As mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines are deployed to protect hundreds of millions of people across the world from the deadly global pandemic, the University of Pennsylvania scientists whose research breakthroughs laid the foundation for swift vaccine development have been awarded the 2021 Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award. Here, mRNA vaccine pioneers Drew Weissman, MD, PhD, and Katalin Karikó, PhD, share the story behind their development of this groundbreaking technology, and what it means for the future of medicine.
Category Archives: Technology
Analysis: ‘Dark Stores’ Speed Up Grocery Delivery
Speedy grocery delivery is booming, but competition and high running costs could hinder growth. Startups are promising to deliver groceries to your doorstep in minutes, stepping up competition in the industry. Their strategy: to operate out of “dark stores.” WSJ visits some of these hyperlocal warehouses to see how they operate and the challenges they face. Photo/Video: Michelle Inez Simon
Chip Shortage: Forcing Auto Makers To Adapt
The number of semiconductors in a modern car, from the ignition to the braking system, can exceed a thousand. As the global chip shortage drags on, car makers from General Motors to Tesla find themselves forced to adjust production and rethink the entire supply chain. Illustration/Video: Sharon Shi
Design: The World’s First ‘Pandemic-Ready’ Building In Miami, Florida (Video)
Equipped with a state-of-the-art medical facility and high-tech safety features, Legacy Hotel and Residences is not your typical high-rise building.
Reviews: Commercial Fusion Energy At MIT
On Sept. 5, 2021, for the first time, a large high-temperature superconducting electromagnet was ramped up to a field strength of 20 tesla, the most powerful magnetic field of its kind ever created on Earth. That successful demonstration helps resolve the greatest uncertainty in the quest to build the world’s first fusion power plant that can produce more power than it consumes, according to the project’s leaders at MIT and startup company Commonwealth Fusion Systems.
Health: Annual Physical Exams Are Going Virtual
Smart Homes: Do Smart Locks Increase Security?
Can smart locks provide more than convenience? Do they actually increase the security of your home? WSJ asked Marc Tobias, a lock security expert, to test out the Nest x Yale Lock. Photo: Cesare Salerno
Reviews: GM’s Cadillac Electric Vehicle Shift
General Motors plans to phase out nearly all of its gas and diesel vehicles by 2035. Leading that transition is the first fully electric Cadillac. WSJ’s Mike Colias visited a GM testing site for a ride and an exclusive interview with GM’s President Mark L. Reuss. Photo Illustration: Alexander Hotz
Views: Hi-Tech Factory-Built Portable Micro Homes From ‘MICROHAUS’
MicroHaus structures are portable and easy to transport. You can rapidly respond to changing circumstances and environments and change your rental business location in hours.
MicroHaus’ natural wood and fabric interiors are durable and beautiful. Designed in Europe and crafted in the USA, the interior elements are also a sign of our modern times.
These homes are energy efficient with low operating costs. They are durable and made from eco-friendly materials that are safe for you and the environment. Back-up power, a large water tank, and our Cloud Self-Diagnosis system make each one perfectly sustainable.
Environment: Investing In Carbon Capture Systems
The system could be one answer to slashing Earth’s carbon emissions. A Swiss startup has created a giant vacuum cleaner to capture carbon dioxide from the air, helping companies offset their emissions. WSJ visits the facility to see how it traps the gas for sale to clients like Coca-Cola, which uses it in fizzy drinks. Composite: Clément Bürge.
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