ANIMAL / ORGANIQUE
Publié par bazenet / msn - Catégories : #aberration
Researchers created a technology capable of converting colon cancer cells into a state resembling normal cells — avoiding the need to kill cancer cells and sidestepping harmful side effects.
The development was created by researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and was led by Professor Kwang-Hyun Cho.
This innovative approach is a departure from traditional treatments that destroy cancer cells but risk severe side effects and recurrence due to resistant cells. By creating a "digital twin" of the gene network that governs cell differentiation, the researchers identified key molecular switches that could revert cancer cells to their original, healthy state.
Their findings were validated through cellular and animal studies, marking a significant step toward reversible cancer therapy.
"This research demonstrates the potential to systematically induce cancer cell reversion," said Professor Cho. "It introduces a novel concept of therapy that could minimize side effects and offer a new avenue for tackling various cancers."
The technology, supported by the Korean government, has been transferred to BioRevert Inc. to advance practical applications. If successful, this could pave the way for safer, more effective cancer treatments worldwide.
The development was created by researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and was led by Professor Kwang-Hyun Cho.
This innovative approach is a departure from traditional treatments that destroy cancer cells but risk severe side effects and recurrence due to resistant cells. By creating a "digital twin" of the gene network that governs cell differentiation, the researchers identified key molecular switches that could revert cancer cells to their original, healthy state.
Their findings were validated through cellular and animal studies, marking a significant step toward reversible cancer therapy.
"This research demonstrates the potential to systematically induce cancer cell reversion," said Professor Cho. "It introduces a novel concept of therapy that could minimize side effects and offer a new avenue for tackling various cancers."
The technology, supported by the Korean government, has been transferred to BioRevert Inc. to advance practical applications. If successful, this could pave the way for safer, more effective cancer treatments worldwide.
This is a solar-powered sea slug — the first animal known to photosynthesize:
The eastern emerald elysia (Elysia chlorotica) can photosynthesize like a plant. By feeding on algae (Vaucheria litorea), it absorbs and stores chloroplasts in its cells, allowing it to convert sunlight into energy.
Some individuals can even go without eating for up to a year, surviving solely on sunlight.
This unique adaptation makes Elysia chlorotica one of nature’s most remarkable examples of life’s ingenuity. What’s more, the slug’s green hue, derived from its chloroplasts, doubles as a natural camouflage, helping it blend into its surroundings and evade predators.
Measuring up to 60 mm (2.6 inches), these sea slugs thrive in shallow waters like salt marshes and tidal pools, where sunlight is abundant. With its ability to harness solar power, Elysia chlorotica not only defies the boundaries between plants and animals but also offers exciting possibilities for understanding photosynthesis and energy efficiency.
Image: Patrick Krug /Scientific Data
The eastern emerald elysia (Elysia chlorotica) can photosynthesize like a plant. By feeding on algae (Vaucheria litorea), it absorbs and stores chloroplasts in its cells, allowing it to convert sunlight into energy.
Some individuals can even go without eating for up to a year, surviving solely on sunlight.
This unique adaptation makes Elysia chlorotica one of nature’s most remarkable examples of life’s ingenuity. What’s more, the slug’s green hue, derived from its chloroplasts, doubles as a natural camouflage, helping it blend into its surroundings and evade predators.
Measuring up to 60 mm (2.6 inches), these sea slugs thrive in shallow waters like salt marshes and tidal pools, where sunlight is abundant. With its ability to harness solar power, Elysia chlorotica not only defies the boundaries between plants and animals but also offers exciting possibilities for understanding photosynthesis and energy efficiency.
Image: Patrick Krug /Scientific Data
The Antarctic scale worm’s fluffy gold body hides a massive feeding mechanism.
Deep in the Southern Ocean near Antarctica, at depths over 500 meters, lives a creature that looks like something imagined in a horror movie. But this worm is very real.
It's the Antarctic scale worm (Eulagisca gigantea). With its golden, fluffy backside and an unsettling, alien-like head, this 20-cm-long (8 inch) marine worm is a fascinating predator.
Belonging to the Polynoidae family, the worm is covered in protective scales called elytra, but the real fright lies in its feeding habits. That seemingly eyeless "head" hides a retractable proboscis — a tubular appendage that unfurls to reveal sharp, tearing mouthparts. When feeding, the worm launches this 7-cm (2 inch) proboscis to grab and devour prey.
While researchers still don’t fully understand its diet, it’s suspected to be an active hunter, adding to the list of reasons you wouldn’t want to encounter one. Despite its menacing appearance, the Antarctic scale worm’s unique adaptations make it a marvel of the deep, perfectly evolved for life in one of the harshest environments on Earth.
Image credit: Matthew Brown / NIWA
Deep in the Southern Ocean near Antarctica, at depths over 500 meters, lives a creature that looks like something imagined in a horror movie. But this worm is very real.
It's the Antarctic scale worm (Eulagisca gigantea). With its golden, fluffy backside and an unsettling, alien-like head, this 20-cm-long (8 inch) marine worm is a fascinating predator.
Belonging to the Polynoidae family, the worm is covered in protective scales called elytra, but the real fright lies in its feeding habits. That seemingly eyeless "head" hides a retractable proboscis — a tubular appendage that unfurls to reveal sharp, tearing mouthparts. When feeding, the worm launches this 7-cm (2 inch) proboscis to grab and devour prey.
While researchers still don’t fully understand its diet, it’s suspected to be an active hunter, adding to the list of reasons you wouldn’t want to encounter one. Despite its menacing appearance, the Antarctic scale worm’s unique adaptations make it a marvel of the deep, perfectly evolved for life in one of the harshest environments on Earth.
Image credit: Matthew Brown / NIWA
"We’re at that point we’re at a really historical moment with this.” — Experts say HIV is no longer a terminal illness.
According to the World Health Organization, 42.3 million people have died from AIDS-related illnesses since the beginning of the epidemic. But medical science has brought an end to the worst ravages of the virus.
People with HIV had a life expectancy of just 39 in 1996. In 2011, the life expectancy was 72 — the same as individuals without HIV.
Today, people living with HIV who have access to treatment can expect to live as long as their peers who do not have HIV. For most patients, it's a chronic disease, much like diabetes or heart disease. “It means likely you can have a normal lifespan and have a similar life to someone who does not have HIV,” says Dr. Ray Martins, chief medical officer at Whitman-Walker Health in Washington.
How did we achieve this? Antiretroviral therapy (ART) largly transformed HIV from a fatal infection into a chronic disease that can be managed. ART reduces the amount of HIV in the blood to undetectable levels, which also prevents the virus from being sexually transmitted.
And while it is true that many people lack access to treatment, this is a political and social problem — sadly, not something that can be solved by the medical sciences. So while we still have a ways to go, scientists have done their very best. Now, it is up to those in power to ensure individuals have the necessary access
According to the World Health Organization, 42.3 million people have died from AIDS-related illnesses since the beginning of the epidemic. But medical science has brought an end to the worst ravages of the virus.
People with HIV had a life expectancy of just 39 in 1996. In 2011, the life expectancy was 72 — the same as individuals without HIV.
Today, people living with HIV who have access to treatment can expect to live as long as their peers who do not have HIV. For most patients, it's a chronic disease, much like diabetes or heart disease. “It means likely you can have a normal lifespan and have a similar life to someone who does not have HIV,” says Dr. Ray Martins, chief medical officer at Whitman-Walker Health in Washington.
How did we achieve this? Antiretroviral therapy (ART) largly transformed HIV from a fatal infection into a chronic disease that can be managed. ART reduces the amount of HIV in the blood to undetectable levels, which also prevents the virus from being sexually transmitted.
And while it is true that many people lack access to treatment, this is a political and social problem — sadly, not something that can be solved by the medical sciences. So while we still have a ways to go, scientists have done their very best. Now, it is up to those in power to ensure individuals have the necessary access
Scientists Discovered the First Animal That Doesn't Need Oxygen to Survive:
Research has upended the belief that all life needs oxygen to survive. Scientists discovered a jellyfish-like parasite that lives entirely without oxygen.
This tiny organism, Henneguya salminicola, has no mitochondrial genome, making it the first known multicellular organism to completely abandon oxygen as a source of energy.
Mitochondria, the powerhouse of most cells, use oxygen to create energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). However, this parasitic cnidarian, which lives inside salmon, has evolved differently. Instead of relying on oxygen, it has shed its mitochondrial genome, along with the machinery needed for respiration. How H. salminicola survives is still unclear, but it may be absorbing ATP directly from its host.
This discovery not only reshapes our understanding of life on Earth but could also influence the search for life beyond our planet. If complex life can survive without oxygen here, similar organisms could potentially exist in oxygen-free environments elsewhere in the universe. This breakthrough challenges assumptions and opens exciting possibilities for the study of life
Image credit: (Stephen Douglas Atkinson)
Research has upended the belief that all life needs oxygen to survive. Scientists discovered a jellyfish-like parasite that lives entirely without oxygen.
This tiny organism, Henneguya salminicola, has no mitochondrial genome, making it the first known multicellular organism to completely abandon oxygen as a source of energy.
Mitochondria, the powerhouse of most cells, use oxygen to create energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). However, this parasitic cnidarian, which lives inside salmon, has evolved differently. Instead of relying on oxygen, it has shed its mitochondrial genome, along with the machinery needed for respiration. How H. salminicola survives is still unclear, but it may be absorbing ATP directly from its host.
This discovery not only reshapes our understanding of life on Earth but could also influence the search for life beyond our planet. If complex life can survive without oxygen here, similar organisms could potentially exist in oxygen-free environments elsewhere in the universe. This breakthrough challenges assumptions and opens exciting possibilities for the study of life
Image credit: (Stephen Douglas Atkinson)
The First Evidence of the Multiverse:
Physcists believe they may have discovered the first evidence of the multiverse.
The multiverse theory suggests that our universe is just one of many branching and infinite universes. To find evidence for the multiverse, scientists examined the cosmic microwave background (CMBR), the light left over from the Big Bang.
Starting in 2004, they discovered four patches in the sky that could potentially hold evidence of these alternate universes. One such patch, called the "Cold Spot," is particularly intriguing. Initially thought to be a supervoid, an area with significantly fewer galaxies, researchers now believe it might be evidence of a collision between our universe and another bubble universe.
Specifically, the Cold Spot's unique temperature characteristics challenge the supervoid explanation, suggesting a possible collision with another bubble universe.
At the time, it was believed that this finding, if confirmed, could be the first direct evidence of the multiverse. The European Space Agency’s Planck mission confirmed its existence in 2014, and additional studies on the Cold Spot have since fueled the multiverse debate.
Researchers from the Royal Astronomical Society conducted a survey of 7,000 galactic redshifts. Redshifts occur when distant galaxies expand, stretching their light into longer wavelengths. The farther a galaxy is, the greater its redshift, enabling cosmologists to estimate galactic distances. Using this extensive dataset and spectrographic analysis, researchers found that no existing explanation for the Cold Spot aligns with standard redshift theories.
According to the Royal Astronomical Society, without a supervoid to explain the Cold Spot, simulations suggest there’s only a 1 in 50 chance that this phenomenon occurred by random chance.
"The voids we have detected cannot explain the Cold Spot under standard cosmology. There is the possibility that some non-standard model could be proposed to link the two in the future, but our data place powerful constraints on any attempt to do that," Ruari Mackenzie, from Durham University, said of the discovery.
While more evidence is needed to confirm the existence of the multiverse, this finding offers a tantalizing glimpse into the possibility of a universe far more complex and vast than we previously imagined.
The concept of the multiverse, once relegated to the realm of science fiction, is now at the forefront of scientific inquiry, with the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the cosmos.
Physcists believe they may have discovered the first evidence of the multiverse.
The multiverse theory suggests that our universe is just one of many branching and infinite universes. To find evidence for the multiverse, scientists examined the cosmic microwave background (CMBR), the light left over from the Big Bang.
Starting in 2004, they discovered four patches in the sky that could potentially hold evidence of these alternate universes. One such patch, called the "Cold Spot," is particularly intriguing. Initially thought to be a supervoid, an area with significantly fewer galaxies, researchers now believe it might be evidence of a collision between our universe and another bubble universe.
Specifically, the Cold Spot's unique temperature characteristics challenge the supervoid explanation, suggesting a possible collision with another bubble universe.
At the time, it was believed that this finding, if confirmed, could be the first direct evidence of the multiverse. The European Space Agency’s Planck mission confirmed its existence in 2014, and additional studies on the Cold Spot have since fueled the multiverse debate.
Researchers from the Royal Astronomical Society conducted a survey of 7,000 galactic redshifts. Redshifts occur when distant galaxies expand, stretching their light into longer wavelengths. The farther a galaxy is, the greater its redshift, enabling cosmologists to estimate galactic distances. Using this extensive dataset and spectrographic analysis, researchers found that no existing explanation for the Cold Spot aligns with standard redshift theories.
According to the Royal Astronomical Society, without a supervoid to explain the Cold Spot, simulations suggest there’s only a 1 in 50 chance that this phenomenon occurred by random chance.
"The voids we have detected cannot explain the Cold Spot under standard cosmology. There is the possibility that some non-standard model could be proposed to link the two in the future, but our data place powerful constraints on any attempt to do that," Ruari Mackenzie, from Durham University, said of the discovery.
While more evidence is needed to confirm the existence of the multiverse, this finding offers a tantalizing glimpse into the possibility of a universe far more complex and vast than we previously imagined.
The concept of the multiverse, once relegated to the realm of science fiction, is now at the forefront of scientific inquiry, with the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the cosmos.
BREAKING: Korean Scientists Developed a Technology to Turn Tumor Cells Back into Normal Cells
In a groundbreaking advancement in cancer treatment, researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have developed a method to transform colon cancer cells into normal-like cells, offering a safer alternative to traditional therapies.
Led by Professor Kwang-Hyun Cho from KAIST’s Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, this innovative approach avoids destroying cancer cells outright, reducing the risk of severe side effects and recurrence.
Using a computational "digital twin" model of gene networks, the researchers pinpointed molecular switches that regulate cell differentiation. By activating these master regulators, the team successfully reversed cancer cells into normal-like states in laboratory and animal trials.
This approach, termed “reversible cancer therapy,” could revolutionize oncology by addressing the root causes of cancer while minimizing collateral damage to healthy tissues.
Though the initial study focused on colon cancer, the technology has the potential to be adapted for other cancer types, offering hope for safer and more effective cancer treatments.
In a groundbreaking advancement in cancer treatment, researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have developed a method to transform colon cancer cells into normal-like cells, offering a safer alternative to traditional therapies.
Led by Professor Kwang-Hyun Cho from KAIST’s Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, this innovative approach avoids destroying cancer cells outright, reducing the risk of severe side effects and recurrence.
Using a computational "digital twin" model of gene networks, the researchers pinpointed molecular switches that regulate cell differentiation. By activating these master regulators, the team successfully reversed cancer cells into normal-like states in laboratory and animal trials.
This approach, termed “reversible cancer therapy,” could revolutionize oncology by addressing the root causes of cancer while minimizing collateral damage to healthy tissues.
Though the initial study focused on colon cancer, the technology has the potential to be adapted for other cancer types, offering hope for safer and more effective cancer treatments.
Physicists Say Asteroid 33 Polyhymnia May Contain Elements Outside The Periodic Table
A new study from physicists at The University of Arizona says that certain asteroids, including the exceptionally dense asteroid 33 Polyhymnia, may harbor elements beyond the current periodic table.
These Compact Ultradense Objects (CUDOs) have mass densities surpassing osmium, the densest stable known element, and could contain superheavy elements with atomic numbers far higher than those synthesized on Earth.
Using advanced modeling techniques like the relativistic Thomas-Fermi model, the researchers predict that elements near atomic number 164 could have mass densities between 36.0 and 68.4 g/cm³, potentially explaining the observed density of 33 Polyhymnia.
If stable enough, these elements might exist within asteroid cores, representing a significant leap in our understanding of atomic and nuclear stability. While still preliminary, this discovery excites scientists and space enthusiasts alike, hinting at the prospect of mining exotic materials from asteroids in our solar system.
Image: Osmium, the densest naturally-occurring stable element/Wikimedia
A new study from physicists at The University of Arizona says that certain asteroids, including the exceptionally dense asteroid 33 Polyhymnia, may harbor elements beyond the current periodic table.
These Compact Ultradense Objects (CUDOs) have mass densities surpassing osmium, the densest stable known element, and could contain superheavy elements with atomic numbers far higher than those synthesized on Earth.
Using advanced modeling techniques like the relativistic Thomas-Fermi model, the researchers predict that elements near atomic number 164 could have mass densities between 36.0 and 68.4 g/cm³, potentially explaining the observed density of 33 Polyhymnia.
If stable enough, these elements might exist within asteroid cores, representing a significant leap in our understanding of atomic and nuclear stability. While still preliminary, this discovery excites scientists and space enthusiasts alike, hinting at the prospect of mining exotic materials from asteroids in our solar system.
Image: Osmium, the densest naturally-occurring stable element/Wikimedia
"If I had a large quantum computer right now, I could essentially take over all the Bitcoin."
The rapid advancements in quantum computing are raising serious concerns about the security of blockchain technologies like Bitcoin.
For example, Google’s recent unveiling of its 105-qubit quantum chip, Willow, which performed a computation in under five minutes that would take a modern supercomputer an astonishing 10 septillion years, has reignited debates over the vulnerability of cryptocurrencies.
Now, a study from the University of Kent has precisely spelled out the risks posed by quantum computers to Bitcoin’s encryption. Researchers argue that a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could crack Bitcoin's SHA-256 encryption, potentially allowing hackers to seize control of the blockchain.
Coauthor and senior lecturer at the University of Kent Carlos Perez-Delgado stated, "If I had a large quantum computer right now, I could essentially take over all the Bitcoin....by tomorrow, I could be reading everybody’s email and getting into everybody’s computer accounts, and that’s just the fact."
Though experts agree this threat is not imminent — requiring millions of qubits, far beyond current technology — preparing for the "quantum future" remains vital.
Updating Bitcoin's encryption would be a massive undertaking due to its decentralized nature, potentially leading to significant downtime and losses. Despite the timeline uncertainty, the growing power of quantum computing underscores the need for proactive measures to protect cryptocurrencies and cybersecurity systems at large.
The rapid advancements in quantum computing are raising serious concerns about the security of blockchain technologies like Bitcoin.
For example, Google’s recent unveiling of its 105-qubit quantum chip, Willow, which performed a computation in under five minutes that would take a modern supercomputer an astonishing 10 septillion years, has reignited debates over the vulnerability of cryptocurrencies.
Now, a study from the University of Kent has precisely spelled out the risks posed by quantum computers to Bitcoin’s encryption. Researchers argue that a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could crack Bitcoin's SHA-256 encryption, potentially allowing hackers to seize control of the blockchain.
Coauthor and senior lecturer at the University of Kent Carlos Perez-Delgado stated, "If I had a large quantum computer right now, I could essentially take over all the Bitcoin....by tomorrow, I could be reading everybody’s email and getting into everybody’s computer accounts, and that’s just the fact."
Though experts agree this threat is not imminent — requiring millions of qubits, far beyond current technology — preparing for the "quantum future" remains vital.
Updating Bitcoin's encryption would be a massive undertaking due to its decentralized nature, potentially leading to significant downtime and losses. Despite the timeline uncertainty, the growing power of quantum computing underscores the need for proactive measures to protect cryptocurrencies and cybersecurity systems at large.
Godfather of AI Predicts Up to 20% Chance of Human Extinction Within the Next 30 Years:
Geoffrey Hinton, a prominent figure in artificial intelligence and recent Nobel Prize winner, has expressed growing concern about the potential for AI to cause human extinction. While he previously estimated a 10% chance of this happening, he now believes the likelihood is closer to 20% within the next 30 years. This shift in his assessment is driven by the unexpectedly rapid advancements in AI technology, surpassing even his own predictions. Hinton warns that humanity may face significant challenges in controlling AI systems that surpass human intelligence, likening the power dynamic to that of toddlers trying to manage adults. He emphasizes the urgent need for government regulation to ensure AI safety, arguing that relying solely on the profit motives of large companies developing these technologies will not be sufficient to prevent potentially catastrophic outcomes.
Hinton's concerns highlight a growing debate within the AI community about the existential risks posed by increasingly sophisticated AI systems. While many experts share his anxieties, others, such as Yann LeCun, the chief AI scientist at Meta, maintain a more optimistic outlook. LeCun downplays the potential for an AI apocalypse and suggests that AI could actually contribute to humanity's survival. This divergence in opinions underscores the complexities and uncertainties surrounding the future of AI and its impact on humanity. Despite these differing perspectives, Hinton's stature and contributions to the field lend significant weight to his warnings, prompting serious consideration of the potential risks associated with unchecked AI development.
Geoffrey Hinton, a prominent figure in artificial intelligence and recent Nobel Prize winner, has expressed growing concern about the potential for AI to cause human extinction. While he previously estimated a 10% chance of this happening, he now believes the likelihood is closer to 20% within the next 30 years. This shift in his assessment is driven by the unexpectedly rapid advancements in AI technology, surpassing even his own predictions. Hinton warns that humanity may face significant challenges in controlling AI systems that surpass human intelligence, likening the power dynamic to that of toddlers trying to manage adults. He emphasizes the urgent need for government regulation to ensure AI safety, arguing that relying solely on the profit motives of large companies developing these technologies will not be sufficient to prevent potentially catastrophic outcomes.
Hinton's concerns highlight a growing debate within the AI community about the existential risks posed by increasingly sophisticated AI systems. While many experts share his anxieties, others, such as Yann LeCun, the chief AI scientist at Meta, maintain a more optimistic outlook. LeCun downplays the potential for an AI apocalypse and suggests that AI could actually contribute to humanity's survival. This divergence in opinions underscores the complexities and uncertainties surrounding the future of AI and its impact on humanity. Despite these differing perspectives, Hinton's stature and contributions to the field lend significant weight to his warnings, prompting serious consideration of the potential risks associated with unchecked AI development.
Gunpowder was accidentally invented by 9th-century monks who were trying to create an elixir of immortality:
Gunpowder, a blend of saltpeter (potassium nitrate), sulfur, and charcoal, revolutionized human history with its capacity to burn rapidly and act as a powerful propellant. Its origins trace back to 9th-century China, where monks, in their pursuit of a life-extending elixir, accidentally discovered its incendiary potential.
Saltpeter, long used for medicinal purposes, became the cornerstone of gunpowder and was soon applied to warfare, drastically altering the dynamics of power and conflict.
The technology spread through Mongol conquests, reaching the Middle East by the 13th century. Traders and crusaders brought gunpowder knowledge to Europe, where its formula underwent significant refinement.
Early experiments with ingredient ratios, such as those by Sir Roger Bacon, culminated in the modern effective formula of 10:15:75 (sulfur, charcoal, saltpeter). The 14th-century innovation of “corned powder” — a dried paste ground into durable granules — enhanced safety, reliability, and usability, paving the way for advanced weaponry.
By the Early Modern Period, saltpeter became a coveted resource, sparking intense competition among European powers. This "commodity of empire" drove the establishment of trading companies in resource-rich regions like India, marking one of the earliest instances of global mobilization for a technological resource, akin to the 19th and 20th-century oil rushes.
Today, experts estimate that more than 250,000 people are killed by firearms each year.
Gunpowder, a blend of saltpeter (potassium nitrate), sulfur, and charcoal, revolutionized human history with its capacity to burn rapidly and act as a powerful propellant. Its origins trace back to 9th-century China, where monks, in their pursuit of a life-extending elixir, accidentally discovered its incendiary potential.
Saltpeter, long used for medicinal purposes, became the cornerstone of gunpowder and was soon applied to warfare, drastically altering the dynamics of power and conflict.
The technology spread through Mongol conquests, reaching the Middle East by the 13th century. Traders and crusaders brought gunpowder knowledge to Europe, where its formula underwent significant refinement.
Early experiments with ingredient ratios, such as those by Sir Roger Bacon, culminated in the modern effective formula of 10:15:75 (sulfur, charcoal, saltpeter). The 14th-century innovation of “corned powder” — a dried paste ground into durable granules — enhanced safety, reliability, and usability, paving the way for advanced weaponry.
By the Early Modern Period, saltpeter became a coveted resource, sparking intense competition among European powers. This "commodity of empire" drove the establishment of trading companies in resource-rich regions like India, marking one of the earliest instances of global mobilization for a technological resource, akin to the 19th and 20th-century oil rushes.
Today, experts estimate that more than 250,000 people are killed by firearms each year.
Scientists Found A Way To Turn Cancer Cells Back Into Normal Cells
Researchers in Korea have made a groundbreaking discovery in cancer treatment, potentially revolutionizing how we approach this complex disease. Instead of focusing on killing cancer cells, which often leads to harmful side effects, they have found a way to revert them back to a healthy state. Using a digital model of the gene network in normal cells, they identified key molecules that control cell differentiation, the process by which cells become specialized. By suppressing these molecules in colon cancer cells, they successfully transformed them back to a normal-like state, effectively eliminating the cancer threat without destroying any cellular material. This innovative approach was tested digitally, through molecular experiments, and in mice, with promising results. The researchers believe that this discovery opens up new possibilities for cancer therapy, where the goal is not just to kill cancer cells but to restore them to their original healthy function. This could lead to treatments with fewer side effects and improved outcomes for patients.
The team also used their digital modeling program to identify similar molecules in mouse brains, suggesting that this technique could be applied to other types of cancer as well. This breakthrough not only offers a new perspective on cancer treatment but also provides a powerful tool for understanding the complex processes involved in cell development and differentiation. The ability to manipulate these processes could have far-reaching implications for regenerative medicine and other fields. While the research is still in its early stages, it represents a significant step forward in the fight against cancer, offering hope for more effective and less harmful treatments in the future. The researchers are optimistic that their findings will pave the way for a new era of cancer therapy, where the focus is on restoring health rather than simply destroying disease. This approach could potentially transform the way we treat cancer, leading to better outcomes and improved quality of life for patients worldwide.
Study: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202402132
Researchers in Korea have made a groundbreaking discovery in cancer treatment, potentially revolutionizing how we approach this complex disease. Instead of focusing on killing cancer cells, which often leads to harmful side effects, they have found a way to revert them back to a healthy state. Using a digital model of the gene network in normal cells, they identified key molecules that control cell differentiation, the process by which cells become specialized. By suppressing these molecules in colon cancer cells, they successfully transformed them back to a normal-like state, effectively eliminating the cancer threat without destroying any cellular material. This innovative approach was tested digitally, through molecular experiments, and in mice, with promising results. The researchers believe that this discovery opens up new possibilities for cancer therapy, where the goal is not just to kill cancer cells but to restore them to their original healthy function. This could lead to treatments with fewer side effects and improved outcomes for patients.
The team also used their digital modeling program to identify similar molecules in mouse brains, suggesting that this technique could be applied to other types of cancer as well. This breakthrough not only offers a new perspective on cancer treatment but also provides a powerful tool for understanding the complex processes involved in cell development and differentiation. The ability to manipulate these processes could have far-reaching implications for regenerative medicine and other fields. While the research is still in its early stages, it represents a significant step forward in the fight against cancer, offering hope for more effective and less harmful treatments in the future. The researchers are optimistic that their findings will pave the way for a new era of cancer therapy, where the focus is on restoring health rather than simply destroying disease. This approach could potentially transform the way we treat cancer, leading to better outcomes and improved quality of life for patients worldwide.
Study: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202402132
Scientists say that something mysterious punched gigantic holes in parts of the Milky Way:
Something at least a million times the mass of the Sun tore through the Milky Way. This rules out ordinary stars, as it's just too massive.
And while a supermassive black hole could fit the profile, no such black hole has been detected in the area.
Ana Bonaca, an astronomer involved in the research, proposes an intriguing theory: the object could be a dense "bullet" of dark matter, an invisible and poorly understood substance thought to make up a significant portion of the universe.
However, it's too early to draw definitive conclusions. The research was presented to the American Physical Society.
Something at least a million times the mass of the Sun tore through the Milky Way. This rules out ordinary stars, as it's just too massive.
And while a supermassive black hole could fit the profile, no such black hole has been detected in the area.
Ana Bonaca, an astronomer involved in the research, proposes an intriguing theory: the object could be a dense "bullet" of dark matter, an invisible and poorly understood substance thought to make up a significant portion of the universe.
However, it's too early to draw definitive conclusions. The research was presented to the American Physical Society.
Astronomers Say They Found a Galaxy With Zero Stars:
The eerily empty object, called J0613+52, is located 270 million light-years from Earth.
Senior scientist of the Green Bank Observatory, Karen O’Neil, explained at the annual meeting of the American Astronomical Society earlier this year:
"The goal was to determine the gas and dynamic masses of these ultra-diffuse galaxies. To do this, we observed them from several instruments, and many of them more than once. The Green Bank Telescope was accidentally pointed to the wrong coordinates and found this object. It’s a galaxy made only out of gas … it has no visible stars."
Experts assert that, at the very least, it is a low-surface brightness galaxy (LSB). An LSB is significantly less bright than other glimmering objects that populate the night sky because the gasses it contains are so spread out that few stars are formed.
Astronomers think a deep optical image in multiple bands could uncover what's going on with this very strange galaxy.
The eerily empty object, called J0613+52, is located 270 million light-years from Earth.
Senior scientist of the Green Bank Observatory, Karen O’Neil, explained at the annual meeting of the American Astronomical Society earlier this year:
"The goal was to determine the gas and dynamic masses of these ultra-diffuse galaxies. To do this, we observed them from several instruments, and many of them more than once. The Green Bank Telescope was accidentally pointed to the wrong coordinates and found this object. It’s a galaxy made only out of gas … it has no visible stars."
Experts assert that, at the very least, it is a low-surface brightness galaxy (LSB). An LSB is significantly less bright than other glimmering objects that populate the night sky because the gasses it contains are so spread out that few stars are formed.
Astronomers think a deep optical image in multiple bands could uncover what's going on with this very strange galaxy.
Always demand evidence. And challenge your assumptions.
As George Bernard Shaw once said, “A learned man is an idler who kills time with study. Beware of his false knowledge: it is more dangerous than ignorance. Activity is the only road to knowledge.”
As George Bernard Shaw once said, “A learned man is an idler who kills time with study. Beware of his false knowledge: it is more dangerous than ignorance. Activity is the only road to knowledge.”
/image%2F7060018%2F20241229%2Fob_d93517_thca1ab197.jpg)
/image%2F0000263%2F20211026%2Fob_06ddfc_le-calendrier-du-cm-novembre.png)
/image%2F7060018%2F20251001%2Fob_d9d090_images-6.jpg)
/image%2F7060018%2F20250928%2Fob_c10c0e_images-4.jpg)
/image%2F8222424%2F20241105%2Fob_da99df_15.jpg)