First Nuclear Clocks Tick, Webb Finds Lemon-Shaped Planet, Longevity Diet Boosts Healthspan

World's first nuclear clocks tick using thorium-229 nuclei for timekeeping Two independent teams in Europe and China have created the first functioning nuclear clocks, which measure time via energy transitions in an atom's nucleus rather than its electrons. These devices are more robust and portable than atomic clocks and offer a new tool to probe fundamental forces inside the nucleus. 12

Webb finds lemon-shaped planet with carbon atmosphere around pulsar The James Webb Space Telescope observed exoplanet PSR J2322-2650b through a full orbit, revealing a carbon-dominated atmosphere and a lemon-like shape from tidal forces. The planet's composition challenges all known formation mechanisms, leaving astronomers puzzled. 3

Low-protein 'longevity diet' with methionine boosts healthspan in mice A Mediterranean-inspired, low-protein diet supplemented with methionine extended healthy lifespan, reduced fat mass, and lowered frailty in aged mice. Analysis of over 200,000 humans linked similar plant-focused diets to lower obesity and Type 2 diabetes risk. 45

Hubble reveals early galaxy transforming its neighborhood NASA's Hubble Space Telescope captured detailed images of an early galaxy actively reshaping its surrounding environment, providing new insights into galaxy evolution in the young universe. 67

Self-driving chemistry lab Flex-Cat discovers tunable catalysts Researchers at North Carolina State University developed Flex-Cat, an autonomous lab combining robotics and AI to rapidly discover catalysts for hydroformylation. The system can optimize catalysts to selectively produce different aldehyde isomers on demand. 8

Solid-state material converts visible sunlight into UV light Kyushu University created a solid molecular material that achieves visible-to-UV upconversion at 1.9% efficiency under natural sunlight. The material uses triplet-triplet annihilation in a precisely spaced solid matrix, enabling practical UV generation without toxic solvents. 9

DNA discovery may protect healthy cells from chemotherapy side effects University of Sheffield researchers identified a DNA mechanism that could shield key healthy cells during chemotherapy, potentially reducing harmful side effects while maintaining cancer-killing efficacy. 10

NIH launches trial testing therapies to slow childhood myopia A new NIH-supported clinical trial will test whether specialized eyeglasses, atropine 0.05% eye drops, or their combination can slow myopia progression in children, addressing a condition projected to affect half the world by 2050. 11

Cavity-enhanced graphene plasmons boost terahertz detection ICFO-led researchers demonstrated a terahertz photodetector using acoustic graphene plasmons in a cavity, achieving 30% enhanced photoresponse. The scalable CVD graphene device operates at 6–90 K and could advance biomedical imaging and security screening. 12

Optical skyrmions created using two-century-old light phenomenon NTU Singapore scientists generated complex optical skyrmions—topologically protected light structures—by harnessing a classical light phenomenon from 200 years ago, opening new possibilities for data storage and communication. 13

Cohesin proteins STAG1 and STAG2 shape antibody gene diversity A Nature Communications study reveals how cohesin variants STAG1 and STAG2 regulate V(D)J recombination in B cells, with STAG2 restraining STAG1 to ensure balanced antibody gene rearrangements. The work uncovers a regulatory axis critical for immune diversity. 14