Chemists tend to take inspiration for innovation from nature. A team led by the Nobel Prize winner J. Fraser Stoddart developed a fully artificial molecular pump, which works in a similar way to biomolecules. Achieving precise control of the pump’s motion – driven by electricity and light – opens the door to designing more complex molecular machines.

A ballgame was likely first ‘kicked off’ thousands of years ago in ancient Mesoamerica. Its Mesoamerican origin has long been associated with the lowland coastal cultures. Our discovery of the oldest highland ballcourt at Etlatongo in Mexico, dating to about 1374 BCE, highlights the importance of highland cultures in the ballgame’s early evolution.

Polar regions – where most global ice sheets are stored – are very sensitive to today’s global warming. As a likely consequence, intense atmospheric rivers – long extensions of concentrated moisture in the atmosphere – have developed, leading to polar land ice melt. New research reveals that atmospheric rivers can also cause sea ice melt by bringing warm air from the tropics to Antarctica.

Imagine bowling balls are falling at you from the sky – it’s pretty much what small insects experience when it’s raining. How do they survive such a dangerous situation? We discovered how the special waterproof armors insects and plants wear protect them from ‘violent’ raindrops.

When you feel sleepy, you may prefer going to bed over chatting with friends. Indeed, our study shows that sleepiness is linked to social activity as well as motivation. Reducing sleepiness by taking a nap or drinking coffee may help you to become more socially active, which may, in turn, be beneficial for your sleep habits.

People increasingly suffer from diabetes in modern times. Safely delivering insulin, a life-saving drug, is challenging in some tropical, low-income countries because patients cannot afford cold storage at home. Despite this standard guideline, a new study suggests that patients can safely store insulins in hot environments.