🤖 Tech & Computer Science

Ursa Major nabs $12.5M from US Navy, DoD for 3D-printed rocket motors

Ursa Major received a $12.5M contract from the U.S. Navy and the Department of Defense to develop 3D-printed solid-fuel rocket engines. This funding, matched by the company, aims to speed up rocket motor production, reducing timelines from over a year to less than a month, addressing supply shortages caused by outdated methods and the war in Ukraine.

A drug mix and dose decision algorithm for individualized type 2 diabetes management

Pharmacotherapy for type 2 diabetes (T2D) can be challenging to personalize. AIDA, an AI tool, was developed to optimize drug mix and dosage for better glycemic control, improving HbA1c by 0.40–0.68%. Evaluated by endocrinologists, AIDA’s recommendations were accurate and aligned with clinical guidelines, offering practical support for personalized T2D treatment.

⚛️ Physics and Chemistry

Newly developed OLED could enable compact, lightweight night vision

University of Michigan researchers have developed a new OLED that could replace bulky night vision goggles with lightweight glasses. This OLED converts near-infrared light into visible light, amplifying it over 100 times, while being lighter and more practical than traditional systems. The OLED’s memory effect may also enhance computer vision systems for better light signal interpretation.

New superconductor has record breaking current density

A new rare-earth barium copper oxide (REBCO) superconducting wire developed at the University at Buffalo achieves the highest current density of 190 MA/cm² at 4.2 K and over 150 MA/cm² at 20 K. This wire is only 0.2 microns thick but carries as much current as wires 10 times thicker. Potential applications include energy, transportation, and nuclear fusion, which could provide a solution to global energy challenges.

🧬 Biology & Medicine

Untreated Brain Aneurysms Raise Mental Illness Risk

A study using South Korean health data found that untreated unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) were linked to a 10% higher risk of mental illness, particularly in younger individuals and those needing psychotherapy. The research, covering 85,438 UIA patients and 331,123 controls, tracked mental health over 4.2 to 7.5 years.

Genome-wide association study identifies genetic risk factors for dementia

Scientists at UT Health San Antonio conducted the largest genome-wide association study of dementia, analyzing data from 800,597 individuals. They found genetic overlaps involving neurodegeneration, vascular factors, and cerebral small-vessel disease, identifying genes linked to all-cause and vascular dementia.

🔭 Space & Astronomy

SpaceX launches 2 European navigation satellites, lands rocket (video)

On September 17, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched two European Galileo satellites and landed safely on the SpaceX droneship "Just Read the Instructions." This mission, the 22nd for this particular booster, saw the rocket's first stage return to Earth and its upper stage continue to deploy the satellites into medium Earth orbit.

Measuring Moon Dust to Fight Air Pollution

Moon dust, or regolith, is highly abrasive and problematic for astronauts and equipment. During Apollo 17, astronaut Harrison Schmitt experienced "lunar hay fever" from inhaling the dust. To address this, NASA and Lunar Outpost Inc. developed the Space Canary air-quality sensor, now known as Canary-S (Solar), which detects lunar soil and pollutants on Earth. This sensor, integrated into Lockheed Martin's lunar habitat prototype, offers cost-effective, wireless air-quality monitoring.

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