Cell-Bots | EELectric Genes | Light Hearted

Debating watching Godzilla Minus One despite never seeing another Godzilla movie.

Any recommendations for catching up on kaiju lore?

-Steve, former lizard parent

Get the weekly email that explains science in sweatpants. Stay smart for free.

Cell-Bots

Your body may soon create robots for healing. Scientists developed anthrobots made from human cells to revolutionize tissue repair beyond xenobot limits.

• Xenobots = made from embryonic frog cells

• Requires manual shaping w/ limited use in humans

• Anthrobots self-assemble and considered “friendly” by our immune system

In early experiments, anthrobots healed scratched neural tissue within 3 days. Further development will enable them to deliver medication and clear arteries. Like Osmosis Jones, but with robots.

Anthrobots, roll out

EELectric Genes

Electric eels literally shock genetic material into other cells. Experiments showed they genetically modified their environment using electroporation.

• Electroporation = using electric fields to make cells more permeable

• Eels placed in a tank w/ zebrafish larvae and special DNA indicators

• Post-pool time review found indicators inside the larvae

Natural electroporation could expand beyond eels to other charged animals such as stargazers and electric rays. Though more research is needed to see if this method has lasting heritable effects. Sounds like a superhero origin story to me.

It's electric! boogie woogie woogie

Light Hearted

We can “listen” to heartbeats by shining a light on someone’s neck. Researchers developed a laser for remote heart health monitoring. 

• Laser cameras record 2k frames/sec (YouTube = 60)

• Checks artery movements through skin

• Focuses on frequency range of human heartbeat

AI automatically eliminates non-heartbeat signals and can identify different users in a shared household. An early version could be available for at-risk patients next year. (blacklight party mode not included)

Laser show

Unnatural Selection

Last week: “Which would you glow?”

But what’s most important is that you chose to glow in the first place ❤️ 

st3v on site

Cell-Bots

After learning about anthrobots, st3v wanted to join in on the healing. Scientists are still trying to figure out how he got 3 nucle-eyes.

New to the casualSTEM?

Get the weekly email that explains science in sweatpants. Stay smart for free.

Missed last week’s science in sweatpants?

Catch-up here: 🔬Glowing Shrimp | Earthy Energy | Petal Wings

I'd love to hear from you!

Reply to this email or reach out on Twitter @_steveburgess. I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions!