Key scientific discoveries of July: Space, health, ecology

Advances in science and technology are illuminating the universe’s hidden mysteries while also providing new insights and solutions to human concerns.

Anadolu highlights the biggest scientific advances and discoveries from July.

Advances in space technology

On July 9, Türkiye’s first domestic communications satellite, Türksat 6A, was launched from Cape Canaveral in the United States by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. This achievement places Turkey among the 11 countries having this competence.

The launch brought Turkey’s active satellite count to nine and positioned the country to become a satellite exporter.

Furthermore, the James Webb Space Telescope caught photos of two interacting galaxies, Penguin (NGC 2936) and Egg (NGC 2937), which are likely to combine into a single galaxy.

Developments in health

Amputees restored their natural walking speeds with a revolutionary bionic limb that uses nerve-centered technology, moving 41% faster than those wearing regular prosthesis.

These bionic legs, complete with muscle sensors, represent important advances in prosthetic design.

Furthermore, a thorough brain map identified roughly 300 neurons in the prefrontal cortex that respond to word meanings, which could lead to new technologies and brain-computer interfaces to help persons who have lost their ability to communicate.

Atmospheric water collecting could offer safe drinking water for billions.

Scientists in the United States have created a device that captures water vapor from the atmosphere and turns it into drinking water.

Engineers at the University of Utah created the gadget, which employs a hygroscopic substance to trap and heat water vapor, with the potential to provide clean drinking water to billions of people facing scarcity.

Significant developments in the animal world.

Centrolene Kutuku, a glass frog with a transparent belly, was discovered in Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest.

Furthermore, a study of over 250 chimps in Uganda and Tanzania discovered that their communication techniques, such as turn-taking, fast-paced exchanges, and the use of gestures, are similar to humans.