Colossal Biosciences, a biotech company based in the US planning to bring extinct animals including the woolly mammoth back from extinction, has just passed a major technical milestone in their de-extinction project.
Experts at the organisation have developed an elephant ‘induced pluripotent stem cell’ or IPSC; a single cell that can breed or propagate indefinitely, which can help to produce any other cell in the body.
Eriona Hysolli, Colossal’s head of biological sciences, and Professor George Church tell Tech & Science Daily how they plan to use these cells to bring the woolly mammoth back from extinction.
Researchers in Scotland have identified a “switch” that plays a role in controlling anxiety in both humans and mice.
It’s a section of DNA which “switches” on key genes in parts of the brain, and experts at the University of Aberdeen discovered that removal of the “switch” increased anxiety in mice.
They said genes have to be switched on in the right cells and at the right times to ensure good health and when they’re not turned on correctly, it can contribute to conditions like anxiety, depression and addiction.
They hope, with more research into this “switch”, they could identify a new target for drugs to help improve the lives of anxiety patients.
A new paper, published in Space Policy, is advising the space tourism industry to provide better warnings about space weather radiation risks from the sun to future passengers and crew.
The Earth’s atmosphere and magnetic field protect us on the ground but there can be dramatic increases in potential radiation exposure at higher altitudes
Chris Rees, lead author of the paper, and space weather expert at the University of Surrey tells Tech & Science Daily about the extreme levels of radiation people travelling to space can experience.
Police drones will soon be the first on the scene of an emergency in the UK, thanks to funding announced in Wednesday’s budget.
Plans were set out for £230 million to support new technology that also includes increased use of video calls.
The first tests are due to be carried out in Norfolk in the coming months, and if they’re successful, the devices will be stationed on buildings and operated remotely to be sent first to scenes to give police early information.
Also in this episode:
World’s oceans reach record temperatures, scientists say February 2024 was warmest on record globally, and bumblebees ‘teach others to solve puzzles that are too complex to learn alone’.
Listen above, find us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you stream your podcasts.
