Edition 11
May 13, 2026
From microplastic filters to sun-gazing tech and life's building blocks, this digest celebrates groundbreaking innovation and impactful change!
Student wins global Earth prize for microplastics ‘filter’
Irish student Arya Satheesh wins global Earth Prize for a biodegradable plastic that also breaks down existing microplastics. Her innovative project, Eco Purge, offers a new solution to tackle plastic pollution.
Teen innovators in Kenya turn farm waste into award-winning vehicle exhaust filter
Kenyan teens won an Earth Prize for a low-cost vehicle exhaust filter made from farm waste like maize and coconut shells. Their innovative "HewaSafi" system significantly reduces air pollution and is now a contender for the global prize.
'Like putting a microscope into the core of the sun': World's 1st space-based neutrino detector launches to orbit
World's first space-based neutrino detector launches to orbit, offering an unprecedented "microscope" to study the sun's core. This mission tests technology to unlock hidden solar processes and understand elusive neutrino particles.
New Jaguar Rivers Initiative aims to reconnect South America’s fragmented ecosystems
A new initiative is restoring and protecting South America's vital river ecosystems, reconnecting fragmented habitats for wildlife and people. Four organizations are joining forces to create protected "arks" and wildlife corridors across national borders.
Stella prize 2026: Lee Lai becomes first non-binary person and first graphic novelist to win with Cannon
Lee Lai makes history as the first non-binary graphic novelist to win the Stella Prize for their acclaimed book, "Cannon." This landmark win celebrates a powerful story of responsibility and identity, breaking new ground for literary awards.
This Jharkhand Woman’s Engaging Comic Books Are Helping Lakhs of Girls Understand Periods Without Shame
This woman is breaking period taboos with engaging comic books, helping millions of girls learn without shame. Menstrupedia uses relatable stories to make menstrual education accessible and stigma-free for young people.
Researchers use AI to break the rules of nature and create a living organism that lacks a fundamental building block of life – the first synthetic 19-amino acid life form is here
AI just engineered a new life form with 19 amino acids, ditching a fundamental building block. This breakthrough rewrites biology and unlocks potential for future synthetic organisms.
