New parasitic worms kill cancer cells

Plus: NASA has spoken out over alleged war propaganda Jul 11, 2022 [Blueprint]( A microscopic worm known as a nematode has the ability to kill cancer cells, [according to new research]( by Osaka University. They found that when you fit the worms with a hydrogel sheath, (a gel layer that covers their whole body) they can carry anti-cancer agents without being harmed themselves. But before you dive into that story in the manner of a parasitic worm hell-bent on saving the world one cancer patient at a time, [check out our video]( about SpaceX’s amazing Raptor machine. In it, Elon Musk explains exactly how it works. Good morning. I’m Alice, an editor at IE. This is The Blueprint. Let’s get started. If you haven’t already, check out our [new IE+ subscription]( launching July 14, featuring exclusive interviews, analysis, premium features, and more. Claim your [free one-month trial]( here. [Play]VIDEO OF THE DAY [How does SpaceX's Raptor engine work? Elon Musk explains.]( [How SpaceX's Raptor works]( SpaceX has [nearly finished installing]( the 39 upgraded Raptor engines it needs to take its Starship rocket into orbit for the first time. [Must Read]MUST READ [These newly-engineered parasitic worms can kill cancer cells]( [Parasitic worms kill cancer cells]( Last November, scientists developed a cancer screening test using genetically engineered roundworms to detect early signs of pancreatic cancer from a drop of urine. Now, researchers from Osaka University in Japan have found that microscopic worms (known as nematodes) [can kill cancer cells.]( They achieve this by being coated in hydrogel-based “sheaths” that can carry cancer-killing substances — the worms are the superheroes, and these are their capes. For those of you (like me) who thrive on a bit of detail, the nematode in question is the Anisakis simplex, a microscopic marine-dwelling worm. But it’s not all plain sailing. The [research]( is still very much in its early stages and… let’s be honest, there may be a degree of resistance to the idea of voluntarily ingesting parasitic worms. And, as yet, there is no way to control the worms once they’re in your system… so, it’s a work in progress. Or a worm in progress, if you will. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Linkedin]( [SCIENCE]SCIENCE [NASA calls out Roscosmos over alleged war propaganda on the ISS]( It won’t have escaped anyone’s notice that things have been fairly contentious between the U.S. and Russia since the beginning of the war in Ukraine …and it has been [affecting space relations](. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( And Other Stories in Science - A new artificial muscle is stronger and [more flexible]( than natural ones. - Drinking 50 beers daily as the only dietary intake for more than a month — [what could go wrong?]( - Making a garden on the red planet: [How could we colonize/terraform Mars?]( [INNOVATION]INNOVATION [What has happened to the world's nuclear test sites?]( Nuclear testing has (largely) ceased since the late-1990s, with a few notable exceptions, so [what is the current state]( of all the many nuclear testing sites around the world? [READ MORE [Arrow]]( And Other Stories in Innovation - This aerial ropeway [moves 330 tons a day]( without using any power. - There's an [entire street]( of 3D-printed houses in Texas. - Man in Iron Man-like flying gear [earned three Guinness World Record titles]( in one day. [MAIL & MUSINGS]MAIL & MUSINGS New research has found that parasitic nematodes can carry cancer-killing cells. Would you be willing to ingest parasitic worms? [Not a chance.]( [Not unless you could get them out again.]( [Maybe, if you wouldn’t actually notice them.]( [Yes, if it was going to cure me of cancer.]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS Yesterday we asked you if you think we’re close to making batteries that would make electric vehicles viable in all weather conditions. And 33 percent of you said yes, totally! 33% Yes! We got this. 32% A battery revolution is here. 27% No, all the developments made are minor. 9% Aren’t EVs already running fine? [QUOTE OF THE DAY]QUOTE OF THE DAY "The essence of science: ask an impertinent question, and you are on the way to a pertinent answer." Jacob Bronowski, 1908–74, Polish-born mathematician and humanist: The Ascent of Man (1973). [THINGS WE LOVE]THINGS WE LOVE [image]( [Coleman Portable Cooler]( [image]( [Akorn Kamado Charcoal Grill]( [image]( [Happybuy Kitchen Cabinet]( [image]( [Razor MX650 (Yellow)]( [AND ANOTHER THING]AND ANOTHER THING - Boy with autism [builds world's largest]( LEGO Titanic replica. - Why giant prehistoric [insects ruled Earth]( before the dinosaurs. (Popular Mechanics) - NASA says Mars survived 500 million years of [volcanic 'super-eruptions'](. - Record-breaking experiment quantum [entangles two atoms]( miles apart. (IFL Science) - The [world's biggest 'boneyard']( houses almost 4,000 aircraft. - 'Just moved me': [NASA in 'awe']( new images. (CNN) - Scientists have [grown tiny brains]( to cure a deadly neurological disease. Prepared by Alice Cooke Enjoy Reading? Forward this email to a friend. Was this email forwarded to you? 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