Lead Story
Scientists name first new penguin species in over a century on remote Kerguelen Islands
An international research team led by scientists from Chile and UC Berkeley formally named a new gentoo penguin species, Pygoscelis kerguelensis, found on the remote sub-Antarctic Kerguelen Islands, the first entirely new penguin species named in more than 100 years. Whole-genome sequencing of 64 penguins across 10 breeding colonies showed gentoos actually comprise four distinct species rather than one, a discovery published in the journal Communications Biology that will help target conservation efforts as warming oceans threaten several island populations.
Read more →Lead Story
Scientists name first new penguin species in over a century on remote Kerguelen Islands
An international research team led by scientists from Chile and UC Berkeley formally named a new gentoo penguin species, Pygoscelis kerguelensis, found on the remote sub-Antarctic Kerguelen Islands, the first entirely new penguin species named in more than 100 years. Whole-genome sequencing of 64 penguins across 10 breeding colonies showed gentoos actually comprise four distinct species rather than one, a discovery published in the journal Communications Biology that will help target conservation efforts as warming oceans threaten several island populations.
New concrete formula is both stronger and pulls carbon dioxide from the air
Engineers at Mepco Schlenk Engineering College in India developed a concrete mix combining zeolite and bamboo biochar that outperforms conventional concrete on strength while actively absorbing CO2. The best formula boosted compressive strength by 7.48% and tensile strength by 15%, while capturing about 1.2 grams of CO2 per day in lab testing thanks to the microporous zeolite and carbon-rich biochar, according to a study published in the journal Carbon Research.
Read more →New concrete formula is both stronger and pulls carbon dioxide from the air
Engineers at Mepco Schlenk Engineering College in India developed a concrete mix combining zeolite and bamboo biochar that outperforms conventional concrete on strength while actively absorbing CO2. The best formula boosted compressive strength by 7.48% and tensile strength by 15%, while capturing about 1.2 grams of CO2 per day in lab testing thanks to the microporous zeolite and carbon-rich biochar, according to a study published in the journal Carbon Research.
MIT's insect-sized flying robot gets 450% faster with new AI control system
MIT engineers unveiled a new two-part AI control system that lets their bumblebee-scale flying robot move with insect-like agility, boosting its speed by about 450% and its acceleration by roughly 250% compared with earlier versions, and enabling it to pull off 10 somersaults in 11 seconds while straying no more than a few centimeters off course. The lightweight system pairs a powerful flight planner with an onboard controller that reacts in real time, a step toward tiny robots that could one day search earthquake rubble or other spaces too small or dangerous for conventional drones.
Read more →MIT's insect-sized flying robot gets 450% faster with new AI control system
MIT engineers unveiled a new two-part AI control system that lets their bumblebee-scale flying robot move with insect-like agility, boosting its speed by about 450% and its acceleration by roughly 250% compared with earlier versions, and enabling it to pull off 10 somersaults in 11 seconds while straying no more than a few centimeters off course. The lightweight system pairs a powerful flight planner with an onboard controller that reacts in real time, a step toward tiny robots that could one day search earthquake rubble or other spaces too small or dangerous for conventional drones.
New frog species found hiding in plain sight in the Amazon's flooded forests
Researchers from Brazil and international collaborators described a new frog species, Adenomera varcena, discovered during expeditions to flooded forest fragments along the Moa and Croa rivers in western Acre, Brazil. The frog looked nearly identical to known relatives and was distinguished only through its distinct call and DNA analysis; it also marks the first time a species in its genus, which typically lives in dryland forest, has been found in seasonally flooded varzea habitat. The findings were published in the journal Ichthyology & Herpetology.
Read more →New frog species found hiding in plain sight in the Amazon's flooded forests
Researchers from Brazil and international collaborators described a new frog species, Adenomera varcena, discovered during expeditions to flooded forest fragments along the Moa and Croa rivers in western Acre, Brazil. The frog looked nearly identical to known relatives and was distinguished only through its distinct call and DNA analysis; it also marks the first time a species in its genus, which typically lives in dryland forest, has been found in seasonally flooded varzea habitat. The findings were published in the journal Ichthyology & Herpetology.
One-time CRISPR gene therapy keeps cholesterol nearly halved a year after treatment
Cleveland Clinic researchers reported that a single infusion of the experimental CRISPR-Cas9 therapy CTX310, which switches off the ANGPTL3 gene in liver cells, safely and continuously lowered LDL cholesterol by 52.5% and triglycerides by 47.8% a year after treatment in the highest-dose group of a 15-participant Phase 1 trial, with no serious treatment-related adverse events. The results, presented at the European Society of Cardiology's annual meeting, suggest a one-time edit could offer lasting protection against heart disease for people with high cholesterol.
Read more →One-time CRISPR gene therapy keeps cholesterol nearly halved a year after treatment
Cleveland Clinic researchers reported that a single infusion of the experimental CRISPR-Cas9 therapy CTX310, which switches off the ANGPTL3 gene in liver cells, safely and continuously lowered LDL cholesterol by 52.5% and triglycerides by 47.8% a year after treatment in the highest-dose group of a 15-participant Phase 1 trial, with no serious treatment-related adverse events. The results, presented at the European Society of Cardiology's annual meeting, suggest a one-time edit could offer lasting protection against heart disease for people with high cholesterol.