Today's Science News With Tony

Could scientists grow a new knee? In this episode of Today's Science News With Tony, discover NOVAKnee, a new invention from Columbia University designed to help the body grow its own bone and cartilage. Learn how 3D printing and special stem cells could change knee replacement surgery—and why scientists still need to test this amazing idea before it can help people!

Sources:

https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/can-living-knee-revolutionize-joint-replacement?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://arpa-h.gov/explore-funding/programs/nitro?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://time.com/collection/best-inventions/2026/columbia-university-novaknee/

In this episode of Today's Science News With Tony, we explore how tardigrades—tiny animals famous for surviving extreme conditions—could help scientists find a better way to freeze and store human blood!

Discover how scientists in China used a special protein inspired by tardigrades, along with a protective sugar, to help red blood cells survive freezing and thawing. We'll learn why ice can damage cells, how frozen blood might help people with rare blood types, and what experiments with mice revealed.

Sources:

https://www.acs.org/pressroom/presspacs/2026/october/trick-from-tardigrades-could-help-human-blood-withstand-freezing.html

https://www.newswise.com/articles/a-trick-from-tardigrades-could-help-human-blood-withstand-freezing

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42696053/

How can scientists learn what happens when planets crash into each other?

In this episode, we explore a new discovery from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, which studied 21 unusual dust rings around young stars and found clues about the size and power of these giant collisions. Discover how scientists use tiny grains of dust to investigate distant worlds and learn more about how planets form!

Sources:

https://www.space.com/astronomy/exoplanets/worlds-collide-james-webb-space-telescope-investigates-what-happens-when-planets-crash-together

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/10/261007042108.htm

https://science.nasa.gov/missions/webb/nasas-webb-provides-crash-course-on-planet-shattering-collisions/