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Just For The Tech Of It: Genetically modified maggots, 3D printing in space, and more

When you think of modern medicine, maggots probably aren’t the first thing that comes to mind. But if a team of bioengineers from North Carolina State University has its way, that might soon change. The team has developed a new technique that uses genetically modified maggots to heal wounds faster than ever before.

It sounds crazy, but up until recently it actually wasn’t unusual for people to clean wounds by applying fly larvae — otherwise known as maggots — to the affected area. These little grubs devour dead flesh and leave healthy tissue intact, and also excrete antimicrobial juices along the way — which makes them a gross but undeniably effective way to treat large open wounds. To give this technique a modern update, scientists at NC state took green bottle fly larvae and tweaked their genetic code so that instead of excreting an antimicrobial factor, the maggots produced a growth factor that accelerates the healing process.

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Earlier this week, NASA launched a rocket into orbit as part of a resupply mission for the International Space Station. This happens fairly often, so it’s not always a big deal, but on this particular launch, the rocket was carrying something special — a 3D printer that can fabricate objects in zero gravity.

Now, truth be told, this isn’t the first 3D printer we’ve ever sent to the ISS, but this new and improved version is much more capable than the one we sent up in 2014, and it’s going to completely change how we send things to space. Now that the ISS crew has this printer installed, NASA and other space agencies won’t have to spend millions of dollars to launch specific parts and tools up to the space station. Moving forward, we can just send the ISS a steady supply of printing material, and then whenever an astronaut needs a wrench or a fastener or a knob or something, NASA can just beam the design file up to the printer can fabricate it right there on board.

And finally, even if you’ve been living under a rock for the past two years, by now you’ve probably heard of this revolutionary new gene-editing technique called CRISPR/Cas9. Normally, when you hear about it, it’s described as a tool for eliminating genetic diseases, or maybe splicing together bits of DNA from two different places. But this week, scientists from Temple University have taken it in a completely new route — they actually used CRISPR to edit HIV genes out of human immune cells.

This is huge news, because retroviruses, like HIV, are super difficult to treat. Unlike regular viruses, retroviruses insert copies of their genomes into host cells in order to replicate — which means that as soon as you stop taking antiretroviral HIV drugs, the virus reasserts itself and weakens your immune system even further, triggering the onset of AIDS. That’s what makes this new CRISPR treatment so revolutionary. Not only does this new technique remove the viral DNA, it actually removes it permanently, and prevents the HIV from reinfecting the host.

Drew Prindle
Former Senior Editor, Features
Drew Prindle is an award-winning writer, editor, and storyteller who currently serves as Senior Features Editor for Digital…
Sebastian Stan lays out Bucky’s future after Thunderbolts
Sebastian Stan in Thunderbolts.

There are some spoilers ahead for the ending of Marvel's Thunderbolts. Stop reading now if you don't want to be spoiled.

Earlier this year, Captain America: Brave New World briefly introduced a new direction for James "Bucky" Barnes, a character Sebastian Stan has been playing since 2011 in Captain America: The First Avenger. In Brave New World, the former Winter Soldier apparently retired from being a reformed hero and went into politics by running for Congress. Thunderbolts reveals that Bucky won his election to the House of Representatives. But his stay in Congress was short.

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Jeep Compass EV breaks cover—but will it come to the U.S.?
jeep compass ev us newjeepcompassfirsteditionhawaii  4

Jeep just pulled the wraps off the all-new Compass EV, and while it’s an exciting leap into the electric future, there's a catch—it might not make it to the U.S. anytime soon.
This is a brand new electric version of the Jeep Compass, and being built on Stellantis' STLA platform—the same architecture underpinning models like the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008—it looks much slicker and packs a lot more inside than previous versions of the Compass.
Let’s start with what’s cool: the new Compass EV is packing up to 404 miles of range on a single charge, a 74 kWh battery, and fast-charging that gets you from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes. Not bad for a compact SUV with Jeep's badge on the nose.
There are two versions: a front-wheel-drive model with 213 horsepower and a beefier all-wheel-drive version with 375 horsepower. That AWD setup isn’t just for looks—it can handle 20% inclines even without front traction, and comes with extra ground clearance and better off-road angles. In short, it’s still a Jeep.
The design's been refreshed too, and inside you’ll find the kind of tech and comfort you’d expect in a modern EV—sleek, smart, and ready for both city streets and dirt trails.
But here’s the thing: even though production starts soon in Italy, Jeep hasn’t said whether the Compass EV is coming to America. And the signs aren’t promising.
Plans to build it in Canada were recently put on hold, with production now delayed until at least early 2026. Some of that might have to do with possible U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican vehicles—adding a layer of uncertainty to the whole rollout.
According to Kelley Blue Book, a Stellantis spokesperson confirmed that the company has “temporarily paused work on the next-generation Jeep Compass, including activities at” the Canadian plant that was originally meant to build the model. They added that Stellantis is “reassessing its product strategy in North America” to better match customer needs and demand for different powertrain options.
So while Europe and other markets are gearing up to get the Compass EV soon, American drivers might be left waiting—or miss out entirely.
That’s a shame, because on paper, this electric Jeep hits a lot of sweet spots. Let’s just hope it finds a way over here.

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Charlie Cox singles out his least favorite Daredevil: Born Again episode
Charlie Cox in Daredevil: Born Again.

Daredevil: Born Again season 1 was largely reconceived after the 2023 actor and writer strikes. Dario Scardapane -- a veteran of The Punisher series on Netflix -- was brought in to be the new showrunner and he made a lot of changes to the series that were well-received. However, there's one episode that Scardapane didn't really change at all, and it happens to be the least favorite episode of Daredevil: Born Again's leading man, Charlie Cox.

During an appearance on The Playlist, Cox noted that he wasn't very fond of the season's fifth episode, "With Interest," which was a largely standalone episode that featured his character, Matt Murdock, in a bank during a hostage crisis.

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