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- February 21st 2025
February 21st 2025
Max Gray
February 21, 2025
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February 21st 2025
🦾 Robotics
Researchers from Shinshu University and Chiba University have created a bio-hybrid drone that uses silkworm moth antennae to detect and track odors with high precision. By integrating insect olfaction with robotics, the drone can follow scents in real time, overcoming the limitations of traditional visual sensors. The technology, published in npj Robotics, could revolutionize disaster response, helping rescue teams locate survivors by detecting human odors. It may also enhance security, detect gas leaks, and improve hazard detection in critical infrastructure.
California-based Figure has introduced Helix, a Vision-Language-Action (VLA) model that enables humanoid robots to understand speech, reason through tasks, and manipulate household objects without prior training. Helix allows robots to collaborate, adapt to new environments, and perform dexterous tasks using a unified AI system. Operating on low-power GPUs, it is designed for real-world deployment. This innovation follows Figure’s split from OpenAI and represents a major leap in humanoid robotics.
🌎 Environment
Newcastle University scientists have created an innovative mortar mix that reduces building heat loss by up to 55% while incorporating recycled PET plastic and silica aerogel. This sustainable material meets international construction standards and could lower energy costs while reducing plastic waste. The research team now aims to collaborate with construction firms to scale up real-world applications, potentially transforming energy-efficient building practices. The research was published in Construction and Building Materials.
💊 Healthcare
An international research team led by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München has identified a novel class of antimalarial drugs that target the gene regulation of Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite. The study, published in Nature, found that inhibiting the chromatin remodeler PfSnf2L effectively kills the parasite across all life cycle stages. This approach could enhance current treatments and prevent drug resistance. Future research will focus on developing small-molecule inhibitors for preclinical testing.
Scientists at the Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health have discovered a way to significantly increase survival rates after radiation exposure by disabling the Sting protein, a key immune regulator. Their study, published in Cell Death and Differentiation, showed that mice lacking Sting had a 67% survival rate after radiation exposure, compared to just 11% in normal mice. This breakthrough could enhance cancer radiotherapy by protecting healthy cells and may offer a future defense against radiation from nuclear accidents or warfare.
A phase 1 clinical trial led by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has shown that a personalized mRNA vaccine can stimulate a strong immune response in pancreatic cancer patients, potentially extending survival by up to 10 years. Half of the trial participants developed T cells that targeted their tumors, with some immune cells expected to last for decades. Published findings suggest this approach could improve long-term cancer resistance, though further trials are needed to confirm its effectiveness.
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