Storing energy from sunlight and converting it into hydrogen days later is what a new material jointly developed by researchers from Ulm and Jena can do — even in the dark. The process is reversible and can be reactivated several times using a pH switch. The results were published in the journal Nature Communications.

A simple blood test could help identify women at increased risk of dementia up to 25 years before symptoms appear. In a long-term study, higher levels of the biomarker p-tau217 were strongly linked to later cognitive decline, highlighting the potential of blood-based testing for earlier risk assessment and prevention research.

New research has revealed that plant species diversity is a stronger predictor of how dryland ecosystems respond to grazing pressure than climate, soil conditions or livestock type.

Far from living on fish alone, prehistoric Europeans appear to have combined plants, seafood and other animal products into regionally distinct dishes. A new analysis of charred food residues in ancient pottery suggests that hunter-gatherer communities between the 6th and 3rd millennium BC had far more varied and sophisticated culinary traditions than previously assumed.

Despite many benefits, researchers have found that telemedicine does not make it easier for psychiatrists, psychologist and therapists to reach more people in rural areas. They also suggest that changing how states license physicians is important to make it easier for them to practice across state lines.

Using Ballbot molecules that slide on a surface, physicists and chemists from Münster, Germany, have produced long-chain mobile polymers on metal surfaces for the first time in cooperation with Chinese researchers. Ballbot polymers are extremely promising with regard to new applications in the fields of nanoelectronics, surface functionalisation and catalysis.

Researchers at ETH Zurich and Empa have developed a recyclable wood-based composite that turns sawdust into a fire-resistant material using the mineral struvite. The lightweight panels could offer a more sustainable alternative to cement-bonded boards while supporting circular construction and longer material use.

A new robotic hand makes use of the Forte technology to grasp objectives that are sensitive to touch such as a potato chip or raspberries without crushing it. The innovation has the potential to improve robot performances in food processing, health care and manufacturing.

How much people drink matters — but so does what they drink. A new large-scale study suggests that low to moderate wine consumption may be associated with lower cardiovascular risk, while even modest intake of beer, cider or spirits was linked to higher mortality.

The precise pH monitoring is crucial for the stability and performance of nanoparticles in drug delivery. Read how these biocompatible materials are developed and at what step the pH measurement is incorporated into the process.