Frontiers of Science

Brian Greene, the Columbia University physicist and science communicator, has stopped teaching the university's Frontiers of Science course after more than a decade in the classroom. Greene, known for his work popularizing string theory and theoretical physics, was a longtime fixture of the core science curriculum, and his departure marks the end of a notable chapter for the course.

A New York Times science report profiles a start-up working to build microrobots with the help of artificial intelligence. The company is using AI to design and develop machines at microscopic scales, a field known as atomic or molecular machines. The story highlights growing overlap between AI and robotics at the smallest end of engineering.

Cosmetics & Toiletries has published a review of advances in scalp health, arguing that treatment strategies should be rethought around a deeper understanding of scalp biology and new technologies. The piece examines how emerging research and formulation tools could shape the future of products targeting the scalp, moving beyond traditional approaches to hair care and dermatological treatment.

The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded for research into the mysteries of the brain, according to the Guardian. The report gives no further detail on the laureates or the specific discoveries honoured. The award recognises work advancing understanding of how the brain functions, one of the most complex frontiers in medical science.

Nobel Prize-winning biologist Venki Ramakrishnan has given an interview with India Currents discussing longevity science, what he calls arrogance in the tech industry, and the current frontiers of biological research. The chemist, known for his work on the ribosome, shares his views on whether humans can realistically extend lifespan and where biology is heading next.

The US National Science Foundation is moving forward with a plan to build what would be the world's most powerful laser, a project that UC Irvine researchers are involved in advancing. The facility would push the frontiers of high-intensity laser science, enabling experiments in fundamental physics that are currently beyond reach. Details on timeline and funding remain limited.

South Korea is planning a 4.7 trillion won investment to develop a frontier artificial intelligence model, with the Ministry of Science and ICT aiming to position the country as a leader in the global AI race. The announcement comes as governments worldwide move to build sovereign AI capabilities rather than relying on foreign models.

The US Department of Energy has announced up to $400 million in funding for basic research aimed at advancing the frontiers of science. The programme will support fundamental scientific work across national laboratories and research institutions, though detailed allocations and eligible research areas have not yet been laid out in the announcement.

Frontiers is addressing the question of who holds authorship responsibility when scientists rely on AI research agents to conduct or write up scientific work. The publication outlines expectations for researchers using these tools, a debate growing across the scientific community as AI agents take on larger roles in producing research findings and manuscripts.

A Georgia newspaper has published a feature examining TB-500, a synthetic peptide derived from the naturally occurring protein Thymosin Beta-4, and its place in regenerative medicine. The piece explores the science behind the compound and the growing interest in peptide-based approaches to tissue repair and recovery.

The Chinese Academy of Sciences has announced a new program aimed at supporting breakthrough research at the frontiers of science. The initiative is intended to drive major scientific advances, though details on funding, priority fields and timelines have not yet been made widely available. Further information is expected as the academy rolls out the program.

Penn State is hosting a workshop focused on the quantum universe, bringing together researchers to discuss quantum physics and its role in understanding the cosmos. The event covers topics at the intersection of quantum mechanics and cosmology, drawing attention from the physics community interested in how quantum effects shaped the early universe.