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10.05.2023
THEME: ENVIRONMENT

Cold-Climate Microbes: A New Hope for Biodegradable Plastic Breakdown

The world produced a staggering 367 megatons of plastic in 2020, making the search for innovative and eco-friendly solutions to tackle plastic waste crucial. A recent study published in Frontiers in Microbiology discovered cold-adapted microbial strains from alpine and Arctic plastisphere environments capable of degrading biodegradable plastics at 15°C. This breakthrough could revolutionize recycling processes, reduce pollution and costs associated with conventional methods, and help preserve polymer quality.

Researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute WSL, led by Dr. Joel Rüthi, isolated 34 microbial strains from Greenland, Svalbard, and Switzerland. While none of the strains could break down conventional polyethylene (PE), 19 strains showed the ability to degrade dispersed polyester-polyurethane (PUR), 12 strains degraded ecovio®, and 5 strains degraded BI-OPL. The most promising strains were Neodevriesia and Lachnellula, which degraded all tested biodegradable plastic materials.

The microbial plastic degradation process was found to be influenced by the composition of the culturing medium, with different strains having different optimal conditions. Current industrial-scale enzymes used for plastic biodegradation work at temperatures above 30°C, making them costly and not carbon-neutral. However, the newly discovered microbes can digest plastic at lower temperatures, around 15°C, likely due to their ability to digest plant polymers.

The next challenge for scientists is to identify and optimize the plastic-degrading enzymes produced by these cold-adapted microbial strains. Researchers have not yet found the best temperature for using these microbes, but they seem to work well between 4°C and 20°C. Future research will focus on optimizing the process and modifying enzymes for protein stability.

In conclusion, the discovery of cold-adapted microbes capable of degrading biodegradable plastics at lower temperatures offers a promising new approach to tackling the global plastic waste problem. These Arctic and alpine strains could potentially reduce pollution and recycling costs while providing a more eco-friendly alternative to conventional recycling methods. As researchers continue to explore and optimize the potential of these microbes, we may be one step closer to a future where plastic waste is more efficiently managed and our environment is better protected.

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09.05.2023
THEME: HEALTH

Eli Lilly's Donanemab Shows Promise in Slowing Alzheimer's Decline

Eli Lilly's experimental drug donanemab has demonstrated positive results in slowing cognitive and functional decline in early-stage Alzheimer's patients, marking a significant breakthrough in the treatment of the disease. The TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2 Phase 3 study revealed that donanemab slowed decline by 35% over 18 months using the integrated Alzheimer's Disease Rating Scale (iADRS) measure. The company aims to file for FDA approval by the end of June, with potential approval by H1 2023.

Alzheimer's disease affects over 6 million Americans, with an estimated 1.7 million to 2 million people over 65 in early stages. Drug development for Alzheimer's has seen numerous failures, but Lilly's drug is among a new group, including Eisai and Biogen's Leqembi, which received accelerated FDA approval in January, showing promise in treatment.

Donanemab works by removing amyloid plaque buildups in the brain, believed to be responsible for Alzheimer's progression. Administered by infusion once a month, 52% of trial patients were able to stop taking the medicine by one year, and 72% by a year and a half. Researchers observed a 35% slowing in cognitive and functional decline in the group with intermediate levels of tau, a brain protein. When combined with the group with higher levels of tau, the figure was 22%.

The late-stage trial, involving 1,182 participants, showed that 50% of patients who received donanemab experienced no worsening of Alzheimer's symptoms after a year, while 71% of patients on placebo saw disease progression. However, side effects include brain swelling or abnormalities, with at least two deaths linked. More data is needed to determine if donanemab is truly different from Leqembi in terms of benefits and risks.

Leqembi is not currently covered by Medicare, but full FDA approval could change this as early as July. The potential pricing for donanemab has not been discussed before approval. If approved, donanemab could generate $7.5 billion a year for Lilly at its peak.

Eli Lilly's Q1 revenue dropped 11% due to declining sales of its coronavirus antibody treatment. However, the success of donanemab could mark a turning point for the company and bring hope to millions of Alzheimer's patients worldwide. The full results of the TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2 study will be presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in July, providing further insight into this promising new treatment option.

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09.05.2023
THEME: TECHNOLOGY

A Glassy Discovery: Chang'e-5 Lunar Soil Samples Unveil Material for Future Lunar Bases

China's Chang'e-5 mission has led to a groundbreaking discovery in lunar soil samples, unveiling the potential for revolutionizing future lunar base construction. Researchers from the Institute of Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have found natural fiberglass, a first of its kind, in the samples collected on May, 2023. This glass material is formed from lunar soil's excellent molding properties and comes in various types, such as spherical, ellipsoidal, and dumbbell-shaped glass beads, colloidal items with porous structure, and sputtering material in fluid form. The origin of these glass materials is believed to be the result of mineral melting and rapid cooling due to frequent meteorite impacts on the lunar surface.

This discovery is important for understanding the formation and evolution of lunar soil, as well as recording multi-scale meteorite impacts. Different shapes of the glass materials reflect the impact intensity of meteorites, according to Zhao Rui, a researcher from the Institute of Physics. Natural fiberglass, for instance, has a higher length-to-diameter ratio and is formed under lower temperature and speed during meteorite impacts, while glass beads have a lower length-to-diameter ratio, reflecting more intense meteorite impacts.

In the meantime China's Shenzhou-14 spaceship, launched on June 5, 2022, landed at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center after 276 days in orbit, marking a milestone in China's efforts to develop a fully reusable space transportation system. Although Chinese authorities have not disclosed details or images of the craft, it has been compared to the US Air Force's X-37B autonomous Boeing space plane. Space expert Song Zhongping believes that the maturing reusable spacecraft technology will reduce costs and allow for more complicated missions, with the Long March-2F carrier rocket potentially being used in future manned missions.

With a payload launching capability similar to the X-37B, weighing around 8 tons, the latest test was the longest, most complicated, and most challenging, surpassing the US' X-37B's 224 days in orbit. Health monitoring of the power system and service life assessment have been listed as major scientific problems for 2023 space development. The reusable spacecraft can land horizontally, making it safer for the crew and opening up possibilities for applications in suborbital or space tourism and fast point-to-point transportation.

The discovery of natural fiberglass in lunar soil samples presents an exciting opportunity for future lunar base construction, while China's advancements in reusable spacecraft technology pave the way for more efficient and cost-effective space missions. These findings underscore the importance of international collaboration and the sharing of knowledge for the betterment of humankind.

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09.05.2023
THEME: WORLD

Escalating Tensions and Violence: Israeli Airstrikes, Rocket Attacks, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque Crisis

The deadliest Israeli airstrike since August 2021 has resulted in 13 Palestinian casualties, including three Islamic Jihad commanders, eight women, and children, with 20 people injured. Israel launched this operation targeting militants posing an imminent threat to its citizens, prompting the Islamic Jihad to vow revenge and Israel to prepare for days of fighting. Early Tuesday morning, 40 Israeli warplanes and helicopters attacked across Gaza, killing four children and four women, among others.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) struck ten sites used for weapon manufacturing and six Islamic Jihad military facilities. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh warned that assassinating leaders would only lead to more resistance. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) is the largest militant group in Gaza next to Hamas and is responsible for many rocket attacks on Israel.

Tensions between Jewish and Muslim worshippers escalated at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on April 9, 2023, when thousands of Jewish worshippers gathered at the Western Wall for Passover, while Palestinians performed prayers for Ramadan. Palestinians protested the presence of Jewish visitors at the Al-Aqsa compound, fearing Israeli intentions to take over the site. The situation escalated after an Israeli police raid on the mosque, leading to violence and rocket fire from Palestinian militants.

In response, Israeli airstrikes targeted the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon. Hezbollah's chief, Hassan Nasrallah, met with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh to discuss developments and escalating resistance. Militants in Syria fired rockets towards Israel and the Golan Heights, with Israel responding with artillery fire and airstrikes on Syrian army sites. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for an end to hostilities in a phone call with Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog.

Over the weekend, three people were killed in Palestinian attacks in Israel and the occupied West Bank. Israel conducted airstrikes in Gaza after Palestinian factions fired rockets across the border following Khader Adnan's death. Adnan, a political leader within the Islamic Jihad, died after an 87-day hunger strike in Israeli custody, which Palestinian leaders described as an assassination.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with security officials to assess the situation. Mustafa Barghouti, general secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative (PNI), called Adnan's death an "ugly assassination." The number of Palestinian administrative detainees has risen to over 1,000 in the past year, the highest number in two decades. Israeli rights group B'Tselem described Adnan's hunger strike as a non-violent protest against the injustices of the occupation.

In recent weeks, tensions between Israelis and Palestinians have soared, with rocket attacks from Gaza and Lebanon and Israeli airstrikes in response. Jewish-Muslim tensions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque have further fueled the conflict, with thousands of Jewish worshippers gathering at the Western Wall for Passover and Palestinians performing prayers for Ramadan.

As the situation continues to escalate, international leaders call for an end to hostilities and a peaceful resolution. However, with the ongoing rocket attacks, airstrikes, and tensions surrounding the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the path to peace remains uncertain.

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