Human embryos formed with in vitro fertilisation can develop genetic abnormalities in the time between genetic testing and implantation – though this may not affect their viability
Author: hatman
New Scientist recommends Material World at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
The books, TV, games and more that New Scientist staff have enjoyed this week
Tweaked lithium-ion battery can be pierced without catching fire
Lithium-ion batteries are prone to catching fire when damaged, but a simple change of electrolyte material can put a stop to the vicious chemical cycle that causes the problem
An excellent guide to the labyrinthine world of COP summits
In the run-up to this year’s COP in Brazil, Madeleine Cuff explores The Climate Diplomat, a poignant account by the late Peter Betts, a negotiator who showed what diplomacy can achieve
‘Weaponised’ CAR T-cell therapy shows promise against solid tumours
So far, immune cells that have been engineered to kill cancers, known as CAR T-cells, haven’t worked well against solid cancers – but a study in mice suggests that could soon change
Wegovy has heart health benefits even if weight loss is minimal
Studies have suggested that Wegovy directly boosts heart health, beyond just the benefits of losing weight, and now that has been demonstrated in a robust trial in people
Gene-edited pigs resistant to swine fever could boost animal welfare
Classical swine fever reduces productivity and harms animal welfare, but pigs have now been genetically edited to make them completely resistant to the disease
Serum promotes hair growth by mimicking the effects of skin irritation
Skin irritation, such as through eczema, promotes hair growth in mice, which prompted scientists to create a treatment that works via similar pathways, with no discomfort required
What 350 different theories of consciousness reveal about reality
There are hundreds of coherent theories attempting to explain the origins of experience. Robert Lawrence Kuhn explores what they reveal about free will, artificial intelligence and life after death
Google says its quantum computer can reveal the structure of molecules
A new quantum computing protocol may be able to augment a standard technique for understanding molecules in chemistry, biomedicine and materials science