Welcome to this week's issue of toast, where we endeavour to scrape off the burnt edges of science and tech.

Today we're exploring everything from cancer-killing genes to why your mitochondria think your energy drink habit is hilarious. Meanwhile, physicists show that it’s not just beauty that’s in the eye of the beholder, but possibly everything, everywhere, all the time (yup… it's quantum 🤓). 

Scientists have discovered cancer's sneaky trick for evading cellular death, it silences specific genetic elements called "poison exons" in a key gene called TRA2. These poison exons normally act as kill switches for protein production, but cancer cells find ways to suppress them. Researchers have now found a way to reactivate these molecular kill switches using antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), effectively instructing cancer cells to self-destruct.

🧐 What's in it for me? This discovery could transform treatment for aggressive cancers like triple-negative breast cancer and certain brain tumours that have proven difficult to treat with conventional methods. By restoring these natural kill switches, we might finally have precision treatments for cancers that have thus far evaded our best efforts.

💵 Out of the Lab: This approach falls into the rapidly expanding field of RNA therapeutics. Early-stage startups like Strand Therapeutics (Series A) and NexImmune (early clinical stage) are developing programmable mRNA therapeutics that could incorporate this poison exon activation approach. Meanwhile, Nutcracker Therapeutics (Series C) is creating a platform for on-demand RNA manufacturing that could accelerate the translation of these discoveries. While established players like Ionis Pharmaceuticals and Alnylam remain industry leaders in ASO development, keep an eye on newcomers like Replicate Bioscience (Series A), whose novel RNA delivery technologies could be ideal for targeting these cancer kill switches.

Researchers have discovered a new member of the gene-editing family: SubCas9. These petite molecular scissors are smaller than traditional Cas9 systems and target different DNA sequences, expanding the gene editor's repertoire. While standard Cas9 cuts near "GG" sequences, SubCas9 prefers sites next to "AATA" or "AGTA" patterns, giving scientists access to previously inaccessible parts of the genome.

🧐 What's in it for me? SubCas9's compact size makes it easier to deliver into human cells and tissues, potentially improving gene therapy effectiveness. Think of it as a specialised precision tool that can access genomic regions the original couldn't reach. This could lead to more targeted treatments for genetic diseases while potentially avoiding immune reactions that sometimes occur with traditional CRISPR systems. The gene therapy world finally has its travel-sized option, and it turns out good things really do come in small packages.

💵 Out of the Lab: This discovery could be transformative for companies developing in vivo gene editing therapies. Startups like Tune Therapeutics (Series B) are specifically focused on novel CRISPR systems and could integrate SubCas9 into their platforms. Another early(ish)-stage player, Arbor Biotechnologies (Series C), specialises in discovering novel gene-editing enzymes and would be positioned well to commercialise this technology. While established leaders like CRISPR Therapeutics, Intellia, and Editas lead the field, nimble startups like Scribe Therapeutics (Series B) are developing proprietary CRISPR systems that could benefit significantly from this discovery.

Physicists in Brazil have discovered something both profound and perplexing: entropy (the measure of disorder in a system) depends on who's observing it... This research shows that an observer's motion and perspective influence the quantum disorder they measure, providing a rare bridge between quantum mechanics and relativity; two theories that normally get along about as well as cats and cucumbers.

🧐 What's in it for me? While not immediately practical, this discovery could help solve one of physics' greatest puzzles: how to unite quantum mechanics with gravity. It suggests that fundamental properties like disorder aren't fixed but depend on perspective, meaning reality itself might be more observer-dependent than we thought. Finally, scientific proof that your desk isn't messy, it simply exists in a clean state until your boss looks at it.

💵 Out of the Lab: Several early-stage quantum startups could leverage these theoretical insights. Quantum Machines (Series C) is building control systems for quantum computers that might need to account for these observer effects. Riverlane (Series C) develops software that bridges quantum hardware and algorithms; exactly the layer where perspective-dependent entropy could matter. Meanwhile, startups like QunaSys (Series B) and QuantrolOx (Seed) are developing specialised quantum algorithms and error correction techniques that could benefit from this new understanding of quantum entropy. As before, whilst tech giants like IBM and Google continue massive quantum investments, smaller players like SEEQC (Series A) and Oxford Quantum Circuits (Series B) might be more agile in incorporating these theoretical advances into their quantum computing architectures.

Researchers have developed QNodeOS, the first operating system designed specifically for quantum networks. This breakthrough software can control devices within a quantum network regardless of what type of qubits they use; effectively creating a universal language for quantum computers to communicate with each other.

🧐 What's in it for me? This operating system brings us one step closer to a functional quantum internet that would offer unprecedented security and computational power. Next-generation communication networks could allow for messages that are physically impossible to intercept without detection, while also enabling distributed quantum computing tasks across multiple machines. Much like the early internet protocols transformed global communications, QNodeOS could lay the foundation for an entirely new era of secure, quantum-enhanced networking.

💵 Out of the Lab: The quantum networking space is seeing a surge of early-stage innovation. Nu Quantum (Seed) is developing single-photon components crucial for quantum communications, while Qunnect (Series B) specialises in room-temperature quantum repeaters that would be essential for a quantum internet. Aliro Quantum (Series A) is already building a platform specifically for quantum network design. Meanwhile, Quantum Dice (Seed) uses quantum random number generation for security applications that would integrate perfectly with quantum networks. Larger players include Toshiba, which has already demonstrated long-distance quantum key distribution, and ColdQuanta, which is developing quantum systems across computing and communications. The race to build quantum network infrastructure is heating up, and QNodeOS could become the Android or iOS of this emerging ecosystem.

Researchers have discovered an efficient way to generate electricity using small plastic beads. When surfaces made of closely packed beads come into contact, some beads become positively charged while others become negatively charged through a process called triboelectrification (basically sophisticated static electricity). Dr. Ignaas Jimidar of VUB found that small changes in material selection can significantly boost energy generation efficiency.

🧐 What's in it for me? These triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) could enable small devices to harvest energy from everyday movements. Think shoes that charge your phone as you walk, or clothes that power wearable health monitors. The technology could potentially free us from the tyranny of charging cables and battery anxiety, turning ordinary movement into useful power.

💵 Out of the Lab: It may be early for commercialisation of triboelectric energy harvesting, but in the broader energy harvesting space, Teratonix (Seed) captures ambient RF energy, and 8Power (Seed) harvests vibration energy for industrial IoT applications. Larger companies like Samsung and LG have filed patents on triboelectric technologies for consumer electronics, but the field remains wide open for startups to define specialized applications in wearables, IoT, and sustainable energy.

Chemists have figured out how to copy nature's energy-harvesting trick. Plants capture sunlight using specialized molecules arranged in a specific pattern—like tiny solar panels perfectly positioned to catch and pass along energy. What the researchers did was create their own version of this setup using human-made dye molecules carefully stacked together.

These stacked dyes can: Absorb sunlight Convert it to electrical charges Efficiently transfer those charges through the stack This artificial system brings us closer to utilising solar energy to both capture carbon dioxide and produce hydrogen, potentially solving two major environmental challenges simultaneously.

🧐 What's in it for me? If scaled successfully, artificial photosynthesis could provide carbon-neutral fuels while simultaneously removing CO2 from the atmosphere, a rare win-win. This technology could eventually let us fuel vehicles with hydrogen produced by sunlight-powered systems that actually clean the air as they generate energy.

💵 Out of the Lab: Established players include Twelve (Series C), which is already producing carbon-negative materials from CO2, and Dimensional Energy (Series A), which uses sunlight to convert CO2 into jet fuel. While energy giants like Shell and BP have made strategic investments in this space, the technical innovation is primarily driven by these focused startups with specialized expertise in catalyst design and system integration.

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a technique to identify and eliminate "spurious correlations" in AI; those misleading patterns that cause AI to make decisions based on irrelevant information. The team discovered these problematic correlations often stem from a tiny subset of training data and demonstrated a method to overcome them without even knowing what the spurious features are.

🧐 What's in it for me? More reliable AI means fewer embarrassing mistakes and discriminatory outcomes. This technique could help eliminate biases in everything from hiring algorithms to medical diagnostics, ensuring AI makes decisions based on relevant information rather than coincidental patterns. When AI systems can distinguish what truly matters from misleading correlations, they become both more accurate and more trustworthy; pretty important character traits of a future overlord.

💵 Out of the Lab: Several AI startups are focused specifically on addressing problems like spurious correlations. Arthur AI (Series B) offers an AI monitoring platform that could implement these debiasing techniques at scale, while TruEra (acquired) provides tools for explaining, testing, and improving machine learning models. Fiddler AI (Series B) specialises in explainable AI that helps users understand why models make specific decisions. Series A companies like CalypsoAI are developing solutions for AI testing and validation that could incorporate these new techniques. While tech giants like Google and Microsoft continue to invest heavily in responsible AI research, specialized startups like these are often more nimble in deploying cutting-edge debiasing approaches, making them valuable partners for enterprises seeking to eliminate harmful biases from their AI systems 

Researchers have developed an AI-powered robot that can prepare coffee in busy kitchens, representing a significant advance in robotics. The system combines advanced AI, sensitive sensors, and fine-tuned motor skills to interact with its environment in remarkably human-like ways. To provide a truly authentic experience, they've also taught it to spell your name wrong.

🧐 What's in it for me? Beyond potentially shorter lines at your local cafe, this technology demonstrates robots' growing ability to perform complex tasks in unpredictable environments. The integration of reasoning, movement, and perception could lead to robots that can assist in everything from household chores to caring for elderly individuals. Your future robot butler just got one step closer to reality.

💵 Out of the Lab: The food service robotics space is seeing explosive growth among early-stage companies. Dexai Robotics (Series A) is developing "Alfred," an AI-powered robotic arm that can prepare various dishes, while Blendid (Seed) builds fully autonomous robotic kiosks for smoothies and other beverages. In the broader service robotics space, Diligent Robotics (Series C) is creating hospital assistant robots, and Bear Robotics (Acquired) develops food delivery robots. While established players like Miso Robotics (creator of "Flippy" the burger-flipping robot) continue to expand their footprint, these emerging startups are pioneering specialized applications that combine AI reasoning with sophisticated manipulation skills; exactly the integration showcased in this coffee-making research.

Scientists at NeuroRestore have developed a system that integrates spinal cord stimulation with rehabilitation robotics to restore movement in people with spinal cord injuries. Essentially, the technology delivers electrical pulses to the spinal cord at precisely the right moments to coincide with robotic-assisted movements. This coordinated stimulation activates muscles in a natural sequence, much like how your brain would normally control them. The result is more fluid, coordinated movement during rehabilitation exercises than what robotics alone can achieve.

🧐 What's in it for me? For individuals with spinal cord injuries, this combined approach offers more effective rehabilitation than robotics alone, potentially enabling activities like cycling and walking outdoors that were previously impossible. Beyond spinal injuries, the technology could eventually inform treatments for stroke recovery and other neurological conditions affecting movement. It represents hope for millions worldwide suffering from mobility limitations.

💵 Out of the Lab: This breakthrough sits at the intersection of neurotechnology and rehabilitation robotics, where several innovative startups are making waves. ONWARD Medical (recently public, but originated as a startup from this research team) is already advancing spinal cord stimulation technologies into clinical trials. BIOS Health (Series A) is creating neural interfaces that decode and stimulate the nervous system to treat various conditions. More established players in rehabilitation robotics include Ekso Bionics and ReWalk Robotics, but newer entrants like Fourier Intelligence (Series D) are building more affordable, adaptive rehabilitation robots that could more easily integrate with stimulation technologies. This convergence of neurostimulation and robotics represents one of the most promising frontiers in treating movement disorders.

Scientists finally explain why you’re always tired 😴

Researchers have uncovered surprising new insights into why so many of us feel perpetually exhausted. Dr. Martin Picard, who pioneered the field of "mitochondrial psychobiology" (yes, that's apparently a thing now), discovered that these cellular power plants struggle when overwhelmed with fuel. Ironically, that sugary energy drink might be making you more tired, not less. It's like trying to stuff a Ferrari's fuel tank with an entire oil tanker's worth of gasoline—things get messy fast. 

Even more fascinating, your cells literally burn 60% more energy when you're stressed and, as we age, our bodies produce increasing amounts of a molecule called GDF15, which essentially tells our system to start DOGE'ing non essential functions when you're cellular bureaucracy gets too bloated. Hence the grey hair…

The solution? Researchers suggest "deep rest" practices like meditation might help. Not because they align your chakras, but because they convince your cellular accounting department that it's safe to spend energy again.

Until next time, stay curious.

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