This editorial for Volume 16, Issue 4 of Biophysical Reviews highlights recent contributions to biophysics from many parts of the world. Biophysical Reviews is the official journal of the International Union for Pure and Applied Biophysics (IUPAB 2024). The international scope of the articles in the issue exemplifies the goals of IUPAB to organize worldwide advancements, co-operation, communication, and education in biophysics. The articles in the Issue are illustrative of the wide array of topics and quantitative approaches used by scientists from many fields to explore and understand how biology-indeed, all life-works.