Public concern about air pollution has traditionally centred on chemical pollutants such as vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions found in fine particulate matter (PM2.5). However, researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have discovered that seemingly insignificant microbial components in the air, including bacteria, fungi, viruses and cellular debris, pose a long-overlooked health hazard. The research revealed that, although accounting for less than one-millionth of the total mass of PM2.5, bacterial endotoxins can trigger inflammatory responses in the human respiratory system in nearly 20% of cases. The research team also detected drug-resistant fungi in urban air, raising further public health concerns.

Insilico Medicine announced LabClaw, an intelligent laboratory operating system designed to enable autonomous coordination across AI-driven drug discovery workflows. Integrated with the company’s automated LifeStar2 laboratory, the system combines AI-based decision-making, robotic execution, and human oversight within a unified framework.

LabClaw connects target identification, experimental design, automated execution, and data analysis into a closed-loop process supported by multiple specialized AI agents. The platform also incorporates human-in-the-loop validation at key steps to ensure scientific and regulatory oversight.

The system is designed to address limitations of existing laboratory automation, including rigid workflows, fragmented data integration, and high coordination demands. By enabling natural language-driven experimental design and real-time data feedback, LabClaw supports more flexible and scalable research operations.

The development represents a step toward fully integrated, AI-enabled laboratory systems that link computational prediction with experimental validation to accelerate drug discovery.

Nature-based group activities can reduce loneliness, improve sleep and cognition, and increase a sense of connection to nature in older adults living in care homes.