Scientists at Rice University and the University of Houston have created a powerful new material by guiding bacteria to grow cellulose in aligned patterns, resulting in sheets with the strength of metals and the flexibility of plastic—without the pollution. Using a spinning bioreactor, they’ve turned Earth’s purest biopolymer into a high-performance alternative to plastic, capable of carrying heat, integrating advanced nanomaterials, and transforming packaging, electronics, and even energy storage.

Millions of tons of plastic in the ocean aren't floating in plain sight—they're invisible. Scientists have now confirmed that the most abundant form of plastic in the Atlantic is in the form of nanoplastics, smaller than a micrometer. These particles are everywhere: in rain, rivers, and even the air. They may already be infiltrating entire ecosystems, including the human brain, and researchers say prevention—not cleanup—is our only hope.

What scientists once dismissed as junk DNA may actually be some of the most powerful code in our genome. A new international study reveals that ancient viral DNA buried in our genes plays an active role in controlling how other genes are turned on or off, especially during early human development. These sequences, originally from long-extinct viruses, have evolved to act like tiny genetic switches. Using new analysis tools and large-scale experiments, researchers discovered that certain viral DNA fragments are especially strong at activating genes and may even have helped shape what makes humans different from other primates.

Beneath Yellowstone’s stunning surface lies a hyperactive seismic world, now better understood thanks to machine learning. Researchers have uncovered over 86,000 earthquakes—10 times more than previously known—revealing chaotic swarms moving along rough, young fault lines. With these new insights, we’re getting closer to decoding Earth’s volcanic heartbeat and improving how we predict and manage volcanic and geothermal hazards.

A new UK study shows that vaccinating pregnant women against RSV has led to a staggering 72% drop in hospitalizations of newborns with severe lung infections. By passing virus-fighting antibodies to their babies, vaccinated mothers are helping shield infants during their most vulnerable early months.

What if mRNA vaccines could be made more powerful and less irritating? Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania have found a way to do just that—by tweaking a key molecule in the vaccine’s delivery system. Using a century-old chemical trick called the Mannich reaction, they added anti-inflammatory phenol groups to the lipids that carry mRNA into cells. The result? A new class of lipids that reduce side effects, boost gene-editing success, fight cancer more effectively, and supercharge vaccines like those for COVID-19. This breakthrough could change how we build the next generation of vaccines and therapies.

People in richer countries aren’t moving less — they’re just eating more. A new Duke study shows that diet, not laziness, is fueling the obesity epidemic across industrialized nations.

Using a clever combo of iron and radical chemistry, scientists have unlocked a safer, faster way to create carbenes molecular powerhouses key to modern medicine and materials. It s 100x more efficient than previous methods.

A scorching marine heatwave from 2014 to 2016 devastated the Pacific coast, shaking ecosystems from plankton to whales and triggering mass die-offs, migrations, and fishery collapses. Researchers synthesized findings from over 300 studies, revealing the far-reaching impacts of rising ocean temperatures. Kelp forests withered, species shifted north, and iconic marine animals perished—offering a chilling preview of the future oceans under climate change. This sweeping event calls for urgent action in marine conservation and climate mitigation.

Gene editing may hold the key to rescuing endangered species—not just by preserving them, but by restoring their lost genetic diversity using DNA from museum specimens and related species. Scientists propose a visionary framework that merges biotechnology with traditional conservation, aiming to give struggling populations like Mauritius’ pink pigeon a fighting chance against extinction. From agriculture to de-extinction, these tools are already transforming biology—and now, they could transform the future of biodiversity itself.

David’s Notes

1. ❤️ Last week I was at a family reunion in Tennessee. My mom’s side of the family has gathered in the same state park every two years since 1974, when I was two years old. My cousins — with whom I played in the mud, rode bikes, snuck shots of Jack Daniels behind our parents’ backs — now have kids of their own. And we’re right on the verge of some of those kids having kids of their own, which would be generation five! In a world where everything seems shaky and impermanent, having this in my life has been incredibly grounding and sustaining. Everyone should set up these regular traditions. They require a lot of work, some pushing and organizing, but it is so, so worth it.

2. 🎤 If you’re not sick of hearing my voice, I was a guest on a few great pods this last month or so. First up is The Climate Pod, where I discussed the Republican murder budget and how it will affect clean energy:

And then there was Supercool, a pod by Josh Dorfman, where I got all big-picture and philosophical, as is my wont unless I am restrained.

3. 🏙️ The researchers at the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) recently issued their annual ranking of the world’s most livable cities, based on a variety of criteria like infrastructure, education, sustainability, health, and happiness. The big news this year is that Vienna, the No. 1 seed for several years running, has been dethroned by Copenhagen.

Only one North American city (Vancouver, BC) made the top ten, and the first US cities (Portland and Miami) don’t show up until the 40s. In terms of urbanity, the US is basically an embarrassment, especially given its immense wealth.

If there’s one thing I wish I could convey to the entire US populace, it is: we don’t have to live like this. We know how to design cities that are pleasant and healthy to inhabit. We could make our cities like that! We just don’t.

4. ✊ Is Al Gore underrated? At a time when most members of the US elite — politicians, civic leaders, business figures — are cringing in the face of fascism, Al Gore is fired up and fighting, picking up Jimmy Carter’s mantle as the Democratic elder statesmen.

5. 🤝 Saul Griffith — one of the smartest people I’ve ever met and a repeat guest on Volts (one, two) — has started his own newsletter, to which you should obviously subscribe:

6. ✅ Community comment of the month: Elaine chimes in with healthy skepticism regarding increased demand induced by more efficient data centers:

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In 2024, France increased its cross-border electricity deliveries by 48%, from 70 terawatthours (TWh) in 2023 to 103 TWh in 2024. France's electricity exports to Belgium and Germany increased the most, but France also exported more electricity to Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Italy, according to data from the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity. Within France's electricity generation mix, nuclear energy increased the most, followed by hydropower.

A tiny object far beyond Pluto, newly discovered by the Subaru Telescope, could reshape our understanding of the early Solar System. Named 2023 KQ14, this rare “sednoid” follows an unusual orbit that doesn’t match its known cousins—hinting at ancient celestial upheavals, and possibly even challenging the existence of the elusive Planet Nine. With a stable path lasting over 4 billion years, this cosmic time capsule opens a new window into our system’s chaotic youth.

Astronomers have discovered a bizarre object in the outer solar system, 2020 VN40, that dances to Neptune’s gravitational beat in a never-before-seen rhythm. It’s the first of its kind, orbiting the Sun once for every ten orbits of Neptune, and could reshape how we understand the movement and evolution of distant cosmic bodies.

Astronomers have, for the first time, observed the very beginning of planet formation around a star beyond our Solar System. Using the James Webb Space Telescope and ALMA, researchers detected hot minerals starting to solidify in the dusty disc surrounding a young star called HOPS-315, located 1300 light-years from Earth. These minerals mark the earliest seeds of planets, offering a stunning parallel to how Earth and the other planets in our Solar System likely formed. This breakthrough provides a rare opportunity to watch the process of planet birth unfold in real time.

Astronomers studying a rare neutron star system have uncovered a surprising source of powerful X-rays. Using NASA s IXPE telescope and data from other observatories, an international team found that the radiation doesn't come from the star s surrounding disk of gas, as previously believed, but from a wild and turbulent pulsar wind. This fast-moving stream of particles and magnetic energy slams into the disk, producing the X-rays scientists detected.

Researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities have made a promising breakthrough in memory technology by using a nickel-tungsten alloy called Ni₄W. This material shows powerful magnetic control properties that can significantly reduce energy use in electronic devices. Unlike conventional materials, Ni₄W allows for "field-free" switching—meaning it can flip magnetic states without external magnets—paving the way for faster, more efficient computer memory and logic devices. It's also cheap to produce, making it ideal for widespread use in gadgets from phones to data centers.

Scientists have used DNA's self-assembling properties to engineer intricate moiré superlattices at the nanometer scale—structures that twist and layer like never before. With clever molecular “blueprints,” they’ve created customizable lattices featuring patterns such as honeycombs and squares, all with remarkable precision. These new architectures are more than just scientific art—they open doors to revolutionizing how we control light, sound, electrons, and even spin in next-gen materials.

Erythritol, a widely used sugar substitute found in many low-carb and sugar-free products, may not be as harmless as once believed. New research from the University of Colorado Boulder reveals that even small amounts of erythritol can harm brain blood vessel cells, promoting constriction, clotting, and inflammation—all of which may raise the risk of stroke.

Scientists have cracked a century-old physics mystery by detecting magnetic signals in non-magnetic metals using only light and a revamped laser technique. Previously undetectable, these faint magnetic “whispers” are now measurable, revealing hidden patterns of electron behavior. The breakthrough could revolutionize how we explore magnetism in everyday materials—without bulky instruments or wires—and may open new doors for quantum computing, memory storage, and advanced electronics.