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No more insulin shots? This 3D-printed scientific leap could change diabetes treatment forever

Unlike traditional islet transplants — which are expensive, donor-limited, and prone to rejection — these 3D-printed islets are designed for better integration into the body. Implanted under the skin, the new islets respond to glucose fluctuations and begin producing insulin in real time, offering a more natural and automated regulation process.

Early tests revealed that the printed islets remained viable and fully functional for at least three weeks, a major improvement over past transplantation methods that often fail due to tissue damage and immune response.

What has Webb taught us about rocky exoplanets so far?

The hunt for potentially habitable rocky planets in our galaxy has been the holy grail of exoplanet studies for decades. While the discovery of more than 5,900 exoplanets in more than 4,400 planetary systems has been a remarkable achievement, only a small fraction (217) have been confirmed as terrestrial—aka rocky or “Earth-like.” Furthermore, obtaining accurate information on a rocky exoplanet’s atmosphere is very difficult, since potentially habitable rocky planets are much smaller and tend to orbit closer to their stars.

Thanks to next-generation instruments like the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), exoplanet studies are transitioning from discovery to characterization. However, no atmospheres have been clearly identified around rocky planets yet, and the atmospheric data Webb has collected so far is subject to some uncertainty.

A summary of Webb’s findings was featured in a recent study by researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA) and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHUAPL). Based on their summary, they recommend a “five-scale height challenge” to assist astronomers in atmospheric characterization.

Newly discovered compounds help cells fight a wide range of viruses

Researchers at MIT and other institutions have identified compounds that can fight off viral infection by activating a defense pathway inside host cells. These compounds, they believe, could be used as antiviral drugs that work against not just one but any kind of virus.

The researchers identified these compounds, which activate a host cell defense system known as the integrated stress response pathway, in a screen of nearly 400,000 molecules. In tests in human cells, the researchers showed that the compounds help cells fend off infection from RSV, herpes virus, and Zika virus. They also proved effective in combating herpes infection in a mouse model.

The research team now plans to test the compounds against additional viruses, in hopes of developing them for eventual clinical trials.

Researchers discover how microglia engulf and break down amyloid beta, a protein that builds up in Alzheimer’s

In Alzheimer’s disease, proteins like amyloid beta form clumps, known as plaques, that damage the brain.

But in some people, called microglia break down these proteins before they can cause harm. This leads to fewer and smaller clumps—and much milder symptoms.

Researchers at UC San Francisco identified a molecular receptor that enables microglia to gobble up and digest amyloid beta plaques. The findings are published in the journal Neuron.

New haptic technology adds the sense of touch to virtual reality

USC scientists have developed a wearable system that enables more natural and emotionally engaging interactions in shared digital spaces, opening new possibilities for remote work, education, health care and beyond.

Touch plays a vital role in how humans communicate and bond. From infancy through adulthood, physical contact helps foster emotional bonds, build trust and regulate stress. Yet in today’s increasingly digital world, where screens mediate many of our relationships, it is often missing.

To bridge the gap, researchers at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering have developed a wearable haptic system that lets users exchange physical gestures in and feel them in real time, even when they’re miles apart. Their paper is published on the arXiv preprint server.

Pushing the limits of chip design

Khalifa University is building the foundation for a smarter, more secure and more connected world, one silicon chip at a time.

In the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence and smart devices, the System-on-Chip Lab (SoCL) at Khalifa University is emerging as a regional hub of innovation. Led by Baker Mohammad, a professor of Computer and Information Engineering and a veteran with 15 years of experience at tech giants Intel and Qualcomm, the lab is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between fundamental research and market-ready solutions.

“We’re the only facility in the region with comprehensive expertise across the full electronics design stack, from devices to circuits to systems,” Mohammad explains. This distinctive capability allows the lab to address critical challenges in energy-efficient, high-performance edge devices for data-intensive AI applications, while also integrating hardware security to protect sensitive user data.