technology

A new reference human genome could reflect our species’ true diversity

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The current reference human genome is based on a handful of people but the new Pangenome project will incorporate DNA from hundreds of people all around the world Humans 16 March 2022 By Michael Marshall DNA sequence data Shutterstock / Gio.tto The human genome is being sequenced again – but better. A new project to … Read more

Here’s What Doomscrolling Is Doing to Your Brain – And How to Fix It

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Many people have experienced chronic stress since the pandemic lockdowns. Added to this are the climate crisis, the increasing cost of living and most recently threats to European and global security due to the conflict in Ukraine.   To some, it may seem that there is never any good news anymore. This is of course … Read more

Radical Plan to Make Earth’s Deepest Hole Could Unleash Limitless Energy

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Since its launch in 2020, a pioneering energy company called Quaise has attracted some serious attention for its audacious goal of diving further into Earth’s crust than anybody has dug before.   Following the closure of first round venture capital funding, the MIT spin-off has now raised a total of US$63 million: a respectable start … Read more

This Anti-Inflammatory Molecule Could Be The Next Big Thing in Asthma Treatments

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A new class of immunotherapy drugs – used to treat arthritis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease – might also work for those with severe asthma. The pharmaceuticals are known as ‘jakinibs‘ because they inhibit the protein JAK1. This protein plays an essential role in the body’s immune response by activating cytokines, which can then lead … Read more

Undersea beds: Nemo’s Garden takes terrestrial farming to new depths

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It may look like the setting for a science fiction thriller in these photos, but this underwater research farm for terrestrial plants is exploring novel agriculture Technology 2 March 2022 By Gege Li Agency Nemo’s Garden by Ocean Reef Group THIS otherworldly, underwater environment is more than just a cool diving spot. It is a sunken farm for … Read more

Radical Idea Shows Laser Propulsion Could Rapidly Accelerate Trips to Mars

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NASA and China plan to mount crewed missions to Mars in the next decade. While this represents a tremendous leap in terms of space exploration, it also presents significant logistical and technological challenges.   For starters, missions can only launch for Mars every 26 months when our two planets are at the closest points in … Read more

Spinal Implant Enables Paralyzed Man With Severed Spine to Walk Again

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In 2017, Michel Roccati was in a motorbike accident that left his lower body completely paralyzed. In 2020, he walked again, thanks to a breakthrough new spinal cord implant. The implant sends electrical pulses to his muscles, mimicking the action of the brain, and could one day help people with severe spinal injuries stand, walk, … Read more

Medical technology: Electric wound dressing could help injuries heal faster

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Electric fields have previously been shown to speed up wound healing, so researchers have created a dressing powered by static electricity Technology 26 January 2022 By Chris Stokel-Walker An ordinary wound dressing Shutterstock / Impact Photography An electric wound dressing can help heal injuries faster than existing methods, according to tests in rats. Previous research … Read more

Infrared technology: Goggles hooked up to vibrating armband help people who are blind ‘see’

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An array of vibrating pads can convey a low-resolution image of a location to help people who are blind navigate Technology 21 January 2022 By Matthew Sparkes Infrared goggles used in the new navigational system Manuel Zahn Infrared goggles and an array of vibrating pads can give people who are blind an intuitive way to … Read more