Today, you’ll learn about the trouble hearts have in space, an ancient log that could help us hit climate targets, and how our brain divides our days into chapters. Heart Cells in Space “Space Travel Found To Disrupt Normal Rhythm in Heart Muscle Cells.” Technology Networks. 2024 . “Spaceflight-induced contractile and mitochondrial dysfunction in an automated heart-on-a-chip platform.” by Devin B. Mair, et al. 2024. Ancient Log “A thousands-year-old log demonstrates how burying wood can fight cl...
Nov 13, 2024•12 min
Today, you’ll learn about a more sustainable jet fuel made from trees, how a new process allows you to 3D print glass, and why feeding coral reefs might save them from heat stress. Plant Jet Fuel “New continuous reaction process can help turn plant waste into sustainable aviation fuel.” by Seth Truscott. 2024. “Lignin-based jet fuel and its blending effect with conventional jet fuel.” by Zhibin Yang, et al. 2022. “A simultaneous depolymerization and hydrodeoxygenation process to produce lignin-b...
Nov 08, 2024•12 min
Today, you’ll learn about how nuclear weapons might one day actually save the Earth, the video game that lets you power wash your bad mood away, and a study that suggests being a picky eater might be genetic. Asteroid Blast “Nuclear blast could save Earth from large asteroid, scientists say.” by Ian Sample. 2024. “Simulation of asteroid deflection with a megajoule-class X-ray pulse.” by Nathan W. Moore, et al. 2024. Power Wash Positivity “It’s official: You can virtually power wash your way to a...
Nov 07, 2024•11 min
Today, you’ll learn about a potential cure for diabetes, how ancient extinct volcanoes might provide a boost for your cell phones, and why sharks and rays fling themselves out of the water. Stem Cells & Diabetes “Stem cells reverse woman’s diabetes - a world first.” b y Smriti Mallapaty. 2024. “How a pioneering diabetes drug offers hope for preventing autoimmune disorders.” by Elie Dolgin. 2023. Rare Earth Metals “Humanity needs more rare earth elements. Extinct volcanoes could be a rich new...
Nov 06, 2024•12 min
Today, you’ll learn about how earthquakes shake up quartz to make gold nuggets, the discovery of a new type of cell, and an effort to redefine sustainability in our oceans. Gold Nuggets “How do gold nuggets form? Earthquakes may be the key.” by Robin George Andrews. 2024. “Gold nugget formation from earthquake-induced piezoelectricity in quartz.” by Christopher R. Voisey, et al. 2023. New Cell Type “New cell type discovered.” Scimex. 2024. “Discovery of an embryonically derived bipotent populati...
Nov 01, 2024•12 min
Today, you’ll learn about a new way to use a defibrillator that works over 250% better, how octopuses go hunting with fish, and the keys to happiness. Defib Placement “New defib placement increases chance of surviving heart attack by 264%.” by Paul McClure. 2024. “Warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest different for men and women.” by Paul McClure. 2023. “Initial Defibrillator Pad Position and Outcomes for Shockable Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.” by Joshua R. Lupton, et al. 2024. Octopus Hunti...
Oct 31, 2024•13 min
Today, you’ll learn about the synthetic slime that might help people heal from back surgery, how cities tend to get more rain than the rural areas around them, and a new genetically engineered golden lettuce packed with vitamins. Cow Slime “Cow slime can help disc herniation patients after surgery.” EurekAlert! 2024. “Preserving the Immune-Privileged Niche of the Nucleus Pulposus: Safeguarding Intervertebral Discs from Degeneration after Discectomy with Synthetic Mucin Hydrogel Injection.” by Hu...
Oct 30, 2024•11 min
Today, you’ll learn about the brain science behind choking under pressure, a newer, tougher, stronger concrete inspired by bones, and how skin cancer rates in Sweden could offer a sign of hope. Pressure & Performance “Choking under pressure: Brain neurons misfire when the stakes are highest.” by Bronwyn Thompson. 2024. “Research sheds new light on decreased performance under pressure.” by Sara Vaccar. 2024. “A neural basis of choking under pressure.” by Adam L. Smoulder, et al. 2024. Bone Co...
Oct 25, 2024•12 min
Today, you’ll learn about how surgeons operated on a pig from 5,000 miles away, a population of neanderthals that were isolated for 50,000 years, and why trees could be linked to lower risks of ADHD in kids. Remote Surgery “Remote surgery performed on a pig 9,000 km away using a game controller.” by Michael Irving. 2024. “Teleoperated Magnetic Endoscopy: A Case Study and Perspective.” by Alexandre Mescot, et al. 2024. Isolated Neanderthals “An ancient Neanderthal community was isolated for over ...
Oct 24, 2024•11 min
Today, you’ll learn about a new device that can get inside the mind of babies, the edible protein that’s made out of carbon dioxide, and how the modern ideal of the 15-minute city might not be for everyone. Baby Brain Device “Wearable brain imaging device shines a light on how babies respond in real-world situations.” UCL. 2024. “Whole-head high-density diffuse optical tomography to map infant audio-visual responses to social and non-social stimuli.” by Liam H. Collins-Jones, et al. 2024. CO2 Pr...
Oct 23, 2024•12 min
Today, you’ll learn about how climbing on monkey bars and other risky play could be a gift from our ancestors, the dangers of mold in space, and new evidence on how cravings take root in our brains. Risky Play “Risky Play Exercises an Ancestral Need to Push Limits.” by Morgan Kelly. 2024. “Commemorating the monkey bars, catalyst of debate at the intersection of human evolutionary biology and public health.” by Luke D. Fannin, et al. 2024. Mold in Space “Keeping mold out of future space stations....
Oct 18, 2024•12 min
Today, you’ll learn about a potential positive side to side effects, how mega El Niños triggered the world’s worst mass extinction event, and the antidote to pesticides that could save bees. Positive Side Effects “How side effects can improve treatment efficacy: a randomized trial.” by Lieven A. Schenk, et al. 2024. “Side-effects are often a curse. Can they also be a blessing?” by Katja Wiech, et al. 2024. Mega El Niño “Mega El Niños kicked off the world’s worst mass extinction.” by Jake Buehler...
Oct 17, 2024•12 min
Today, you’ll learn about a breakthrough in our understanding of the behavior and abilities of bacteria, the queen ants that cannibalize their sick larvae and recycle it, and how tiny shards of plastic are finding their way into our brains. Bacteria Behavior “New discovery of how bacteria navigate their environment could change how we treat infection.” University of Sheffield. 2024. “Individual bacterial cells can use spatial sensing of chemical gradients to direct chemotaxis on surfaces.” by Ja...
Oct 16, 2024•12 min
Today, you’ll learn about the connection between chronic sinus infections and anxiety, a new way to recycle plastic by vaporizing it, and how marmosets call each other by name. Sinuses & Mental Health “Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Mental Health.” by Najm S. Khan, et al. 2024. “Chronic Sinusitis.” CDC. 2022. Vaporizing Plastic “New process vaporizes plastic bags and bottles, yielding gases [sic] to make new, recycled plastics.” by Robert Sanders. 2024. “Plastic Pollution.” by Hannah Ritchie, et...
Oct 11, 2024•13 min
Today, you’ll learn about how common table salt could help our bodies fight cancer, an ancient underwater bridge that’s changing what we know about human migration in Europe, and the hyper precise nuclear clock breakthrough. Salt & Cancer “Common salt activates anti-tumor cells.” by Charlotte Fuchs and Friederike Gawlik. 2024. “Sodium chloride in the tumor microenvironment enhances T cell metabolic fitness and cytotoxicity.” by Dominik Soll, et all. 2024. Ancient Bridge “Submerged bridge con...
Oct 10, 2024•11 min
Today, you’ll learn about an injectable pacemaker that dissolves after 5 days, how a black hole is starving a galaxy to death, and the bats with record-high blood sugar levels. Injectable Pacemaker “Injectable pacemaker regulates heartbeat for 5 days then dissolves.” by Michael Irving. 2024. “In situ assembly of an injectable cardiac stimulator.” by Umut Aydemir, et al. 2024. “Arrythmia.” Cleveland Clinic. N.d. Black Hole Starves “Astronomers detect black hole ‘starving’ its host galaxy to death...
Oct 09, 2024•10 min
Today, you’ll learn about the new air conditioner that cools without conditioning the air, how understanding our false memories can be a window into our problem solving skills, and a study examining the grieving of cats. AC Not Conditioned “Device provides air conditioning without conditioning air.” by Ellen Phiddian. 2024. “A pure radiant cooling device for ‘air conditioning’ without conditioning air.” by Xinyao Zheng, et al. 2024. “2023 was the warmest year in the modern temperature record.” b...
Oct 04, 2024•13 min
Today, you’ll learn about a new tool that maps out our incredibly complex gut microbiome to tell you if it’s healthy or… not so much, how metalworkers are taking lessons from insects to shape metal at room temperature, and the psychology behind our feelings toward unusually colored animals. Microbiome Map “Mayo researchers develop tool that measures health of a person’s gut microbiome.” by Susan Murphy. 2024. “Gut Microbiome Wellness Index 2 enhances health status predictions from gut microbiome...
Oct 03, 2024•12 min
Today, you’ll learn about the mushrooms that are controlling the movements of robots, how horses might be a lot smarter than we thought, and what makes a strongman… strong. Mushroom Robot “Engineers Gave a Mushroom a Robot Body And Let It Run Wild.” by Mike Grace. 2024. “Mushrooms as Nature’s Alchemists: Cycles, Connections, Healing, and Vision.” by Dana O’Driscoll. 2023. “Fungi May Be Communicating in a Way That Looks Uncannily Like Human Speech.” by David Nield. 2022. “‘Cyborg Soil’ Unearths a...
Oct 02, 2024•12 min
Today, you’ll learn about the massive new study that suggests cell phones don’t cause cancer as some feared, a fluffy orange fungus that could one day turn your food waste into dinner, and how scientists are helping crocodiles refine their tastes. Phones & Brain Cancer “Mobile phones are not linked to brain cancer, according to a major review of 28 years of research.” by Sarah Loughran & Ken Karipidis. 2024. “Brain tumour risk in relation to mobile telephone use: results of the INTERPHON...
Sep 27, 2024•12 min
Today, you’ll learn about how to sync up clocks on Earth with clocks on the moon, a nanoparticle that could help relieve stubborn allergies, and the culture of birds. Moon Clock “Researchers figure out how to keep clocks on the Earth, Moon in sync.” by John Timmer. 2024. “The Relativistic Framework to Estimate Clock Rates on the Moon.” by Neil Ashby & Bijunath R. Patla. 2024. Meat Allergy “Tick-borne red meat allergy prevented in mice through new nanoparticle treatment.” by Jim Lynch. 2024. ...
Sep 26, 2024•12 min
Today, you’ll learn about a record-breaking deep drill into the Earth’s mantle, the new science behind the ancient Chinese diagnostic practice of tongue examination, and how a new discovery at Stonehenge is opening up yet more mysteries. Mantle Drill “Geologists drill 1.2 km into rare rocks from Earth’s mantle.” by Michael Irving. 2024. “Internal Structure of Earth: Crust, Mantle & Core, Discontinuities.” Rau’s IAS. 2024. “Earth’s layers: Exploring our planet inside and out.” by Daisy Dobrij...
Sep 25, 2024•12 min
Today, you’ll learn about a new groundbreaking bionic leg, the problem with first impressions, and new tech that can detect microplastics in water in milliseconds. Bionic Leg “Bionic leg makes walking quicker and easier for amputees, trial shows.” by Hannah Devlin. 2024. “5.6 Million++ Americans are Living with Limb Loss and Limb Difference: New Study Published.” Amputee Coalition. 2024. “Agonist-antagonist Myoneural Interface (AMI).” MIT Media Lab. N.D. “Continuous neural control of a bionic li...
Sep 20, 2024•12 min
Today, you’ll learn about the smart soil that gives plants a massive boost even when they’re watered less, how our love of certain odors could be more nurture than nature, and a moss that could one day fill greenhouses on Mars. Smart Soil “‘Smart soil’ grows 138% bigger crops using 40% less water.” by Michael Irving. 2024. “Climate Change Indicators: Drought.” EPA. 2024. “Water for Prosperity and Peace.” Unesco. 2024. “Self-watering SMAG-soil pulls moisture from the air.” by Ben Coxworth. 2020. ...
Sep 19, 2024•11 min
Today, you’ll learn about the first ever total larynx transplant that gave one cancer patient his voice back, a new way to conduct gold-standard sleep studies without all the wires, and how a new discovery is changing the way scientists understand the mammalian brain. Larynx Transplant “Mayo Clinic marks medical milestone with world’s first known successful total larynx transplant performed in a patient with an active cancer as part of a clinical trial.” EureAlert! 2024. “Total Laryngeal Transpl...
Sep 18, 2024•13 min
Today, you’ll learn about the so-called super synchronizers who are super attractive to potential partners, a new quantum compass that could one day replace GPS, and how a rare seabird rides out tropical cyclones. Super Synchronizers “Scientists discover ‘Super Synchronizers’ with heightened romantic appeal.” by Eric W. Dolan. 2024. “Social and nonsocial synchrony are interrelated and romantically attractive.” by M. Cohen, et al. 2024. Quantum Compass “‘It’s the perfect place’: London Undergroun...
Sep 13, 2024•13 min
Today, you’ll learn about a new way for doctors to use neural networks - or AI - to figure out the risks of organ transplants in individual patients, a new fabric that is - literally - cool, and how serotonin affects fertility. Rejection Prediction “Decoding the hallmarks of allograft dysfunction with a comprehensive pan-organ transcriptomic atlas.” by Harry Robertson, et al. 2024. “History of transplantation.” UNOS. n.d. Cool Fabric “New fabric makes urban heat islands more bearable.” by Paul D...
Sep 12, 2024•12 min
Today, you’ll learn about how an existing blood pressure drug might prevent epilepsy, the pint-sized 3D printer that can print inside your body, and why doing something kind for someone else can be a boost for your own well-being. Epilepsy Preventer “Epilepsy risk drops up to 30% on existing blood pressure drugs.” by Paul McClure. 2024. “Types of Blood Pressure Medications.” Heart.org. 2024. “The epidemiology of epilepsy in older adults: A narrative review by the ILAE Task Force on Epilepsy in t...
Sep 11, 2024•11 min
Today, you’ll learn about the part of the brain that keeps us focused on our goals - even when it would be better to quit, a massive discovery of lost wheat genes that could help feed a crowded planet, and the new wearable technology that could diagnose disease by monitoring your sweat. Sunk Cost Fallacy “The neuroscience behind the sunk cost fallacy: Key brain region identified.” by Eric W. Dolan. 2024. “Goal commitment is supported by vmPFC through selective attention.” by Eleanor Holton, et a...
Sep 06, 2024•12 min
Today, you’ll learn about the amazing transformative power of an out-of-body experience, how scientists want to use brain cells to do their computing, and a study that suggests eating cheese might make you live longer. Out-Of-Body Experience “Exploring the transformative potential of out-of-body experiences: A pathway to enhanced empathy.” by Marina Weiler, et al. 2024. “Out of body experiences and their neural basis.” by Olaf Blanke. 2004. Brain Cell Computing “Open and remotely accessible Neur...
Sep 05, 2024•12 min
