NEURALINK APPROVED FOR CLINICAL STUDY WITH ROBOTIC ARM

Neuralink has received approval for a new clinical study, CONVOY, to test its brain-computer interface chip with a robotic arm. The study will allow patients from its PRIME safety trial, who are severely paralyzed due to cervical spinal cord injuries or ALS, to participate. This marks a significant step toward restoring both digital and physical freedom for patients. Neuralink’s wireless N1 chip, which has already been successfully implanted in human patients, has allowed users to control a computer game and music programs with their minds. However, the company reported issues with electrode retraction in its first patient, affecting data recording. Despite this, a software update improved the system’s sensitivity to movement commands. Additionally, Neuralink has gained approval from Health Canada for a safety and feasibility study, expanding its research efforts. Elon Musk has also suggested integrating the chip with Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot in the future. (Fierce Biotech)

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DIABETES SURVIVOR INSPIRES ADVOCACY FOR HALTING BIOLOGICAL CLOCKS

Elizabeth Hughes Gossett, diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1918 at age 11, was expected to live only months due to the lack of treatment. She underwent a radical starvation treatment to prolong her life, surviving until 1922 when insulin became available. This treatment, which extended her life into her 70s, inspired Dr. Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston’s advocacy for halting biological clocks to give terminal patients a chance at future medical advancements, possibly even immortality. Zeleznikow-Johnston’s book The Future Loves You explores the potential of brain preservation, a process he believes could be the key to “pressing pause” on death. He suggests preserving our identities by fixing the brain’s structure and waiting for technology to advance enough to restore life. Current techniques like cryopreservation are limited, but alternatives like aldehyde-stabilized cryopreservation show promise. Zeleznikow-Johnston argues that medical breakthroughs could offer solutions to death, challenging the inevitability of mortality. (The Guardian)

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BOSTON SCIENTISTS REPROGRAM STEM CELLS TO STUDY LONGEVITY

Scientists in Boston have reprogrammed stem cells from the blood of centenarians to study factors contributing to long, healthy lives. The goal is to create a cell bank that can be shared with researchers to gain insights into longevity and brain aging. Centenarians are thought to possess a unique genetic makeup that helps them recover from injuries and resist diseases, but studying them is challenging due to their rarity. Researchers isolated blood cells from 30 centenarians and reverted them to a pluripotent state, allowing them to study aging-related genetic factors. Early experiments have shown that neurons derived from centenarians exhibit enhanced protein quality control under stress, potentially protecting against diseases like Alzheimer’s. Researchers have also developed 3D brain models of Alzheimer’s using centenarian-derived cells, which show high levels of protective genes. Future studies aim to create other cell types related to aging, such as liver, muscle, and gut cells. (Nature)

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ICJ HEARS LANDMARK CLIMATE CHANGE CASE BY ISLAND NATIONS

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) recently began hearings on a landmark climate change case, the largest in its history, involving small island nations that fear their survival is at risk due to climate change. The case, initiated by Vanuatu and other island nations, calls for major polluting countries to be held accountable for their contributions to the climate crisis. The ICJ will provide non-binding advice on the obligations of states to prevent significant environmental harm, reduce emissions, and assist vulnerable nations. Rising sea levels and global warming threaten many Pacific islands, which have already seen sea levels rise by over 4 cm in recent years. The case highlights the urgent need for legal action, with major polluters, including China, India, and the U.S., blamed for the crisis. While the ICJ’s ruling won’t directly force action, it could set a powerful legal precedent, influencing future lawsuits and international climate policies. (AP)

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NEW STUDY CHALLENGES GAIA HYPOTHESIS ON LIFE’S RESILIENCE

The Gaia hypothesis, introduced in the 1970s, posits that Earth functions as a self-regulating organism, where life and the environment interact to maintain conditions conducive to life. A new study challenges the idea that large-scale disruptions, like climate change, are inherently self-destructive to life. Using a computer model, researchers simulated perturbations to modeled worlds, finding that such events could increase the complexity of ecosystems by fostering higher diversity and stronger life forms in the long term. The study suggests that, like Earth’s Great Oxidation Event, upheavals can create opportunities for more complex life to emerge. This contrasts with the Medea hypothesis, which argues life is self-destructive. The findings also have implications for the search for extraterrestrial life, suggesting that planets experiencing perturbations may be more likely to develop complex ecosystems. However, experts caution that much more research is needed before these ideas can inform the search for life beyond Earth. (Live Science)

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RARE MALE SPADE-TOOTHED WHALE WASHES ASHORE IN NEW ZEALAND

A rare male spade-toothed whale, never before seen alive, washed ashore in Otago, New Zealand, on July 4, 2024. The 5-meter whale, identified as part of the beaked whale family, was discovered by locals near Taieri Mouth. Known for being deep-sea mammals, spade-toothed whales are one of the least understood species, with only six documented specimens, all deceased. This whale’s rarity makes it a significant find for conservation and research. The Department of Conservation (DOC) is working with the local council and the Otago Museum to decide how to preserve the whale, with genetic samples being sent to the University of Auckland for analysis. Māori traditions will also be considered in the preservation process. The whale’s remains are in cold storage as further steps are determined. New Zealand, where most spade-toothed whale findings have occurred, is a leader in whale rescue efforts. (ABC)

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BRAIN ROT NAMED OXFORD DICTIONARIES’ WORD OF YEAR

“Brain rot” has been named Oxford Dictionaries’ word of the year for 2024, reflecting a growing concern about the impact of consuming trivial or unchallenging content, especially online. The term saw a 230% increase in usage from the previous year. Defined as the deterioration of one’s mental state due to overconsumption of such material, “brain rot” has gained prominence in the cultural conversation about the effects of virtual life. It was first used by Henry David Thoreau in his 1854 book Walden, but its modern usage speaks to how technology and digital content consumption are shaping our intellectual lives. The word was selected through a combination of public voting and analysis by Oxford lexicographers, beating out finalists like “demure” and “romantasy.” Last year, the word of the year was “rizz,” related to charisma. Collins Dictionary’s word of the year for 2024 is “brat,” linked to the summer album culture. (AP)

Thanks for reading. Let’s be careful out there.

WORDS: The Biology Guy.

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