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The University of California, San Diego has received a $12.6 million award to establish a new research center focused on polysubstance addiction, the use of multiple drugs in combination. The center aims to advance understanding and treatment of addiction involving multiple substances, a growing public health concern amid the ongoing overdose crisis.

Ali Raza, a software architect and engineer, has introduced himself as the founder of OsmicSoft, a new software venture. In his introduction he describes a long-standing interest in exploring new technologies, designing software architectures and solving complex engineering problems, and hints at a recent project focus. The post is drawing modest attention from the developer community as he introduces the company.

Boston College has announced that a Nobel laureate and the editor-in-chief of the journal Science will speak at its upcoming Research Day. The event is set to bring prominent scientific figures to campus, highlighting the university's growing research profile and giving students and faculty a chance to hear from leading voices in the scientific community.

An artist has recreated lifelike bubble physics in the 3D software Houdini, drawing on research published by Wētā FX. The work demonstrates how film-industry simulation research can be adapted by individual artists to produce realistic soap-film behaviour, iridescence and popping effects, and it is drawing attention from visual effects and motion design communities interested in procedural simulation techniques.

Julia Zhao and Diane Darland are being highlighted at the University of North Dakota for their interdisciplinary research collaboration. Their work bridges disciplines to advance scientific discovery, combining expertise across fields. The profile underscores UND's push to support cross-departmental research and the growing recognition of collaborative approaches in tackling complex scientific questions.

A researcher, assisted by artificial intelligence, has reportedly found exact solutions to a longstanding problem in fusion physics. The development suggests AI tools may be able to crack analytical challenges in plasma science that have resisted traditional mathematical approaches. Details of the work and the specific equations solved have not been widely reported yet, so the scope and significance of the breakthrough remain to be confirmed by the wider fusion research community.

A Trine University student named Benham took part in summer research that is helping shape her career path, according to the university. The story highlights how hands-on research experience over the summer break can guide students toward their professional goals in science fields. No further details about the research topic or the student's field are available.

Researchers at the National University of Singapore's College of Design and Engineering report that a single artificial muscle can drive dexterous motion in soft robots, a capability usually requiring multiple actuators. The announcement, carried via EurekAlert, suggests simpler, cheaper designs for soft robotics with applications in manipulation and delicate tasks. Details of the underlying mechanism and peer review status are not yet widely reported.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation has convened its 33rd Annual Scientific Retreat, bringing together leading experts in prostate cancer research and care. The gathering serves as a forum for researchers and clinicians to share findings and discuss advances in treatment. The foundation funds prostate cancer research and the annual retreat is one of its flagship scientific events.

UCLA researchers will lead a new center funded by the National Institutes of Health dedicated to advancing the science of interoception, the study of how the body senses its internal states. The center aims to consolidate research on how internal bodily signals affect health, behavior and disease, positioning UCLA as a hub for this growing field of neuroscience.

Zacks Research has raised its stock rating on First Internet Bancorp (NASDAQ:INBK) to Strong-Buy. The upgrade, also picked up by MarketBeat, signals a more bullish outlook on the Indiana-based bank's shares. Investors will be watching whether the improved analyst view carries through to the stock's performance.

Negotiators in the EU trilogue on the Chat Control 2.0 regulation have so far failed to reach a deal on mandatory scanning of private messages. The European Parliament is standing firm against the Council's push for so-called search plans that would allow mass scanning of encrypted communications. Pirate Party MEP Patrick Breyer reported the stalemate, calling it a temporary win for privacy supporters, though negotiations are set to continue.

Latvian companies and researchers have signed agreements on defense technology and genomics as a trade mission to the United States organized by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) concludes. The deals signal growing transatlantic cooperation in security and biotech sectors, reflecting Latvia's push to deepen economic and research ties with American partners amid heightened regional security concerns.

Cotton Queen, a debut novel by a Sudanese writer, is drawing attention with a Guardian review praising its blend of mystery, powerful matriarchal characters and magical storytelling. The book is described as a pioneering work for Sudanese literature, arriving as international interest in voices from Sudan grows amid the country's ongoing conflict and cultural visibility abroad.

Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher and Cardinal Baldo Reina told a conference in Rome that religious communities can make a real contribution to peace at a time when the world order faces a severe test. They stressed religious freedom and respect for human dignity as essential conditions for dialogue and stability, framing interfaith cooperation as a practical tool for easing conflicts rather than a purely symbolic gesture.