RSF-funded research that shaped 2025

The results of the study were presented at a press conference at the Rossiya Segodnya news agency.

Neural networks have learned to accurately predict forest fires and take into account the characteristics of the area

Scientists from Skoltech have created a system based on artificial intelligence and satellite data to assess forest health and predict forest fires with an accuracy of up to 87%. Unlike similar systems, the system takes into account a variety of information—from weather to population activity in a specific region—improving the quality of predictions. This development will allow responsible organizations to take proactive measures to protect citizens and forests and reduce the risk of fires.

The researchers used machine learning technology, satellite imagery, and archival fire data over 10 years—a total of approximately 17,000 events from 2012 to 2022. The algorithm analyzed this data and automatically identified patterns. Furthermore, the characteristics of specific study areas, such as vegetation type, terrain characteristics, and meteorological data—temperature, precipitation, wind, and evaporation—were separately considered to assess the likelihood of fire outbreak and spread. The data was compiled into a single database for further processing and forecasting. Particular attention was paid to detailed forest cover characteristics, which can be obtained through satellite monitoring of the area.

The forecast was made five days in advance. In tests, the developers achieved a prediction accuracy of 70% to 87%, depending on the region. This is sufficient for the practical use of the system, allowing responsible authorities to take measures to prevent fires. For example, by watering the forest or closing it to unauthorized access. In addition to regional authorities, the system could be useful to nature reserves, research centers, and other organizations working with forest ecosystems.

Preprocessed remote sensing data for the study region in the Irkutsk region as of July 11, 2020, with detailed vegetation characteristics. Source: Illarionova, S., Shadrin, D., Gubanov, F. et al.

A nanocrystal "with memory" for record-breaking small processors consumes tens of thousands of times less energy

Research team in ITMO University in collaboration with their foreign peers have developed a perovskite nanomemristor—an element that changes resistance depending on the magnitude and direction of current, while "remembering" the signal history. The device can be used for storing or processing information. In tests, the electronic component withstood more than 1,500 rewrite cycles and operated for several months without degradation under room conditions. Traditional perovskite memristors typically fail after tens to hundreds of cycles.

Perovskites—crystals with an ordered structure that yields predictable electrical properties—are promising materials for creating memristors. However, perovskite memristors have thus far remained too unstable for practical use.

The researchers sandwiched a cesium lead bromide element between diamond doped with boron atoms and indium tin oxide—chemically inert electrodes that ensure the memristor's switching stability. Moreover, the device is incredibly compact and energy-efficient: a single crystal measuring 130–160 nanometers, barely visible under a high-power microscope, consumes only 70–80 nanowatts of power, approximately tens of thousands of times less than a standard LED. 

The resulting perovskite memristor will form the basis for energy-efficient and ultra-compact processors that simulate brain function for artificial intelligence and machine learning applications.

Researchers from Harbin University of Engineering also contributed to the study.

a) Perovskite nanomemristor design: a single-crystal cesium lead bromide (CsPbBr3) nanocube is sandwiched between boron-doped diamond (BDD) and indium tin oxide (ITO); b) Research team: Sergey Makarov, Alexandra Furasova, Prokhor Alekseev, and Abolfazl Mahmudpour. Source: Alexandra Furasova

A "cocktail" of active molecules will help increase the efficiency of chemical reactions

Photocatalysts are special substances that accelerate chemical reactions when exposed to light. Using phenothiazine as an example, scientists from the Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences were the first to discover that, when exposed to light, the photocatalyst transforms into new forms that exhibit higher catalytic activity. This "cocktail" works much better than a single molecule. As a result, up to 99% of the desired product is obtained in the reaction, and the new forms can even function in spectral regions where the organic photocatalyst, phenothiazine, was previously inactive, such as the red region. The "catalyst cocktail" concept opens the way to the creation of a new generation of energy-efficient and versatile reaction accelerators.

Chemists have studied how the popular organic photocatalyst phenothiazine behaves when exposed to light. Previously, it was believed that the catalyst remained unchanged during the reaction, participating only in electron transfer. When exposed to light, phenothiazine began to transform, forming dimers, trimers, and even larger groups of active molecules. Each of these molecules had its own photophysical properties, absorbing light across a broad spectrum—from ultraviolet to green and even red, where the original phenothiazine is virtually inactive.

The authors noted that similar transformation processes can occur in other known photocatalysts. Understanding the mechanism of this "catalyst cocktail" will enable the creation of new, versatile, and low-cost reaction accelerators for the synthesis of chemical compounds.

A team of authors. Source: Evgeny Gordeev

A "space" protein was discovered that helped genes function properly

Researchers from the Institute of Gene Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, together with their international colleagues, have discovered that proteins that help DNA fold within cells are responsible for the proper functioning of genes that control nervous system development. This important conclusion was reached through the discovery of a protein the researchers discovered. It hooked onto specific DNA regions, forming loops in it and thereby folding it. Schematically, these loops are represented by an arc reminiscent of the flight path of a space rocket. Therefore, the scientists named the protein Vostok in honor of the first manned spacecraft. Knowledge of DNA loop formation will make it possible to modify gene function in the future, including in hereditary diseases of the nervous system.

Biologists have discovered how DNA "folding" is controlled in neurons, specifically the formation of loops that allow regulatory proteins to approach target genes, interact with them, and thereby alter their activity. Computer analysis revealed a repeating sequence associated with loop formation and a new protein, Vostok, that binds to it. By disabling the Vostok gene in fruit flies, scientists discovered that the number of such loops decreased. The loss of the new regulatory protein disrupted the genes responsible for nervous system development and led to the death of the flies during the pupal stage.

Understanding how loops are formed in DNA opens up new possibilities for gene therapy.

Researchers from Princeton University also contributed to the study.

Model of the Vostok spacecraft and a DNA loop. Source: Daria Chetveryna

A new polymer antenna has made it possible to visualize capillaries and arteries in real time without surgery.

Research team based in Gaponov-Grekhov Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences in collaboration with their international peers developed the world's first spherical multi-element antenna made of a flexible piezoelectric polymer material, making optoacoustic tomography more sensitive and informative. The device enables real-time monitoring of blood flow in large arteries and tiny capillaries, comparable in size to a single red blood cell.

The researchers created a spherical array of 512 miniature sensors, each independently recording ultrasound signals. This system enables high-quality images of the deep vascular network without surgical intervention and with high spatiotemporal accuracy.

Optoacoustic technology, which allows visualization of oxygenation within living tissue, opens up new possibilities for the early detection of heart, vascular, and brain diseases, and is also applicable in non-destructive testing and fundamental biological research.

The project involved researchers from Tongji University, the University of Zurich, ETH Zurich, the Spanish Higher Research Council and the Helmholtz Centre.

A close-up of a spherical antenna, showing miniature piezoelectric elements. Source: IAP RAS Press Service

Beneficial bacteria help sterlet grow faster and experience less stress

Researchers from the Don State Technical University have identified new strains of beneficial bacteria that could become effective probiotics for cultivating sterlet, a valuable sturgeon species. Thanks to the implementation of advanced scientific technologies and support from industrial partners, the research results can be quickly brought to market, increasing the efficiency and sustainability of Russian fish farms.

Two groups of bacteria were used in the experiment: the first helped digest proteins and starch, while the second also protected the fish from stress and oxidative stress.

When these probiotics were added to sterlet larval feed for two months, both groups of fish showed improved growth: their weight increased by 9-15% compared to standard feeding. At the same time, the fish showed reduced signs of inflammation and stress, indicating healthier development.

Genetic analysis showed that only bacteria with "stress-resistant" properties produce special substances that protect the fish from oxidative stress and help them better cope with adverse conditions.

Using new strains of probiotics in sterlet feed can improve fish growth, reduce losses due to disease and stress, and thus increase the efficiency and quality of domestic aquaculture production.

A study of the effects of developed additives on fish. Source: Information Service of the Faculty of Agro-Industrial Sciences, DSTU

'Feast' under pressure: Ocean life feeds on chemicals at a depth of 9,500 meters

Scientists from the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences in collaboration with international peers have discovered thriving communities of organisms at a depth of over 9,500 meters in the hadal zone of the Pacific Ocean—more than twice as deep as the sunken Titanic. This unique natural laboratory offers a unique opportunity to study the conditions under which life could have originated on our planet: the organisms live in complete darkness, in water near freezing, and at pressures nearly 1,000 times greater than those at Earth's surface. Furthermore, it turns out that the local inhabitants feed on chemicals released by the subsidence of tectonic plates. This discovery demonstrates the incredible resilience of life and opens new horizons for the study of the deep biosphere, where nature has learned to extract energy from chemistry rather than light.

Scientists surveyed 2,500 square kilometers of the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench and the western Aleutian Trench at depths ranging from 5,800 to 9,533 meters using dives aboard a manned vehicle in the summer of 2024. Geochemical data collected revealed that organisms living in the hadal zone feed on hydrogen sulfide and methane from the Earth's interior. These include bivalves and marine polychaete worms. 

The authors note that among the discovered creatures, some are entirely dependent on chemical, rather than solar, energy. Amphipods and sea cucumbers also inhabit these depths, feeding not on chemicals but on organic matter produced with them.

The study was organized by the Zhirmunsky National Scientific Center of Marine Biology and the Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Technology.

The Fendouzhe deep-sea manned submersible (China). Source: Andrey Gebruk

Ancient Neighbors: New Finds from Denisova Cave Reveal 300,000 Years of History of Three Human Species

Researchers from the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences in collaboration with their foreign peers conducted a detailed study of the previously little-studied Southern Gallery of Denisova Cave in Siberia—the only archaeological site where the presence of three distinct species of ancient humans has been reliably established. There, they found stone tools, the skeletal remains of fossilized hominins, and animal bone fragments, allowing them to reconstruct the lives of the cave's inhabitants. Excavations in the Southern Gallery clarified data on the Denisovans, Neanderthals, and modern humans who inhabited the site at various times over a period of 300,000 years. These new findings significantly expanded our understanding of Denisovan genetics, dating back to approximately 200,000 years ago, and allowed us to build a comprehensive picture of how the environment changed and how different human species responded to it. Researchers collected and analyzed several hundred sediment samples, finding DNA samples from Denisovans, Neanderthals, and animals in layers spanning approximately 300,000 years. Stone and bone tools, jewelry—pendants made of animal teeth and a mammoth figurine—as well as teeth and skull fragments from Denisovans were also found. The excavations allowed researchers to determine when the cave was inhabited by different human species: Denisovans arrived here approximately 300,000 years ago, while Neanderthals arrived approximately 150,000 years ago.

The study's results provide the most comprehensive timeline of human ancestors' presence in Denisova Cave and help us better understand how they adapted to a changing environment and interacted with each other during evolution.

The study involved researchers from Lomonosov Moscow State University, the Borissiak Paleontological Institute, the University of Wollongong, and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology.

Excavations in the southern gallery of Denisova Cave. Source: Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences

The first two-dimensional alternator magnet for future nanoelectronics has been created

Researchers from the Kurchatov Institute and the Far Eastern Federal University have created and studied a new material—a two-dimensional altermagnet just one monolayer thick. This paves the way for spintronic devices of the future—energy-efficient memory and computer logic circuits based on electron spin.

Traditionally, magnets are divided into two classes: ferromagnets and antiferromagnets. Recently discovered altermagnets combine the best properties of these two classes, a feat previously thought impossible: significant spin signals in the absence of stray magnetic fields that interfere with device operation.

However, modern electronics require monolayer-level nanomaterials integrated with a silicon technology platform.

The scientists solved this problem by synthesizing films based on the rare earth element gadolinium on silicon, reducing their thickness from hundreds of atomic layers to a monolayer. The resulting films demonstrated all the expected properties of altermagnets. Reaching the two-dimensional limit allowed for the generation of maximum spin signals. Both metallic and semiconductor materials were developed for various applications. Subsequent research led to the creation of similar rare-earth altermagnets on a germanium platform.

The technology developed by the authors makes it possible to create new spintronic devices in which information is transmitted not only by the electron's charge but also by its spin. This will enable the transition to chips with extremely low power consumption, operating faster than modern electronic components.

Authors' collective. Source: Vyacheslav Storchak

Unique domestic technologies have been developed for the production of microwave microcircuits based on gallium nitride and gallium arsenide for navigation, communication, and radar systems

Svetlana-Rost specialists have created Russia's first library of topologies and models of standard submicron-level components, enabling the design of high-power microwave integrated circuits. Modern technological solutions for the production of domestically produced gallium nitride and gallium arsenide microcircuits pave the way for the creation of new components for navigation, communications, and radar systems. These solutions not only ensure technological independence in the production of key electronic components but also enable the development of next-generation domestic microwave systems capable of competing with global counterparts.

Despite advances in the development of domestic microwave technologies, the key challenge remains the dependence of Russian microelectronics on imported components and the lack of a domestic industrial platform for the design and production of complex integrated circuits. To overcome these challenges, Svetlana-Rost specialists developed a methodology for the precise matching of high-power gallium nitride-based transistors in hybrid assemblies, validated by prototype testing—the parameters of the test microwave devices matched the calculated ones. At the same time, engineers created Russia's first library of topologies and models of standard submicron-level components, enabling the design of high-power nitride microwave microcircuits. Its use as part of a comprehensive design tool has enabled the first transition from the development of high-power transistors to monolithic microwave microcircuits. This provides domestic developers with a tool for creating advanced microwave electronics without the use of imported components, and the technology is ready for further development into a full-fledged industrial platform.

Furthermore, engineers improved key process units and prepared for serial production a domestic technology for manufacturing microcircuits with operating frequencies of up to tens of gigahertz based on a different material – gallium arsenide. This significantly improved the quality and stability of production: the wafer yield increased by a third, and the number of required runs per batch was reduced by almost half. The technology has been validated by tests and is ready for scaling – the company is already purchasing new equipment to increase production volumes.

During both projects, prototypes of monolithic microwave microcircuits for advanced electronic equipment were created and delivered to customers.

a) Photograph of the wafer; b) Topology of the microwave monolithic integrated circuit. Source: JSC Svetlana-Rost