In this week of R&D updates, we witness the cosmos revealing life’s building blocks in unexpected places, while down on Earth, GPT-5 launched, the model that has been in development since March 2023. Also, potentially breakthrough treatments offer hope for devastating diseases and quantum discoveries challenge our understanding of reality. This week’s developments range from practical (new medical treatments) to fundamental (quantum states of matter).
Quantum computing and physics
Quantum computing concept. Circuit and qubits in background. 3D rendered illustration.
Columbia engineers enable quantum computer sharing with HyperQ
The story: Scientists at Columbia Engineering have developed a new system that enables multiple users to share a single quantum computer simultaneously using isolated quantum virtual machines (qVMs). They call the system HyperQ.
The numbers:
- HyperQ reduced user wait time by 40-fold
- Project timelines shorten from days to hours
Why it matters: Most quantum computers can only support single-user applications due to the interconnection between qubits. The researchers solved this problem by isolating each qVM with a buffer of inactive qubits, preventing them from interfering with one another.
Watch for: The team intends to expand HyperQ to function across quantum computing architectures.
Scientists discover quantum liquid crystal state of matter
The story: Rutgers University scientists discovered a new quantum state called “quantum liquid crystal” by combining Weyl semimetal with spin ice materials under extreme magnetic fields. Published in Science Advances, this marks the first observation of electronic anisotropy at a heterostructure interface.
The numbers:
- Electronic anisotropy in exactly 6 specific directions
- Electrons flow in precisely 2 opposite directions under increased magnetic fields
- Zero energy loss electrical conduction due to Weyl fermions
- 4+ years spent developing the custom Q-DiP platform
Why it matters: This breakthrough enables design of ultra-sensitive quantum sensors for extreme environments like space and powerful machines. The zero-loss conduction could have implications for electronics for quantum computing.
Watch for: Expansion to other quantum material combinations and development of practical applications in quantum sensors and advanced electronics.
Materials science and physics
Scientists superheat gold past melting point without liquefying
Greg Stewart/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
The story: Scientists used an ultrafast high-intensity laser to superheat gold past its melting point without turning it into a liquid. Their findings were published in Nature.
The numbers:
- The gold was heated to 14 times its melting point (19,000 kelvin / 33,700°F)
- Gold’s melting point is 1,337 kelvin (1,947°F)
- They used 45 femtosecond (45 quadrillionths of a second) X-ray laser pulses
Why it matters: It has been challenging for scientists to measure the temperature of unusual states of matter like plasma, called “warm dense matter”. These findings could help scientists find a new way to accomplish this.
Watch for: Bob Nagler, the lead author of the study, plans to apply the new measurement technique to inertial fusion energy research at the Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.
AI and computing
OpenAI and Anthropic drop new AI models
The story: While AI bubble talk remains a theme, frontier AI labs continue to launch new models at a rapid clip. OpenAI launched gpt‑oss‑120b (117B parameters) and gpt‑oss‑20b (21B parameters), the first open-weight release since GPT‑2. The open-weight models activate a fraction of their parameters in use. Gpt-oss-120b activates 5.1B parameters per token, while gpt-oss-20b activates 3.6B, according to OpenAI. Meanwhile, Anthropic launched Claude Opus 4.1, an incrementally improved version of its largest model, and OpenAI announced the much-delayed GPT-5, which has received mixed reviews immediately after launch.
The numbers:
- 117B and 21B: Parameter counts for OpenAI’s new open-weight models
- 74.5%: Claude Opus 4.1’s score on the SWE-Bench Verified coding benchmark
- 45–80%: Reported reduction in hallucinations in GPT-5 compared with GPT-4o and o3 models, respectively.
- 5.1B parameters per token activated in gpt-oss-120b (3.6B in gpt-oss-20b)
Why it matters: GPT‑5’s launch signals a jump in AI reasoning and usability with reportedly fewer hallucinations. Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.1 reinforces its dominance in AI-powered coding tools, while OpenAI’s open-weight models democratize access to powerful AI capabilities.
Watch for: Whether GPT‑5 can retain leadership in coding and reasoning as enterprises test it against Claude and other agents. Opus 4.1 may force OpenAI to respond with targeted improvements or pricing strategy.
Space and cosmology
Complex organic molecules detected in planet-forming disk
The story: Astronomers using the ALMA telescope have detected 17 complex organic molecules in the protoplanetary disk around V883 Orionis, marking the first time such complex chemistry has been found in a planet-forming environment. The molecules include ethylene glycol, glycolonitrile, and precursors to amino acids glycine and alanine, plus adenine—a fundamental building block of DNA.
The numbers:
- 17 complex organic molecules detected, including life’s building blocks
- Star is located 1,305 light-years away
- V883 Orionis is only 500,000 years old (compared to our Sun at 4.6 billion years)
- Detection enabled by stellar outbursts heating the disk from -263°C to -173°C
Why it matters: This discovery challenges the “chemical reset” theory that complex molecules are destroyed during star formation. Instead, it suggests life’s building blocks are inherited from interstellar space and may be widespread throughout the cosmos.
Watch for: The research team plans higher resolution observations to confirm tentative detections. Future James Webb Space Telescope observations could reveal whether similar chemistry exists in other star-forming regions.
NASA’s acting administrator calls for nuclear reactor on the Moon
The story: NASA’s Acting Administrator Calls for a Nuclear Reactor on the Moon, NASA is pushing forward with plans to establish nuclear power infrastructure on the lunar surface as part of its Artemis program and long-term lunar habitation goals.
Why it matters: Nuclear power could provide the consistent energy needed for lunar bases, life support systems, and in-situ resource utilization, enabling sustained human presence on the Moon.
Watch for: Development of compact, transportable nuclear reactor designs suitable for the harsh lunar environment.
Medicine and biotechnology
FDA approves first treatment for rare aggressive brain cancer
The story: The FDA granted accelerated approval on August 6, 2025, to Jazz Pharmaceuticals’ Modeyso (dordaviprone), the first and only systemic therapy for H3 K27M-mutant diffuse midline glioma. This devastating brain cancer primarily affects children and young adults who typically survive only one year after diagnosis.
The numbers:
- 22% overall response rate in clinical trials
- 10.3 months median duration of response
- 73% of responders maintained response for at least 6 months
- 27% maintained response for at least 12 months
- Affects approximately 2,000 people annually in the US
Why it matters: This addresses an urgent unmet medical need for a uniformly fatal pediatric brain cancer with no previous approved treatments. The drug works through a novel mechanism as a protease activator targeting mitochondrial caseinolytic protease P.
Watch for: The Phase 3 ACTION confirmatory trial measuring overall survival in 450 patients will determine continued approval. Commercial availability is immediate, offering hope to families facing this devastating diagnosis.
RFK Jr. cancels mRNA vaccine grants amid declining vaccination rates
The story: RFK Jr. canceled grants and contracts to develop mRNA vaccines on Tuesday. Simultaneously, children’s vaccine rates are dipping. The CDC reported that kindergarteners’ vaccine coverage decreased in 2024-25 compared to the year before.
The numbers:
- The total number of canceled grants and contracts is nearly $500 million
- 286,000 children attended kindergarten without receiving the MMR vaccine
- Vaccine exemptions increased from 3.3% to 3.6%, with some states exceeding 5%
- A study from UCLA Health found that almost 9 in 10 ER patients have not received one or more recommended vaccinations
Why it matters: Canceled grants could decrease vaccine availability. The HHS said it will favor other vaccines over those using mRNA, an outdated approach. Some scientists have said this could threaten public safety.
Watch for: Further restrictions on vaccines by RFK, continuing decrease of vaccination rates, decrease of vaccine availability and slow vaccine releases.
New implant offers hope for easing rheumatoid arthritis
The story: New Implant Offers Hope for Easing Rheumatoid Arthritis – Researchers have developed a novel implant that stimulates the vagus nerve to reduce inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis patients, offering a drug-free treatment alternative.
Why it matters: This bioelectronic medicine approach could provide relief for patients who don’t respond well to conventional treatments or want to avoid long-term medication side effects.
Watch for: Clinical trial results and potential expansion to other inflammatory conditions.
Desalination system could produce freshwater cheaper than tap water
The story: Desalination system could produce freshwater that is cheaper than tap water – MIT researchers have developed a new desalination system that could produce freshwater at costs lower than municipal tap water, potentially solving water scarcity challenges.
Why it matters: With growing global water stress, affordable desalination could provide reliable freshwater access to billions while being economically viable for widespread deployment.
Watch for: Pilot projects and scaling efforts to bring this technology to water-stressed regions worldwide.
Synthetic biology
E. coli engineered with 57-codon genetic code
E. coli image from CDC
The story: Escherichia coli with a 57-codon genetic code. Scientists have successfully created E. coli bacteria with a compressed genetic code using only 57 codons instead of the standard 64, demonstrating unprecedented control over biological systems.
Why it matters: This achievement opens new possibilities for creating organisms resistant to viral infection and capable of producing novel proteins with non-natural amino acids, with potential applications in biotechnology and pharmaceutical production.
Watch for: Applications in industrial biotechnology and development of virus-resistant organisms for pharmaceutical manufacturing.