How apprehensive ought to we be about fowl flu? The previous few months have seen some doubtlessly worrisome developments within the US, together with the continued unfold of the virus amongst dairy cattle, the detection of the virus in a pig in addition to cow’s milk, and—most regarding of all—the rising variety of human infections.
We don’t but have any proof that the virus is spreading between individuals, however the threat of a possible pandemic has elevated since MIT Know-how Evaluate final lined this subject a few months in the past.
The excellent news is we’re in a a lot better place to deal with any potential future flu outbreaks than we had been to face covid-19 again in 2020, on condition that we have already got vaccines. However, on the entire, it’s not wanting nice. Learn the total story.
—Jessica Hamzelou
This story is from The Checkup, our weekly publication supplying you with the within observe on all issues well being and biotech. Join to obtain it in your inbox each Thursday.
The moon is just the start for this waterless concrete
If NASA establishes a everlasting presence on the moon, its astronauts’ properties may very well be product of a brand new 3D-printable, waterless concrete. Sometime, so may yours. By accelerating the curing course of for extra fast development, this sulfur-based compound might grow to be simply as relevant on our house terrain as it’s on lunar soil.
Conventional concrete requires massive quantities of water, a commodity that might be in brief provide on the moon, and sending simply 1 kilogram of it to the moon prices roughly $1.2 million.
As a substitute, NASA hopes to create new supplies from lunar soil and ultimately adapt the identical methods for constructing on Mars. However creating the proper waterless “lunarcrete” is less complicated stated than performed. Learn the total story.
