Author Archives: Michael Irving

World’s oldest ice core could stretch back 5 million years

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Researchers extract an ice core from Ong Valley, Antarctica

To learn about the future of Earth’s climate we can look to the past, and one of the best ways to do that is with samples drilled from deep ice cores. Now, scientists have dated what may be the world’s oldest ice core, with some sections potentially preserving samples as old as 5 million years.

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Category: Environment, Science

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New gene therapy could prevent genetic hearing loss

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Researchers at the Salk Institute have made a breakthrough that could lead to new treatments for genetic hearing loss. Gene therapy that delivers a particular protein can ensure faulty hair cells grow correctly, allowing for improved hearing.Continue R… Continue reading New gene therapy could prevent genetic hearing loss→

New antibiotic molecule kills dozens of the toughest types of superbugs

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Bacteria are fast developing resistance to our best drugs, leaving us poised on the edge of a major health crisis. But a new antibiotic has shown promise against several key “superbugs,” while minimizing damage against good bacteria in the body.Continu… Continue reading New antibiotic molecule kills dozens of the toughest types of superbugs→

3D-printable 5-metal alloy proves ultra-strong but ductile

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With new manufacturing techniques comes the opportunity for brand new metal alloys with a huge range of possible properties. A team of researchers has now developed a new 3D-printable alloy with a specific nanostructure that makes it ultra strong and d… Continue reading 3D-printable 5-metal alloy proves ultra-strong but ductile→

New treatment for a root cause of asthma proves promising in mice tests

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Asthma is an incredibly common disease that’s usually managed by treating the symptoms. But new research shows a potential way to target a root cause of the disease, with a molecule preventing structural changes in the airways of asthmatic mice and all… Continue reading New treatment for a root cause of asthma proves promising in mice tests→

“Gigantic jet” lightning blasts record-breaking bolt upwards into space

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While a thunderstorm can put on quite a show for spectators on the ground, the best bits often happen above the clouds. Scientists have now described in detail the most powerful “gigantic jet” of lightning ever observed, which blasted energy equivalent… Continue reading “Gigantic jet” lightning blasts record-breaking bolt upwards into space→

Injectable hydrogel fills surgical cavities to keep brain cancer at bay

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Glioblastoma is one of the most deadly forms of cancer, often returning with a vengeance after surgery to remove it. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have now developed an immunity-boosting hydrogel that can be injected into the brain… Continue reading Injectable hydrogel fills surgical cavities to keep brain cancer at bay→

Self-healing coating repairs car scratches with 30 minutes of sunlight

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Finding a scratch on your car is a special kind of heartbreak, but in the future they might be gone before you even notice. Scientists in Korea have developed a coating that self-heals scratches in as little as 30 minutes when exposed to sunlight.Conti… Continue reading Self-healing coating repairs car scratches with 30 minutes of sunlight→

Hydrogel casing keeps vaccines stable without refrigeration up to 150 °F

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Most vaccines need to be refrigerated, which makes it difficult and expensive to get them to remote areas where they’re often needed most. Now, researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new method for encapsulating vaccines in hydrogels so they can be… Continue reading Hydrogel casing keeps vaccines stable without refrigeration up to 150 °F→

Inflatable insulin pumps reduce scar tissue for long-term drug delivery

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The immune system’s foreign body response is important for keeping us healthy – but it’s not so useful when that foreign body is a medical implant. Researchers at MIT have now developed a device that prevents scar tissue forming around implants by gent… Continue reading Inflatable insulin pumps reduce scar tissue for long-term drug delivery→