🧠 Scientists switch off anxiety in the brain, a light sail to achieve interstellar travel, the world’s first ship with a full-scale onboard carbon capture

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Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine are exploring how to reduce anxiety through brain circuitry in pursuit of better treatment strategies.

They identified metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGluR2) as having a direct influence on anxiety. These receptors are found throughout the brain, complicating drug intervention as it involves unwanted side effects.

Activating mGluR2 in a region of the brain that connects to the amygdala, which is associated with emotional regulation, could result in better anxiety relief outcomes. Let's take a closer look at this Must-Read. 

🔥Today’s job of the day as featured on jobs.interestingengineering.com:

> CACI - Software Engineer

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MUST-READ

🧠 Brain hack: Scientists find ‘off switch’ for anxiety without side effects

In a new study, researchers discovered that targeting one circuit of mGluR2 led to better therapeutic outcomes for anxiety.

Using a technique known as “photopharmacology,” they applied wavelengths of light to control receptor activity in an area of the brain that helps integrate sensory information with internal body signals.

Treating the “insula-BLA circuit” enhanced social behavior and normalized feeding patterns without negatively impacting memory. The research is in its early stages, but the results are promising, offering a potential new avenue to reduce anxiety while minimizing side effects.

🚀 Lightsail propulsion could enable interstellar travel at speeds never before imagined

A spacecraft with innovative reflective light sails aims to fulfill humanity's dream of interstellar travel. The spacecraft would use the pressure from lasers or starlight to propel itself to speeds never before imaginable.

Currently, Caltech is studying various materials that would be used to build a light sail as the task poses numerous challenges. The key innovation currently in development is a “common-path interferometer.” It allows scientists to measure the sail’s tiny movements.

“This is an important stepping stone,” researchers note, “towards observing optical forces and torques designed to let a freely accelerating light sail rise the laser beam.”

🚢 World’s first ship with full-scale carbon sucking system cuts 70% emission

Solvang ASA, a Norwegian shipping company, has launched the world’s first ship with a full-scale onboard carbon capture and storage system (OCCS).

With a seven-megawatt main engine, the Clipper Eris is about to set sail this February for a two-year rigorous pilot test. The OCCS system, working with scrubber and exhaust cleaning systems, isolates carbon dioxide, which is liquified for onboard storage. The CO2 can then be recycled.

The system, which will reduce emissions by 70 percent, aims to tackle maritime pollution.

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