Daily Innovation News

July 10^th 2024

🌎 Environment

🇺🇸 US startup, backed by Bill Gates, creates butter from CO2 and water

A Californian startup, Savor, has developed a method to create butter using only carbon dioxide and hydrogen, significantly reducing the environmental footprint. Using a thermochemical process, Savor forms animal-like fat chains without involving animals or plants. This innovation, supported by Bill Gates and detailed in Nature Sustainability, aims to produce various dairy and meat alternatives while tackling greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation.

🇺🇸 US researchers develop new ultra-fast, chemical-free carbon storage technology

A new carbon storage method developed by US researchers rapidly forms ice-like carbon dioxide hydrates, which can be used to bury carbon dioxide in the ocean, without harmful chemical accelerants. Published in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, this technique significantly accelerates hydrate formation, using magnesium as a catalyst. The innovation offers a scalable and environmentally friendly solution for carbon sequestration, potentially transforming global carbon storage efforts and reducing atmospheric CO2.

💊 Healthcare

🇺🇸 US researchers engineer cancerous tumors to self-destruct and take neighbouring drug-resistant cells with them

Penn State researchers have developed a modular genetic circuit that reprograms cancer cells to self-destruct, targeting drug-resistant cells. Published in Nature Biotechnology, this "Trojan horse" method introduces a dual-switch selection gene drive into cancer cells, causing them to produce toxins that kill both engineered and neighboring resistant cells. This approach could transform cancer treatment by addressing the disease's diversity and preventing drug resistance.

🇸🇬 Singaporean scientists develop bandage to measure glucose levels in sweat

Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, have created a flexible bandage that measures health indicators through sweat, providing a non-invasive alternative for monitoring glucose, lactate, and urea levels. Published in Analytical Chemistry, the bandage uses microlasers in a soft hydrogel to detect biomarkers, offering a quicker, more comfortable solution for diabetic patients. This innovative device could revolutionize daily health monitoring and improve diabetes management globally.

🇺🇸 US researchers discover a method to erase 'bad memories', improving Parkinson's treatment

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have found a way to prevent L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia by treating it as a "bad motor memory." Published in The Journal of Neuroscience, the study reveals that blocking the protein Activin A can stop dyskinesia symptoms, erasing the brain's adverse response to Parkinson's treatments. This breakthrough could extend the effectiveness of L-DOPA, offering better long-term treatment options for Parkinson's patients.

🇺🇸 US researchers develop a compound to enhance fentanyl overdose treatment

Researchers have identified a novel compound, compound 368, that improves the effectiveness of naloxone (Narcan) in treating opioid overdoses. Published in Nature, the study shows that combining compound 368 with low doses of Narcan extends the drug's action, providing longer protection without inducing withdrawal symptoms. This breakthrough could significantly enhance treatments for fentanyl overdoses, a leading cause of opioid-related deaths. The innovation addresses the urgent need for better overdose interventions amid the opioid epidemic.

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