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Health Sciences

Pre-Eclampsia Cure

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have made a groundbreaking advance in treating pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy complication affecting 3–5% of pregnancies worldwide. Pre-eclampsia, caused by reduced blood flow to the placenta, leads to high maternal blood pressure and restricted fetal development, making it a leading cause of stillbirths and prematurity. Current treatments focus on symptom management or early delivery, underscoring the urgent need for new solutions.

Kelsey Swingle, a doctoral student in UPenn’s bioengineering lab, has developed a lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-based mRNA therapeutic that directly targets the placenta. In her research, Swingle tested 98 LNP formulations in pregnant mice, identifying one that delivered mRNA to the placenta with over 100 times the efficiency of FDA-approved formulations. This innovative treatment not only reduced maternal blood pressure but also improved placental blood flow and fetal health, resulting in pups with higher birth weights. In preclinical trials, a single injection of the therapeutic at day 11 of the mice’s 20-day gestation effectively resolved symptoms through birth.

The next phase of research will test the therapy in larger animals, such as guinea pigs, whose placental structures are similar to humans, to refine dosing and evaluate efficacy. Funded by the NIH and NSF, Swingle’s work opens the door for broader applications of LNP-mRNA therapeutics in reproductive health. The team is optimizing the delivery system, exploring mechanisms of placental targeting, and preparing for clinical trials, with plans for a potential spin-off company to advance this promising technology.

Culture

Honoring ‘World Treasures’

Many are familiar with UNESCO's "World Heritage Sites," a prestigious designation for iconic landmarks like the Great Pyramids, Machu Picchu, and the city of Rome. However, less attention is given to another UNESCO initiative that may be even more significant: the "Intangible Cultural Heritage" list. Established in 2008, this list seeks to safeguard cultural traditions and practices that embody human creativity and identity, from Parisian baguette baking to Indian henna tattooing.

At its 19th annual session in Paraguay, UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee added 58 traditions to the Intangible Cultural Heritage list. These cultural practices, ranging from endangered to thriving, represent a global mosaic of creativity and community. Notable entries this year include Paraguay’s Guarania music, Korean soybean fermentation for jang, Aleppo soap making, Ukrainian Pysanka egg decorating, Albania’s K’cimi dance, Vietnam’s Festival of Bà Chúa Xứ, and Cameroon’s Ngondo water oracle rituals. Each practice enriches its cultural landscape, reflecting the diversity and resilience of human traditions.

Among the additions, three standout examples highlight the list’s breadth. Henna tattooing, an ancient art form from Egypt, is now a widely practiced tradition across regions like Morocco and Bangladesh, used for celebrations and personal adornment. Japan’s sake brewing, a precise craft involving koji mold and temperature control, remains central to cultural rituals and festivals. Meanwhile, the European art of dry stone construction, practiced in 14 countries, showcases innovative, mortar-free techniques adapted to local terrains. For travelers, UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list offers a deeper connection to the living traditions that define cultures, as Director-General Audrey Azoulay noted: “Heritage isn’t frozen in time—it’s alive and essential to our shared reality.”

Environment

‘Solar Diesel’

Swiss startup Synhelion has pioneered a groundbreaking technology to decarbonize transportation without requiring vehicle retrofits. Using solar energy to power a thermochemical process, the company synthesizes carbon-neutral fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and kerosene. Known as "solar fuels," these products emit only the CO2 captured during their production, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, which add new carbon to the atmosphere.

At the heart of this innovation is the DAWN solar fuel plant, which uses mirrors to concentrate solar radiation into a receiver, generating temperatures up to 1,500°C. This intense heat drives the synthesis of fuel from water and CO2, with thermal storage enabling production even after sunset. Since its founding in 2016, Synhelion has made significant strides in scaling its technology, attracting major partners. In September, Swiss aircraft manufacturer Pilatus signed a five-year agreement to purchase 200 tons of solar kerosene annually starting in 2027. Shortly after, Lake Lucerne Navigation Company (SGV) committed to buying 100 tons of solar fuel per year for its historic steamboats. These deals coincide with the upcoming launch of Synhelion’s RISE facility in Spain, expected to produce 1,000 tons of solar fuel annually by 2027.

Solar fuels offer an immediate, cost-effective solution for industries reliant on internal combustion engines, enabling net-zero emissions without infrastructure overhauls. Pilatus CEO Markus Bucher hailed solar fuels as “the best way to rapidly defossilize aviation,” while SGV Managing Director Stefan Schulthess praised them as “the ideal solution” for their historic vessels. With studies predicting the continued prevalence of combustion engines for decades, Synhelion’s technology provides a scalable, sustainable pathway to reduce carbon emissions, capturing CO2 during production and eliminating harmful byproducts like nitrous oxide

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I hold the power to paint a smile,
Though I’m quiet, I speak with style.
I wear down with every kiss,
What am I, do you guess this? — Lipstick 💄, Chris Hostetler got this early today!

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