Daily Innovation News

October 18^th 2024

⚡️ Energy

🇺🇸 US researchers develop a lead-free thin film that generates electricity from motion, could allow cars to charge while driving

Scientists in the US have created a non-toxic polymer film that converts mechanical energy into electricity, potentially allowing cars to charge while driving and roads to power traffic lights. The film, made of barium zirconium sulfide particles, harnesses the piezoelectric effect and can generate power from everyday movements like walking and clapping. This innovative technology, free of harmful lead, could significantly reduce battery reliance and support green energy transitions. The study was published in Nature Communications.

🚀 Space

🇺🇸 US researchers grow functional liver tissue in space, offering hope for organ donation shortages

Scientists aboard the International Space Station have grown liver tissue using microgravity, which allows cells to self-assemble without synthetic scaffolds, resulting in tissues with superior function compared to those grown on Earth. A custom bioreactor, the "Tissue Orb," mimics blood flow, supporting this advanced tissue development. This breakthrough could revolutionize organ transplants and disease modeling, especially if paired with new cryopreservation techniques to safely transport tissues back to Earth.

🦾 Robotics

🇬🇧 UK robot artist Ai-Da to auction first AI-generated portrait at Sotheby’s, sparking debate on creativity

Ai-Da, the world's first humanoid robot artist, is set to auction her 7.2-foot-high portrait of computing pioneer Alan Turing at Sotheby’s. This marks the first time a robot's artwork will be sold at a major auction house. The portrait, titled AI God, explores the legacy of Turing, who warned about the risks of AI. This sale raises questions about the role of machines in artistic expression and creativity.

🌎 Environment

🇺🇸 US researchers create new biodegradable plastic that breaks down faster than paper in oceans

Scientists from the US have developed a modified version of cellulose diacetate (CDA) plastic that biodegrades in seawater 15 times faster than traditional forms. This foam CDA, made porous through a simple process, lost up to 70% of its mass in 36 weeks, outpacing both paper and other plastics like Styrofoam. The breakthrough, published in ACS Publications, could lead to more sustainable alternatives for packaging materials and help reduce plastic pollution in marine environments.

💊 Healthcare

🇬🇧 UK scientists create detailed skin map, offering insights for scar prevention and regenerative medicine

Researchers in the UK have created the first single-cell map of prenatal human skin, revealing the molecular steps involved in skin and hair follicle development. The study, published in Nature, also produced a lab-grown "mini organ" of skin capable of hair growth. This work could lead to breakthroughs in regenerative medicine, aiding burn victims and improving organoid models for congenital skin diseases. Importantly, it shows how immune cells help with blood vessel formation and scarless healing, which may prevent scarring after surgeries.

🇬🇧 UK scientists develop AI model to improve skin cancer detection, outperforming existing methods

Researchers in the UK have developed an AI tool that outperforms current methods for detecting suspicious skin lesions. Trained on data from over 53,000 lesions, the model uses seven key features to identify risks, achieving a 69% accuracy rate compared to 62% for existing techniques. This AI system could reduce the need for unnecessary biopsies, cut down diagnosis times, and improve outcomes for skin cancer patients. The study was published in Scientific Reports.

🇦🇺 Australian researchers advance spider venom drug to clinical trials for reversing heart attack damage

Scientists in Australia have developed a synthetic version of a spider venom peptide, Hi1a, which could protect heart tissue during a heart attack. This drug works by blocking acid-sensing ion channels, preventing damage caused by oxygen deprivation. Set to enter human clinical trials, Hi1a also shows promise for preserving donor hearts, potentially increasing the number of viable transplants and improving patient outcomes. The research was published in the European Heart Journal.

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