The Aerospace Corporation, a nonprofit organization based in California, is making significant strides in the development of an asteroid deflection system designed to address mid-sized asteroids capable of causing widespread damage on Earth. This groundbreaking system aims to alter the trajectory of asteroids by utilizing their rocky debris, redirecting them away from Earth.

In an interview with Gizmodo, Nahum Melamed, a project leader at The Aerospace Corporation, explained that the team focused on objects of comparable size to the Chelyabinsk asteroid, considering the potential threats they could pose in our lifetime. Through their research, they have successfully demonstrated the capability to deflect such asteroids within a few weeks of operation using their system.

Researchers at Duke University have made a groundbreaking advancement in the field of cartilage replacement, creating a gel-based substitute that surpasses the strength and durability of natural cartilage. This new development offers a promising alternative to knee replacement surgeries and may provide a more effective treatment option for individuals experiencing knee pain. Osteoarthritis, characterized by the progressive deterioration of cartilage, affects approximately one in six adults worldwide.

Sparta Biomedical, a leading biomedical research company, is currently conducting tests on the gel-based substitute using sheep models. Following successful animal trials, the researchers anticipate commencing human clinical trials in 2023. In initial testing, the hydrogel demonstrated remarkable properties, exhibiting 26% greater strength than natural cartilage under tension and an impressive 66% greater strength under compression. Overcoming several challenges encountered in previous studies, the research team achieved successful attachment of the implant to the joint, ensuring its stability.

Futurist and celebrity speaker Thomas Frey is hailing a new solution for the epidemic of mass shootings in the United States that sounds straight from an episode of Black Mirror: Artificial intelligence-enabled drones.

The former IBM engineer said in a recent blog post that flying machines could be upgraded into advanced crisis management tools.

Biometric capabilities such as ocular scanning or fingerprint identification could enhance the drones’ ability to identify individuals even in scenarios where facial recognition is insufficient. AI can be employed to analyze body language and facial expressions to make judgments about the likely intentions of individuals, writes Frey, who is the founder of the DaVinci Institute think tank.

Researchers in Switzerland have developed an autonomous fish robot named “Belle” that enables conservationists to gain valuable insights into underwater ecosystems without disrupting marine life. Belle has been specifically designed to collect data in a minimally invasive manner, providing a clearer understanding of organisms inhabiting the sea.

Belle, developed by mechanical engineering students at ETH Zurich, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, moves silently and mimics the behavior of real fish, creating minimal disturbance as it navigates through the environment. This is particularly important in vulnerable areas such as coral reefs, where traditional propeller-based systems can harm coral and scare away marine life.