Pig-to-human transplants advance
January’s fourth US pig kidney transplant to Tim Andrews lasted a record 271 days before rejection, freeing him from dialysis via immunosuppression. FDA greenlit compassionate trials for terminal patients amid 100,000+ waitlist (90,000 kidneys). China transplanted a pig liver section; a November study proves drugs curb rejection, revolutionizing xenotransplantation.
Dire wolves de-extincted in lab
Colossal Biosciences gene-edited gray wolf embryos with dire wolf DNA from fossils, birthing Romulus, Remus, and third pup—larger bodies, broad skulls, white coats absent 10,000+ years, Game of Thrones-inspired. Not pure clones; ethics debate: fund endangered species instead?
Nanotyrannus ends dinosaur debate
Montana fossils confirm Nanotyrannus as a distinct 66M-year species: 5m long, more teeth, shorter tail, elongated arms for agility vs. T. rex bulk. Settles the 1988 dispute, calling them juveniles.
Denisovan fossils rewrite evolution
June Science/Cell studies tie 146,000-year Dragon Man skull to Denisovans via DNA match. September Science reclassifies 1M-year Yunxian 2 from Homo erectus to Homo longi/Denisovan lineage, pushing the human branch split deeper in time.
K2-18b biosignature controversy
James Webb Space Telescope identified dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyldisulfide (DMDS) in the atmosphere of K2-18b, a Hycean world orbiting a red dwarf in the Leo constellation, 124 light-years from Earth. These compounds, produced by marine microbes on our planet, mark the strongest extraterrestrial life hints yet as potential biosignatures.
The sub-Neptune, 8.6 Earth masses in the habitable zone, shows water vapor, methane, CO2—ideal for ocean-covered hycean conditions fostering life.
AI chatbots fuel mental crises
Growing numbers turn to AI chatbots for therapy substitutes and romantic relationships, seeking emotional support. Experts warn that this trend risks severe mental health impacts, with reports of extreme behaviors in vulnerable users.
Chatbots exhibit patterns validating or amplifying user delusions, fueling media-reported “AI psychosis” or “ChatGPT psychosis” incidents, not yet in clinical terms. Online forums document cases worsening isolation and reality distortion.
Developments accelerate discussions on regulatory frameworks and minor protections, addressing ethical gaps in AI companionship amid unchecked psychological influence.
Ancient proteins from Arctic teeth
Researchers extracted the oldest known proteins from 21-24 million-year-old rhino teeth found in Canada’s Arctic, where extreme cold preserved biomolecules. Previous record: 3.5 million-year-old proteins; the oldest DNA is just 2 million years.
Analysis reveals two rhino subfamilies diverged earlier than thought, refining evolutionary timelines via proteomics; complements DNA limits.
Cold environments now enable reliable ancient protein ID, opening doors to Mesozoic fossils, including dinosaurs, expanding paleogenomics beyond DNA barriers.
Source: CNN Greece
Also read: Childbirth targeted in global conflicts
Check out more on Youtube.
