Implantable “drug factory” beads destroy tumors in mice within days

Earlier this year, scientists at Rice University demonstrated a highly promising approach to tackling ovarian and colorectal cancer that centered on “drug factory” beads that could be implanted alongside tumors to destroy them in less than a week. By c… Continue reading Implantable “drug factory” beads destroy tumors in mice within days

Powder brushed onto electrodes brings high-capacity batteries closer

Of the many different designs being explored by scientists in pursuit of better batteries, lithium-metal is an architecture that holds great potential. One problem holding the technology back, however, is the formation of tentacle-like growths called d… Continue reading Powder brushed onto electrodes brings high-capacity batteries closer

“Necrobotics” tech uses spider carcasses as robotic grippers

While we’ve seen a number of robotic grippers inspired by various animals, US scientists have now taken a much more “direct” approach. They’ve devised a method of of using actual dead spiders to delicately grasp small objects.Continue ReadingCategory: … Continue reading “Necrobotics” tech uses spider carcasses as robotic grippers

Scientists hack fly brains to make them remote controlled

Researchers at Rice University have shown how they can hack the brains of fruit flies to make them remote controlled. The flies performed a specific action within a second of a command being sent to certain neurons in their brain.Continue ReadingCatego… Continue reading Scientists hack fly brains to make them remote controlled

Drug combo combats leukemia by attacking faulty cellular powerhouses

Researchers have homed in on new compounds that are effective at killing leukemia. The drug candidates shut down faulty mitochondria in the cancerous cells, and were found to be far more effective when paired with existing chemotherapy drugs.Continue R… Continue reading Drug combo combats leukemia by attacking faulty cellular powerhouses

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

Waste plastics from old cars “flashed” into graphene to go in new cars

If humanity is ever going to curb our waste problem, we’ll need to get creative with recycling and reusing materials. In a new study, researchers at Rice University and Ford’s Research and Innovation Center have demonstrated how waste plastic from old … Continue reading Waste plastics from old cars “flashed” into graphene to go in new cars

New technique uses plastic waste to capture CO2 emissions

Two of our biggest environmental problems are the tons of unusable plastic waste, and the tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) which are released into the atmosphere in smokestack emissions. A new process is claimed to use the former to trap the latter.Continu… Continue reading New technique uses plastic waste to capture CO2 emissions

“Drug factory” beads implanted in mice take out tumors within a week

Among the many challenges in treating tumors is the difficulty in getting anti-cancer drugs to the right locations, and in the right amounts. A new type of implant developed at Rice University tackles both these issues, carrying the cellular machinery … Continue reading “Drug factory” beads implanted in mice take out tumors within a week