Daily Innovation News

June 4^th 2024

💻 Technology

🇦🇺 Australian researchers develop ultra-thin, lightweight night vision lenses

Researchers from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems (TMOS) in Australia have created ultra-thin, lightweight night vision lenses using metasurface-based upconversion technology. These lenses, as thin as cling wrap, can fit over traditional glasses, making night vision accessible and wearable. This breakthrough could revolutionize night vision for various applications, from evening drives to late-night walks, enhancing safety and usability. The study was published in Advanced Materials.

⚡️ Energy

🇪🇸 Spain transforms cemeteries into solar energy hubs, aiming for 440,000 kW by 2030

Valencia, Spain, has initiated the "Requiem in Power" project to install solar panels in cemeteries, transforming them into solar energy hubs. The project plans to generate 440,000 kW annually by 2030, significantly reducing carbon emissions and providing clean energy for municipal buildings and vulnerable households. This innovative approach maximizes space use without disrupting the cemeteries' primary function.

🚀 Space

🇨🇳 China’s satellite tracks asteroid 2 million km away, raising US concerns

China's Jilin-1 satellite successfully tracked asteroid 1994 PC1, located 2 million kilometers from Earth, showcasing its advanced space capabilities. This maneuver, aimed at improving early warning systems for high-risk asteroids, has raised concerns in the US over potential military applications. The achievement demonstrates China's ability to repurpose existing Earth observation satellites for deep space tracking, significantly enhancing global asteroid monitoring capabilities.

🦾 Robotics

🇨🇳 Chinese humanoid robots to perform complex tasks at Dongfeng Motor

Dongfeng Motor is integrating UBTech's Walker S humanoid robots into its production lines to perform seat belt inspections, door lock testing, and oil filling tasks. These robots, standing 1.7 meters tall, use advanced AI for real-time communication and data sharing, enhancing efficiency in automobile manufacturing. This partnership aims to boost Dongfeng's intelligent manufacturing capabilities and accelerate the application of humanoid robots in the automotive industry.

🇺🇸 US researchers develop AI to teach robots versatile tasks such as hammering and cooking

MIT researchers have created an AI technique using diffusion models to teach robots various tasks like hammering and cooking. By integrating data from simulations, robot tele-operation, and human demonstrations, the Policy Composition (PoCo) method enables robots to adapt to new tasks and improve performance by 20%. This approach allows for combining policies from different datasets, enhancing robots' ability to operate in diverse environments. The study, advancing robotic learning and task generalization, is detailed in the Arxiv archive.

🌎 Environment

🇨🇦 Canadian startup develops durable, eco-friendly bricks from 90% recycled plastic

PLAEX Building Systems Inc., a Canadian startup, has created "Plaex-crete" bricks from over 90% recycled plastic waste. These lightweight, durable bricks are designed for easy construction using an interlocking system, eliminating the need for mortar. The innovative material withstands significant impact, reduces carbon footprints, and repurposes difficult-to-recycle plastics. While currently approved for storage, walls, and landscaping, the company seeks permits for house construction applications.

🇨🇦 Canadian researchers develop reusable sponge to clean up oil spills in cold waters

Researchers from North America have created CNF-SP aerogel, a biodegradable, reusable material that effectively absorbs and releases oil, even in icy waters. Combining cellulose-based material with spiropyran, the sponge-like aerogel uses visible and UV light to switch between oil-absorbent and oil-repellent states. This innovative solution promises efficient oil spill cleanup in cold environments, protecting marine and coastal ecosystems. The findings were published in Science of The Total Environment.

💊 Healthcare

🇺🇸 US scientists enhance brain-mapping tool BARseq to map millions of neurons

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have significantly upgraded BARseq, a brain-mapping tool, to map millions of neurons across the brain. This advancement helps understand how neural connections form and change over time, crucial for studying neurological conditions like Alzheimer's and schizophrenia. The enhanced technique offers detailed insights into gene expression in the brain's visual cortex, potentially leading to better treatment strategies. The study was published in Nature.

🇺🇸 US researchers develop oral antiviral for future pandemic preparedness

Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have developed Obeldesivir (GS-5245), a novel oral antiviral designed to combat coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2. This drug, derived from remdesivir, shows promise in reducing disease severity and viral replication in preclinical trials. Unlike remdesivir, which requires IV administration, Obeldesivir can be taken orally, offering a more convenient treatment option. The study, highlighting its potential for pandemic preparedness, was published in Science Translational Medicine.

🇺🇸 US researchers use eye tracking for early autism diagnosis

Researchers from Indiana University and Purdue University have developed an eye-tracking method to improve early autism diagnosis in young children. By measuring where and how long children look at videos, the method distinguishes between social and non-social attention, enhancing diagnostic accuracy to 91% sensitivity and 87% specificity. This innovative approach could reduce the wait for autism evaluations, allowing timely interventions. The study was published in JAMA Network Open.

🇺🇸 US clinical trial shows melanoma recurrence risk cut by 49% with vaccine/drug combo

A Phase IIb clinical trial combining Moderna's mRNA-4157 (V940) melanoma vaccine with Merck's Keytruda significantly reduced the risk of melanoma recurrence by 49% and distant metastasis by 62% at the three-year mark. The combination boosts the immune system's ability to fight cancer, offering new hope for patients with high-risk, resected melanoma. The promising results have led to the commencement of Phase III trials for melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer.

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