The human body is equipped with a line of warriors to combat all types of harmful molecules and substances that the body could encounter. One of the fiercest warriors the body has to offer are T cells. T cells are white blood cells that develop from bone marrow. They play a central role in protecting our body from infection.

In Earth's story, society has portrayed plastic as a supervillain, while biodegradable plastics are the superheroes that swoop in and save the day. In theory, this analogy should make sense. By their definition, biodegradable plastics are made of plant materials. Thus, they should break down into biological elements, providing a more eco-friendly alternative than normal plastic that breaks down into microplastics and harmful chemicals. However, there's more to the story that people should keep in mind.

Scientists at UC San Diego have developed an extracellular matrix, which is basically a bunch of proteins that work together to surround the heart. Once this matrix surrounds the heart, it protects it from inflammatory cells that would ultimately damage the heart more. In this way, the material reduces inflammation in the heart and encourages the heart to repair its cells, which ultimately helps repair the scarred tissue. The scientists' trial has shown success in both rodents and pigs. This gives the team hope that a human clinical trial will be successful and are looking to start the trial as soon as possible. This treatment is so revolutionary because permanent scarring from a heart attack can occur in under six hours from when a patient first experiences that attack.

Imagine being able to partake in a virtual world with people around the globe from the comfort of your home in the physical world. You would be able to live, work, and shop in a 3D virtual realm where your identity would travel with you in the form of a digital avatar. You could have multiple avatars, allowing you to multitask and take on different roles. Through your avatars, you would be able to move from one experience to another in a world that has come to be known as the metaverse.

It’s become common knowledge that the keys to a healthy life include a healthy diet, consistent exercise, and reduced stress. These three practices have become gospel for doctors, nutritionists, and fitness influencers alike. However even when you factor in diet, exercise, and stress, there is something that still stands in the way: genetics. No matter how much you change your lifestyle, you can’t do anything about what’s in your genes. Or can you?

Penicillin is arguably one of the greatest human inventions. Prior to its discovery in 1928, ear infections and strep throat were considered fatal. We no longer consider an irritated ear or a scratchy throat life-threatening, much in part to our ability to fight bacterial illnesses with antibiotics. But just as humans have adapted to the threat of bacteria, bacteria have also adapted to the threat of antibiotics. In fact, Bacteria have evolved to resist the effects of antibiotics.

In April 2022, scientists at NASA proved that they could change the trajectory of an asteroid. To do so, scientists used the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft to change the orbit of the asteroid Dimorphos. The DART spacecraft essentially slammed into the asteroid's head and pushed against the asteroid the way air is released from a balloon.

Quantum entanglement falls under the laws of quantum mechanics. Quantum mechanics is the study of the behavior of particles inside an atom and photons. Since these particles are so small, they do not behave in the same way that larger objects do, so the rules of classical mechanics cannot be applied.

A genome is a complete set of DNA found in each cell and contains the information for a person’s development and function. In the past 20 years, scientists have learned that many chronic illnesses stem from a person’s genes. Thus, by sequencing the entire human genome scientists may have opened the door to earlier detection and improved treatment when it comes to diseases.

As more people populate the Earth, carbon emissions are expected to rise. So the question becomes how do we support a growing population while being cognizant of our carbon footprint? The answer lies in green energy, energy that is derived from methods that limit their carbon dioxide production.

Reading minds seems like something out of a sci-fi or superhero movie. However at a lab in University of California this past fall, scientists devised a way to read words directly from a person’s brain. Scientists used electrodes, a type of brain implant, to detect neural signals that are associated with words and thoughts.

How many times have you been told you look just like your mom or dad? Familial resemblance stems from inherited characteristics, or traits. The study of trait inheritance is genetics. DNA, central to genetics, allows for traits to be passed from parent to offspring and regulates the expression of such traits. So, one would think that all DNA codes for either a trait or a function. However, as scientists have gained a deeper understanding of DNA, they have found that in fact 98% of our DNA doesn’t code for anything. This type of DNA has been dubbed “dark DNA.”

Nano is a prefix that means one billionth or 10-9. At this size, we’re talking about the atomic level. Bot, short for robot, is a programmed machine that executes tasks without human involvement. Now imagine the power if we combined these two ideas. That is what makes nanobots, a subset of nanotechnology, so powerful, particularly in the field of medicine where atomic level substances create a system.

With the recent bankruptcy of FTX and the financial scandals of former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, the crypto market has taken a significant hit in terms of value and customer trust. As a result, many are questioning whether currencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum will be able to withstand the approaching “crypto winter”.

Elon Musk’s Starlink, a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX, has been catching headlines recently. Although many of these articles focus on the economic and political issues with the company, it's important to take a look at how Starlink has breathed new life into satellite technology, a field that could solve a lot of problems.

As they become more prevalent among large corporations, quantum computers could contribute significantly to the fields of finance, healthcare, and cyber security. But their biggest contribution could lie in the world of medical research and healthcare.

Classical computers have become the backbone of 21st century life and have reached processing potentials that seem more than adequate to deal with modern problems. Right? Well not exactly.

For years upon years politicians, businessmen, and scientists alike have claimed that electric cars will be our future. But if the first electric car was produced in the 1890s, why are we still waiting for the future?