Oh, hey! Didn’t see you there. This week, we got some updates from Noland Arbaugh, the first person to receive Elon Musk’s Neuralink brain implant device. If you’re unfamiliar with Neuralink and Noland’s story, here’s the gist of it:

• Neuralink is a brain-computer interface (BCI) that when implanted in the brain, allows people to control a computer or mobile device with their mind.

• Neuralink received FDA approval to put chips into human’s brains in May 2023.

• Noland Arbaugh is a 29-year-old Arizona native who was left paralyzed from the shoulders down after an accident in 2016. He became the first human to receive the Neuralink brain implant back in January.

Now, livestream footage has shown Noland controlling a computer with his mind, and even playing online chess without any physical assistance. He describes it like “using the Force” — and it’s all pretty wild. Meanwhile, some other interesting discoveries and published research emerged from the world of science this week:

BIOLOGY

Industrialization has changed us from the inside out

Industrialization has given us a lot. Cars with backup cameras, high-rise apartment buildings and even the Nintendo Switch. But research shows that those who live in particularly urban environments are changing biologically. No, they’re not growing taller or smaller — these changes are actually occurring on the microscopic level in the gut microbiome. It’s an important place, where all kinds of microorganisms live and help out in processes like digestion and immune response.

So what’s changed?

New research has shown that cellulose-degrading bacteria are being lost from the human gut microbiome, especially in industrial societies. These bacteria help us digest fiber, which is a healthy and important part of our diet. Without them, fully-digesting our food becomes more difficult, which can lead to poor health.

What does urbanization have to do with it?

Scientists theorize that because industrial societies are straying farther and farther away from where their food is produced, they’re eating less fiber-rich foods and their gut microbiomes are adapting in response. More rural populations were shown to have more cellulose-degrading bacteria in their digestive tract. So maybe, eat some more fiber — and your gut will thank you.

Read more: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-45730-0

ASTRONOMY

Discovering the building blocks of the Milky Way galaxy

Our home galaxy, the Milky Way, was created by the joining of smaller galaxies, which means there were some pretty large building blocks involved in its formation. Recently, scientists identified two proto-galactic fragments that merged with an early version of our Milky Way between 12 and 13 billion years ago.

And?

The two structures, made up of a bunch of stars — each with masses greater than about 10 million times that of our sun — were named Shakti and Shiva. In Hinduism, Shiva is the god of destruction and one of the main deities, while Shakti is a female cosmic force often portrayed as Shiva’s consort. Together, these two ancient celestial bodies are essentially the Milky Way galaxy’s ancestor. It’s an important discovery as we continue to understand more about the history and evolution of our galaxy.

Read more: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07043-6

ENGINEERING

Invisible cloaks inspired by backyard insects

When Harry Potter first brought out the invisibility cloak — everyone’s immediate first thought was “I want one of those”. Well we may not be too far away from invisibility tech, and along the way, we’re drawing inspiration from some unexpected sources in nature.

Invisibility in nature?

Leafhoppers are a common insect that can be found all over the world. They produce tiny particles called brochosomes to cover their bodies and act as a protective coating. These bronchosomes are basically little hollow spheres with holes on their surfaces — but until recently, scientists didn’t really know how they worked.

What did they do?

In a new study, researchers used 3D printing to create synthetic brochosomes. While studying them, they found that brochosomes are precisely engineered to reduce light reflection, with the surface holes acting as filters. This design helps leafhoppers avoid detection by predators sensitive to ultraviolet and visible light. With these findings, scientists now hope to take inspiration from the leafhopper and develop new anti-reflection coatings and camouflage technology.

Read more: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c03464

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Removing *dye* from our water so we don’t *die*

When you think water pollution, you probably imagine sludge, garbage or other common waste products. But water pollution from dyes used in textile, food and other manufacturing is a rising environmental concern — particularly because toxic dyes are difficult to remove from bodies of water.

What’s being done about this?

Researchers have discovered a new way to degrade and potentially remove toxic organic chemicals, including dyes, from wastewater by using a chemical process powered by ultraviolet light. Basically, the process works by creating metallic “clusters” of nine gold (Au) atoms chemically “anchored” to titanium dioxide — which drives the reaction by converting the energy of absorbed UV light. The reaction has been shown to be very effective in wastewater, as it broke down a chemical called methyl orange in just 20 minutes. It’s an exciting new discovery that may be a game-changer in water treatment.

Read more: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-52718-9

MEDICINE

Progressing towards simpler diabetes management

For years, people with diabetes have relied on finger pricks to measure and manage their blood glucose levels. It’s painful and can cause itching, inflammation and infection. But a new discovery may put that in the past.

What’s new?

Researchers have discovered new aspects of glucose’s infrared signature and used this information to develop a miniature optical sensor that can detect specific wavelengths of near-infrared light associated with glucose levels. This sensor successfully detected glucose levels in lab tests, even at low concentrations — and scientists hope that the sensor’s small dimensions could see it one day integrated into smart watches and other convenient wearable health trackers.

Read more: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07095-8

TOP HEADLINES

Science in the News

• Researchers have developed a new way to monitor pesticide resistance that may help farmers better protect their crops.

• An ancient crocodile ancestor has been discovered.

• Scientists have unveiled the largest-ever map of the universe’s active supermassive black holes.

• A new technique enables medical professionals to measure the potency of hallucinogenic mushrooms.

• Self-heating concrete has been developed to warm itself when it snows.

• Scientists have proposed python farming as a high-protein food source and potential response to global food insecurity.

• The world’s longest-lasting plasma torch has successfully been built.

• Researchers have 3D-printed wood from its natural components, potentially revolutionizing the lumber industry.

CHECK THIS OUT

A NASA rocket launch from Wallops Island, VA

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