Daily Innovation News

July 16^th 2024

🚘 Transport

🇦🇪 UAE launches world's first 3D-printed electric wooden boat in Dubai

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority has begun trial operations of the world's first electric abra, a traditional wooden boat made using 3D printing technology. This innovative vessel, featuring a monocoque structure and electric propulsion system, combines tradition with modern tech to support Dubai's 3D printing and environmental sustainability strategies. The abra aims to reduce manufacturing, operational, and maintenance costs while cutting the carbon footprint.

🤖 Artificial Intelligence

🇩🇪 German scientists develop a method for creating neural networks using light for sustainable AI

German scientists have developed a novel method for implementing neural networks with optical systems, potentially making machine learning more sustainable. This approach simplifies previous methods and significantly reduces energy consumption by using light transmission instead of complex physical interactions. The method can perform image classification tasks with high accuracy, promising a faster and more energy-efficient alternative to traditional digital neural networks. The research was published in Nature Physics.

🌎 Environment

🇴🇲 🇦🇪 Omani and UAE startup plans to covert CO2 to stone by injecting it a kilometer underground to combat climate change

Omani and UAE startup 44.01, backed by Sam Altman, aims to commercialize its CO2 sequestration technology, which converts CO2 to stone by injecting it a kilometer underground. This process, demonstrated in Oman, accelerates natural mineralization, permanently trapping CO2 and preventing its release back into the atmosphere. The startup has raised significant funding and plans to expand globally, potentially mitigating climate change effects.

💊 Healthcare

🇺🇸 🇬🇧 US and UK scientists discover DNA key to combat pancreatic cancer

US and UK scientists have identified a key genetic flaw in pancreatic cancer, targeting the HNF4A gene affected by DNA methylation, which promotes cancer spread. This discovery offers a new therapeutic target to develop treatments that reverse this gene's inactivation. The research, a collaborative effort involving several universities, promises hope for improving survival rates in one of the deadliest cancers. The findings were published in Gastro Hep Advances.

🇬🇧 British scientists develop AI tool to predict dementia progression better than clinical tests

British scientists have created an AI tool that predicts the progression of dementia more accurately than current clinical methods. The tool, which works accurately in four out of five cases, uses non-invasive and low-cost data such as cognitive tests and MRI scans to predict whether people showing early signs of dementia will stay stable or develop Alzheimer’s. This innovation could significantly reduce the need for expensive tests and allow for earlier and more effective treatments for Alzheimer's disease. The research was published in eClinicalMedicine.

🇪🇸 Spanish researchers discover microproteins that may lead to liver cancer vaccines

Spanish researchers have identified unique microproteins in liver tumors that could be key to developing cancer vaccines. These microproteins, produced only by tumor cells, can trigger an immune response, providing a promising alternative for liver cancer, which has a low mutation rate. The study, combining computational methods with lab experiments, shows potential for vaccines that could stop or reduce tumor growth by stimulating the immune system. The findings were published in Science Advances.

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