Lead Story
Personalized mRNA cancer vaccine cuts melanoma recurrence or death by 42% in full trial data
Full results from the Phase 3 INTerpath-001 trial, presented at a European oncology conference around October 26, confirmed that Merck and Moderna's personalized mRNA melanoma vaccine, intismeran autogene, reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 42% and cut the risk of distant spread by 38% over two years when combined with the immunotherapy drug Keytruda, compared with Keytruda alone. The trial enrolled 1,137 patients with surgically removed stage IIB-IV melanoma; the personalized vaccine is manufactured for each patient based on mutations found in their own tumor, training the immune system to recognize and attack any cancer cells that remain. Follow-up so far spans about 25 months, and the companies plan to begin discussions with regulators on approval in the coming months.
Read more →Lead Story
Personalized mRNA cancer vaccine cuts melanoma recurrence or death by 42% in full trial data
Full results from the Phase 3 INTerpath-001 trial, presented at a European oncology conference around October 26, confirmed that Merck and Moderna's personalized mRNA melanoma vaccine, intismeran autogene, reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 42% and cut the risk of distant spread by 38% over two years when combined with the immunotherapy drug Keytruda, compared with Keytruda alone. The trial enrolled 1,137 patients with surgically removed stage IIB-IV melanoma; the personalized vaccine is manufactured for each patient based on mutations found in their own tumor, training the immune system to recognize and attack any cancer cells that remain. Follow-up so far spans about 25 months, and the companies plan to begin discussions with regulators on approval in the coming months.
WWF report finds tigers, sea turtles, bluefin tuna and African elephants rebounding
WWF's 2026 Living Planet Report, released in early October, found that average monitored wildlife populations have declined 73% since 1970, but highlighted genuine recoveries among several high-profile species where conservation action has taken hold. Atlantic bluefin tuna, once down 80% and listed as endangered in 2010, have rebounded enough that fishing quotas have been eased in parts of their range, while tiger numbers, green sea turtle populations and southern African elephant herds have also grown in areas with sustained protection and habitat restoration. WWF says the findings show nature can recover when conservation is paired with changes to food, energy and finance systems, noting that half of the thousands of populations it tracks worldwide are now stable or increasing.
Read more →WWF report finds tigers, sea turtles, bluefin tuna and African elephants rebounding
WWF's 2026 Living Planet Report, released in early October, found that average monitored wildlife populations have declined 73% since 1970, but highlighted genuine recoveries among several high-profile species where conservation action has taken hold. Atlantic bluefin tuna, once down 80% and listed as endangered in 2010, have rebounded enough that fishing quotas have been eased in parts of their range, while tiger numbers, green sea turtle populations and southern African elephant herds have also grown in areas with sustained protection and habitat restoration. WWF says the findings show nature can recover when conservation is paired with changes to food, energy and finance systems, noting that half of the thousands of populations it tracks worldwide are now stable or increasing.
Indonesia returns 20 rescued green sea turtles to the ocean after Bali smuggling bust
Marine police in Bali intercepted an attempt to smuggle protected green sea turtles in the waters off Serangan Island after a tip from residents, finding the animals aboard a boat apparently abandoned by wildlife traffickers. Indonesian authorities released 20 of the rescued turtles back into the ocean at Serangan Island on October 13, after the animals were examined and confirmed healthy. Green sea turtles are a protected species under Indonesian law, and the Serangan Island area has become a regular release point for turtles recovered from smuggling and poaching operations across the archipelago.
Read more →Indonesia returns 20 rescued green sea turtles to the ocean after Bali smuggling bust
Marine police in Bali intercepted an attempt to smuggle protected green sea turtles in the waters off Serangan Island after a tip from residents, finding the animals aboard a boat apparently abandoned by wildlife traffickers. Indonesian authorities released 20 of the rescued turtles back into the ocean at Serangan Island on October 13, after the animals were examined and confirmed healthy. Green sea turtles are a protected species under Indonesian law, and the Serangan Island area has become a regular release point for turtles recovered from smuggling and poaching operations across the archipelago.
Scientists discover 'Pac-Man' enzyme that fully breaks down bioplastics
Researchers at the University of Konstanz, publishing in The ISME Journal, identified a new bacterial enzyme named LCPH1 with a wide, open active site that AlphaFold3 structural modeling showed resembles the open mouth of the video game character Pac-Man, earning it the nickname. In lab and soil tests, the purified enzyme broke down the bioplastic PE-2,18 into its basic building blocks, with soil bacteria containing the enzyme completely degrading samples of the bioplastic within roughly 250 to 330 days. The discovery, reported in mid-October, offers a potential new biological tool for breaking down certain biodegradable plastics in the environment, though researchers note the enzyme's resemblance to antibiotic-resistance proteins means its ecological effects need further study before any practical use.
Read more →Scientists discover 'Pac-Man' enzyme that fully breaks down bioplastics
Researchers at the University of Konstanz, publishing in The ISME Journal, identified a new bacterial enzyme named LCPH1 with a wide, open active site that AlphaFold3 structural modeling showed resembles the open mouth of the video game character Pac-Man, earning it the nickname. In lab and soil tests, the purified enzyme broke down the bioplastic PE-2,18 into its basic building blocks, with soil bacteria containing the enzyme completely degrading samples of the bioplastic within roughly 250 to 330 days. The discovery, reported in mid-October, offers a potential new biological tool for breaking down certain biodegradable plastics in the environment, though researchers note the enzyme's resemblance to antibiotic-resistance proteins means its ecological effects need further study before any practical use.
World's first commercial-scale next-generation geothermal plant comes online in Utah
Fervo Energy announced that the first 33-megawatt GeoBlock at its Cape Station project in Beaver County, Utah, has reached commercial operation, marking the first greenfield enhanced geothermal development in the world to achieve contractual commercial status. The milestone, confirmed in early October, validates enhanced geothermal technology — which uses engineered underground reservoirs to extract heat from hot rock almost anywhere — as a scalable source of round-the-clock clean power. Fervo says it is on track to bring the remaining GeoBlocks of Cape Station's roughly 100-megawatt first phase online by January 2027, with a further 400-megawatt expansion targeted for 2028, offering a firm, always-available complement to solar and wind as demand for electricity surges.
Read more →World's first commercial-scale next-generation geothermal plant comes online in Utah
Fervo Energy announced that the first 33-megawatt GeoBlock at its Cape Station project in Beaver County, Utah, has reached commercial operation, marking the first greenfield enhanced geothermal development in the world to achieve contractual commercial status. The milestone, confirmed in early October, validates enhanced geothermal technology — which uses engineered underground reservoirs to extract heat from hot rock almost anywhere — as a scalable source of round-the-clock clean power. Fervo says it is on track to bring the remaining GeoBlocks of Cape Station's roughly 100-megawatt first phase online by January 2027, with a further 400-megawatt expansion targeted for 2028, offering a firm, always-available complement to solar and wind as demand for electricity surges.