Fourteen-year-old Indian-American student Sharvi Mahajan has developed NeuroDrive Alert, an EEG-based machine learning system that tracks brain activity to predict driver fatigue before microsleep occurs. Her innovation has earned her a place among the 10 finalists of the 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge, where she will compete for a $25,000 prize.

Texas A&M engineers are developing fish-like nano-robots to harvest lithium from seawater. These autonomous microscopic robots use specialised particles activated by light for movement. This innovative approach offers a sustainable alternative to traditional land-based mining methods.

Tropical islands are facing a surprising ecological shift as invasive rats disrupt the balance of coral reef ecosystems. By decimating seabird numbers, these rats cut down on essential nutrient contributions to the reefs. As a result, tiny cryptobenthic fish flourish in nutrient-rich spots, while invertebrates find success in less fertile regions, reshaping the food web and highlighting the vulnerable nature of these priceless underwater habitats.