Retrofitting a ‘living wall’ to a 1970s masonry cavity walled building can reduce heat loss through the structure by over 30%, according to a new study (Building & Env., doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108491).
UK-based R&D company Pulsar Fusion has successfully tested its first high-powered chemical rocket engine in the UK and Switzerland. But the UK company’s ambition stretches further – to develop a propulsion engine based on nuclear fusion capable of going to Mars.
Hong Kong-based Insilico Medicine has announced a first-in-human microdose trial of ISM001-055, a drug candidate for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
Antivirals offer another promising route to reduce Covid risks, alongside vaccination. When administered within three days of Covid-19 symptoms appearing, the Pfizer antiviral Paxlovid cut the risk of hospitalisation or death by 89%, the company has reported in interim results.
German and UK researchers are pioneering a new approach to treating Alzheimer’s disease (AD) using an engineered form of a protein associated with the disease. It could potentially be used both as a treatment and a vaccine.
There are no easy replacements for kerosene jet fuel. Yet aviation contributes more than 2% of global carbon emissions and this figure is increasing. Shipping adds another 2-3%.
Much emphasis is put on electric vehicle (EV) battery cells – and rightly so. However, EVs present a range of other opportunities. Cells are assembled into a pack containing a plethora of materials and components, including thermal interface materials (TIMs), fire safety, enclosures, insulation and compression foams.
Researchers are making advances in genetically engineering bacteria to detect important biological signalling molecules in our gut. Their aim is to adjust levels of important neurochemicals by synthesis or degradation.