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Robots That Feel Pain: Scientists Develop Human-Like Artificial Skin With Instant Reflexes

This technology is quite different from the workings of most robots used today. Many robots lack the ability to sense touch at all, and those that do can usually only detect simple pressure. Such robots lack self-protective reflexes.

In these systems, touch information first travels to the software, where it is analysed step-by-step before a response is determined. This process might be acceptable for robots working within safety enclosures in factories, but it’s insufficient for humanoid robots working in close proximity to humans.

Unlike humans, robots cannot heal themselves. However, scientists say the best alternative is quick and easy repair. According to them, the new skin converts touch signals into neural-like pulses and activates protective reflexes upon detecting pain. The skin can also detect damage, and thanks to its modular design, damaged sections can be quickly replaced.

Alternative wireless technology achieves stable outdoor data transmission

The approach addresses key challenges in visible light communication, including pulse distortion and sunlight interference.

Scientists have developed a low-cost visible light communication (VLC) system using commercially available hardware that enables stable data transmission even under strong ambient light.

The team achieved reliable outdoor VLC at data rates of up to 3.48 Mbit/s over distances of several meters by implementing a newly designed 8B13B coding scheme on an FPGA and interfacing it with a Raspberry Pi.

The approach addresses key challenges in VLC, including pulse distortion and sunlight interference, and offers a practical path toward intelligent transportation system (ITS) applications.

CRISPR screen uncovers hundreds of genes required for brain development

Which genes are required for turning embryonic stem cells into brain cells, and what happens when this process goes wrong? In a new study published today in Nature Neuroscience, researchers led by Prof. Sagiv Shifman from The Institute of Life Sciences at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in collaboration with Prof. Binnaz Yalcin from INSERM, France, used genome-wide CRISPR knockout screens to identify genes that are needed for early brain development.

The study set out to answer a straightforward question: which genes are required for the proper development of brain cells?

Using CRISPR-based gene-editing methods, the researchers systematically and individually “switched off” roughly 20,000 genes to study their role in brain development. They performed the screen in embryonic stem cells while the cells changed into brain cells. By disrupting genes one by one, the team could see which genes are required for this transition to proceed normally.

Scientists Create a New Crystal That Twists Magnetism Into Exotic Swirls

By forcing crystal structures to compete, scientists uncovered a new way to make magnetism twist. Florida State University scientists have developed a new crystalline material whose magnetic behavior differs sharply from that of conventional magnets, opening potential paths toward advances in dat

Small-Interfering RNA Olpasiran and Apolipoprotein B Particles

Small-interfering RNA olpasiran reduced lipoprotein(a)–apolipoprotein B particles by 95% with minimal rise in non–Lp(a)-apoB, lowering total apoB concentration in patients with cardiovascular disease.

This secondary analysis of the OCEAN(a)-DOSE randomized clinical trial investigates the effect of the small-interfering RNA olpasiran on atherogenic lipoproteins.

Glucagonlike Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists and Asthma Risk in Adolescents With Obesity

This retrospective cohort study reported an association between GLP1RA use and a lower risk of acute asthma exacerbations in adolescents with overweight or obesity, suggesting a potential dual benefit for this population.

This cohort study investigates the association between glucagonlike peptide-1 receptor agonist use and the risk of acute asthma exacerbations among adolescents with overweight or obesity and asthma.

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