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Mysteries Of The Axolotl Could Benefit Humanity
Mysteries Of The Axolotl Could Benefit Humanity
May 27th, 2025 - By Adriel V., Thomas L, & Richard V. / J7
Recently, scientists discovered new aspects of regeneration in the form of Axolotls. Could this lead to a new frontier in science?
MEXICO CITY - On May 21, 2025, a study was published in the journal Nature. The article was about how axolotls use a positional code to regenerate their limbs. This breakthrough was made possible by the efforts of Elly Tanaka and her team, using genetic manipulation and cell tracing tools.
These discoveries could prove to be very beneficial to humanity in the future. They may help inspire technologies in regrowth which could help people recover from injuries and wounds.
In the article “Hand2: Positional Code that Allows Axolotls to Regrow Limbs" presented In the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Tanaka states that "this finding fuels optimism that, by using Hand2 expression along with other insights from the axolotl model, we may eventually be able to regrow limbs in mammals." She adds, "Such advances hold promise for the field of regenerative medicine."
Elly Tanaka says, "These same genes are also present in humans, and the fact that the axolotl reuses this circuit during adult life to regenerate a limb is exciting. It suggests that, if similar memory exists in human limbs, scientists may one day be able to target them to unlock new regenerative capabilities."
SOURCE: Phys.org
IMAGE: Printerval
WORLD-ALTERING DISCOVERY: BREAKING DOWN PLASTICS
WORLD-ALTERING DISCOVERY: BREAKING DOWN PLASTICS
FEB 26th, 2025 - By Mikayla D., Vianna N., & Amy P. / J7
SWITZERLAND - Scientists discover a new technique for dissolving plastic into its original atoms using light and a chemical on Thursday. This discovery could change our current pollution problem.
Using ultraviolet light, scientists and researchers in Switzerland have found a way to break down plastics faster than they would naturally. According to an article by Hyun Suk Wang and colleagues, “Plexiglass and similar violet light in dichlorobenzene solvent can break down their original monomers.” As of February 20, 2025, they’re still looking into this accidentally discovered process to explain how it works so well. This new method to recycle plastics could possibly change the pollution problem we have right now.
In August of last year, University of Wisconsin-Madison students found new ways to recycle new plastics, similar to the method employed by Hyun Suk Wang and his colleagues. In order to produce pyrolysis oil, the engineers employed a variety of heating techniques. This substance can be used as factory heat and furnace fuel, but also assists in the breaking down of plastics, according to the researchers.
SOURCE: scitechdaily.com
IMAGE: Stefan Wermuth/Bloomberg @ indiatoday.in
CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE ASH HARMING OCEAN WILDLIFE
CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE ASH HARMING OCEAN WILDLIFE
FEB 28th, 2025 / Colin G. & Steven L. / JMA2
The ash from the California wildfires could potentially affect the ocean wildlife. As the wildfires in California burned, southwesterly winds sent ash into the ocean. Satellite imagery showed the ash traveling up to 100 miles offshore. There are multiple concerns about the wildlife in the ocean being affected by the ash and how we could be affected if it got into our food source.
JMA2-IP1_Cal_Fires.mp4This short video, created by the authors, pressents the story in a visual format.
The group called the California Cooperative Fisheries Investigations took a sample of the ocean water and it was filled with a mixture of anchovy eggs and ash. January is peak anchovy spawning season and the fires happened in late January. The ash not only affects anchovies, but it can also affect all the other ocean wildlife in the future if the ash sinks deep enough. This could affect our future seafood supply.
The California wildfires were devastating fires that burned relentlessly for days on end. Along with the fires, came ash containing toxic chemicals. Because the fires burned in places that haven’t been renovated for many years, toxic materials like asbestos were released. The winds were also making the fires worse and made the ash fly into the ocean, with negative results.
SOURCE: nbcsandiego.com
IMAGE: nesdis.noaa.gov
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