DTN 034: Artificial Womb Trials in Humans Could Start Soon

Artificial Womb Trials in Humans Could Start Soon

“Researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia are seeking approval for the first human clinical trials of the device they’ve been testing, named the Extra-uterine Environment for Newborn Development, or EXTEND. The team has emphasized that the technology is not intended — or able — to support development from conception to birth. Instead, the scientists hope that simulating some elements of a natural womb will increase survival and improve outcomes for extremely premature babies. In humans, that’s anything earlier than 28 weeks of gestation — less than 70% of the way to full term, which is typically between 37 and 40 weeks.” (Scientific American)

Elon Musk’s Neuralink begins accepting human patients for trials of its brain implant

“The PRIME Study (short for Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface) – a groundbreaking investigational medical device trial for our fully-implantable, wireless brain-computer interface (BCI) – aims to evaluate the safety of our implant (N1) and surgical robot (R1) and assess the initial functionality of our BCI for enabling people with paralysis to control external devices with their thoughts. During the study, the R1 Robot will be used to surgically place the N1 Implant’s ultra-fine and flexible threads in a region of the brain that controls movement intention. Once in place, the N1 Implant is cosmetically invisible and is intended to record and transmit brain signals wirelessly to an app that decodes movement intention. The initial goal of our BCI is to grant people the ability to control a computer cursor or keyboard using their thoughts alone.” (Neuralink)

Decarbonizing 8 industrial sectors could require more than $1 trillion capital investment: DOE

“Decarbonizing the U.S. power grid is a “critical” factor in efforts to reduce emissions from the industrial sector, the Department of Energy said in a report published Monday. DOE’s “Pathways to Commercial Liftoff” report examines decarbonization approaches for eight domestic industrial sectors: chemicals, refining, iron and steel, food and beverage processing, pulp and paper, cement, aluminum, and glass. Those sectors accounted for about 14% of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions in 2021, according to the analysis. Progress on eliminating emissions from the U.S. industrial sector “is at risk of lagging other countries and domestic net-zero targets,” the agency warned.” (Utility Dive)