🤖 Tech & Computer Science

Marvel Fusion lands $70M for laser-powered fusion bet

Marvel Fusion is developing laser-based fusion, aiming for efficient, mass-producible energy. Unlike older methods, their approach uses cutting-edge lasers to ignite hydrogen and boron fusion. A demo facility is planned for 2027, with simplified, cost-effective fuel and materials designed for large-scale production.

Bendable non-silicon RISC-V microprocessor

Flex-RV is a low-cost, flexible 32-bit microprocessor based on the open RISC-V instruction set, using indium gallium zinc oxide transistors on a bendable substrate. It features a programmable machine learning accelerator and operates at 60 kHz with under 6 mW power. Designed for wearables, healthcare devices, and smart packaging, Flex-RV demonstrates resilience under bending and aims to democratize access to computing through its sub-dollar cost and open hardware design.

⚛️ Physics and Chemistry

Poring over biomacromolecules

Nanopore-based sensors offer a precise and efficient way to detect molecules and ions by monitoring changes in electric current. This technology has revolutionized DNA sequencing, enabling fast, long-read sequencing (up to multi-kilobase scale) without amplification or labeling, achieving single-molecule accuracies of up to 99.9%. Affordable DNA sequencing for widespread use is now within reach.

Manganese cathodes could boost lithium-ion batteries

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries rely on limited nickel and cobalt for their cathodes. New research from Berkeley Lab suggests manganese, a more abundant metal, could be a low-cost, safer alternative. Manganese-based cathodes in disordered rock salts (DRX) perform well with much larger particles than previously thought, reducing energy-intensive processing.

🧬 Biology & Medicine

New self-swab HPV test is an alternative to Pap smears. Here's how it works.

A new, less-invasive cervical cancer screening option, "self-collection tests," will be available in U.S. doctor’s offices this month. Approved by the FDA in May, these tests allow patients to collect their own samples to detect HPV, the leading cause of cervical cancer. While samples must still be taken in healthcare settings, at-home self-sampling, already used in some countries, is pending FDA approval in the U.S.

Survival Outcomes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Show Improvement Over Time

Survival rates for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have improved but remain low. A study of 3,441 patients from 2006 to 2019 found that early detection and treatment significantly boosted survival. HCC incidence has more than doubled in the U.S. over two decades and continues to rise.

Could microalgae be the secret weapon to ending global hunger and saving the planet?

A review in Nutrition highlights the potential of commercially farmed microalgae to address global nutritional challenges. Microalgae offer health benefits, require no pesticides or arable land, and are crucial for environmental sustainability. Undernutrition, particularly in children and older adults, remains a global issue, contributing to poor health and high mortality rates. Improved nutrition could reduce hunger, poverty, and the burden of non-communicable diseases.

🔭 Space & Astronomy

Radar images capture snowman-shaped object tumbling past Earth

Asteroid 2024 ON, which safely passed Earth on Sept. 17, was revealed to be two asteroids merged into a snowman-like shape. The 1,150-foot-long object flew by at 19,842 mph, but posed no threat, passing 620,000 miles away. NASA's radar images showed the asteroid's peanut-like form, with two lobes connected by a neck, created by the gravitational fusion of two smaller asteroids.

­­Robotic Moving ‘Crew’ Preps for Work on Moon 

As part of the Artemis campaign, NASA is enhancing its ability to transport cargo autonomously on the Moon. Since there will be no crew to handle payloads, a team at NASA's Langley Research Center has developed a software system called LANDO, which enables existing robotic hardware to operate independently. Demonstrations of LANDO were conducted earlier this month under the leadership of Dr. Julia Cline.

Thanks For Reading!

Please move this email to your Primary Inbox (if it is not already there) to make sure you don’t miss any of the exciting news and updates!
Reply directly to this email with any questions, comments or suggestions. 🚀