Category: News

Born in 1638, Nicolas Steno was first a scientist, and then a convert, and finally a priest. In 1988, he was beatified by Pope Saint John Paul II. Steno’s accomplishments are numerous, from the foundation of the sciences of stratigraphy and geology to his Counter-Reformation evangelization among the Protestant friends of his youth.  Blessed Nicolas…

Controversy overtook the world of science this week when biotechnology company Colossal Biosciences claimed to have successfully “de-extincted” the dire wolf, a prehistoric species of canine that has been extinct for over 10,000 years. While the company did in fact produce two wolves with many features similar to the ancient animal, scientists outside the company have argued that…

A new genetic therapy for a rare, but serious, disease was just tested. External DNA was introduced into mice afflicted with genetically caused movement problems in an attempt to treat the underlying cause and reverse symptoms. The treatment was highly effective, and shows great promise in treating the disease even after symptom onset. The disease being…

Science marches ever forward, and right now one technology in particular is rapidly being improved: the nuclear battery. This power source, while it’s currently of only limited use, offers strong possibilities for the future, with the potential for long-lasting, environmentally friendly energy storage. When we think of batteries, we generally imagine dry cell (AA) or perhaps cell-phone batteries. These are standard batteries,…

Article by CatholicTech Intern Dominic Andres A paper published this week in Nature Communications gives us a glimpse into the future of prosthetics: comfortable, affordable, and adaptable. A new technology is demonstrated in the paper, a liner for prosthetic sockets which allows for real-time adaptive changes to its material, changes which will keep wearers comfortable and safe. When we think of…

Today is a crucial date in the history of science! Exactly 145 years ago, a man was born who would permanently alter both science and the world: Albert Einstein. Read on to learn more about this great scientist, his successes and failures, and his legacy. Albert Einstein was born on March 14th, 1879, in Ulm, Germany. A mathematical prodigy, he…

The results of the early clinical trials of a new medical procedure were just published. In it, stem cells are used to repair damage to the eye. While the treatment is proving effective on previously untreatable damage, not all stem cell treatments are ethical. This clash between morality and utility illuminates the importance of strong ethical standards in scientific…

This week we commemorate the Papal Bull Inter Gravissimas, which, in 1582, established the Gregorian Calendar, named after Pope Gregory XIII, who issued the bull. The history of this calendar begins more than three thousand years ago, in ancient Egypt. The greatness of the Egyptian Empire came from its location on the Nile river, which gave the Egyptians a…

The concept of non-human intelligent life is not new. Since ancient times men have wondered if we are alone in the cosmos. A paper was just published which may upend the prevailing theory on the subject, so I thought I’d give some answers. There are two things we need to look at here: Possibility, and Probability. First,…

With classes in full swing and five new interns on campus, CatholicTech is bustling. On Saturday, February 8, students, staff, and professors hosted members from the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. Attendees gathered under frescoed ceilings in the campus lecture hall to enjoy hors d’oeuvres and converse about the affairs of both institutions. CatholicTech Co-Founder Alexis Haughey then gave…