3D-Printed Organ Capable of “Breathing”

Bioengineers at Rice University and the University of Washington crafted a first-ever 3D-printed “breathing” organ. Developing an organ that can maintain (aka breathe and transmit oxygen) has proven to be the most difficult part of the research: growing living cells is simple, researchers argue, but keeping them alive is much more difficult. This lung is 3D-printed from soft gels which allow it to expand and …

The Lifelong Benefits of a Single Psychedelic Trip

For decades, numerous scientific studies have set out to determine the benefits of psychedelic trips. From stabilizing moods to boosting creativity, substantial findings support the positive impact of psilocybin. But, a slew of recent work—specifically a survey conducted by Johns Hopkins—suggests that trips could do even more: they can instill newfound purpose and a sense of connectedness that lasts a lifetime. Often, these come as …

Alzheimer’s-Detecting VR Game

VR game Sea Hero Quest—developed by game studio Glitchers, Deutsche Telekom (a German telecommunications company) and several European universities—is capable of identifying the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease in players. The game takes players on an ocean voyage, during which they are tasked with controlling the ship and navigating a specific route—first with a map, and then without. Apparently, “every two minutes spent playing the …