Martin Butler, Democratic Republic of the (2025)

06/07/2025

China's maglev cargo pods now float at 600 km/h — and they just built a full-scale track

China has unveiled the world’s first full-scale prototype of a magnetic levitation cargo transport pod, capable of reaching speeds up to 600 km/h — faster than most airplanes. Unlike passenger maglev trains, this system is designed purely for high-speed freight, and it's already being tested on a new 35-kilometer track in Sichuan province.

The pods float on superconducting magnets that eliminate friction entirely, allowing ultra-smooth acceleration. Since there’s no physical contact with rails, there's also no mechanical wear, meaning drastically lower maintenance. Each pod is fully automated and carries goods inside sealed compartments, ideal for perishable, urgent, or high-value cargo.

The goal: overnight delivery between cities up to 1,000 kilometers apart, all while using less energy than air or road transport. Once operational, this system could replace hundreds of thousands of trucks and short-haul flights, cutting both traffic and emissions dramatically.

China’s State Rail Group believes this tech could integrate with smart logistics hubs and AI-routing systems. Factories could load goods straight into maglev pods that launch autonomously at high speed. At the destination hub, robotic arms unload them without stopping the system.

This isn't just a new kind of train. It’s the future of freight — silent, fast, clean, and fully autonomous. And it's already on track.

06/07/2025

Mexico Develops 3D-Printed Coral to Restore Dying Reefs

Mexican marine scientists have developed biodegradable 3D-printed coral structures to help restore rapidly dying reefs along the Yucatán coast. These coral “scaffolds” mimic the shape and texture of real coral and are infused with nutrients to attract marine life.

Once deployed underwater, fish and invertebrates begin to colonize them, and real coral begins growing on top. The structures are made of calcium carbonate and chitosan — safe for the ocean and fully biodegradable.

Early trials show a 300% increase in biodiversity after just six months.

06/07/2025

Germany Unveils the World’s First Ammonia-Powered Tractor — A Zero-Carbon Revolution for Farming

On a windswept test field near Stuttgart, German engineers have introduced a game-changing leap in sustainable agriculture: the world’s first ammonia-powered farming tractor. Designed to eliminate carbon emissions without depending on lithium batteries, this innovation offers a powerful new path for farms aiming to decarbonize — especially in remote or infrastructure-poor regions.

Developed through a partnership between the Fraunhofer Institute and agricultural machinery leader Claas Group, the tractor operates using a modified internal combustion engine engineered to burn ammonia — a dense, hydrogen-rich fuel. But unlike traditional fuels, ammonia releases no carbon when combusted. Instead, it produces only water v***r and nitrogen — the primary component of our atmosphere.

At the heart of the system is an onboard ammonia cracker, which converts ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen just before combustion. This approach ensures a cleaner burn and drastically reduces harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx), traditionally a concern with ammonia-based systems. The engine delivers torque and range on par with diesel, but without the environmental toll.

Ammonia is stored in robust, high-pressure tanks mounted on the rear axle of the tractor — built to endure the vibration and stress of field operations. These tanks can be refueled in under five minutes, a major advantage over long battery charging cycles. In recent trials, the tractor successfully plowed over 50 hectares on a single tank, matching the endurance of diesel-powered machines.

What makes this system even more groundbreaking is its modularity. The engine retrofit can be applied to existing tractors with minimal adjustments — no need for costly replacements. And the ammonia fuel itself is produced locally using green hydrogen from wind-powered electrolysis combined with nitrogen extracted from air, making the entire fuel cycle renewable and carbon-free.

Germany’s approach bypasses the challenges of electric infrastructure in rural zones and avoids the mining and recycling issues tied to lithium-ion batteries. Instead, it harnesses the chemistry of hydrogen — stored safely and efficiently in the form of ammonia — to deliver high-power performance with net-zero emissions.

This development marks a bold step toward future-proofing agriculture. By blending clean chemistry with existing mechanical systems, Germany is proving that the future of heavy-duty farming doesn't have to rely on batteries or carbon — just smart engineering and renewable molecules.

05/07/2025

China’s Living Power Plants: Bioengineered Rice Now Grows Electricity from the Soil

In a cutting-edge agricultural facility near Chengdu, Chinese scientists have unveiled a breakthrough that could reshape the way we think about farming and energy. Researchers have developed a genetically modified rice plant that can produce electricity directly from the soil — all while continuing to grow normally. This innovation is the world’s first living crop capable of harvesting energy through its roots without needing external power sources or harming the plant’s health.

At the core of this bio-electronic achievement is a refined mimicry of microbial fuel cells — systems that harness electricity from soil-dwelling microbes. But instead of external setups, the plant itself becomes the generator. By modifying its root chemistry, scientists increased the production of certain exudates — the natural chemicals roots release — to enhance interaction with electro-active microbes in the soil. This results in a significant rise in electron flow, which is then captured through a delicate nanomesh film embedded at the base of the plant.

Each plant can consistently generate around 0.5 volts — a small but steady current. That’s enough to power micro-sensors monitoring soil nutrients, transmit moisture data wirelessly, or even charge tiny batteries. Unlike solar or wind, this system works day and night, in any weather, continuously and reliably.

What makes this approach so revolutionary is its simplicity and scalability. There are no spinning turbines or photovoltaic cells — just living plants interacting with natural soil microbes. Fields of rice could soon become dual-purpose zones: harvesting food and low-voltage electricity at the same time. Imagine rice paddies that charge irrigation controllers, power autonomous drones, or maintain weather stations — all from the crops themselves.

Even more promising, the system is entirely self-sustaining. It requires no chemical additives or fuel. Just water, soil, and the natural rhythms of microbial life. Tests show the plants remain healthy, and some even grow better due to increased microbial activity near their roots. The energy system is non-invasive, eco-friendly, and remarkably efficient.

China’s Ministry of Agriculture is now rolling out field trials across floodplain paddies and high-altitude terraces, aiming to adapt the technology to a wider range of environments. In a bold move, researchers are preparing an experiment aboard the Tiangong space station to explore how this system functions in low-gravity simulated soil — a first for plant-powered systems in space.

This isn't just a leap for energy or agriculture — it’s the birth of a new paradigm where crops become partners in the power grid. In regions with unreliable electricity or remote infrastructure, living power plants could become the foundation for resilient, decentralized energy networks. The age of plants that silently grow food and electricity has officially begun.

05/07/2025

Canada Deploys First AI-Driven Carbon Capture Wall on a City Street

In a world-first experiment blending urban design with climate tech, engineers in Canada have installed a full-scale "carbon capture wall" along a downtown street in Vancouver — capable of removing CO₂ directly from city air using AI-controlled chemical scrubbers. Unlike traditional capture systems locked inside factories, this vertical panel is built into urban infrastructure itself.

The wall contains a matrix of modular tiles coated with amine-based resins that bind with carbon dioxide molecules as polluted air passes through. Micro-sensors embedded across the surface detect air quality, temperature, and wind speed, allowing the system’s AI to dynamically adjust airflow, regeneration cycles, and resin saturation in real-time.

Captured CO₂ is periodically released through a low-energy heat cycle, collected in onboard tanks, and then transferred to nearby industrial partners for use in green concrete and synthetic fuel production. The entire wall runs on solar panels built into its canopy and can capture over 200 kilograms of CO₂ per day — roughly the output of 40 cars.

What makes this installation unique is its seamless integration into city infrastructure. It doubles as a noise barrier along a busy road and includes interactive displays that show passersby how much carbon is being captured in real time. Data from the pilot is also being fed into climate models to assess block-by-block emission trends.

By turning walls into active air purifiers, Canada is testing how climate technology can quietly reshape urban environments — turning the built environment itself into a weapon against atmospheric carbon.

05/07/2025

Norway found a bacteria that eats plastic — and breathes oxygen like us

In the Arctic soils of Svalbard, Norwegian microbiologists uncovered a strange bacterium doing something no one expected: eating polyethylene plastic and breathing oxygen, like humans do. Unlike past plastic-eating microbes, this one thrives in cold, oxygen-rich environments — and works fast.

The bacterium, named Polyvorax arctica, breaks down common packaging plastic using specialized enzymes that fragment long carbon chains into fatty acids. These acids are then digested through a metabolic pathway similar to what humans use to burn fat — releasing harmless CO₂ and water.

Tests showed that the bacteria could reduce thin polyethylene film by over 40% in just 21 days — even in temperatures close to freezing. That’s huge for Arctic cleanup efforts and landfills where cold conditions usually slow decay. What’s more, this microbe produces no toxic byproducts.

The real breakthrough is how efficiently it works. Its oxygen metabolism means it doesn't need sealed bioreactors — it can operate in open-air composting or soil systems. Norway’s environmental agency is now testing large-scale integration into plastic waste treatment and frozen marine debris recovery.

The bacterium is non-pathogenic and genetically stable, reducing the risk of uncontrolled spread. Researchers are exploring engineered versions that target other plastics like polypropylene and PVC — potentially revolutionizing how we deal with microplastic pollution.

Nature already had a solution. We just hadn’t dug deep enough into the cold to find it.

03/07/2025

Scientists Map the Brain's Magnetic Field Using Room-Temperature Quantum Sensors

In a quiet neuroscience lab in Denmark, a team of physicists and neurologists has created a groundbreaking device: the first room-temperature quantum brain scanner capable of mapping magnetic signals from the human brain without touching it. Unlike bulky MRI machines or invasive electrodes, this compact system uses diamond-based quantum sensors to detect brain activity through the skull with millimeter precision.

The sensors rely on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers — atomic-scale defects in diamond crystals that are extraordinarily sensitive to magnetic fields. When placed near the scalp, these NV centers detect the faint magnetic pulses generated by individual clusters of firing neurons. The data is then translated into real-time 3D brain activity maps, with no need for magnetic shielding or cryogenics.

This system is so sensitive it can detect activity from specific motor and sensory regions — even track how a person imagines movement, not just performs it. In clinical trials, it has helped locate seizure origins in epilepsy patients more precisely than EEG, and without surgical implants. The device is small enough to wear like a cap, potentially making high-resolution brain scanning as routine as taking a blood pressure reading.

Beyond medical use, researchers say this technology could accelerate brain-computer interface development, offering a direct, contactless way to read thought patterns — no implants required. It may also unlock new understanding of consciousness, memory, and neurological disorders like Parkinson’s and schizophrenia.

Quantum physics and neuroscience rarely overlap — but this breakthrough puts both fields on the same wavelength.

Source: https://furez.site/scientists-use-quantum-sensors-to-map-brains-magnetic-activity/

03/07/2025

In a stunning scientific breakthrough, researchers have discovered trillions of tons of natural hydrogen gas trapped deep beneath the Earth's crust. This “gold hydrogen” could become a game-changer in the global energy landscape. Unlike hydrogen made from fossil fuels, this natural hydrogen is clean, abundant, and potentially capable of powering the entire planet for up to 1,000 years. Scientists believe this untapped reserve could drastically reduce our reliance on polluting energy sources and help combat climate change. Countries including France, the U.S., and Mali are already exploring its extraction. Experts now call it the “new oil” of the future. The hydrogen energy revolution may have just begun.

24/06/2025

Researchers at MIT have created a promising new way to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) straight from seawater, which could help reduce the harmful effects of climate change on the oceans. Since oceans absorb 30 to 40 percent of human-made CO2, this method targets that natural “sink.” Unlike current systems that use expensive membranes and chemicals, this new process uses special electrodes to release CO2 from seawater without harmful additives.

The CO2 is then collected as a gas, and the treated water is returned to the ocean in a way that can also reduce ocean acidification—helping marine life like coral reefs and shellfish. This system could work alongside existing seawater processing plants like desalination facilities, or even on ships and offshore platforms, making it scalable and versatile. While it won’t capture all global emissions, it could be especially useful at places like fish farms where acidification is a problem.

After removal, the CO2 still needs to be stored safely underground or converted into useful products. The process could be more efficient than air-capture because seawater already holds concentrated CO2, making it easier to extract. The team aims to refine the technology and hopes to demonstrate it practically within two years.

24/06/2025

In a groundbreaking move, the Canadian cannabis company Hempearth has unveiled the world’s first aircraft made entirely from h**p—and powered by it, too.

This member of the cannabis plant family, known for its non-psychoactive properties, is said to be ten times stronger than steel.

Remarkably, the entire structure of the aircraft—from the wings and walls to the seats and even the cushions—is crafted from h**p. With a wingspan of 11 meters, this innovative plane can accommodate one pilot and four passengers, and operates exclusively on 100% h**p oil.... Legalize It "Peter Tosh"

24/06/2025

In 2012, Russian scientists successfully revived a flowering plant called Silene stenophylla that last bloomed during the Ice Age—32,000 years ago in Siberian permafrost. Scientists uncovered ancient squirrel burrows containing frozen fruit tissue of Silene stenophylla, a plant native to the region. Although the mature seeds themselves were no longer viable, the team managed to regenerate the plant using preserved placental tissue found within the fruit, according to My Modern Met.

Against all odds, the plant not only grew—it thrived. It blossomed into a living flower genetically identical to its modern relatives but with subtle, fascinating differences in petal shape and flowering behavior. Even more remarkably, the ancient plant produced seeds that germinated more successfully than today’s counterparts, revealing a hidden resilience from an ancient world.

Even more remarkable, the revived plants produced seeds with a 100% germination rate, outperforming their modern relatives. This breakthrough not only shattered records for the oldest viable plant ever revived, but also opened new doors for studying ancient ecosystems and plant resilience, according to Sci News.

23/06/2025

BREAKTHROUGH: A new injection prevents HIV with near-total success.

In a historic step forward in the fight against HIV, the U.S. FDA has approved a long-acting injection known as lenacapavir as a preventive measure against HIV transmission.

And it is 99% effective at preventing HIV infection.

Administered just twice a year, this breakthrough PrEP drug demonstrated its efficacy in clinical trials involving over 4,000 individuals, outperforming the daily pill Truvada.

Its approval marks a shift toward simpler, more effective HIV prevention strategies that could mimic the impact of a vaccine.

Despite its promise, Yeztugo’s high anticipated price—estimated at $25,000 annually—has raised concerns about access, especially in lower-income regions. Advocates are calling on Gilead to drastically lower costs, noting the drug could be mass-produced for as little as $25 per person.

With production agreements in place for 120 low- and middle-income countries and support from global health funds, there is cautious optimism that lenacapavir could become a transformative tool—if it’s made truly accessible.

Martin Butler

06/07/2025

06/07/2025

06/07/2025

05/07/2025

05/07/2025

05/07/2025

03/07/2025

03/07/2025

24/06/2025

24/06/2025

24/06/2025

23/06/2025

Adresse

Téléphone

Site Web

Notifications

Contacter L'entreprise

Raccourcis

Partager

Type