Author Archives: Nick Lavars

New drug protects neurons to alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms in mice

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Scientists have developed a new drug that protects key neurons against toxic stress and inflammation that drives Parkinson's symptoms

With no cure to speak of, scientists are exploring every avenue possible when it comes improving therapies for Parkinson’s disease, a condition affecting more than 10 million people around the world. A new study has opened up a promising pathway in this area, pinpointing a protein that plays a regulatory role in the neurodegeneration associated with the condition, and showing how it can be inhibited to protect key cells from damage.

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Sharpest ever images of live bacteria unravel the secrets of superbugs

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By using a nanoscale needle tip to probe the intricate exterior structures of Escherichia coli, scientists have produced the sharpest images ever of living bacteria. With this new perspective of its patchy protective layer, the researchers hope to furt… Continue reading Sharpest ever images of live bacteria unravel the secrets of superbugs→

SpaceX test fires Starship’s Raptor engine for deep space burns

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SpaceX has notched up another milestone in the development of Starship, fixing its Raptor Vacuum engine to the spacecraft and test-firing it for the first time. This marks another important step in the company’s ongoing efforts to reach Mars, with this… Continue reading SpaceX test fires Starship’s Raptor engine for deep space burns→

Extra hour’s sleep lowers obesity risk for newborns

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We’ve seen a number of interesting studies explore the relationship between poor sleep and obesity, with some also tying in other adverse health effects such as hypertension and diabetes. A new paper has investigated this phenomenon in newborns, findin… Continue reading Extra hour’s sleep lowers obesity risk for newborns→

Ocean Cleanup moves beyond testing and outlines a system 3x the size

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Having only just returned from a trial campaign that yielded massive hauls of plastic waste, the Ocean Cleanup Project is now moving beyond testing and kicking off its first operational mission. This will involve redeploying its System 002 collection b… Continue reading Ocean Cleanup moves beyond testing and outlines a system 3x the size→

Next-gen battery electrolyte made from wood offers record conductivity

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Today’s lithium batteries commonly use a liquid electrolyte to carry ions between the two electrodes, but scientists eyeing solid alternatives see some exciting opportunities ahead. Among them are the authors of a new study who have used cellulose deri… Continue reading Next-gen battery electrolyte made from wood offers record conductivity→

The Boring Company wins approval to expand tunnel network across Vegas

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Having finally begun moving the first passengers through its Las Vegas tunnels back in June, The Boring Company has now received initial approval to expand the system across the city. Local officials have today ticked off the startup’s plans to build o… Continue reading The Boring Company wins approval to expand tunnel network across Vegas→

Steak knife made from hardened wood is 3 times sharper than steel

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By experimenting with alternative methods of wood processing, scientists have come up with a new hardened form of the natural material that can be fashioned into sharp knives and sturdy nails. The team reports the resulting knives are nearly three time… Continue reading Steak knife made from hardened wood is 3 times sharper than steel→

Wounded cancer cells supercharge immune system to destroy tumors

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Scientists at MIT have made a discovery that could expand the potential of immunotherapy, enabling it to treat wider variety of cancers. The breakthrough stems from a newfound ability to jump-start the body’s immune system with the help of injured canc… Continue reading Wounded cancer cells supercharge immune system to destroy tumors→