Whereas tools break under high enough pressure, an atom cannot. Scientist have figured out how to use an atom-sized magnet to perform sensitive measurements under the most extreme pressures. This work permits the study of exotic science related to planetary formation and more efficient materials for new technology.

Ocean circulation redistributes heat and shapes the marine environment. As the world’s oceans have been warming for decades, it is essential to determine how ocean circulation is changing due to global warming. Here, we find that the global ocean circulation has been accelerating substantially since 1990s. This is likely driven by increased greenhouse gas emissions related to human activities.

How did beetles become one of the most diverse groups of animals? We reconstructed the beetle family tree and studied beetle DNA. We determined that plant-feeding beetles rapidly diversified after ”stealing” microbial genes, which facilitated digestion of plant tissues. We propose that these genes were key to the evolutionary success of beetles.

Microrobots could perform medical procedures and serve as a non-invasive form of medical treatment. However, this would require an ability to change form-and-function to fit the need. Using shape transforming microbricks, we developed ‘Transformer’ Robots capable of morphing from racecar to humanoid robot.

Modern technology makes use of numerous mineral commodities whose production is concentrated in a few countries. New research identifies the commodities whose supply disruption poses the greatest risk to the manufacturing sector. While the analysis is applied to the U.S. manufacturing sector, the principles are equally applicable to other economies heavily reliant on imported mineral materials.

Until recently, scientists thought that the growth of plant cells is driven by pressure on their rigid cell walls. Using new nanoimaging technology we show that the cell wall polymer pectin can independently expand plant cells. Similar biochemical 'self-expansion' of extracellular polymers in different kingdoms may change our vision of life beyond the plasma membrane.