Hello, Mythbusters!
The world of science never sleeps. Science experiments and groundbreaking discoveries happen at any time, any day, and anywhere. Even now, cures are being developed and technologies improved. Let us recap some of the more interesting events which happened this month in science.
In Australia, scientists want to bring the Tasmanian Tiger back from extinction
Image credit: public domain via EJ Keller/The Smithsonian Institution
The Tasmanian Tiger, a marsupial known as Thylacine, has been believed extinct since 1936 when Benjamin, the last confirmed member of the species, died in captivity at Hobart’s Beaumaris Zoo. There have been rumoured sightings over the years but none were confirmed.
Scientists, however, were not ready to give up on the Tasmanian Tiger and have sequenced the genome, which might help bring the animal back from extinction. Now, scientists will have to develop an embryo and plant it successfully in the womb of a surrogate mother. Keep your fingers crossed for Thylacine!
The black hole closest to the solar system turns out to not be a black hole
Image credit: Artist’s impression of HR 6819, CC BY 4.0
Two years ago, astronomers announced they have discovered a black hole closest to our solar system. The black hole was supposed to be a part of a three-body system, called HR 6819, consisting of two stars and a black hole. Well, turns out the HR 6819 is just two stars, no black hole included. However, these stars are certainly not ordinary.
It looks like the astronomers discovered the system just after one of the stars had its outer layer stripped by the other. The effect of this “stellar vampirism” made it look like the system includes an invisible black hole. This actually makes this discovery much more exciting, as the phenomenon of one star being stripped out of its atmosphere is very difficult to catch.
One beer a day shrinks your brain
Image credit: Nik Frey, CC BY 2.5
Or even half a bear, really. Recent studies seemed to highlight a dramatic difference in brain volume of alcohol drinkers compared to abstinents, and researchers from the University of Pennsylvania sought to delve deeper into the matter.
Turns out, just one or two alcohol units a day lower the drinker’s brain volume, and the decrease gets worse the more alcohol is consumed. This new study challenges the common belief that small amounts of alcohol every day are beneficial to one’s health. So if you want to keep your brain younger, perhaps refrain from that one beer every day. It will also help you avoid any possible cognitive impairments.
Mice with implanted “drug factories” are cured of cancer within a week
Image credit: elements.envato.com, Commercial License
New cancer treatment is emerging. At this stage, it is still tested on mice but considering the excellent results, scientists may start the human trials as early as in the fall. Researchers have come up with an implant containing engineered human cells programmed to secrete interleukin-2, a cytokine that activates white blood cells to fight cancer and other diseases.
This cytokine is already used for cancer treatment but as an IV injection which often causes some undesirable side effects. The implant, however, is planted directly in the lining of a diseased organ and produces daily doses of the cytokine which combats the adjacent tumour until it’s gone. At this moment in time, this method fully cured all mice with ovarian cancer and 7 of 8 animals with colorectal cancer.
We hope this dose of news satisfied your science cravings for some time! Remember, stay safe and stay curious. If you want to help us, wishlist the game!
See you later, Mythbusters!