era, according to Chosun Biz. Based in South Korea, the institute says it will broaden its fundamental research in areas such as mathematics and physics to support advances in artificial intelligence, positioning basic science as a foundation for the country's technology ambitions.

Italian venture firm Eureka! Venture has launched a new €20 million fund dedicated to backing DeepTech startups in Italy. The fund will provide early-stage capital to companies working on advanced technology, aiming to strengthen Italy's position in the European DeepTech ecosystem and address the funding gap for science-based ventures in the country.

Researchers have proposed a chemistry-based early warning system to detect harmful algal blooms before they become dangerous. The approach relies on chemical cues released by the bloom-forming organisms, potentially giving coastal communities and aquaculture operators advance notice of toxic events. A Phys.org article covers the work and links to the underlying open-access paper, which has drawn interest among ocean and pollution researchers.

A new study published in Science Advances examines the mechanics and physics behind the extraordinary flexibility and dexterity of octopus arms. Commenters are sharing the paper while praising octopuses for their intelligence and skill, with some taking the opportunity to criticise Prevagen, the memory supplement marketed with jellyfish ingredients that regulators have challenged. The research is drawing attention for its insights into soft-body movement and potential robotics applications.

Researchers have made exciton wavefunctions directly visible in an experimental advance reported by Physics World. Excitons — bound pairs of electrons and holes that govern optical properties of semiconductors — have until now been characterised indirectly. Being able to image their wavefunctions could improve understanding of light-matter interactions and support development of optoelectronic and quantum materials.

Washington State University researchers report that citizen science projects are advancing understanding of how grasses adapt to their environments. By drawing on observations contributed by volunteers, scientists can gather data on grass populations across wide geographic areas that would be difficult to collect alone. The findings highlight the growing role of public participation in ecological and climate-related research.

Radiation oncology expert Eric Deutsch says science is expanding rapidly at the intersection of radiation therapy, immunology, and technology, as combined approaches such as radiotherapy paired with immunotherapy gain ground in cancer treatment. His remarks highlight how technological advances and immune-based research are reshaping how clinicians think about radiation's role beyond tumour destruction.

The theatre troupe Les Éphémères is staging a science-fiction themed improv evening in Villeurbanne on Thursday 8 October at 8pm. The show features entirely improvised short stories, with nothing written in advance. Admission is free, and the announcement has drawn modest attention locally.

A newly unveiled multi-environment robot can fly through the air, sail on the water's surface and swim underwater, all without human control, according to Popular Science. The machine's ability to operate across air, sea surface and underwater modes marks an unusual advance in autonomous robotics, drawing attention from technology watchers.

The Daily Free Press profiles a team working at the intersection of biology, agriculture and engineering, describing efforts to advance these fields into the future. The piece highlights the people behind the work and the interdisciplinary approach they are taking, though no further details about the team's specific projects or achievements are provided.