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A bone-like composite developed at EPFL uses naturally occurring enzymes to accelerate mineralization through an energy-efficient, room-temperature process. The strong, lightweight material shows promise for bone repair applications. Inspired by the resilient and self-repairing mechanical properties of bone, scientists have been developing synthetic materials using one of bone's main components: a mineral called hydroxyapatite (HA).

Researchers have developed preclinical models for invasive lobular carcinoma and trialed a new drug. It slows tumor growth effectively by targeting specific features of the disease and opening the door to future clinical trials. Breast cancer is not a single disease. Some types of carcinoma do not form distinct masses but spread in a string-like pattern, making them difficult to detect.

Researchers at EPFL, Heidelberg University and Roche have built a human mini-bladder to show how urine composition weakens bladder tissue, helping infections recur even after antibiotics. The bladder is not just a static storage bag; its lining stretches, relaxes, and stays in constant contact with urine whose composition changes with hydration, diet, and disease.

A nanodevice developed at EPFL produces an autonomous, stable current from evaporating saltwater by using heat and light to control the movement of ions and electrons. In 2024, researchers in the Laboratory of Nanoscience for Energy Technology ( LNET ) in EPFL's School of Engineering reported a platform for studying the hydrovoltaic (HV) effect - a phenomenon that allows electricity to be harvested when fluid is passed over the charged surface of a nanodevice.

For decades, scientists have searched the skies for signs of extraterrestrial technology. A study from EPFL asks a sharp question: if alien signals have already reached Earth without us noticing, what should we realistically expect to detect today? Since the first SETI experiment in 1960, astronomers have scanned the Milky Way for signs of advanced extraterrestrial civilizations.

Researchers have shown theoretically that, in highly ordered materials, heat can flow toward warmer regions without violating the laws of thermodynamics. Their work could help design electronics that minimize heat loss. To understand how heat normally flows, you could study the second law of thermodynamics - or wrap your hands around a hot mug of coffee.

EPFL roboticists have shown that when a modular robot shares power, sensing, and communication resources among its individual units, it is significantly more resistant to failure than traditional robotic systems, where the breakdown of one element often means a loss of functionality. If the goal of a robot is to perform a function, then minimizing the possibility of failure is a top priority when it comes to robotic design.

Scientists report that briefly switching on three "reprogramming" genes in a small set of memory-trace neurons restored memory in aged mice and in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease to level of healthy young animals. Age-related memory decline and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's are often thought of as irreversible.

Physicists have found a way to measure the time involved in quantum events and found it depends on the symmetry of the material. "The concept of time has troubled philosophers and physicists for thousands of years, and the advent of quantum mechanics has not simplified the problem," says Professor Hugo Dil , a physicist at EPFL.

A team of researchers has taken a major step towards resolving the problem of drift in generative video, which is what causes sequences to become incoherent after a handful of seconds.

A team of scientists from EPFL and Alaska Pacific University has developed an AI program that can recognize individual bears in the wild, despite the substantial changes that occur in their appearance over the summer season.

A robotic hand developed at EPFL surpasses the limits of human dexterity with a dual-thumbed, reversible-palm design that can detach from its robotic 'arm' to reach and grasp multiple objects.

By rethinking how thin metal threads are woven into a flexible textile, researchers have created a lightweight fabric capable of lifting over 400 times its own weight. The work advances the development of wearables that provide physical assistance without mechanical bulk. Most wearable robotic systems today rely on rigid components with limited comfort and social acceptance.

In a Phase 1 clinical study, researchers led by EPFL and their partners report that a new liverand gut-targeted oral drug can safely lower triglycerides and other blood lipids. When we eat, our bodies convert extra calories, especially from carbs, sugar, fats, and alcohol, into molecules called "triglycerides".

Scientists at EPFL and Johns Hopkins uncover the central role of an enzyme in controlling prostate cancer subtypes and improving therapeutic response. A large team of researchers led by Wouter Karthaus, head of the Endocrine Therapy Resistance and Molecular Genetics Lab at EPFL, and Eneda Toska at Johns Hopkins University have identified the enzyme KMT2D as a key epigenetic regulator in prostate cancer.

Researchers have developed formulations for the kind of paper used in cash receipts or shipping tags using wood-based chemicals that reduces reliance on toxic bisphenols while keeping print performance. Every day, millions of people use thermal paper without thinking about it. Receipts, shipping labels, tickets, and medical records all rely on heat-sensitive coatings to make text appear.

Researchers have discovered how cells help keep their protein levels steady even when their ability to make new proteins changes. The finding could shed light on how our bodies stay resilient when nutrients and other resources rise and fall. Every cell depends on proteins to function and stay healthy.

Researchers have successfully engineered cells of the immune system to more effectively recognize cancer cells. The work, covered in two papers, turns the previously lab-based method into a full-blown immunotherapy strategy. Cancer immunotherapy is a strategy that turns the patient's own immune cells into a "search-and-destroy" force that attacks the tumor's cells.

Scientists have identified a molecular pathway that protects cells from lipid oxidation and ferroptosis, a regulated form of cell death involved in aging and several diseases. Our cells constantly face oxidative stress, a natural byproduct of metabolism that can damage DNA, proteins, and lipids. Every cell must strike a delicate balance between using oxygen for life-sustaining reactions and avoiding the damage it can cause.

Carbon capture is becoming essential for industries that still depend on fossil fuels, including the cement and steel industries. Natural-gas power plants, coal plants, and cement factories all release large amounts of CO2, and reducing those emissions is difficult without dedicated capture systems.