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:
- Ice Hunting Robot heading to the Moon
- Microsoft launches Muse AI which helps create Video games
- Research finds Animals as extraordinary architects of Earth
- Centuries of Isolation helped develop new genes in Greenlanders
- Intelligent life likely to be inevitable outcome of cosmic evolution
- Junk foods found affecting Brain activities
- Mini CRISPR developed to edit genes where CRISPR can’t
- Nose bacteria engineered to deliver drugs to Brain
- Rare Genetic Disorder Treated in the Womb for the First Time
- Omega 3 found slowing ageing
- Royal Society of London to review Elon Musk’s conduct
- Researchers trying to unveil the scent of Egyptian Mummies
- Study shows Crowds push themselves into a vortex
.png "Current Science Report: February 2025") |
| Current Science Report: February 2025 |
Ice Hunting Robot heading to the Moon
Two U.S. spacecraft have launched from Florida’s Cape Canaveral, embarking on a mission to hunt for water near the Moon’s south pole. This effort could significantly impact NASA’s future lunar exploration plans, including the establishment of Moon bases.
One mission features a commercial lander named Athena, built by Intuitive Machines. It aims to land closer to the Moon’s south pole than any previous mission and will carry NASA instruments, including the TRIDENT drill, designed to extract and analyze lunar soil for water content. The lander also carries a mechanical ‘hopper,’ Grace, which may become the first to explore a shadowy lunar crater, a potential ice reservoir. Athena is all set to land on March the sixth.
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The second mission, NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer, is an orbiter designed to create the most detailed maps of lunar water. It will take a few months to reach its orbit and is expected to begin scientific mapping around August this year.
Scientists have known of the Moon’s water since 2009, but these new missions will help determine its exact location and quantity. Other space agencies, including India and South Korea, are also mapping lunar water.
Athena will land in the ‘Mons Mouton’ region, where researchers suspect water exists within minerals or soil pores. If the mission succeeds, TRIDENT will drill up to one meter deep, and a mass spectrometer will analyze the extracted soil for water and gases. Additionally, Athena will deploy two commercial rovers and a 4G communications system.
Meanwhile, Lunar Trailblazer will orbit the Moon’s poles, mapping water distribution and chemical composition. These findings will guide NASA’s future crewed missions to the lunar south pole.
Other lunar missions are also underway. A lander from Tokyo-based ispace and another from Firefly Aerospace, launched last month, are set to arrive soon. Firefly’s lander aims to touch down near the equator on 2 March, though this region is not expected to hold significant water reserves.
These missions mark a crucial step in understanding lunar resources, potentially enabling long-term human exploration and deep-space travel.
Courtesy: Nature
Microsoft launches Muse AI which helps create Video games
Microsoft has developed Muse, an innovative AI system capable of generating dynamic video-game worlds, through a collaboration between its Research Game Intelligence team, the Teachable AI Experiences (Tai X) group, and Ninja Theory, a subsidiary of Xbox Game Studios. The project utilizes transformer-based models, inspired by technologies like ChatGPT, trained on ethically sourced gameplay data from Bleeding Edge, a 2020 multiplayer title. To encourage community innovation, Microsoft is open-sourcing Muse’s model weights, sample data, and the WHAM Demonstrator—a prototype interface for experimenting with the AI—available via Azure AI Foundry.
The research was driven by the transformative potential of generative AI following ChatGPT’s 2022 debut. Leveraging a unique dataset from Bleeding Edge, which recorded player matches with consent, the team scaled training from V100 GPU clusters to advanced H100 systems, enhancing visual resolution from 128×128 to 300×180 pixels and expanding support across all seven game maps. Muse’s core capabilities include consistency (adhering to game physics), diversity (producing varied gameplay paths), and persistency (integrating user modifications into generated sequences), demonstrated through 2-minute gameplay videos.
A key focus was multidisciplinary collaboration. Early engagement with game creators, including underrepresented global talent, ensured the tool addressed real creative needs. The WHAM Demonstrator emerged from a Microsoft hackathon, enabling developers to interactively explore Muse’s potential. Ethical data practices and inclusive design were prioritized, with Ninja Theory’s Gavin Costello praising the AI’s ability to “dream up” gameplay variants under human guidance. Researchers also established evaluation protocols to systematically assess Muse’s outputs, balancing technical rigor with creative flexibility.
Published in Nature and supported by open-source releases, Muse marks a milestone in AI-driven game design. The team envisions it aiding gameplay ideation and enabling novel experiences, with Xbox already exploring applications. By sharing their work, Microsoft invites the global community to build on Muse’s foundation, potentially reshaping how AI enhances creativity in gaming and beyond.
Courtesy: Microsoft
Research finds Animals as extraordinary architects of Earth
Animals play a far greater role in shaping Earth’s landscapes than previously thought. A recent global study led by Gemma Harvey from Queen Mary University of London reveals that wild animals collectively move massive amounts of soil and rock, significantly influencing the planet’s surface.
One striking example is the Syntermes dirus termite in Brazil, which constructs towering mounds that, in total, shift as much earth as 900 Great Pyramids. However, termites are just one of nearly 500 species identified in the study. Beavers create wetlands by building dams, salmon disturb riverbeds while spawning, and elephants carve out paths that can eventually turn into water channels. Even tiny creatures like ants and tortoises contribute by digging tunnels and burrows, facilitating further land movement.
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By analyzing the global biomass of these earth-shaping species, researchers estimated that wild animals expend around 76,000 gigajoules of energy annually reshaping the land—comparable to the impact of over half a million major river floods. Domesticated livestock, such as cows and goats, contribute even more, moving soil and rock at a rate 450 times higher than wild animals.
This study highlights the crucial but often overlooked role of animals in maintaining landscapes. As biodiversity declines, these natural processes are at risk, potentially disrupting ecosystems. Meanwhile, human activity—through construction, agriculture, and machinery—remains the dominant force reshaping Earth’s surface. Understanding and preserving nature’s engineers is essential for maintaining ecological balance.
Courtesy: Anthropocene
Centuries of Isolation helped develop new genes in Greenlanders
The genomes of nearly 6,000 Greenlandic people have been analyzed, revealing that their Inuit ancestors remained largely stationary after settling on the island around 1,000 years ago. This prolonged isolation has led to unique genetic traits among Greenlanders, making some populations more susceptible to certain genetic diseases compared to other parts of the world. The study, published on 12 February in Nature, provides valuable insights into how genetics can be leveraged to improve healthcare for Arctic populations.
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Historically, Indigenous groups like Greenlanders have been underrepresented in genetic research, with most studies focusing on individuals of European ancestry. However, previous studies suggest that the harsh Arctic environment has significantly influenced the genetic makeup of Greenlanders, most of whom have mixed Inuit and European heritage. In this study, researchers sequenced the DNA of nearly 6,000 individuals, about 14% of the adult population, and confirmed that Greenland was originally settled by a small group of fewer than 300 people who migrated from Siberia through North America. Unlike other populations that migrated over time, these early settlers remained within confined areas, leading to the development of distinct genetic traits.
One adaptation observed in Greenlandic Inuit is a gene variant that affects the metabolism of fatty acids, likely an evolutionary response to a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids from marine sources like seal and whale meat. Although Greenlanders do not have more genetic variants than Europeans, their long isolation has caused certain recessive genes to become more prevalent. One such gene mutation is linked to ‘Cholestasis Familiaris Groenlandica’ (CFG), a liver disease particularly common in eastern Greenland. As a result, prenatal screening for this mutation has been implemented in Greenland, demonstrating how genetic research can directly improve healthcare for specific populations.
Since the 1960s, more Greenlanders have been relocating to different regions, which could lead to a decline in diseases linked to recessive genes. This study highlights the impact of genetic isolation on inherited diseases and emphasizes the importance of including Indigenous populations in genomic research to develop targeted healthcare strategies.
Courtesy: Nature
Intelligent life likely to be inevitable outcome of cosmic evolution
Around 300,000 years ago, Homo sapiens emerged in Africa and eventually spread across the globe, marking the rise of intelligent life on Earth. This occurred approximately 4.5 billion years after our planet formed, leading some scientists to believe that such an outcome was highly improbable. The "hard steps" theory, introduced in 1983, suggests that the emergence of intelligent life required a series of extremely unlikely evolutionary leaps, making it a rare occurrence in the universe. However, a new perspective challenges this view, proposing that intelligent life may be an expected consequence of planetary and biological evolution under the right conditions.
According to this alternative theory, the evolution of technologically capable life forms like humans is not merely a series of fortunate coincidences but rather a predictable process that unfolds when a planet possesses key attributes for habitability. Dan Mills, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Munich, argues that past evolutionary transitions might not have been as difficult or improbable as the hard steps theory suggests. Instead, each stage, from the emergence of single-celled organisms to the rise of complex life, could have occurred relatively quickly once environmental conditions were favorable.
Historically, scientists have identified several "hard steps" in Earth's history, such as the origin of life, the oxygenation of the atmosphere, and the transition from simple prokaryotic cells to complex eukaryotic cells. The final step in this sequence was the appearance of Homo sapiens, along with the development of language and technology. The hard steps theory implies that these transitions were highly unlikely, making intelligent life an extraordinary fluke. However, the new theory, proposed by a team of geobiologists and astronomers, suggests that life progressed through a series of "windows of habitability" driven by changes in factors such as ocean salinity, atmospheric oxygen levels, and nutrient availability. Once conditions were right, evolution advanced rapidly.
Penn State microbiologist Jennifer Macalady explains that life's emergence might have been swift once biomolecules and liquid water became stable. Similarly, humans could only evolve after Earth's second oxygenation event around 500 million years ago, meaning that our species’ emergence was constrained by planetary conditions rather than random chance. With astronomers identifying thousands of exoplanets, some of which are rocky worlds capable of sustaining liquid water, this theory suggests that intelligent life may be more common than previously thought. If these planets experience similar environmental shifts, the emergence of life forms with technological capabilities could be a natural and predictable outcome rather than a rare cosmic accident.
Courtesy: Reuters
Junk foods found affecting Brain activities
Just five days of indulging in high-calorie junk food can lead to significant changes in brain activity, similar to those seen in people with obesity, according to a new study published in Nature Metabolism.
Researchers at the University of Tubingen in Germany found that consuming an excess of chocolate bars, crisps, and other processed foods altered brain patterns in healthy young men—despite no immediate changes in their body weight or composition. The study suggests that junk food consumption could affect how the brain processes food and responds to appetite-regulating hormones like insulin.
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During the study, 18 participants followed a high-fat, high-sugar diet, consuming an extra 1,200 calories daily for five days. Brain imaging revealed increased activity in regions linked to reward processing and dietary responses, mimicking patterns seen in individuals with obesity or insulin resistance. Even a week after stopping the junk-food diet, participants showed reduced activity in areas associated with memory and food-related visual cues.
These findings highlight how short-term overeating—similar to what people experience during the holidays—can have lasting effects on brain function. Researchers now aim to explore how these changes may influence long-term eating behaviors and weight gain.
Courtesy: Nature
Mini CRISPR developed to edit genes where CRISPR can’t
The CRISPR gene-editing system has long faced a major challenge: its large size makes it difficult to deliver into many tissues. Now, researchers from Mammoth Biosciences, a company co-founded by Nobel laureate Jennifer Doudna, have developed a “mini-CRISPR” that efficiently edits genes in muscle cells of mice and monkeys. This breakthrough could expand the potential of CRISPR-based therapies for neuromuscular disorders.
CRISPR acts like molecular scissors, cutting DNA at precise locations to remove faulty segments. While the first CRISPR-based therapy for sickle cell disease was approved in December 2023, delivering CRISPR directly into the body remains difficult, especially in non-liver tissues. The challenge lies in the size of the CRISPR system, particularly the Cas9 enzyme, which has over 1300 amino acids. This makes it too large to fit into a single adeno-associated virus (AAV), a common gene therapy delivery tool. Researchers have struggled with multi-virus delivery approaches, which have shown limited success.
To overcome this, Mammoth Biosciences screened 176 CRISPR variants and engineered a compact enzyme called NanoCas, which has just 425 amino acids—about one-third the size of Cas9. This smaller size allows it to fit within a single AAV vector, making delivery much more efficient. In laboratory tests, NanoCas successfully edited DNA in mammalian cells and later in mice, where it effectively deactivated the PCSK9 gene to lower cholesterol levels, performing as well as Cas9.
Researchers then tested NanoCas on the dystrophin gene, which is crucial for muscle function and is mutated in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. In mice carrying the human version of the mutated gene, NanoCas edited 10% to 40% of muscle cells, including in the heart and calf muscles. Encouraged by these results, the team moved to a larger test in three healthy macaque monkeys. After injecting an AAV carrying NanoCas into their bloodstream, they found that the dystrophin gene was edited in up to 30% of skeletal muscle cells and about 15% of heart muscle cells. Importantly, the treatment did not cause liver damage or other major side effects.
Experts consider these results clinically promising but caution that further testing is needed. There is still no data on whether this approach can improve symptoms in animals with neuromuscular diseases, and AAV-based gene therapy carries risks, such as immune reactions and unintended genetic changes. Despite these challenges, researchers believe this single-AAV CRISPR system represents a major step forward. Mammoth Biosciences plans to refine NanoCas for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy and explore its potential for other muscle and brain disorders. If successful, this innovation could make precise gene editing in previously inaccessible tissues a reality.
Courtesy: Science.Org
Nose bacteria engineered to deliver drugs to Brain
Scientists at the National University of Singapore have successfully used modified bacteria to bypass the blood–brain barrier and deliver medicine directly to the brain. Their study, published in Cell, explores how engineered Lactobacillus plantarum can release an appetite-regulating hormone into the olfactory epithelium, allowing it to reach its target in the brain.
The blood–brain barrier is a major obstacle in treating neurological conditions, as it prevents many drugs from reaching the brain. Traditional intranasal drug delivery methods often suffer from rapid clearance, limiting their effectiveness. To overcome these challenges, researchers turned to L. plantarum, a bacterium naturally found in the nasal passage, as a drug-delivery vector.
By engineering L. plantarum to produce hormones such as leptin, alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), the team demonstrated a novel approach to sustained therapeutic delivery. In their experiments, fluorescent-labeled bacteria were administered intranasally to track their localization. Results showed that the bacteria remained in the olfactory epithelium while releasing their payloads, which then diffused into adjacent brain regions.
In tests with male mice on a high-fat diet, those treated with hormone-secreting bacteria exhibited reduced weight gain, lower food intake, improved glucose tolerance, and decreased fat accumulation compared to control groups. Additionally, leptin secreted by the bacteria was retained in the olfactory epithelium for a longer duration than conventionally administered recombinant leptin.
This method presents a promising, noninvasive approach to brain-targeted therapies. While the study focused on an appetite-regulating hormone, the same technique could be applied to neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, and brain cancer, where effective drug delivery remains a significant challenge.
Future research will focus on optimizing dosage and assessing long-term safety, paving the way for innovative treatments capable of safely crossing the blood–brain barrier.
Courtesy: Phys.Org
Rare Genetic Disorder Treated in the Womb for the First Time
For the first time, a rare genetic disorder has been successfully treated in the womb, giving a two-and-a-half-year-old girl a healthy start in life. The child, who was at risk of developing spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), shows no signs of the disease after receiving a groundbreaking prenatal treatment. Her mother took the gene-targeting drug ‘Risdiplam’ during late pregnancy, and the child continues to take it post-birth.
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SMA is a motor-neuron disease that weakens muscles and is a leading genetic cause of infant mortality. In severe cases, affected babies lack both copies of the SMN1 gene, leaving them unable to produce enough of the protein necessary for motor neuron survival. Typically, newborns with severe SMA show symptoms immediately and rarely survive past their third birthday.
Until now, treatments approved by the U.S. FDA have only been administered after birth. However, this case marks the first instance of an in-utero intervention. The idea came from the parents, who had previously lost a child to the disease and sought pre-birth treatment options. After receiving FDA approval, the mother started taking Risdiplam at 32 weeks of pregnancy for six weeks. Post-delivery tests confirmed that the drug reached the fetus, boosting SMN protein levels and reducing nerve damage.
The child has shown normal muscle development with no signs of weakness, offering hope for early intervention in genetic disorders. Researchers now aim to explore larger clinical studies to assess the broader potential of in-womb treatments for other genetic conditions
Courtesy: Nature
Omega 3 found slowing ageing
A new study suggests that taking a daily omega-3 supplement can slow biological ageing in older adults, especially when combined with vitamin D and regular exercise.
Omega-3 fatty acids—found in fish, seeds, and nuts—are already known to support heart health, brain function, and immunity. Research has also linked them to changes in epigenetic markers, chemical tags on DNA that influence gene activity and cellular function. This connection suggests that omega-3 helps slow the ageing process at a biological level.
To investigate this further, Heike Bischoff-Ferrari and her team at the University of Zurich conducted a study involving 777 adults in Switzerland, aged 70 to 91. They aimed to assess how omega-3 interact with vitamin D and strength training, as all three have been linked to slower ageing through different biological pathways.
The participants were divided into eight groups, each receiving different combinations of supplements and exercise routines. Some took a daily 1-gram dose of omega-3, while others were given a placebo. Some also received 2000 IU of vitamin D or followed a strength training program three times a week. Those who were already taking similar supplements or exercising before the study were allowed to continue their routines.
At the start of the trial, the researchers estimated participants’ biological ages using epigenetic clocks, which analyze DNA methylation patterns—chemical changes in DNA that typically decline with age, affecting cell function. After three years, they repeated the analysis.
Results showed that participants who took omega-3 alone had aged about three months less, on average, compared to those who received only a placebo. Those who combined omega-3 with vitamin D and strength training showed even greater benefits, experiencing nearly four months less ageing than their inactive counterparts.
“These effects may seem small, but for older adults, even a few months of reduced ageing could make a significant difference,” says Richard Siow of King’s College London.
However, epigenetic clocks are not a perfect measure of biological ageing, as appearing younger at the DNA level does not necessarily mean better overall health. More research is needed to explore how these changes translate into improvements in cognitive function, physical ability, and heart health.
Additionally, the study participants were relatively healthy and not vitamin D deficient, which could limit the findings. Future research should examine how these interventions affect younger populations and people with different health conditions across various regions, says Bischoff-Ferrari.
Courtesy: New Scientist
Royal Society of London to review Elon Musk’s conduct
The Royal Society has announced plans to hold a meeting after receiving an open letter signed by thousands of individuals criticizing its handling of concerns regarding tech billionaire Elon Musk. The letter, authored by Emeritus Professor Stephen Curry of Imperial College London, accuses the Society of failing to acknowledge Musk’s alleged violations of its Code of Conduct.
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Musk, who was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 2018, currently leads the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a body established by President Donald Trump. He is also the owner of the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
The open letter, which has gathered more than 2,400 signatures, was also sent to Sir Adrian Smith, president of the Royal Society. Professor Curry expressed his disappointment over the Society’s lack of response to concerns raised more than six months ago. These concerns include Musk’s promotion of conspiracy theories and his online attacks on public figures, such as safeguarding minister Jess Phillips, regarding the issue of historical grooming gangs in the UK.
Curry argued that such behavior contradicts the Society’s Code of Conduct, which expects fellows to uphold values such as acting with integrity, striving for excellence, and making a positive societal impact. He further emphasized that the situation has become more serious due to Musk’s role in the Trump administration, which he claims has targeted scientific research in the U.S. through funding cuts and censorship.
The letter criticizes the Royal Society’s silence on the issue, describing it as a failure of moral leadership. Curry urged the institution to take a stand and demonstrate its commitment to scientific integrity and ethical principles.
In response, Sir Adrian Smith acknowledged the concerns raised and confirmed that a meeting will be held on March 3 to discuss the broader issue of fellows' public behavior and statements. In a letter to fellows, he stated that while the Society is committed to scientific progress through rational debate, it must be cautious in making judgments about the views or affiliations of its members, particularly those that could be seen as political.
Smith pointed out that throughout history, scientists who have contributed to significant progress have also expressed controversial opinions. However, he noted that the Society’s values and traditions evolve over time, making it important to engage in discussions about these issues.
Professor Curry welcomed the decision to hold a meeting, stating that many in the scientific community feel strongly about Musk’s actions. He emphasized that his primary concern is the Society’s failure to publicly address the matter rather than an attempt to silence Musk. He called on the institution to explain why no action has been taken and to consider distancing itself from Musk’s statements and activities.
A spokesperson for the Royal Society confirmed the upcoming meeting, stating that discussions will focus on the principles guiding fellows' public conduct. They reiterated that any concerns regarding individual fellows are handled with strict confidentiality.
The meeting on March 3 is expected to shape the Society’s approach to handling ethical and reputational issues concerning its members in the future.
Courtesy: Herald
Researchers trying to unveil the scent of Egyptian Mummies
Spicy, woody, and sweet—these descriptors might evoke images of exotic perfumes, but they are actually the aromas of ancient Egyptian mummies. Researchers have now delved into the scents of these centuries-old remains, using both human noses and scientific instruments to analyze their odors. The study aims to understand how well-preserved a mummy is without the need for invasive sampling and to create synthetic mummy scents that could enhance museum experiences.
A team led by Professor Matija Strlic of the University of Ljubljana and University College London examined nine mummies from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, dating from 1500 BC to AD 500. Using specialized air extraction techniques, researchers captured the volatile compounds surrounding each mummy. Eight trained experts then analyzed the samples, identifying various scent notes. Many mummies carried pleasant aromas with woody, spicy, and sweet tones, while others exhibited musty or rancid hints. Further chemical analysis revealed that these scents originated from materials used in mummification, microbial activity, conservation treatments, and even modern pesticides.
Interestingly, the mummies' odors did not consistently correlate with their age or state of preservation. Some exhibited aromas that overlapped with conservation treatments, making it difficult to distinguish ancient embalming materials from modern interventions. Future studies may focus on untreated mummies to better understand how embalming quality influences scent.
Dr. Cecilia Bembibre, a co-author of the study, described the experience as a privilege, noting the unexpected familiarity of some scents, such as a tea-like aroma from a mummy over 3,500 years old. Other researchers, like Barbara Huber of the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology, emphasize that the scents detected today differ from those at the time of mummification. Nevertheless, studying these aromas offers valuable insights into ancient embalming practices and the role of scent in Egyptian rituals. While recreating the exact fragrance of the past remains a challenge, these studies bring us closer to understanding the olfactory world of ancient civilizations.
Courtesy: Guardian
Study shows Crowds push themselves into a vortex
A surprising new study has revealed that densely packed crowds can form swirling vortex-like patterns, a phenomenon never before documented in human gatherings. The findings, published in Nature on February 5, challenge previous research that suggested crowd movements were more chaotic.
Physicist François Gu and his team at the École Normale Supérieure in Lyon, France, made the discovery while analyzing video footage of a Spanish festival known for attracting large crowds. Using computer simulations, they found that the swirling motion repeated every 18 seconds—an observation so unexpected that Gu spent over a month verifying the results.
"I was like, what is this? Why 18 seconds?" Gu recalled, emphasizing how puzzling the discovery was. However, once the video footage was sped up, the vortex patterns became clearly visible.
This discovery offers new insights into crowd dynamics, which could have implications for event planning, public safety, and urban design. Further research will explore whether similar patterns emerge in other densely packed crowds around the world.
Courtesy: Nature
