New targets for brain diseases
A US start-up is looking inside the brain to identify novel protein targets for diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Identifying a protein involved in the biology of a disease is often the first step in uncovering a new treatment, leading ultimately to the development of small molecules or other strategies to boost or suppress its activity – and so hopefully improve a patient’s condition.
Innovating in plastic
The UK 2019 Design Innovation in Plastic student award was presented to Daniella Kaligorsky, a product design student from the Technical University Dublin, on 5 July at the Painters’ Hall, London. The award was given for her Checkkit kit, which shows how to conduct a self-examination for breast cancer. In addition to a model simulating the breast and physical cancer symptoms, produced from materials including silicones and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), the kit contains an explanatory brochure covering 12 possible symptoms and a notebook to log results.
Cooler electronics
Ever smaller and more powerful electronics can accentuate problems of heat generation and lead to devices like phones and computers over-heating.
Tougher wheat crops
Plants have evolved numerous defences against pests. Resistance-based defence involves physical and chemical traits that deter and harm bugs, whereas tolerance-based defences minimise the effects of the pests on the plant, often by growing extra leaves or roots.
Pedalling for improved agriculture
British cyclists won half of all cycling gold medals during the last two Olympic Games, and six of the last seven Tours de France while competing for Team Sky. The success has been pinned on the concept of ‘marginal gains,’ whereby multiple small changes add up to significant overall improvements.
Legacy pollution in rivers
Toxic chemicals left over from decades ago could be hindering the recovery of urban rivers in the UK, concludes a recent study by scientists from Cardiff University, the University of Exeter, and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
Fewer tests on animals
The number of procedures involving living animals in Great Britain continues to fall, last year reaching the lowest number recorded since 2007, according to Home Office records.
Reprogramming biology
A novel artificial protein – designed on a computer and synthesised in the lab – could be used to build new biological circuits inside living cells. These ‘smart’ cells operate like autonomous robots, which could be used to detect damage and disease – and deliver help as and when needed.
Cleaner methanol manufacture
A new catalyst to efficiently convert carbon dioxide and hydrogen directly to methanol has been unveiled – potentially paving the way towards a more sustainable method of manufacture.
Switching to electric
The UK government will become the first government ambassador for non-profit organisation The Climate Group’s EV100 initiative to spur electric vehicle (EV) uptake. With businesses owning over half of all registered vehicles on the road, The Climate Group says it is crucial they lead the shift to electric vehicles.