👶 Sharp global decline in neonatal tetanus
The number of reported cases of neonatal tetanus has decreased by 89 percent between 2000 and 2021. 47 of 59 priority countries have achieved WHO's goals to eliminate tetanus in mothers and newborns.
⛽ China's declining gasoline consumption exceeds expectations
China's gasoline consumption will decrease by 4-5 percent annually until 2030. The decline in gasoline demand in China is more pronounced than in the US and Europe. PetroChina predicts that the number of gasoline-powered cars will peak already in 2025.
🧪 Two new methods break down forever chemicals using ordinary light
Scientists have developed two methods using ordinary visible light to break down forever chemicals. The methods work at temperatures as low as 40 degrees Celsius. The new methods could be an important step toward cleaning contaminated soil and water.
☀️ World's longest underwater cable for solar power gets green light from Singapore
SunCable receives approval to export renewable electricity from Australia to Singapore via a 4,300-kilometer underwater cable. The power will come from the world's largest solar and battery park, to be built in northern Australia at a cost of 35 billion dollars.
🦟 New malaria vaccine delivered directly through mosquito bites
Scientists have developed a new method to vaccinate against malaria by letting genetically modified malaria parasites transfer via mosquito bites. The method provided 89 percent protection against malaria in the initial study.
🧮 Google's quantum computer performs calculation in 5 minutes that would take longer than the universe's existence for a supercomputer
Google's new quantum computer solved a calculation in five minutes that would take longer than the universe's existence to solve with a regular supercomputer. The time it would take the supercomputer to do the calculation is nearly a million billion times longer than the age of the universe.
⛰️ AI help discover 303 new geoglyphs in Peru
Scientists have found 303 previously unknown geoglyphs in the Nazca desert using artificial intelligence and drones. The AI technology could filter out 98 percent of the image material and identify potential geoglyphs with high precision.
🔋 Battery prices for electric cars continue to drop during 2024
Average battery prices decreased by 20 percent to $115 per kilowatt hour during 2024. Battery cells fell even more, by 30 percent to $78 per kilowatt hour. Electric car batteries for passenger cars fell below $100 per kilowatt hour for the first time.
⚡ Ukraine builds renewable energy during war: "Difficult to destroy"
Ukraine's largest private energy company, DTEK, has rebuilt solar power plants in seven days after Russian attacks, compared to three to four months for thermal power plants. Decentralized power generation is much more resistant and difficult to destroy, than centralized.