These “plastivore” caterpillars can devour a plastic bag in just 24 hours

Here's another way that we (collectively) are trying to deal with plastic waste. Waxworms are capable of eating through certain types of plastic and digesting it. 

It's not quite ready for a wide scale solution, but as one researcher notes, it sets the stage for finding potential organisms that can be used in various ways to help with the plastic problem. 

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250827010736.htm

After ‘humiliating’ raid, Burkina Faso halts ‘gene drive’ project to fight malaria

This is one of those unbelievable stories that show the problem with fake news extends well beyond our borders. 

The summary is that the government of Burkina Faso was funding research into how to reduce the spread of malaria. 

Since mosquitos are the way the disease ia spread, the research team focused on eradicating the mosquito population. They did some genetic manipulation and made it so that the offspring would all be male, and therefore they couldn't reproduce. 

And then came the fake news. Ten research team was accused of creating a synthetic virus that they were using the mosquitos to spread in order to (something something). 

The government stopped the research. Hassled the scientists. And accused them of various nefarious deeds. The mosquitos they created were killed off. 

And we're right back to where we were. With no means to stop the spread of malaria. 

https://www.science.org/content/article/after-humiliating-raid-burkina-faso-halts-gene-drive-project-fight-malaria

AI paves the way toward green cement

First off, I had no idea that cement production accounted for 8% of all CO2 emissions. 

Second, this is an appropriate and good use of technology to improve life. Using modeling, and machine learning to try and find new ways to reduce emissions without having to spend a lot of time and money on trial and error is pretty cool. 

And they think they've found a way to reduce their carbon footprint. Very nice.  

https://techxplore.com/news/2025-06-ai-paves-green-cement.html

US in real danger of losing the moon race to China, experts tell Senate

The US Senate convened a hearing about the space program which they titled "Bad Moon on the Rise."  Because, you know, there are no other pressing needs for the senate to tackle right now.  <sarcasm=high>

The central theme was that without Artemis (the planned moon mission that is waaaaay behind schedule), and the Lunar Gateway Space Station (that is intended to replace the ISS, and which just started construction and should be ready for a 2030 space deployment) adhering to the planned schedules,  China will reach the moon before the US.

The important takeaway is: 

Witnesses underscored that delays, budget uncertainty, or wavering commitments could undermine both U.S. industry and international alliances, warning that uncertainty could drive partners and suppliers toward China's accelerating lunar mission technologies.

And that right there. That's exactly what this administration set out to do with budget cuts, installing stupid people at the head of the agency, and generally not having a clue what they are doing.

Having a Senate committee look into it is nice, but doesn't change the facts.  China will win this battle and get to the moon before we return.  But hey, maybe we can be first to Mars.

https://www.space.com/astronomy/moon/us-in-real-danger-of-losing-the-moon-race-to-china-experts-tell-senate

Make the plague great again!

Flori-duh is doing what it does best: leading the world in stupidity. 

Yep, Florida announced an end to any and all vaccine mandates for any public type things. Which includes schools. 

Adults get sick and die, that's on them. But kids dying as a result of poor decisions by parents? That's just sad. 

Funny how the gop is all about being pro-life before birth, but afterwards not so much. 

Woman loses thousands of dollars to romance scammer posing as astronaut in distress, police in Japan say

While I do feel bad for this poor lady, the story is actually kind of hilarious. 

In short: the guy said he was an astronaut *in space* and needed money to buy oxygen. 

Ummmm. From where, exactly? The convenience store around the corner? Another space station? 

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/woman-romance-scam-fake-astronaut-distress-japan/

Rare ancient gold discovery made by Florida student at archaeological site

The student archaeologists went into the field and were given some parameters on what to do. And one student managed to make a find from 1,500 years ago almost right away. 

Quite a lucky find. And definitely worth sharing. 

https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/archaeology-student-finds-rare-ninth-century-gold-within-the-first-90-minutes-of-her-first-excavation