SCI's Daily Digest: your one-stop shop for all of the day's news in science based industry
In today's Daily Digest, a UK startup is developing technology to build a pharmaceutical production facility in space, the UK's Parliament has issued new laws around the safety of self-drive vehicles, and more.
Innovation
The UK’s Parliamentary Science, Innovation and Technology Committee has said that following last week’s AI Safety Summit, convened by the UK government, which underlined the need for global action to ensure the safe development of AI, the King’s Speech was notable for the lack of AI specific legislative proposals.
BioOrbit, a UK startup, is developing technology to build a pharmaceutical production facility in space, for the manufacture of antibody cancer treatments. The company says their plan could help address the time consuming and invasive intravenous infusions that cancer patients must undergo at hospital.
The University of Birmingham is investing in a new Molecular Sciences building which will provide a designated hub for the school of chemistry and other faculties. Due to be completed during 2024, it will strengthen core research capabilities in the chemical, environmental and biomolecular sciences.
Environment
The European Parliament’s Environment Committee has adopted a resolution calling for action in view of the upcoming COP28 meeting. The upcoming event will mark the first global stocktake under the Paris Agreement and is said to be a ‘key moment to boost global ambition on climate action and support.’
A report from the European Environment Agency (EEA) stresses that there is an urgent need to prioritise biomass uses due to different roles foreseen for biomass in the European Green Deal and the possibility of biomass shortage in the future.
The EEA has released a briefing that looks at challenges and identifies investments in clean technology and green industry needed to ensure the ongoing implementation of the European Unions Green Deal.
A report from the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders is calling on governments and business to make further cuts in carbon emission to meet target set by the Paris Agreement. The Alliance said that global emissions are currently rising by 1.5% each year, and they must fall by 7% each year to 2030 if the goals of the Agreement are to be met.
Health
The WHO has released a guide on the use of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) as a tool to strengthen foodborne disease surveillance and response. The guide is split into three modules and provides guidance on capacities needed for WGS to be useful as a tool for surveillance.
According to a report from UNEP governments around the world plan to produce 110% more fossil fuels in 2030 than would be consistent with limiting warming to 1.5OC. UNEP says that this conclusion comes despite 151 national governments having pledged to achieve net-zero emissions. When combined, government plans would lead to an increase in coal production until 2030 and in global oil and gas production until at least 2050.
Scientists from the US and Australia are collaborating to develop a safe and effective vaccine against African swine fever, a pandemic which is severely impacting the global swine industry. The partners are evaluating a novel DNA vaccine candidate.
Other news
The UK’s Parliament has issued new laws around the safety of self-drive vehicles. The laws are aimed at positioning the UK as a world leader in the $42 billion industry, which could create 38 000 new jobs.
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