So, Let’s delve into the new scientific research that happened in the past month or so and explore the latest technologies that are being created and breakthroughs that were achieved in this field.
In the current blog, you will read about the following science events of the month:
- Surprisingly, many ‘Fortune 100’ companies investing in Geothermal energy
- South Africa: First country to legalize creating genetically modified babies
- Stem Cell treatment successfully restores vision in patients
- Our Brains initiate deep sleep to heal from trauma and injury
- United Nations talk on Biodiversity stalled
- Rocks from far-side of moon reveal ancient volcanic activities
- Robotic arms collect radioactive fuel from Fukushima Reactor
- Made in Japan, Worlds first wooden satellite heads to space
- Squid inspired pills to deliver medicine by shooting on to villi
- Researchers hijack mosquitoes to deliver malarial vaccines
- Researchers create molecules that seem to break general rules of chemistry
- Psittacofulvins, the pigments responsible for parrot family
- NASA accidently discovers US cold war era tunnels under Greenland ice
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| Current Science Report: November 2024; Mufawad |
Surprisingly, many ‘Fortune 100’ companies investing in Geothermal energy
Recently, tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta, and others have been making significant investments in next-generation geothermal energy, alongside nuclear energy projects. These investments highlight geothermal potential as a low-carbon energy source poised for broader commercial success. According to Lauren Boyd, a geologist at the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE), this technology is nearing widespread viability.
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A key development in this space occurred in October when the U.S. government approved Fervo Energy's expansion of a geothermal plant in Beaver County, Utah. This plant is expected to generate up to 2,000 megawatts (MW), comparable to two large nuclear reactors, with 400 MW expected to be online by 2028 to supply power to Google’s data centres. Meta has also partnered with Sage Geosystems to deliver up to 150 MW of geothermal power by 2027.
Next-generation geothermal energy differs from conventional geothermal, which relies on natural hot springs. These new systems, called enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), involve drilling deep boreholes to temperatures around 200°C and injecting water and sand to fracture rocks and create a reservoir of heated water. This water is then extracted to generate electricity. Although this technology has been attempted since the 1970s, it has only recently seen progress due to innovations such as horizontal drilling, which allows for the extraction of larger volumes of energy.
The oil and gas industry’s expertise in drilling and equipment is a major asset to the geothermal industry, with shared tools like drilling derricks facilitating rapid scaling. However, the process of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) involved in EGS has raised concerns about induced seismicity, or earthquakes. Companies like Fervo and Utah FORGE are taking precautions to minimize quake risks, and some, like Eavor in Canada, are exploring frack-free methods to reduce these risks further. Eavor’s advanced geothermal technology uses a magnetic guidance system for drilling, creating closed-loop systems where water absorbs heat without direct contact with the rock.
Despite the promise, next-generation geothermal remains expensive, particularly due to the high cost of drilling deep boreholes. However, it offers a stable, round-the-clock power source that could complement variable renewable energy sources like wind and solar. The technology’s cost competitiveness will depend largely on geography and the ability of plants to manage fluctuations in electricity demand, which will be a key challenge for future projects.
In the U.S., areas with greater geothermal potential include the western states, which have geothermal resources closer to the surface due to active volcanism and thinner crust. Geothermal energy could be more cost-effective than nuclear power in some regions, particularly if plants can adjust output to meet demand.
Overall, next-generation geothermal represents a promising and low-carbon energy option, with significant backing from both the tech industry and energy innovators. However, overcoming challenges related to cost, seismic risks, and geographical limitations will be essential to its widespread adoption.
Courtesy: Nature
South Africa: First country to legalize creating genetically modified babies
A subtle yet significant change to South Africa's national health research guidelines, published recently, has stirred ethical concerns as it positions the country as the first to explicitly permit the use of genome editing to create genetically modified children. This addition to the guidelines is part of a broader ongoing debate about the societal and eugenic implications of heritable human genome editing, a technology that has faced intense scrutiny since it was first used in 2018 by a Chinese scientist to create the world’s first gene-edited babies.
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Heritable human genome editing has long been contested, particularly because of its potential to alter the genetic makeup of future generations. The controversial Chinese experiment involved editing embryos to provide resistance to HIV, a goal that many experts felt was medically unconvincing given the availability of other preventative measures. The lack of transparency and robust public consultation surrounding the experiment further fuelled global criticism. Following the 2018 announcement, the Second International Summit on Human Genome Editing condemned the experiment but also called for responsible pathways to safely research the technology, emphasizing criteria such as independent oversight, compelling medical needs, long-term follow-up, and attention to societal effects.
In contrast to these broader calls for caution, South Africa's revised guidelines, specifically section 4.3.2, outline several permissive criteria for heritable human genome editing research. These include scientific and medical justification, transparency, informed consent, stringent ethical oversight, and long-term monitoring, all of which seem to align with recommendations from the 2018 summit. However, critics argue that these criteria are less stringent than those proposed by the World Health Organization in its 2021 framework on human genome editing. Additionally, while the guidelines emphasize compliance with existing laws, the legal framework in South Africa is not fully aligned with these permissive research guidelines.
The South African National Health Act of 2004 prohibits reproductive cloning and the manipulation of genetic material for the purpose of cloning human beings, a law that predates the advent of genome editing technologies like CRISPR. Despite this, the Act's broad language could implicitly encompass heritable human genome editing, making the alignment between these ethical guidelines and current legislation problematic. This discrepancy raises concerns about whether the guidelines might inadvertently push for a change in the law to accommodate such research, potentially sparking a wave of scientific tourism as labs might flock to South Africa to take advantage of these permissive guidelines.
The ethical debate is further complicated by the potential benefits of somatic genome editing, which has shown promise in treating diseases like sickle cell anaemia. While somatic genome editing targets specific cells without affecting the genetic makeup of future generations, heritable genome editing alters embryos' DNA, raising more profound questions about the ethics of changing the human gene pool. Although some argue that South Africa's approach could help address pressing health concerns, such as sickle cell disease, the question remains: should the country move forward with research that has such far-reaching consequences for humanity's future?
As South Africa becomes the first country to explicitly allow the possibility of genetically modified children, the global community is left to ponder the implications of this decision. Are South African researchers and policymakers fully aware of the potential harms and the ethical dilemmas associated with gene-edited embryos, and should the guidelines be adjusted to better reflect the statutory prohibitions of the 2004 health act? Only time will tell whether this controversial step will spark further debates or open the door to more widespread experimentation.
Courtesy: Business Standard
Stem Cell treatment successfully restores vision in patients
Three individuals with severely impaired vision who received stem-cell transplants have experienced significant, lasting improvements in their sight, with results persisting for over a year. A fourth person also showed initial improvements, but they did not last. These four are the first patients to receive corneal transplants made from reprogrammed stem cells, aiming to treat damage to the corneas, the transparent outer surface of the eye.
The results, published in The Lancet, are seen as an exciting advancement in stem-cell research. Kapil Bharti, a translational stem-cell researcher at the US National Eye Institute, praised the findings, calling them promising. Jeanne Loring, a stem-cell researcher at Scripps Research, also expressed optimism, suggesting the results justify treating more patients.
Limbal stem-cell deficiency (LSCD), a condition where the stem cells responsible for maintaining the outer layer of the cornea are depleted, leads to blindness due to the formation of scar tissue. LSCD can result from trauma, autoimmune, or genetic diseases. Current treatments are limited and often invasive, such as transplants from healthy eyes or deceased donors, which sometimes face immune rejection.
The team led by Kohji Nishida, an ophthalmologist at Osaka University, used induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells as an alternative source for the corneal transplants. They reprogrammed blood cells from a healthy donor into an embryonic-like state, then transformed them into transparent corneal epithelial cells. Between June 2019 and November 2020, four patients with LSCD in both eyes underwent the procedure. After scraping off scar tissue from one eye, the team stitched on epithelial sheets made from iPS cells, placing a soft protective contact lens over the eye.
Two years after the procedure, none of the recipients developed severe side effects, and there was no sign of the grafts being rejected, even in patients who did not receive immunosuppressant drugs. This outcome is particularly significant, as immune rejection is a common concern with transplants. Bharti noted the importance of these findings but stressed the need for more transplants to confirm safety.
All four recipients experienced immediate improvements in vision, with a reduction in the affected area of the cornea. However, one recipient showed slight reversals of vision improvement during a one-year observation period. It is not yet clear what caused these vision gains—whether the transplanted cells themselves proliferated, the removal of scar tissue prior to the transplant, or the transplantation stimulated the patient’s own cells to rejuvenate the cornea.
Nishida and his team plan to launch clinical trials in March to further assess the treatment’s efficacy. Bharti noted that several other iPS-cell-based trials are underway globally for treating eye diseases, and these successes suggest that significant progress is being made.
Courtesy: Nature
Our Brains initiate deep sleep to heal from trauma and injury
A new study from Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai highlights the critical role of sleep in heart recovery after a heart attack, revealing how the heart communicates with the brain through the immune system to promote healing. Published on October 30, in Nature, the research demonstrates that heart attacks trigger neuroinflammation, recruiting immune cells to the brain and increasing slow-wave sleep, which reduces cardiac stress and inflammation.
The study found that immune cells called monocytes, activated by a protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF), signal the thalamus in the brain to increase slow-wave sleep. This adaptive response promotes heart recovery by helping to reduce inflammation and stress on the heart. In mouse models, those who experienced heart attacks showed a threefold increase in slow-wave sleep, which lasted for a week after the event. When sleep was disrupted in the mice, their heart stress and inflammation increased, resulting in slower healing.
In human studies, heart attack patients who experienced poor sleep during the first month after the event were found to have twice the risk of another cardiovascular event and showed slower improvements in heart function compared to those who slept well. The study also found that in healthy adults, restricting sleep by 1.5 hours each night over five weeks led to increased stress and inflammation, similar to the effects seen in the heart attack models.
These findings underscore the importance of prioritizing sleep in the clinical management of heart attack patients. The researchers suggest that sleep should be an integral part of cardiac rehabilitation to improve recovery and reduce the risk of further cardiovascular complications. Further studies, especially in clinical settings, are needed to confirm and expand on these results.
Courtesy: Science Daily
United Nations talk on Biodiversity stalled
Between October 21 and November 2, Cali, Colombia, hosted COP16, the UN biodiversity summit, drawing 23,000 participants, including leaders from nearly 200 countries, Indigenous groups, NGOs, and others. The summit aimed to tackle biodiversity loss and build on the 2022 agreement to protect 30% of Earth's land and water by 2030 while mobilizing billions for conservation.
While the summit brought diverse voices and highlighted urgency, progress on core goals, especially financing, fell short. Negotiators struggled with funding mechanisms, and many nations lacked ambition.
A progress report showed 17% of land and 8% of marine areas are currently protected, requiring massive efforts to meet the "30x30 goal." Developing countries, home to much of Earth's biodiversity, face resource constraints despite a $20 billion annual funding pledge by developed nations, which delivered $15.4 billion in 2022. Efforts to create new funding, like the voluntary "Cali Fund" for digital genetic information, fell short of expectations.
Meeting global biodiversity goals requires ambitious plans, increased financial support, and policy changes. Megadiverse countries must lead in conservation, with some, like Colombia, outlining bold strategies, while others, such as Brazil, lag behind. Indigenous communities, critical stewards of biodiversity, need stronger legal recognition and funding, with 50% of the Cali Fund earmarked for their activities.
Governments must reform harmful subsidies, combat nature crimes, and improve monitoring to ensure accountability. COP16 showcased global momentum through diverse initiatives, but transformative action by leaders is urgently needed to address the biodiversity crisis before it’s too late.
Courtesy: WRI.Org
Rocks from far-side of moon reveal ancient volcanic activities
New research has confirmed volcanic activity on the far side of the moon, revealing that it experienced eruptions billions of years ago, similar to the volcanic activity on the moon's near side. This groundbreaking discovery stems from the analysis of lunar soil samples returned by China's Chang'e-6 mission, the first to bring back materials from the unexplored far side.
Two independent research teams analysed the samples and identified volcanic rock fragments dating to around 2.8 billion years ago. Even more remarkably, one rock was found to be 4.2 billion years old, providing evidence of extremely ancient volcanic activity on the lunar far side. Christopher Hamilton, a planetary volcano expert from the University of Arizona, highlighted the significance of these findings, noting that the far side of the moon had been a largely unexplored area, and the samples offer a unique insight into lunar science.
While volcanic activity on the moon’s near side has been well-documented, the far side's history remained uncertain. Previous studies, including data from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, suggested the possibility of volcanic activity there, but these new samples provide definitive proof. The discovery suggests a more complex and dynamic lunar history, raising questions about the moon’s formation, internal structure, and thermal evolution.
Published in Nature and Science, the findings mark a significant advancement in our understanding of lunar geology. They not only close a gap in knowledge about the far side but also open avenues for future research into the differences and similarities between the two sides of the moon. As scientists continue to study these rare samples, further insights into the moon's volcanic past and its implications for planetary formation and evolution across the solar system are expected.
Courtesy: India Today
Robotic arms collect radioactive fuel from Fukushima Reactor
For the first time since the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, a remote-controlled robot has successfully retrieved a small piece of melted nuclear fuel from one of the plant's damaged reactors. The Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) announced that the robot, nicknamed "Telesco," safely clipped a 5mm piece of debris from molten fuel in the No. 2 reactor’s containment vessel and returned it to a storage container.
This mission marks a critical step in understanding the molten fuel and planning the decommissioning of the tsunami-hit plant, which houses an estimated 880 tons of highly radioactive debris. The retrieved sample's radioactivity will be assessed, and if it exceeds safety limits, the robot may need to retrieve another piece.
The mission, initially scheduled for two weeks in August, faced delays due to procedural errors and a camera failure that required repairs. Despite setbacks, the robot successfully collected a piece weighing less than 3 grams, which TEPCO hopes will yield valuable insights into decommissioning strategies and the progression of the 2011 meltdown.
The cleanup of Fukushima Daiichi is a monumental challenge, with the Japanese government and TEPCO targeting completion within 30–40 years. However, experts argue this timeline is overly optimistic, as plans for full debris removal and final disposal remain undefined. The success of this sample retrieval represents progress but underscores the complexity of the long-term decommissioning process.
Courtesy: AP
Made in Japan, Worlds first wooden satellite heads to space
The world’s first wooden satellite, LignoSat, was launched into space on Tuesday, marking a significant step in testing the use of timber for lunar and Mars exploration. Developed by Kyoto University in collaboration with Sumitomo Forestry, LignoSat will be transported to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a SpaceX mission and later released into orbit 400 km (250 miles) above Earth. Its mission is to demonstrate the potential of wood, a renewable material, for future space habitats.
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Named after the Latin word for "wood," LignoSat is a palm-sized satellite designed to show that timber can be used for long-term human space exploration. Takao Doi, a Kyoto University astronaut and space activity expert, emphasized the importance of wood as a material humans can produce on Earth to build sustainable homes and workspaces in space. Doi’s team envisions a 50-year plan to build timber houses on the moon and Mars, using the satellite to prove that wood can function as a space-grade material.
Kyoto University’s Forest science professor, Koji Murata, pointed out that early 20th-century airplanes were made of wood, suggesting that a wooden satellite should be just as feasible. The lack of water and oxygen in space prevents wood from rotting or catching fire, making it more durable than on Earth. Additionally, wooden satellites offer environmental benefits. Unlike metal satellites, which create aluminum oxide particles when they re-enter the atmosphere, wooden satellites would burn up cleanly, contributing less pollution.
Doi also suggested that as space exploration expands, metal satellites could be banned, and wooden satellites might become the future. LignoSat was made from honoki, a magnolia species native to Japan, after a 10-month experiment aboard the ISS. The satellite, crafted using traditional Japanese techniques without screws or glue, will remain in orbit for six months, measuring how wood withstands the harsh conditions of space, including temperature fluctuations and exposure to space radiation. LignoSat’s data could also help improve the protection of semiconductors, with potential applications in data centers.
The success of LignoSat could revitalize the timber industry by opening new opportunities in space, according to Kenji Kariya of Sumitomo Forestry. While it may seem like an old-fashioned material, wood could play a cutting-edge role in humanity’s expansion to the moon and Mars.
Courtesy: Reuters
Squid inspired pills to deliver medicine by shooting on to villi
MIT scientists, in collaboration with Brigham and Women's Hospital and Novo Nordisk, have developed innovative ingestible capsules inspired by squid biology. These capsules use squid-like jets to deliver drugs directly into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, improving drug absorption before it is broken down by the body. Published in Nature, the study demonstrates how the capsules use compressed carbon dioxide or tightly coiled springs to generate force, propelling drugs into tissue without the need for needles.
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The devices were designed for different areas of the digestive tract: one for larger organs like the stomach and colon, and the other for smaller organs like the esophagus and small intestine. This advancement is significant for administering drugs like insulin, vaccines, or RNA-based treatments, which usually require injections because they are broken down in the digestive system.
The pills have been tested on animals, including dogs and pigs, showing promising results in delivering drugs such as insulin and GLP-1 medications like Ozempic. The technology could revolutionize the way macromolecule drugs are delivered orally, improving bioavailability (the body's ability to absorb and use the drug).
While the research opens up exciting possibilities, further testing and human trials are needed to assess long-term efficacy and safety. Bioengineering experts have expressed optimism about the potential of this approach, but more data is required to fully evaluate its impact over extended periods.
Courtesy: Firstpost
Researchers hijack mosquitoes to deliver malarial vaccines
Researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine have developed an innovative approach to vaccine delivery using mosquitoes. Instead of modifying the mosquitoes themselves, they genetically engineered the Plasmodium falciparum parasite, the cause of malaria, to act as a vaccine. The modified parasites infect humans like usual but stop developing at a crucial point, releasing antigens that prime the immune system. This method could potentially allow mosquitoes to deliver vaccines while also combating malaria.
In human trials, 43 volunteers were exposed to mosquitoes carrying the modified parasites. The results were promising, with 89% of those who received the GA2-modified parasites avoiding infection compared to just 13% of those exposed to normal parasites. Side effects were minimal, with the most common being itching from mosquito bites.
This research suggests that, if successful in larger trials, mosquitoes could become natural vaccine delivery systems, potentially eliminating the need for refrigeration, needles, or medical staff. However, the process of breeding mosquitoes with modified parasites is labor-intensive, and scaling it up to vaccinate large populations would present challenges. Despite these hurdles, the research opens new possibilities for both malaria control and vaccine delivery in remote or underserved regions.
Courtesy: New Atlas
Researchers create molecules that seem to break general rules of chemistry
Carbon is a versatile atom essential to life, forming various bonds in organic chemistry. However, its bonding has limits, as stated in Bredt's rule, which claims double bonds can't form near V-shaped bridges in bicyclic molecules.
Chemists at UCLA have now challenged this century-old rule, paving the way for innovative drug research involving previously deemed impossible molecules. Since Julius Bredt's 1924 assertion, only rare experiments have defied this "rule." Like assembling furniture, organic chemistry relies heavily on geometry to ensure stability. In bicyclic molecules, bridgeheads disrupt alignment, preventing double bonds (olefins) from forming at certain points—a limitation Bredt deemed insurmountable.
Lead researcher Garg argues such rules stifle creativity, emphasizing they’re mere guidelines. His team devised a method combining specific precursors and stabilizing chemicals to create anti-Bredt bonds, proving their feasibility.
This breakthrough expands synthetic chemistry, offering new methods to develop compounds, especially for pharmaceuticals, where 3D structures like these may drive drug discovery. Garg notes, "This study overturns 100 years of belief, showing anti-Bredt olefins can yield valuable products."
Courtesy: Science Alert
Psittacofulvins, the pigments responsible for parrot family
Parrots are among the most colourful animals, but their vibrant reds, yellows, and greens have long puzzled scientists. Recent research has uncovered that a unique chemical modification of parrot-specific pigments, called psittacofulvins, is key to their bright hues. Unlike most birds, which derive pigments from their diet, parrots evolved an enzyme to produce and modify psittacofulvins in their feathers, offering control over mate-attracting signals.
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Chemical analysis revealed that the pigments' color depends on how their carbon chains end: aldehyde groups produce red, while carboxyl groups yield yellow. A gene regulating this enzyme determines the balance of these pigments, with more enzyme leading to yellower feathers.
This simple mechanism highlights nature’s efficiency in creating diversity. It also explains how parrots frequently evolve between yellow/green and red hues, offering a versatile approach to color production. However, the exact cellular processes behind pigment formation and the evolutionary reasons for these hues remain unclear, leaving room for further exploration.
Courtesy: Science.Org
NASA accidently discovers US cold war era tunnels under Greenland ice
NASA scientists surveying the Greenland Ice Sheet made a remarkable discovery—Camp Century, a Cold War-era U.S. military base buried under the ice. The base, constructed in 1959, was part of Project Iceworm, which aimed to build 2,500 miles of tunnels to house nuclear intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) aimed at the Soviet Union. However, the base was abandoned in 1967 due to the difficulties of maintaining tunnels in shifting ice.
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NASA's Gulfstream III aircraft, equipped with radar to map the ice sheet, uncovered images showing individual structures of the secret base that had never been seen before. Project Iceworm was canceled, and Camp Century was left with buried contaminants, including weapons, sewage, and fuel. The melting Greenland Ice Sheet poses a risk of releasing these hazardous remnants.
This discovery not only provides historical insight into Cold War military strategies but also offers valuable data for scientists studying the effects of climate change on the Greenland Ice Sheet. The thawing ice may reveal more about the region's past while also affecting sea level rise projections. NASA's ongoing research will help inform future studies of Earth's ice sheets, with the data collected serving as a crucial resource for understanding how climate change impacts these areas.
Courtesy: Space.Com
