Daily Innovation News

May 29^th 2024

💻 Technology

🌍 Global entrepreneurs deploy Star Wars-like tech to generate 500L of water from air in 24 hours

Entrepreneurs globally are using advanced systems to extract water from air, producing up to 500 liters in 24 hours. These technologies, inspired by Star Wars, utilize cooling and heating methods to condense water vapor, offering scalable solutions for remote areas. However, high costs hinder widespread adoption, making them more suitable for specific sectors like hospitality and data centers. This innovation supports sustainability goals by providing a renewable water source, but requires further development and government support to be cost-effective for broader use.

🇨🇭 Swiss firm launches world’s first living computer using lab-grown mini-brains

Swiss company Final Spark has introduced Neuroplatform, the first bioprocessing platform using lab-grown brain organoids for computation, drastically reducing energy use by a million times compared to silicon chips. This system integrates hardware, software, and biology through Multi-Electrode Arrays (MEAs) to process data. While the bioprocessor needs to be replaced after 100 days, it promises significant energy savings for applications like AI model training. The findings are published in Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence.

🇺🇸 US researchers achieve breakthrough in 3D printing super-strong tungsten

Scientists have developed a new method to 3D print tungsten, producing parts that are stronger and more heat-resistant than traditionally manufactured tungsten. This innovation is crucial for industries requiring materials that can withstand extreme temperatures, such as aerospace and nuclear sectors. The study, published in Advanced Materials, highlights the potential for this technology to revolutionize high-temperature applications.

⚡️ Energy

🇮🇳 Indian researchers harness plants' electrical rhythm as a renewable energy source

Scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur have discovered that plants like water hyacinths and lucky bamboo generate electrical rhythms during water transpiration and ion transport. This natural electrical potential, influenced by the plants' circadian rhythms, could be harnessed as a sustainable and eco-friendly energy source. The study, published in the journal Physics of Fluids, highlights a novel way to address the global energy crisis by utilizing the continuous and renewable energy plants produce without harming the environment.

🚀 Space

🇺🇸 US scientists speed up bone loss study in space, affecting 650 million globally

MIT researchers have developed a tissue chip model on the ISS to study early-stage post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). This model uses human cartilage, bone, and synovium co-cultures to simulate joint environments, accelerating disease research in microgravity. The study, published in Frontiers in Space, enables faster testing of drugs and treatments, potentially improving therapeutic strategies for joint diseases. This advancement is crucial for developing targeted interventions for osteoarthritis, which affects millions worldwide.

💊 Healthcare

🇨🇳 Chinese scientists create 90% lethal Ebola-like virus to study eye disorders

Chinese researchers have genetically modified a vesicular stomatitis virus to carry Ebola glycoprotein, creating a 90% lethal virus in hamsters. This model mimics Ebola infection, causing severe eye disorders, and is designed for preclinical testing of Ebola treatments. Conducted under BSL-2 conditions, this innovation aims to accelerate the development of medical countermeasures against Ebola, making research more accessible and cost-effective. The study, highlighting this breakthrough, was published on Science Direct.

🇺🇸 US researchers develop one-shot asthma remedy, successful in mice

Scientists have created a one-time treatment for asthma that showed promising results in mouse studies. The treatment involves a gene therapy that reduces airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness, targeting the root cause of asthma. If successful in humans, this therapy could provide a long-term solution for asthma patients, eliminating the need for regular medication. The study, published in Nature Communications, marks a significant advancement in respiratory health treatments.

🇦🇺 Australian researchers reformulate antipsychotic drugs to prevent weight gain

Researchers at the University of South Australia have developed a new coating for antipsychotic drugs, reducing the common side-effect of weight gain and boosting serotonin levels by over 250%. This innovation involves core-shell particles made from inulin and medium chain triglycerides, enhancing drug absorption and improving gut microbiome health. The study, funded by the Hospital Research Foundation Group, shows promise for improving treatment outcomes for mental health conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This advancement could soon be fast-tracked for clinical use.

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