The year 2025 was marked by controversial and promising scientific and technological advances. From the alleged ‘de-extinction’ of prehistoric dire wolves to food biotechnology, from the application of artificial intelligence to disease detection to animal welfare.
Humanized robotics has gained ground with robots capable of household chores and ocean exploration. In space, scientists monitor potentially dangerous asteroids and test food production in orbit, while a possible discovery of extraterrestrial life on the exoplanet K2-18b has sparked debate in the scientific community.
Prehistoric wolves back to life?
A North American biotechnology company claims to have created cubs from dire wolves, a species that has been extinct for more than 12,000 years. The announcement generated excitement on social media, but also strong reservations from the scientific community. Researchers emphasize that ancient DNA undergoes profound degradation over time, which makes it practically impossible to reconstruct, in its entirety, the genome of an animal that was extinct thousands of years ago. For many experts, what is at stake is not bringing a species back to life, but rather creating modern organisms with some characteristics of disappeared species.
From wolf to mammoth: how far does genetic engineering go?
The same company, Colossal Biosciences, says it has taken another step in the goal of “resurrecting” the woolly mammoth. The advance involves creating “woolly rats”, genetically modified with genes from living relatives of the mammoth, such as the Asian elephant. The researchers involved argue that these experiments allow testing genes associated with adaptation to the cold. Still, many scientists warn that these animals are not mammoths, nor approximate versions, but laboratory models with specific changes.
Cheese without cows: the bet of food biotechnology
It melts, stretches and tastes like cheese, but does not contain cow’s milk. This is the promise of British startup Better Dairy, which wants to reduce dependence on traditional livestock production. The company claims its products replicate the taste and texture of conventional dairy products, with a lower environmental footprint. The technology is based on precision fermentation, using microorganisms to produce milk proteins without using animals.
Repair teeth with keratin
Researchers at King’s College London have developed an innovative dental treatment based on keratin, a protein present in hair, skin and wool. In laboratory tests, keratin has shown the ability to repair damaged tooth enamel, mimicking the natural structure of the tooth. Products such as toothpaste or varnish could hit the market within two to three years, opening up new possibilities in preventing tooth decay.
Slippers made from household dust
A young London designer has created a pair of slippers from household dust collected from a vacuum cleaner. The project, called “Done & Dusted”, transforms this invisible residue into a material similar to felt. The proposal aims to draw attention to everyday waste and the possibility of reusing unlikely materials, combining design and sustainability.
When mushrooms make music
“Bionic and the Wires” is not a conventional band. The collective created by Jon Ross and Andy Kidd connects mushrooms and plants to sensors that translate biological signals into musical notes. The electrical activity of the fungi is converted into sound, creating unique and unpredictable compositions. The project combines art, science and technology.
Artificial intelligence at the service of animal welfare
Artificial intelligence is being used to learn to recognize emotions in animals. The IntelliPig system analyzes the facial expressions of pigs while they feed and assesses their emotional state, with the aim of detecting signs of stress or discomfort. The technology could help producers improve animal welfare conditions through more objective and continuous monitoring.
“Moflin”: a pet made of algorithms
In 2025, a “furry” companion with emotional artificial intelligence arrived on the market. “Moflin” is designed to behave like a small pet, responding to touch with gentle sounds and head and body movements. According to the creators, it can develop up to four million unique personalities, adapting to the way it is treated by the user.
Humanoid robots for an aging society?
China is investing heavily in the development of humanoid robots capable of performing everyday tasks. Agibot Genie-1 learns real-world activities with the support of human controllers and already demonstrates skills in domestic tasks and in commercial environments. Creators see these robots as a possible answer to labor shortages and an aging population, although the cost is still high.
Humanoid robots play football in Beijing
The Humanoid Robot World Championships took place in August, in Beijing, with teams from China, the United States, Germany, Brazil and several universities. Robots play football completely autonomously, without direct human control. They use artificial intelligence to locate the ball, position themselves on the field and score goals, in a demanding test of perception and decision-making abilities in real time.
Robots that descend to the depths of the ocean
Robotics is also transforming ocean exploration. OceanOneK is a humanoid robot capable of diving up to a thousand meters deep, transmitting to researchers the sensation of touch from a distance. It is an advanced version of OceanOne, which in 2016 explored a 17th century shipwreck in the Mediterranean. These technologies are being used both in scientific research and in the protection of marine ecosystems, including coral reefs.
A robotic spider that builds buildings
From the combination of robotics and 3D printing, “Charlotte” was born, a semi-autonomous spider robot designed to revolutionize construction. With six legs that extend more than 5.5 meters, it can reach the walls of two-story buildings while printing the structure. The idea is to allow faster construction, with less waste and greater architectural flexibility.
Faster and more functional bionic prostheses
The British company Open Bionics presented a new generation of the “Hero Arm”, a bionic prosthesis tested, among other contexts, on war wounded in Ukraine. The new arm is faster and more functional, allowing for more precise movements. In parallel, a Tunisian startup is developing bionic prostheses with artificial intelligence and 3D printing, with the aim of reducing costs and increasing access to this technology.
AI helps detect “invisible” epilepsy
Scientists have developed the MELD Graph tool, which uses artificial intelligence to identify small brain abnormalities associated with epilepsy. These changes are often invisible to human radiologists in conventional examinations. The technology could improve diagnosis and help decide whether patients are candidates for surgery.
A tiny and extremely fast drone
The SUPER MAV is a small drone capable of flying at speeds exceeding 70 kilometers per hour. It is equipped with a lightweight three-dimensional LiDAR sensor, which uses a pulsed laser to measure distances with great precision. The technology allows for fast and safe navigation in complex environments, even with poor visibility.
Drones to clean Everest
Nepal is using drones to remove tons of trash left by climbers on Mount Everest. Plastic bottles, oxygen cylinders and mountaineering equipment accumulate along climbing routes, in one of the most remote places on the planet. Drones make it possible to transport waste from difficult-to-access areas, reducing the risk for human teams.
A supplement to save the bees
Researchers have created an innovative dietary supplement to combat the decline of bees. The formula mimics essential compounds found in plant pollen and, in tests, significantly increased colony reproduction. The discovery could become an important tool in protecting these pollinators, which are essential for ecosystems and agriculture.
An asteroid under close surveillance
The European Space Agency is monitoring asteroid 2024 YR4, which has a small probability of colliding with Earth in 2032. Current estimates indicate an almost 99% chance of passing safely, but an impact has not yet been completely ruled out. Scientists emphasize that early surveillance is essential to assess risks and plan possible responses.
Produce food in space
An automated laboratory called SpaceLab is being tested in orbit, designed to produce food sustainably in space. The objective is to reduce dependence on refueling from Earth and prepare for future long-duration missions, including trips to Mars.
Extraterrestrial life? A discovery under scrutiny
In April, scientists announced the detection of possible signs of life in the atmosphere of the exoplanet K2-18b, a “super Earth” about 124 light-years away. Compounds such as dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide have been identified, which on Earth are only produced by living organisms. However, the discovery is being questioned by other researchers, who are calling for caution and more data before drawing conclusions about life outside the solar system.
