Injectable hydrogel treats back pain from damaged discs in human trials

Human trials have shown that hydrogel injections are a promising, effective treatment for chronic lower back pain caused by degenerative disc disease (DDD). The treatment is far less invasive than other surgeries, and has been given FDA approval.Contin… Continue reading Injectable hydrogel treats back pain from damaged discs in human trials→

James Webb damaged in micrometeoroid impact, image quality remains high

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has suffered a new setback, sustaining a micrometeoroid impact to one of its mirror segments. While larger than the impacts anticipated during ground testing, the science team says that the telescope should still b… Continue reading James Webb damaged in micrometeoroid impact, image quality remains high→

Tiny light-powered drills could be our secret weapon against superbugs

Bacteria may be great at developing resistance to our best drugs, but there are some things they can’t evolve their way out of – like tiny drills ripping them open. Researchers at Rice University have now demonstrated their next generation molecular dr… Continue reading Tiny light-powered drills could be our secret weapon against superbugs→

Optical brain-like chip processes almost 2 billion images per second

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a powerful new optical chip that can process almost 2 billion images per second. The device is made up of a neural network that processes information as light without needing components that … Continue reading Optical brain-like chip processes almost 2 billion images per second→

Powerful platinum catalyst remains liquid at room temperature

Researchers have created a form of platinum that can remain liquid at room temperature, by mixing tiny amounts of the precious metal with gallium. This new liquid platinum performs catalytic reactions more efficiently than a solid platinum catalyst, us… Continue reading Powerful platinum catalyst remains liquid at room temperature→

Cocaine receptor found in brain could lead to new addiction treatments

Scientists at Johns Hopkins have identified a previously unknown mechanism of cocaine’s activity in the brain, which could open new types of treatment for addiction to the drug. Intriguingly, it seems to work differently in male and female mice.Continu… Continue reading Cocaine receptor found in brain could lead to new addiction treatments→

Portable range hood keeps kitchens smoke- and grease-free

As important as ventilation is in the kitchen, it’s something that’s often not up to scratch. French designer Maxime Augay has now launched the AirHood, a portable range hood that can sit on a bench and efficiently pull grease and smoke out of the air…. Continue reading Portable range hood keeps kitchens smoke- and grease-free→

Atmospheric CO2 now 50% higher than pre-industrial levels

Climate scientists have reported the highest levels of carbon dioxide ever recorded in the atmosphere. The latest in a long line of record-breaking years saw the world hit a grim new milestone of 50 percent higher than pre-industrial levels, a concentr… Continue reading Atmospheric CO2 now 50% higher than pre-industrial levels→

3D-printed ear implants grown from patient cells head to clinical trials

There may soon be new hope for patients born with genetic defects that leave them with misshapen or missing ears. A new human clinical trial will test an implant known as AuriNovo, which uses a 3D-bioprinted ear grown from the patient’s own cells.Conti… Continue reading 3D-printed ear implants grown from patient cells head to clinical trials→

Diamond-based quantum computer paired with supercomputers for first time

Quantum computing may have just taken a major step forward, as a supercomputer facility in Australia becomes the first to have a quantum computer integrated into it. The quantum processor, developed by German-Australian start-up Quantum Brilliance, run… Continue reading Diamond-based quantum computer paired with supercomputers for first time→