Researchers tested new nanoink and printing technologies on the "roller coaster" of NASA microgravity flights. They demonstrated that electronic circuits can be printed in zero gravity. That could lead to astronauts printing electric circuits for spacecraft and equipment repairs. The technologies could also lead to manufacturing high-value electronics in the special environment of space.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov 21, 2024 --- Insilico Medicine (“Insilico”), a clinical-stage generative artificial intelligence (AI)-driven drug discovery company, announced that it has received IND clearance from FDA for ISM5939, a potential best-in-class oral small molecule inhibitor targeting ENPP1 for the treatment of solid tumors. The achievement marks the 10th AI-driven molecule self-developed by Insilico to be recognized with clearance to enter clinical trials. 

A surgical team at NYU Langone Health has performed the first fully robotic double lung transplant in the world. The procedure marks a breakthrough in the potential of robotic surgery and minimally invasive patient care, making NYU Langone the new leader in robotic transplant surgery around the globe.

The European Research Council (ERC) is funding the ATHENS research project headed by professors Christian Koos and Stefan Bräse of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) with a Synergy Grant. The project’s objective is to improve the performance and energy efficiency of optical communications systems. Given growing demand for the transmission of large volumes of data by artificial intelligence (AI) applications, such improvements are especially relevant. The ERC is funding ATHENS for six years with EUR 14 million. One location where work on the project will be performed is the Karlsruhe Center for Optics and Photonics (KCOP), which is set to open in 2025.

Universidad Carlos III de Madrid  (UC3M) is part of the European scientific project SUSTAIN-6G, which will assess and explore sustainable technologies, methods, and use cases for 6G communications technology, addressing environmental, economic, and social needs. This R&D consortium, coordinated by Nokia, will work on solutions for three specific areas of sustainable development: smart grids, e-health and telemedicine, and agriculture.

Animal models expressing loss-of-function mutations in mitochondrial DNA enable the investigation of mitochondrial gene function and related disorders. In a recent study, scientists from Korea University described the impact of a mitochondrial ND5 gene mutation on the brain and body. These mice exhibited structural abnormalities in the brain, learning and memory impairments, a predisposition to obesity, and thermogenetic disorders. This model has the potential to accelerate the development of therapeutics for neurodegenerative disorders and metabolic disorders.

Chlorophyll (a naturally occurring pigment involved in photosynthesis)-inspired molecules hold promise for developing next-generation light-harvesting materials. However, achieving precise control over their assembly is challenging. Researchers have now revealed that attaching dendrons—branched, tree-like structures—can aid in self-assembly of chlorophyll’s materials. They found that smaller dendrons lead to stacked, fiber-like structures, while larger dendrons create spherical chlorophyll particles, advancing the development of materials that mimic the light-harvesting efficiency of natural photosynthetic systems.