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April 8^th 2025

⚡️ Energy

🇺🇸 US startup to test modular laser-based space solar power in orbit by 2026

American startup Aetherflux plans to launch a space-based solar power demonstrator that will beam energy to Earth using infrared lasers. Unlike traditional geostationary systems, its modular satellites will operate in low Earth orbit, allowing faster development and iteration. The 2026 in-orbit test could mark a key step toward scalable, space-based clean energy.

🦾 Robotics

🇨🇭 🇬🇧 Swiss and UK researchers trial robot dogs to boost last-yard delivery speed and efficiency

Swiss company RIVR and UK logistics firm Evri have launched trials of autonomous wheeled-legged robot dogs to handle the last 100 yards of parcel delivery. Designed to reduce driver fatigue and improve speed, the robots use AI, sensors, and remote support to navigate curbs, stairs, and varied terrain. This innovation aims to enhance logistics scalability and sustainability in dense urban areas while refining real-time physical AI through each delivery.

🌎 Sustainability

🇦🇺 Australian startup creates plant-based leather to cut emissions in fashion and auto industries

Alt. Leather, an Australian startup supported by CSIRO, has developed a sustainable leather alternative made entirely from regenerative plants and upcycled textiles. The material is plastic-free, biodegradable, and meets durability standards, offering an eco-friendly option for industries like fashion, footwear, upholstery, and automotive. Its production emits about three times less carbon than animal leather, uses 30–70% less energy than synthetic PU/PVC leather, and has a 50% lower water impact than animal leather, making it a significantly greener alternative.

💉 Biotechnology

🇺🇸 US scientists achieve world’s first animal de-extinction by cloning dire wolves from ancient DNA

Colossal Biosciences has successfully brought dire wolves back from extinction using advanced gene editing and cloning, marking the world’s first true animal de-extinction. By sequencing ancient DNA and editing gray wolf cells to match key extinct traits, scientists created viable embryos that were birthed through interspecies surrogacy. The breakthrough not only revives a 13,000-year-extinct predator but also paves the way for preserving endangered species through similar biotechnology.

💊 Healthcare

🇺🇸 US scientists launch first human trial of sperm stem cell therapy to restore male fertility

Researchers in the United States have begun the world’s first human trial of spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) transplantation, aiming to help men regain fertility after cancer or genetic conditions. In the trial, a young man received his own previously frozen SSCs, extracted before childhood chemotherapy, reimplanted into his testes to potentially restart sperm production. While sperm has not yet appeared, hormone levels remain stable, and the procedure showed no tissue damage, offering early signs of promise for future fertility restoration.

🇺🇸 US researchers unveil drug that cuts hidden genetic heart attack risk by 94% from one injection

Eli Lilly’s new drug lepodisiran has shown it can reduce levels of lipoprotein(a)—a genetic risk factor for heart attacks and strokes—by 94% with a single injection, lasting six months. Lp(a) is unaffected by lifestyle and often goes undetected, yet affects one in five Americans and may explain unexpected cardiac events in seemingly healthy individuals. Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the findings mark a major step toward preventing heart disease in people who don’t benefit from current therapies.

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