AI-Powered Enzyme Discovery and Scientific Developments in September
In September, key developments included Claude-assisted enzyme discovery, China's satellite and pulsar findings, the moon's crater and water limits, and new medical transplants.
In September, the world of science and technology witnessed important events such as the discovery of a new enzyme system with the contribution of Anthropic's AI model Claude, China's internet satellites and pulsar findings, a massive impact crater on the Moon and the limits of water resources, a brain-computer interface developed for paralyzed patients, and a genetically modified pig kidney transplant.
Innovations in Space and Satellite Technologies
China launched its 26th batch of internet satellites into space on September 25, which will form part of the Guowang constellation network established in Low Earth Orbit. Launched from the commercial spacecraft center on Hainan Island via a Long March 8A rocket, the satellites successfully reached their planned positions.
Giant Impact Crater Detected on the Moon
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter discovered a massive crater formed as a result of an impact that occurred in May 2024 on the near side of the Moon. Approximately 222 meters in diameter and 43 meters deep, this crater is named Thomas McGetchin and is larger in size than the Colosseum in Rome.
Pulsar Discoveries with China's Telescope
China's Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope has recorded more than 1,300 neutron stars, known as pulsars, which rotate rapidly on their axes and emit high magnetism since entering service in 2016. The telescope has detected more pulsars than any other observation instrument in the world.
Limits of Water Resources on the Moon
Scientists revealed in their research, conducted under the assumption that there are approximately 1 billion tons of water suitable for human use on the lunar surface, that these reserves will not be sufficient for a permanent settlement where millions of people would live. It was emphasized that the water resources could last for a maximum of 100 years.
Enzyme Discovery with AI Claude
Anthropic's Claude model contributed to the discovery of a new enzyme system. As a result of 21-hour scans, approximately 950 Claude agents reached an unusual finding pointing to an uncharacterized enzyme system previously found in viruses that infect bacteria.
Brain-Computer Interface for Paralyzed Patients
The US National Institutes of Health developed a new brain-computer interface system that can simultaneously transfer the speech and body language of paralyzed patients to a virtual character. This system enables ALS patients to communicate faster.
Human-Tissue Mice and Pig Kidney Transplant
Stanford University researchers developed mice with half of their brains consisting of human tissue through the transplantation of human brain cells into mouse brains. Meanwhile, Tim Andrews, who received a genetically modified pig kidney transplant in the US, lived without dialysis for 271 days.
Use of Medicinal Plants by African Elephants
Scientists determined that African elephants utilize medicinal plants to treat themselves and their calves when they fall ill. It was identified that elephants benefit from 35 different plant species and that they prepare some of these plants into mixtures for their calves to drink.