How fearful ought to we be about chook flu? The previous few months have seen some doubtlessly worrisome developments within the US, together with the continued unfold of the virus amongst dairy cattle, the detection of the virus in a pig in addition to cow’s milk, and—most regarding of all—the rising variety of human infections.
We don’t but have any proof that the virus is spreading between individuals, however the danger of a possible pandemic has elevated since MIT Expertise Evaluate final lined this subject a few months in the past.
The excellent news is we’re in a a lot better place to deal with any potential future flu outbreaks than we have been to face covid-19 again in 2020, provided that we have already got vaccines. However, on the entire, it’s not wanting nice. Learn the complete story.
—Jessica Hamzelou
This story is from The Checkup, our weekly e-newsletter providing you with the within observe on all issues well being and biotech. Enroll to obtain it in your inbox each Thursday.
The moon is just the start for this waterless concrete
If NASA establishes a everlasting presence on the moon, its astronauts’ houses might be manufactured from a brand new 3D-printable, waterless concrete. Sometime, so would possibly yours. By accelerating the curing course of for extra fast building, this sulfur-based compound may grow to be simply as relevant on our dwelling terrain as it’s on lunar soil.
Conventional concrete requires giant quantities of water, a commodity that shall be in brief provide on the moon, and sending simply 1 kilogram of it to the moon prices roughly $1.2 million.
As a substitute, NASA hopes to create new supplies from lunar soil and ultimately adapt the identical methods for constructing on Mars. However creating the right waterless “lunarcrete” is less complicated mentioned than carried out. Learn the complete story.
