Daily Innovation News

July 26^th 2024

💻 Technology

🇸🇬 Singaporean scientists create a device that converts Wi-Fi signals into electricity reducing the need for batteries

A team from the National University of Singapore (NUS) has developed a rectifier that efficiently converts ambient Wi-Fi and cellular RF signals into electricity, even at extremely low power levels below -20 dBm. This innovation, utilizing nanoscale spin-rectifiers, could reduce battery dependency and extend the lifespan of electronic devices. The rectifier's improved sensitivity and efficiency make it a promising alternative to traditional rectifiers, with potential applications in wireless sensor networks and IoT devices. Future plans include integrating on-chip antennas to enhance efficiency.

⚡️ Energy

🇺🇸 US scientists develop seawater and caffeine-powered hydrogen reactor for submarines

MIT researchers have created a novel hydrogen reactor that can power marine vehicles using seawater, aluminum pellets, and coffee grounds. The reactor generates hydrogen by exploiting a chemical reaction between aluminum and water, enhanced by an alloy of gallium and indium. This process, now efficient even in seawater, could eliminate the need to store hydrogen, making marine vehicles more sustainable. The innovation promises significant advancements in maritime applications, with potential future uses in other transportation sectors. The research is published in Cell Reports Physical Science.

🇨🇳 Chinese scientists develop eco-friendly material to extract uranium from seawater

Chinese researchers have created a cost-effective, environmentally friendly material to extract uranium from seawater. Using sodium alginate and functional DNA strands, the material selectively adsorbs uranyl ions with high efficiency, even in natural seawater. This innovative absorbent is mechanically robust, recyclable, and has higher selectivity for uranium compared to previous methods. This breakthrough could enhance uranium extraction for nuclear power, offering a sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional mining.

🌎 Environment

🇦🇺 Australian scientists gene-engineer flies to consume human organic waste and produce valuable compounds

Researchers from Macquarie University in Australia have genetically engineered black soldier flies to improve their ability to consume organic waste and produce valuable industrial compounds. These modified flies can process a wider range of waste and produce enzymes and fatty compounds for use in various industries. This innovation, published in Communications Biology, could significantly reduce methane emissions from landfills and transform waste into a resource. The team plans to deploy these flies in waste facilities soon and has established a company, EntoZyme, to commercialize their work.

🇬🇧 🇵🇰 British and Pakistani scientists develop new tech that could power 50% of rural Pakistan using banana waste

Researchers from Northumbria University and collaborators in the UK and Pakistan have developed a method to turn banana agricultural waste into textile fibers and renewable energy. This technology aims to provide clean electricity to 50% of rural Pakistan, potentially generating 57,488 million cubic meters of syngas. The initiative, supported by Innovate UK's energy catalyst scheme, also aims to enhance soil fertility and food production with biofertilizers. This innovation addresses both the environmental impact of Pakistan's textile industry and the lack of reliable energy in rural areas.

💊 Healthcare

🇰🇷 🇺🇸 South Korean and US scientists find fecal transplants enhance immunotherapy in gastrointestinal cancers

A small clinical trial has shown that fecal microbiota transplants (FMTs) can help patients with gastrointestinal cancers overcome resistance to immunotherapy. Six out of 13 patients who previously resisted immune checkpoint inhibitors responded positively after receiving FMTs from donors who had successful treatments. The study, published in Cell Host & Microbe, highlights the significant role of gut microbiota in improving cancer treatment outcomes. Specific bacterial strains were identified that affect the success of FMTs, opening new avenues for enhancing immunotherapy efficacy.

🇮🇪 Irish scientists enhance cancer-killing cells with electrical currents for brain tumor treatment

Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have discovered that electrical currents, specifically Tumour Treating Fields (TTF), can enhance the cancer-killing ability of Natural Killer (NK) cells. This finding, published in Cell Reports Physical Science, indicates that TTF can improve NK cell efficacy without harming their viability, making them more potent against cancers like glioblastoma. This promising development could lead to new combined therapies for brain tumors, improving patient outcomes where traditional treatments fall short.

🇪🇺 EU researchers use silkworms and shrimps for skin and bone repair breakthroughs

European Union-funded research has found that silkworms and shrimps can aid in repairing damaged skin and bones. Scientists are developing nature-based solutions, such as using silk from silkworms to create scaffolds that support tissue regeneration and blood vessel formation. These advancements aim to treat chronic conditions like diabetic ulcers and bone defects. The SHIFT and SkinTERM projects focus on innovative, minimally invasive treatments and anticipate clinical applications by the early 2030s.

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