Advanced Space Contact Lenses: 'Super-vision' and Bacterial Exploration in Space
In the realm of scientific advancements this week, a series of intriguing discoveries and developments have emerged.
Firstly, Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an advanced stage of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. This unfortunate revelation has cast a somber tone over the week's news.
In a more disturbing turn of events, researchers have found that hospital superbugs are thriving in sterile environments due to their ability to feed on medical plastic.
However, it is the microbes from outer space that are causing a stir. A swab analysis conducted on China's Tiangong Space Station has revealed the presence of a never-before-seen bacterium on Earth. Named Niallia tiangongensis after the space station, this microbe is a variant of a soil-dwelling species associated with sepsis. Yet, during its time in space, it underwent significant adaptations that could prove invaluable for future space exploration endeavors.
Moving on, archaeologists in Southeast Asia have discovered bones similar to those of Homo erectus, our early human ancestors, on the sea floor. Approximately 140,000-year-old fossils were found among over 6,000 unearthed in the Madura Strait, Indonesia. Homo erectus, the first human species with human-like body proportions, is believed to be the first to leave Africa and these new fossils are offering fascinating insights into our early ancestors and their evolution.
In another evolutionary biology discovery, scientists have found that elephants' massive ears help regulate their body temperature, not just provide visual cues, as was previously thought. Moreover, they are the largest ears in the animal kingdom, reaching up to 6.6 feet in length and 4 feet in width.
In an exciting development, scientists have developed night-vision contact lenses that could provide 'super-vision' by allowing wearers to see in the dark. These lenses use nanoparticles to absorb infrared light and convert it into visible light, enabling wearers to detect and locate flickering infrared light sources.
Meanwhile, Colossal Biosciences' claim of successfully bringing back dire wolves from extinction using genetic engineering has faced scrutiny from experts, who suggest that the pups are merely genetically modified gray wolves with a few dire wolf traits.
Lastly, a Chinese rocket left a luminous streak across multiple U.S. states after releasing satellites into orbit, providing a spectacular night-time spectacle for those who saw it. The streak was the result of a fuel dump before re-entry.
As always, the world of science continues to surprise us with its array of fascinating discoveries, quirky developments, and mind-boggling revelations. Stay tuned for more updates!
- The health-and-wellness news this week was overshadowed by Former President Joe Biden's diagnosis of an advanced stage of prostate cancer.
- Worryingly, studies show that hospital superbugs have started thriving in sterile environments, feeding on medical plastics.
- Intriguingly, the space-and-astronomy sector has identified a new bacterium, Niallia tiangongensis, on Earth after swab analysis on China's Tiangong Space Station.
- Exciting technological advancements are underway, such as the creation of night-vision contact lenses, which could soon allow people to see in the dark.
