The Download: Bird flu, and waterless concrete for the moon

How nervous ought to we be about hen flu? The previous few months have seen some doubtlessly worrisome developments within the US, together with the continued unfold of the virus amongst dairy cattle, the detection of the virus in a pig in addition to cow’s milk, and—most regarding of all—the rising variety of human infections.

We don’t but have any proof that the virus is spreading between individuals, however the danger of a possible pandemic has elevated since MIT Expertise Evaluation last covered this topic a couple of months ago.

The excellent news is we’re in a significantly better place to deal with any potential future flu outbreaks than we have been to face covid-19 again in 2020, on condition that we have already got vaccines. However, on the entire, it’s not trying nice. Read the full story.

—Jessica Hamzelou

This story is from The Checkup, our weekly e-newsletter supplying you with the within observe on all issues well being and biotech. Sign up to obtain it in your inbox each Thursday.

The moon is only the start for this waterless concrete

If NASA establishes a everlasting presence on the moon, its astronauts’ houses could possibly be product of a brand new 3D-printable, waterless concrete. Sometime, so would possibly yours. By accelerating the curing course of for extra speedy development, this sulfur-based compound may grow to be simply as relevant on our dwelling terrain as it’s on lunar soil.

Conventional concrete requires giant quantities of water, a commodity that will probably be briefly provide on the moon, and sending simply 1 kilogram of it to the moon prices roughly $1.2 million.

As a substitute, NASA hopes to create new supplies from lunar soil and finally adapt the identical strategies for constructing on Mars. However creating the right waterless “lunarcrete” is simpler stated than finished. Read the full story.