Take a deep breath before you read about these new scientific discoveries

Science moves so fast that you probably haven't heard that cancer can now be detected with a simple blood test or that you can choose the color of a baby's eyes before in vitro fertilization. Some of these breakthroughs are controversial, while others represent extraordinary progress in preventing disease and in fighting pollution. Here are some of the most fascinating recent scientific discoveries that you may not know about. Come join us!

A team of researchers from Johns Hopkins University discovered something that could completely change cancer diagnosis and treatment worldwide. The study, published in the journal Cancer Discovery, found that cancer can be detected up to three years before doctors can provide an official diagnosis.

The researchers discovered that cancerous tumors shed genetic material that can show up in the bloodstream much earlier than previously thought. Early detection of this disease is crucial and significantly impacts the survival rate of patients. Thanks to this groundbreaking finding, it will be possible to develop more effective methods in preventing and detecting cancer.

The textile industry emits billions of tons of pollutants every year, but two 28-year-old American twins found a way to make it more sustainable. Neeka and Leila Mashouf created an innovative system that captures C02 and transforms it into biodegradable fibers to create new textiles.

The scientists were able to mimic the process by which trees convert carbon into cellulose, although in their case, they use a chemical reactor. Their discovery could revolutionize the construction sector and the production of packaging, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. In 2025, the European Patent Office recognized the Mashouf sisters with the Young Inventors Award.

A 36-year-old Canadian woman diagnosed with type 1 diabetes was part of a stem cell experiment that resulted in her never needing insulin again. Before undergoing this innovative treatment, Amanda Smith had spent nearly a decade of her life constantly measuring her levels and giving herself insulin injections.

Of the 12 patients who received the cells for this study, 10 did not need insulin again for at least a year. The cells were implanted directly into the liver, which means they’ll need to take immunosuppressants to prevent their body from rejecting the cells, which could lead to risks such as infections, cancer, and organ damage.

Can you imagine storing energy in sand? This is what a company in Finland was able to achieve by building the largest sand battery in the world.

It is a cylindrical structure capable of storing 100 MWh of thermal energy. The device is charged by heat produced from renewable sources such as the sun or wind, which reduces pollutant emissions by up to 70%. When needed, the energy is released in the form of steam or hot air and can be used for industrial processes or heating systems.

There is nothing worse than a toothache; the good news is, scientists have found the source of our dental sensitivity. The exact origin of teeth has always been a great scientific mystery. Recently, a team from the University of Chicago discovered that the answer lies in a fish from about 465 million years ago.

These creatures had external bumps called odontoids. Those odontoids had a sensory function to detect temperatures and vibrations, and probably evolved to become our teeth. So now you know, the next time you get a toothache, you can blame it on those prehistoric armored fish!

A group of Swiss researchers has developed an innovative robot that could change the way research is conducted in aquatic environments. It uses surface tension to move through the water in the same way as some insects do.

The tiny robot is shaped like a boat and is built out of fish food, which turns it into food for wildlife at the end of its useful life. The design, which also uses biodegradable fuel, is particularly efficient as it doesn’t rely on plastics, batteries, and electronic components to operate. These robots are expected to collect environmental data on water pH, temperature, pollutants, and the presence of microorganisms.

Scientists at the University of Edinburgh were able to use E. coli bacteria to convert the molecules of PET plastic, usually used in water bottles, into acetaminophen, better known as paracetamol, a medicine that you have probably taken to treat the flu.

By genetically modifying the bacteria and through a fermentation process, they were able to turn plastic into paracetamol in just 24 hours with a 92% effectiveness. How is this possible? Paracetamol is also a petroleum derivative; it is produced by converting a molecule known as terephthalic acid into the drug's active ingredient. For now, the experiment has only been achieved in the laboratory and in low quantities, but it is a major breakthrough in the fight against environmental pollution.

No, it's not the plot of some science fiction movie. A UK company has found an out-of-the-box solution to fight funeral industry pollution: by mixing the ashes of your loved ones with pieces of seashells to create artificial reefs that can support deep-sea life.

So far, the company has worked only with pet ashes, whose artificial reefs were left in Bali. They hope to be able to start human "sea graveyards" in 2026. What do you think of this idea?

We have all felt overwhelmed at one time or another; however, due to the fast-paced culture we live in, we often don't realize it and continue to work nonstop. A group of researchers may have found a solution.

Through sensors, an electronic tattoo that sticks to the skin without adhesive can track brain and eye activity to determine mental fatigue. And it not only detects stress, but can also predict it! This discovery will undoubtedly be essential in work environments, but also to remind us that sometimes we need to take a breath before we reach complete burnout.

The New York-based startup Nucleus Genomics has launched a "genetic optimization" service that allows parents to analyze embryos to determine physical traits and even the IQ their baby will have before in vitro fertilization.

Although these types of services already existed, they only focused on potential health issues instead of other physical traits such as intelligence, height, or eye color. Nucleus Genomics’s new approach raises a whole ethical debate about genetic medicine. Do you agree with this type of manipulation of nature?

WONDROUS WORDS

Brabble, Gorgonize, Hagride: 10 Old English Words That Should Come Back!

Image: Andrew Seaman

The English language is vast and varied, the so-called universal language. And, like any other, it has undergone changes just as society has. In that process, many words and expressions are no longer accurate to represent our world and they fade away in use, leaving space for the new expression we coin.

It’s a pity so many amazing words have fallen out of use and gone into oblivion. But fear not, as we are here today with a list of ten words that we thought were worth bringing back! At least for you to read and have some fun!

Image: Afif Ramdhasuma

Let’s kick off the list with a word that describes something we all do, but don’t know it is called that. Imagine you’re on Instagram and you see that post from someone you don’t know but disagree with. Your first instinct is to comment in anger, although deep down, you know that’s pointless. You are, in short, brabbling.

"Brabble," which comes from the Dutch, means "to argue stubbornly about trifles". In its original language, it means "to quarrel or jabber," and its use was first noted in the 1400s.

Image: Alex Haney

Food is a source of happiness for most, who doesn't enjoy a plate of saucy pasta? Now, the enjoyment can quickly come to an end if you see someone groaking over you as you take the fork to your mouth!

The origins of this word are uncertain, but the meaning is superb: It means to silently stare at someone as they eat expecting to receive an invitation to join! Quite specific, isn’t it? And creepy if we might say so.

Image: Kinga Howard

When we think of the 1500s, we think of people getting up and right onto their chores, don’t we? This may be a surprise, but even back then, these people just wanted five more minutes in bed, and they had a word for it: slugabed.

Now, this term is compound and both aspects come from Middle English. On the one hand, "slug" means "lazy person". On the other, "bedd" is the old version of "bed."

Even phonetically, this word makes you want to stay horizontal, what do you think?

Image: Aleksandr Kadykov

This word sounds beautiful, but it may not be the case! Coming from the 1600s, "gorgonize" means to hypnotize or petrify, having a mesmerizing effect on someone, but not in a completely positive way.

The word comes from Ancient Greek and derives from the adjective gorgós which means "dreadful." If that word sounds familiar, that is because Gorgons was the name for the sisters with serpents on their heads, the ones who could petrify anyone who looked at them directly. We hope you’re not gorgonized by this word!

Image: Stephanie McCabe

This one has the vibes of an insult, or at least an adjective for when one is fed up with something, doesn’t it? Now, the context of "crapulent" is rather different: Can you imagine the feeling after you’ve had several courses in one meal or one too many drinks at a gathering? That’s when you feel crapulent.

The word can be traced back to the 1600s and it derives from a Greek word that means "hangover." If you take a close look at the word, you will notice that it captures its essence quite flawlessly!

Image: Lidia Nemiroff

This is a funny word with a literal and a metaphorical meaning behind it, and one that could easily adapt to today’s world!

Back in the 1500s, a "quockerwodger" was a wooden puppet with strings controlled by someone else. Can you see where the metaphorical meaning is going?

That’s right, the word also referred to someone, most times a politician, whose actions and thoughts were controlled or under the influence of other people.

Image: Joshua Hoehne

If one had to guess, "mickle" sounds like something small, but it is actually the opposite! The word "mickle" is synonymous with "big; large; a lot, etc." It refers to both size and quantity and it can be used in contexts like: "You are so nice, you must have a mickle of friends!" At the same time, it can be a standalone adjective like "a mickle storm."

It is both cute and versatile, so why don’t we bring it back?

Image: Javier Allegue Barros

Does this word sound familiar? That’s because the modern version of "betwixt" is "between," and this word is probably the oldest on this list, it can be traced back to 950!

Just like its modern version, "betwixt" has several meanings with a shared essence: "neither the one nor the other," to hold a middle position, to show options or indecisiveness.

This word is a true example of modernization of the language: Same meaning, different spelling and pronunciation.

Image: Uday Mittal

This word holds an interesting story for those intrigued by linguistic history. Rooted in witchcraft, it specifically described the old belief that witches would ride on brooms to cast hexes or inflict nightmares on unsuspecting victims.

Naturally, the meaning of the word derived and finally came to describe a personal torment and the reasons behind it. For example, "This project is really hagriding me!" This one is in for a reboot, the world today can get hagriding, don’t you think?

Image: Photoholgic

To close our article, we bring a word whose pronunciation does not do justice to its meaning. Picture this: It is a cold snowy winter day outside, but you can already see the sun, in all its glory, is coming out to warm your cheeks a bit. That is when you thank for the apricity of the day.

Dating from the 1600s, "apricity" refers to the warmth of the sun in the winter, and the definition alone can really paint a picture.