May 21st 2025

Author

Max Gray
May 21, 2025

The Daily Innovation Newsletter

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May 21st 2025

⚡️ Energy

Scientists at the University of Surrey have developed a lithium–CO₂ battery using a low-cost catalyst, caesium phosphomolybdate (CPM), that stores 2.5 times more energy than lithium-ion batteries while capturing carbon dioxide during operation. The battery runs reliably for over 100 cycles without rare metals and could offset daily emissions by turning CO₂ into energy-storing compounds. Published in Advanced Science, the breakthrough may lead to scalable, dual-purpose batteries for Earth and even Mars.

🤖 Artificial Intelligence

Google has launched an AI mode for Search in the US, transforming it into an interactive assistant powered by the Gemini 2.5 model. The update enables AI-generated summaries, camera-based search, virtual shopping try-ons, and real-time bookings—marking a major shift from link-based browsing to conversational, task-oriented search. Revealed at Google I/O 2025, the rollout reflects the company’s broader AI push, with 1.5 billion users already engaging with its AI features.

🌎 Sustainability

Researchers at Colorado State University have identified a new cyanobacteria, nicknamed "Chonkus," that absorbs large amounts of carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and naturally sinks, potentially sequestering the carbon it captures. Thriving in extreme environments like carbon-rich hot springs, this microbe could offer a natural, scalable method for atmospheric CO₂ removal. The discovery, part of a broader citizen science campaign, opens new possibilities for climate change mitigation using extremophile microbes.

💊 Healthcare

Scientists at the University of Copenhagen have identified the final two enzymes needed to fully biosynthesize Taxol, a widely used but costly cancer drug. By engineering yeast cells to produce Taxol, the team has created a sustainable biotechnological method that could halve production costs and reduce environmental impact, bypassing the need for complex chemical synthesis or harvesting yew trees. Published in Nature Synthesis, this breakthrough could improve global access to cancer treatment, especially in developing countries.

The US FDA has approved the first-ever blood test for Alzheimer’s disease, marking a major step toward easier and earlier diagnosis. Developed by Fujirebio Diagnostics, the Lumipulse G pTau217/ß-Amyloid 1-42 Plasma Ratio test detects key biomarkers from a single blood sample, replacing more invasive methods like spinal taps and expensive PET scans. With clinical trials showing over 90% accuracy, this breakthrough could significantly expand access to early interventions as Alzheimer’s cases are expected to rise sharply.

Researchers at Duke University have created SBI-810, a non-opioid compound that relieves pain by activating neurotensin receptor 1 (NTSR1), a target found on sensory neurons and in the spinal cord. In mice, SBI-810 effectively reduced pain from surgery, fractures, and nerve injuries without causing common opioid side effects such as sedation, constipation, or tolerance buildup. Published in Cell, the study suggests SBI-810 could offer safer pain relief alternatives for both acute and chronic conditions.

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Max

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