Harvard University to end investment in fossil fuels
President Bacow said the school’s endowment had no direct investments in fossil fuel exploration or development companies as of June and will not make such investments in the future.
Science & academia
mRNA cancer therapy now in human trials after shrinking mouse tumors
BioNTech, the German company that developed Pfizer’s covid-19 vaccine, is now testing whether mRNAs can treat cancer in humans. The treatment has already completely shrunk tumors in mice.
University of Arizona, University of Queensland, and others beat Stanford to 100% clean, renewable electricity
Stanford University recently claimed to be the “first research university to use 100% renewable electricity.” But in fact, many universities around the world have already reached this important milestone.
HBCUs across the U.S. clear student balances and cancel debt with federal funds
Federal stimulus funds have enabled the U.S. Department of Education to make significant investments in under-resourced colleges and universities through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, including more than $2.6 billion to HBCUs.
Japanese scientists produce first 3D-bioprinted, marbled Wagyu beef
The world of lab-grown meats is fast filling with all kinds of tasty bites, from burgers, to chicken breasts, to a series of increasingly complex cuts of steak.
Promising lung cancer blood test delivers impressively accurate results
A new study by researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center is showing a novel blood test can detect the presence of lung cancer with over 90% accuracy using artificial intelligence.
Stanford becomes first university in the U.S. to go 100% renewable energy
Stanford will become “first research university to use 100% renewable electricity” by summer 2022, even after a wildfire burned one of its solar farms.
Novel cement uses discarded clay to cut carbon footprint by two thirds
A research team from Germany’s Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and Brazil’s University of Pará has developed an alternative cement that drastically cuts emissions from production while meeting normal performance requirements.
Moderna starts human trials for its revolutionary HIV vaccine
The clinical trials will start on August 19 and end sometime around spring 2023, according to the National Institutes of Health’s trial registry. They will involve 56 HIV-negative participants aged 18 to 56.
CRISPR therapy for rare blood disease delivers “life-changing” results
Targeting a pair of rare genetic blood diseases, the experimental therapy has so far been 100 percent effective in all 22 patients treated.