🧠 Frozen brain tissue can now be revived without damage - enables research
Researchers have successfully frozen and revived brain tissue without damage. This can lead to better studies of brain development. The experiments showed that the tissue maintained its structure and function after thawing, even after being frozen for 18 months.
🌍 The planet has likely passed "peak pollution" – emissions will now only decrease
The world has likely passed "peak pollution" for harmful local air pollutants. Emissions have significantly decreased in wealthier countries and China. The goal is to help developing countries quickly reduce pollution without hindering their development.
⚰️ Murders continue to decrease in the US
The number of murders has decreased by over 19 percent in more than 200 cities compared to 2023. Even in 2023, the number of murders dropped significantly.
🧠 Neuralink's first patient can control a computer with his mind
Noland Arbaugh can now control a computer with his thoughts thanks to Elon Musk's brain implant from Neuralink. Despite his paralysis, Arbaugh has been able to play computer games and communicate online.
🎣 The list of overfished species in the US has reached an all-time low
94 percent of fish stocks in the USA are no longer subject to overfishing. Key species have been removed from the list of overfished stocks. Thus, there are fewer species on that list than ever before.
🐳 Researchers begin to understand the basics of sperm whale language
Scientists have identified the fundamental components of sperm whale communication. Through the analysis of over 8,700 clips of sperm whale clicks, a complex communication system resembling a phonetic alphabet has been revealed.
🧏 She was deaf at birth, 18-month-old Opal Sandy had her hearing restored after a world-unique gene therapy.
The treatment involved a 16-minute operation where she received a functional copy of a gene that is crucial for hearing. The gene has made her hearing almost completely restored. Opal Sandy can now hear sounds as soft as a whisper.
🚗 Waymo's robotaxi has now reached 50,000 paid trips per week
Waymo's robotaxi is now performing 50,000 paid trips each week, up from 10,000 a year ago. The service is fully autonomous and available 24/7 in selected parts of Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
🧬 AlphaFold 3 is here! Predicting structures of almost all biological molecules and their interactions
AlphaFold 3 is designed to predict the structure and interactions between biological molecules. Experimentally investigating these interactions can be time-consuming and costly. If these interactions can instead be accurately computed, biological research could be significantly expedited.