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The Helix Nebula © 1/2/3/4

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In contrast to the general public’s lingering unease around generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, the biopharma industry is increasingly looking to AI as its magic cure-all for drug development. The technology’s market capitalization in the space is now forecasted to rise to $11.93 billion by 2033 (compared to just $1.73 billion this year). With 2025 upon us, this investment destines AI for an even greater role in life sciences.

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What “healthcare 2.0” really means and how pharma and agencies need to facilitate a two-way street when it comes to communication.

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Scientists have long known that light can sometimes appear to exit a material before entering it – an effect dismissed as an illusion caused by how waves are distorted by matter. Now, researchers at the University of Toronto, through innovative quantum experiments, say they have demonstrated that "negative time" isn't just a theoretical idea – it exists in a tangible, physical sense, deserving closer scrutiny. The findings, yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal, have attracted both global attention and skepticism.

Continue Reading.

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"Don't be a Job Hopper" 1940s Disney WWII propaganda poster

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Christmas Eve misty walk

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Dance of Fate

The journey from the first cells of an embryo to the millions in an adult is complex and perilous, but it’s a story that happens time and again across individuals and species. Viewing the path they take is key to understanding how disease develops when cells take a wrong turn during development. To help track the journey researchers have created an atlas of cell movement and behaviour in the full process from zebrafish embryo to adult. The resource combines high resolution video of individual cells dividing and migrating during development (pictured) with complex data on which genes and molecules take hold at each stage to determine each cell’s fate. Unpicking the precise science behind this intricate dance and understanding how our cells fulfil their destiny could help us avoid disease and ensure we remain masters of our own.

Written by Anthony Lewis

Video from work by Merlin Lange and colleagues

Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA

Video originally published with a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Published in Cell, November 2024

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We developed a way to use light to dismantle PFAS 'forever chemicals'

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, have earned the nickname of forever chemicals from their extraordinary ability to stick around in the environment long after they've been used. These synthetic compounds, commonly used in consumer products and industrial applications for their water- and grease-resistant properties, are now found practically everywhere in the environment. While many chemicals will degrade relatively quickly after they're disposed of, PFAS can stick around for up to 1,000 years. This durability is great for their use in firefighting foams, nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing and even food packaging. However, their resilience means that they persist in soil, water and even living organisms. They can accumulate over time and affect the health of both ecosystems and humans.

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SH2-240 Spaghetti Nebula © Hubble

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Okinawa: from wild jungle to coast

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Science and Scientists Throughout History

It is easy enough to look through the records of history and pinpoint famous scientists who have made incredible contributions to the field of materials science and engineering. One can come up with a list of the top 100 most cited materials scientists published since January 2000, or generate a list of the top 100 moments in materials science history, or even just look up all the materials scientists important enough to have a Wikipedia page. None of these methods are comprehensive but none of them are inherently wrong if one is looking to celebrate scientific achievement through the ages. I used the list of top 100 moments to come up with many of the scientists (though not all) that I posted about on this blog over the past year.

However, it is important to acknowledge that science is - like life - a collaborative effort. Scientists build on the knowledge of those who come before them and publish to share their own discoveries with those who will come after. No one scientist ever accomplished any task alone.

Image source.

Be proud of what you contribute to the world, scientist or not! All the ScientistSaturday posts can be found here.

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Photograph of International Doll Chorus

Record Group 185: Records of the Panama CanalSeries: Photographs Related to the Operation and Development of the Panama Canal Zone

This black and white photograph shows many dolls in various national costumes displayed as though in a large chorus.  One doll plays piano and one plays an organ.