The piece also highlights the rise of larger electric vehicles (EVs), particularly SUVs, and their potential impact on the environment. While larger vehicles pose concerns regarding pedestrian safety, road maintenance, and higher greenhouse gas emissions, replacing gas-guzzling SUVs with electric versions could significantly reduce pollution. The article also includes brief mentions of various tech-related news, including an AI-generated image supporting Palestine going viral, internal conflicts at OpenAI, and the potential impact of house-flipping algorithms on the housing market.
Key takeaways:
- Research into electroceuticals, devices that could replace drugs and control chronic diseases by hacking into the body's circuitry, has not taken off as hoped despite significant investment.
- Researchers are now looking at ways to electrically manipulate cells elsewhere in the body, such as the skin, which could lead to fast-healing bioelectric bandages and new treatments for autoimmune disorders and cancer.
- SUVs, which made up nearly half of new car sales globally in 2023, represent a massive opportunity for climate action if they are replaced with electric versions.
- House-flipping algorithms, such as those used by tech company Zillow, are becoming more prevalent, raising questions about the viability of the tech-driven model and its impact on the housing industry.