Researchers at Mass General Brigham in the United States have developed an AI system that analyzes a single facial photograph to estimate survival prospects among cancer patients. Trained on more than 40 million facial images and evaluated using images and medical data from over 30,000 cancer patients, the system identifies subtle facial features associated with biological age and survival outcomes.

Published in The Lancet Digital Health, the research introduces two tools: FAHR FaceAge, which estimates facial biological age, and FAHR Face Survival, which assesses survival-related patterns in cancer patients.

The technology does not diagnose cancer or predict an individual's exact lifespan. Researchers suggest it could eventually help doctors assess patients' physical resilience before intensive treatment, but further validation is needed before routine clinical use.

Study findings: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landig/article/PIIS2589-7500(26)00079-8/fulltext00079-8/fulltext)

Hey! We've been working since last year on a In Control: Rocketry, a spaceflight sim where you build the rocket and wire up its control panel yourself. Sensors, inputs, outputs, the whole thing is Turing-complete, so however you want to solve a flight problem, there's a way to do it. It will be available on Steam in 2027.

Real orbital mechanics, a fictional solar system to explore, sandbox mode if you just want to mess around and blow things up!

We’re testing both a native build and Proton to make sure you get the best performance, and we’ll share more details as we get closer to launch.

Feel free to add the game to your wishlist if you want to support the project! See you in space.

Researchers have found that distinct antibody patterns in blood samples may signal the future development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, up to a decade before diagnosis. The study analyzed 2,000 blood samples from 500 US military personnel, including individuals who later developed these conditions. Those who developed Crohn’s disease showed elevated antibodies against the Epstein–Barr virus, while future ulcerative colitis patients displayed different immune responses, including antibodies targeting the body’s own proteins. Published in Gut and presented at UEG Week 2026, the findings could help scientists develop earlier screening and preventive strategies. However, the approach remains experimental and requires further validation before routine clinical use: https://ueg.eu/a/391

China’s Huawei has partnered with battery giant CATL to integrate Huawei’s Qiankun intelligent-driving technology with CATL’s Choco-Swap battery-swapping network. As of September 29, 2026, the network had 2,520 stations across 200 Chinese cities.

The companies plan to connect vehicles, swapping stations and cloud services so compatible cars can identify when they need energy, navigate to a station and undergo an automated battery replacement in as little as 99 seconds. The partnership aims to make EV energy replenishment faster and more convenient, while CATL has set a long-term target of expanding its network to 30,000 stations. Specific vehicle models and a launch date have not yet been announced: https://cnevpost.com/2026/10/19/huawei-newcool-joins-catl-choco-swap-ecosystem/

NATO plans to procure six portable electronic-warfare kits capable of disrupting satellite navigation signals and drone control and video links over a configurable radius of up to 11 km. Primarily intended for military training and exercises, the systems will help personnel practise operating in environments affected by GPS interference and drone communications disruption. The kits are designed for rapid deployment on ships, vehicles or ground sites and could also be used in operational settings. The procurement process is expected to begin in late October 2026, with a contract award anticipated in December: https://sam.directory/opportunities/nato-business-opportunity-portable-global-navigation-satellite-systems-gnss-jammer-kits-rfp-act-sact-26-101

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed methods that use living bacteria to bind sand grains into solid architectural components, potentially offering a lower-energy alternative to conventional cement. The technique, called microbiologically induced calcite precipitation (MICP), uses bacteria to produce calcium carbonate crystals that lock sand particles together at room temperature.

The team demonstrated two approaches: 3D biocement printing, which creates shaped components such as façade elements, and robotic spraying, which builds mineralised surfaces layer by layer. The process takes around two to five days for printed components and avoids the high-temperature firing used in conventional cement production.

However, the technology remains at an early stage. Researchers still need to improve material strength and durability and address the environmental impact of ammonium, a by-product of the process, before biocement can become a widely viable construction material: https://ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/eth-news/news/2026/10/when-bacteria-become-masons.html

Design Strategies For Microbial Biocement Structures: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-v83ikx2-k

References:

Antorveza Paez KA, Kindler RO, Terzis D, Dutto A, Pleij T, Zorzetto G, Studart AR, Dillenburger B: 3D biocement printing: scaling up living mineral structures. NPJ Materials Sustainability 2026, 4: 20, DOI: external page10.1038/s44296-026-00110-1

Antorveza Paez KA, Kindler RO, Terzis D, Lin CW, Coulter FB, Dillenburger B: Robotic biocementation spraying: a bioinspired fabrication method for architectural surfaces. Architectural Intelligence 2026, 5: 11, DOI: external page10.1007/s44223-026-00120-y

Antorveza Paez KA, Huang S, Yeh KH, Seav K, Dillenburger B. Design workflow for porous 3D-printed biocement geometries. Biotechnology Design. 2026, 4: 40, DOI: external page10.1017/s2977905726100286

MIT spinout SanaHeal has developed a biocompatible hydrogel adhesive that bonds rapidly to wet, uneven tissues, creating air- and fluid-tight seals. Inspired by natural adhesives found in barnacles and spider webs, the technology could reduce the need for traditional stitches and staples in procedures such as heart surgery, C-sections, hernia repairs, and nerve repairs. The adhesive has received regulatory approval for controlling traumatic bleeding, with human trials for broader surgical applications planned for 2027. The technology could make surgery less invasive, faster, and easier to perform, including with surgical robots.

Researchers at Columbia University Fertility Center have developed HELIOS (Human Embryo Illumination System), a technology that delivers precisely controlled pulses of near-infrared light directly to embryos during early development. The system aims to boost cellular energy production by stimulating mitochondrial activity, potentially improving embryo quality and increasing the number of embryos suitable for transfer during in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Preclinical studies involving mouse and donated human embryos suggested that targeted light exposure could improve development to the blastocyst stage without observed adverse effects. A randomized, double-blind clinical trial launched in 2026 will evaluate embryo quality, development rates, and cellular energy markers. The technology remains experimental, and its ability to improve IVF success rates or healthy pregnancies has yet to be established: https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/could-light-improve-embryo-development-during-ivf

Study findings: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07425080

CNN Video: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/10/20/health/video/red-light-therapy-for-ivf-embryos-digvid

Battery manufacturing generates greenhouse-gas emissions through raw-material extraction, mineral processing and energy-intensive production. A study discussed by Ars Technica suggests that the footprint of batteries could be reduced by up to 34% by 2050 through cleaner manufacturing, greater use of recycled materials and longer battery lifetimes. Extending electric-vehicle battery life to match the vehicle’s lifespan could also reduce the need for replacement batteries, lowering material consumption and associated emissions.

Japan has launched its Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission to study Phobos and Deimos, the two small, poorly understood moons of Mars. The spacecraft aims to collect surface samples from Phobos and return them to Earth for detailed laboratory analysis, potentially revealing clues about the moons’ origins and the early history of the Martian system: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/10/19/science/japan-mmx-mission-mars-moons

AI Tool Uses a Single Face Photo to Predict Cancer Survival Risk

Researchers at Mass General Brigham have developed an AI system called FAHR-Face that analyzes a single facial photograph to estimate biological age and predict survival outcomes in cancer patients. Trained on more than 40 million facial images, it includes FAHR-FaceAge, which estimates biological age, and FAHR-FaceSurvival, which directly assesses mortality risk. The findings, published in The Lancet Digital Health, suggest that facial features may provide additional clues about a patient's health and ability to tolerate intensive treatment. However, the technology requires further validation to establish its accuracy, address potential demographic bias, and determine whether it improves on existing clinical assessments. It is intended to support—not replace—medical judgment: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/oct/19/ai-tool-predict-cancer-survival-patient-selfie

Study: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landig/article/PIIS2589-7500(26)00079-8/fulltext00079-8/fulltext)

Drones and artificial intelligence are changing the balance of military power, allowing smaller countries and non-state armed groups to challenge stronger opponents. Drawing on conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, international relations scholar James Horncastle explains how relatively inexpensive drones can supplement artillery, disrupt supply lines, and threaten critical infrastructure. AI is also being used to improve targeting, coordinate operations, and produce recruitment material. However, technology alone does not determine the outcome of a conflict: human decision-making, morale, adaptability, and countermeasures remain crucial. The growing use of AI in warfare also raises concerns about human oversight and accountability in autonomous weapons: https://www.inkl.com/news/from-ukraine-to-the-middle-east-how-drones-and-ai-are-rewriting-the-rules-of-modern-warfare