Curing Solar Energy, Diabetes, and Smart Bandages.

Author

Jae Lee
June 07, 2024

Humans have a fatal flaw.

We are unable to zoom out and see the bigger picture.

Why do we tend to put more care and effort into frivolous things, like how we appear to our neighbours? Maintaining a green garden, driving the latest car model, owning the biggest house, who cares, etc.

Often we seem to neglect the most important possession we own: our body.

Our body is our vessel for future opportunities.

You want to visit the Moon? Make sure you’re healthy enough within the next 40 years.

You want to immerse yourself in a virtual world that’s indistinguishable to reality? You better hope you don’t die of cancer.

You want to see aliens contact humanity? Better stay alive.

But our current healthcare system is flawed too.

Why is it that we only go to the doctor when we start to feel bad?

When we see some symptoms that, even after three weeks, just don’t seem to go away? When it’s too late to do anything about it?

Or maybe we do go once a year for a check-up.

Why do we only have a yearly snapshot of our health and body?

Why can’t we have a continuous stream of data being captured at all times? We have devices that record our blood pressure, heart beat, sleep cycle, diet intake, exercise, walk steps, etc.

Why can’t that all be consolidated and have an AI determine if my body is falling?

Perhaps when we look back on this period of healthcare, we’ll look at it like how we’d look at the barber-surgeons in the Middle Ages.

In the meanwhile, let’s all zoom out, see the big picture, and just don’t die.

What’s On The Menu?

  1. New solar cells could be the future of energy.

  2. Diabetes cure developed by Chinese scientists.

  3. Smart bandages allow for accelerated healing and remote care.

  4. SpaceX starship makes historical landing in Indian ocean.

  5. Skyscraper-superyacht for marine research being developed.

‘World-Changing’ Solar Tech Could Mean the Death of Batteries.

TL;DR:

New groundbreaking solar cells, which can harvest energy from any light source including candles and moonlight, have been developed by the company Exeger in Sweden.

These ultra-durable, flexible cells can be integrated into various devices, potentially eliminating the need for disposable batteries and charging cables.

The technology aims to address global energy needs and environmental challenges by making devices self-sufficient in power.

Exeger’s factory in Stockholm is set to produce 2.5 million square meters of these cells annually.

So what…?

This technology promises a future with fewer disposable batteries, reducing electronic waste and environmental impact, and creating more convenient, self-charging devices.

Chinese Scientists Develop Cure for Diabetes, Insulin Patient Becomes Medicine-Free in Just 3 Months.

TL;DR:

Chinese scientists have achieved a significant breakthrough in diabetes treatment using innovative cell therapy.

A patient treated in July 2021 no longer needed insulin after eleven weeks and has been medication-free for 33 months.

This novel approach leverages the body's regenerative capabilities to restore pancreatic islet function.

Big whoop, and…?

Nearly 1 in 10 adults have diabetes in the world. That’s 537 million people.

This development could revolutionize diabetes treatment, freeing millions from the burden of chronic medication and significantly reducing healthcare costs.

Smart Bandages Accelerate Healing And Allow Remote Care.

TL;DR:

Smart bandages are advanced medical dressings equipped with sensors and flexible electronics that monitor, evaluate, and respond to wound healing in real-time.

These bandages can detect issues like infection early, deliver treatments such as electrotherapy or antibiotics, and transmit data to healthcare professionals, enabling remote care.

They are being developed to aid serious and chronic wounds, potentially reducing medical costs and improving patient outcomes. While still in early stages, smart bandages represent a significant leap forward in wound care technology.

Who cares…?

These innovative bandages could revolutionize how we treat wounds, offering faster recovery and less frequent hospital visits, ultimately enhancing healthcare efficiency and patient well-being.

SpaceX Starship Makes Breakthrough Ocean Landing.

TL;DR:

SpaceX's Starship successfully completed its fourth test flight, achieving a historic soft landing in the Indian Ocean.

This marks a significant milestone as the rocket's upper section managed to return to Earth mostly intact.

The lower booster also demonstrated a controlled descent, hovering just above the Gulf of Mexico. Despite some damage during re-entry, the mission showcased major advancements in SpaceX's efforts to develop a fully reusable orbital rocket system.

Why does this matter…?

This breakthrough in reusable rocket technology can dramatically lower the costs of space travel and pave the way for human exploration of Mars and sustainable lunar missions.

New Floating Skyscraper That's A 1,000-Tonne Superyacht.

TL;DR:

The Sea Orbiter is a 1,000-tonne floating scientific station that will drift across oceans to observe and explore marine life and study climate interactions.

Standing 167 feet tall, it will be mostly submerged and can house 22 researchers conducting around-the-clock marine exploration.

Designed by Jacques Rougerie, the £41.2 million vessel will also deploy underwater robots for seabed exploration.

And that means…?

This is a significant advancement in marine research, providing crucial insights into ocean life and climate change, which are essential for environmental conservation and understanding global climate dynamics.

That’s it for this week!

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Cheers,
Jae

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