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May 27^th 2025

💻 Technology

🇸🇦 Saudi researchers turn smartphone screens into hydration sensors using fingertip touch

Scientists at Saudi Arabia's KAUST have developed a method to monitor hydration levels using the capacitive sensors already embedded in smartphone touchscreens. By analyzing fingertip skin capacitance with a machine-learning algorithm, the system classifies hydration into five levels with up to 92% accuracy, eliminating the need for extra wearable tech. The innovation, published in IEEE Sensors Journal, could enable real-time hydration tracking through a simple app, helping users rehydrate before thirst sets in.

🦾 Robotics

🇸🇬 Singapore engineers develop humanoid robots to aid in fire and rescue by 2027

Singapore’s Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) has unveiled advanced humanoid robots designed to assist emergency services in high-risk scenarios such as firefighting and search-and-rescue, with deployment expected by 2027. Initially remotely controlled and later powered by autonomous AI by 2029, the robots were showcased alongside Phoenix, a multilingual large language model tailored for public safety. Backed by a $100 million investment, the initiative includes a world-first humanoid robotics center and partnerships with Microsoft and Mistral AI to strengthen sovereign AI capabilities.

🌎 Sustainability

🇬🇧 UK scientists harness ancient bacteria to recycle batteries cleanly and cut carbon emissions

British startup Cell Cycle has developed LithiumCycle, a low-energy battery recycling method using 50-million-year-old bacteria to recover critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. The microbial process operates at body temperature, requires minimal infrastructure, and could become carbon negative—offering a sustainable alternative to traditional, high-emission recycling. Backed by Innovate UK and Coventry University, the system could revolutionize battery waste management by 2026.

💊 Healthcare

🇨🇳 🇺🇸 Chinese and US researchers launch world’s first trial to reverse spinal cord injury with stem cells

In a global first, Chinese biotech firm XellSmart has received approval from both the US FDA and China’s NMPA to begin human trials of a regenerative therapy aimed at reversing spinal cord injury using allogeneic induced pluripotent stem cells. Unlike treatments that only manage symptoms, this therapy aims to replace damaged neural cells and restore function, offering scalable, off-the-shelf accessibility. The trial marks a major step toward a potential cure for paralysis.

🇺🇸 US researchers use dog cancer trial data to fast-track pediatric bone cancer therapy

Clinical success of OST-HER2 in treating osteosarcoma in dogs is accelerating its use for children with the same aggressive bone cancer. Developed by OS Therapies, the HER2-targeting immune therapy uses engineered Listeria bacteria to stimulate the body’s T cells to attack tumors. Published in Molecular Therapy, dog trial results showed delayed tumor growth, reduced need for amputation, and extended survival—data now helping push the treatment toward FDA approval for use in children with metastatic osteosarcoma.

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Max

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