Strange trees in world’s oldest forest ripped themselves apart to grow

An artist's impression of a forest full of Calamophyton trees

Scientists have uncovered the oldest fossilized forest, dating back 390 million years to a time when life was just getting a foothold on land. The ancient forest was made up of the first trees to ever grow on Earth – bizarre “prototype” trees that had to rip their skeletons apart in order to grow.

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79% of Crohn’s disease patients in remission after early intervention

Giving an immunotherapy drug as soon as possible after diagnosis with Crohn’s disease significantly reduces complications, including the need for surgery by a factor of 10, a clinical study has found. Compared to conventional treatment, which favors de… Continue reading 79% of Crohn’s disease patients in remission after early intervention

Breakthrough could see robots with ‘fingertips’ as sensitive as humans

Researchers have overcome a major challenge in biomimetic robotics by developing a sensor that, assisted by AI, can slide over braille text, accurately reading it at twice human speed. The tech could be incorporated into robot hands and prosthetics, pr… Continue reading Breakthrough could see robots with ‘fingertips’ as sensitive as humans

mRNA mod responsible for off-target effects identified & fixed

Researchers have discovered that a chemical modification to the synthetic messenger RNA used in therapeutics can cause the cell’s machinery to misread its instructions and result in unintended immune responses. Importantly, they’ve also discovered a so… Continue reading mRNA mod responsible for off-target effects identified & fixed

Diamond-stretching technique makes qubits more stable and controllable

Researchers are claiming a breakthrough in quantum communications, thanks to a new diamond-stretching technique they say greatly increases the temperatures at which qubits remain entangled, while also making them microwave-controllable.Continue Reading… Continue reading Diamond-stretching technique makes qubits more stable and controllable

Wood-eating shipworms may soon be farmed for shipworm-eating humans

For centuries, shipworms have vexed mariners by boring into – and consuming – the hulls of wooden ships and boats. Soon, though, we may actually be eating those “worms,” as they have successfully been farmed for the first time.Continue ReadingCategory:… Continue reading Wood-eating shipworms may soon be farmed for shipworm-eating humans

Sun-run device turns dirty water into hydrogen fuel & drinking water

Researchers have created a floating, solar-powered device that converts contaminated water or seawater into clean hydrogen fuel and drinking water. Because it works with any open water source and doesn’t require external power, the device could be used… Continue reading Sun-run device turns dirty water into hydrogen fuel & drinking water

Lasers allow fine-tuning of 3D-printed metals without “heating & beating”

A team of researchers led by the University of Cambridge has developed a new technique that uses high-energy lasers to fine tune the properties of 3D-printed metal without compromising the complex shapes it forms.Continue ReadingCategory: Materials, Sc… Continue reading Lasers allow fine-tuning of 3D-printed metals without “heating & beating”

Promising cancer drug may effectively treat gout and heart disease

There are a lot of research eyes on the development of Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) inhibitors for cancer treatment right now, with several drugs currently in clinical trials and at least one in late-stage Phase III testing. But University of Cambridge sc… Continue reading Promising cancer drug may effectively treat gout and heart disease

Quick, simple blood test takes the guesswork out of bipolar diagnosis

Researchers have developed a quick and simple blood test that, combined with existing diagnostic tools, improved the diagnosis of bipolar disorder, a condition commonly misdiagnosed as major depressive disorder. The test could ensure that people with b… Continue reading Quick, simple blood test takes the guesswork out of bipolar diagnosis