Researchers have made a significant breakthrough in bioplastics by genetically engineering microbes to produce a strong, flexible plastic similar to nylon. This achievement could help address the global plastic waste crisis, which produces around 400 million tonnes of non-degradable plastic waste each year. The bioplastic, called poly(ester amide), or PEA, has physical, thermal, and mechanical…
Earth on The Soothsayer / page 4
In a shocking move, the Trump administration has canceled $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University, affecting numerous scientists and researchers. The decision, made in response to the university’s handling of protests related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has left many early-career scientists facing uncertainty about their future in science. The cancellation of…
An Australian man has become the first person in the world to leave hospital with an artificial heart made of titanium, known as BiVACOR. This device is used as a temporary measure for people with heart failure who are waiting for a donor heart. The man lived with the device for over three months before…
A deadly measles outbreak in the US has raised concerns over the country’s vaccine policy. With over 250 people infected, public health officials are scrambling to expand vaccine clinics and promote vaccination. However, the Trump administration’s decision to cut funding for vaccination programs and appoint an anti-vaccine advocate to lead the public health system has…
Researchers have made a significant discovery in understanding the genetic factors that influence brain aging, identifying 64 genes that contribute to the process. By analyzing brain scans and genetic data from over 38,000 individuals, the team found that these genes are linked to the brain’s aging process and have pinpointed 13 potential drugs that could…
Researchers have successfully created large sheets of metal that are just atoms thick, paving the way for further study of their unique properties. This breakthrough technique, inspired by ancient metal forging methods, can be applied to various metals with low melting points. The development is expected to open new avenues for research in the field…
Thousands of researchers and supporters of science protested in cities across the United States and Europe against the Trump administration’s actions to cut the US scientific workforce and slash spending on research worldwide. The rallies, dubbed “Stand Up for Science,” aimed to raise awareness about the administration’s siege of the US research enterprise and to…
Two AI-powered projects, the Black Spatula Project and YesNoError, are using artificial intelligence to detect errors in scientific research papers. The projects aim to prevent mistakes and fraud from entering the scientific literature, with the Black Spatula Project analyzing over 500 papers and YesNoError analyzing over 37,000 papers in just two months. While there are…
Intuitive Machines’ Athena spacecraft has landed on the Moon’s surface but has run out of power due to its tilted position. The mission’s main purpose, searching for ice, might not be accomplished. This setback comes after NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer probe faced communication problems, and a third lunar craft made a safe arrival. The private space…
A recent study published in Nature Human Behaviour has found that postdoctoral students and graduate students in large research groups are more likely to drop out of academia than their peers in smaller groups. However, researchers trained in large groups who stay in academia tend to have more career success. The study analyzed data from…