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For this publication, we here at STEMx have curated some of the latest discoveries in STEM for you to peruse!
Osteoarthritis--the degeneration of cartilage in the joints over time--is one of the most prevalent medical conditions in the world, with as many as one in six adults currently suffering from it. Despite its prevalence, treatment options for osteoarthritis are currently rather limited. Things like steroids and physical therapy can be helpful in some cases, but those with particularly severe afflictions may have no choice but to the joint in question if they want relief. This may soon change, however, as scientists refine a new synthetic cartilage technology for use in human joints. Not only does the synthetic cartilage, which is currently being tested in sheep, present a more modest solution for severe osteoarthritis sufferers, but the biofilm actually appears to perform better than natural cartilage--making the risk of an osteoarthritis relapse much less likely after the procedure. Researchers are making swift progress and hope to start human clinical trials as early as 2023. Check out the article above to learn more about this heartening development!
Research on volcanic catastrophe constantly seems to waver between "imminent doom" and "minimal risk." However, recent wholistic studies that account for volcanic patterns across the age of the whole earth do indicate that we are at risk of experiencing a massive volcanic eruption within the next century--at odds of about one in six. Though there is no guarantee such a catastrophe could occur as predicted, these recent studies have highlighted the massive threat volcanic explosions pose to global life as we know it. Volcanic threats have been given much less attention than many experts feel is necessary, resulting in what may prove to be a false sense of security should the worst occur. In the light of this news, researchers insist that more must be done to understand the Earth's volcanic state--both for the sake of being informed and for the sake of minimizing the threat our volcanoes pose to us. Check out the article above if you'd like to learn more; issues like these are very important to stay aware of and share!
As our technology for observing space continues to improve and expand, we have been able to learn more and more about the universe around us. One of the more intriguing recent discoveries in astronomy has to do with a "super-Earth" planet orbiting around a red dwarf star about thirty-seven light years away from the Earth we know and love. This super-Earth, named Ross 508 b, orbits on the very edge of its star's habitable zone and may even spend part of its elliptical orbit inside the zone. This might make it possible for liquid water, and potentially even extra-terrestrial life, to exist on the planet's surface. Research is still ongoing into the mysteries of Ross 508 b, but scientists have been greatly emboldened by this discovery. It was the first discovery made using a new instrument attached to the Subaru Telescope, and high hopes remain about the potential for further discoveries in the surrounding area. Check out the article above to learn more!
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