# Science I’m Looking Forward To In 2026 | Lightning Round Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0-HCUZgLlc Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/b0-HCUZgLlc Generated: 2025-12-29T16:42:10.772+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The host shares science topics he looks forward to, focusing on a promising nanoparticle cancer vaccine showing tumor rejection in mice, the upcoming Artemis 2 mission scheduled for February 2026, and the continued utility of AI in protein folding via AlphaFold, while also expressing a desire for non-rage-bait social media. **Key Points:** - A University of Massachusetts Amherst nanoparticle vaccine successfully prevented aggressive cancers in mice, leading to tumor rejection in 88% of pancreatic cancer cases and teaching the immune system to target cancer antigens. - The host anticipates the Artemis 2 mission, noting its possible launch opportunity starting in February 2026, which he wants to see to experience the solid rocket boosters. - The host wishes for a new profitable social media platform not algorithmically geared toward increasing engagement through "rage bait," noting that recent alternatives like Threads and Blue Sky have failed to achieve this. - Regarding the *Raiders of the Lost Ark* question about the Staff of Ra alignment, the host confirms that the procession of the equinoxes over 3,000 years would likely cause the alignment based on the Earth's axial procession to be incorrect by a few degrees. - The host supports academic inquiry into phenomena like past-life recall researched by UVA's Division of Perceptual Studies, arguing that science should study everything, even fringe topics, as they are relatively harmless. - Google DeepMind's AlphaFold, which predicts protein folds, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2024 and has already been used to strengthen bee immunity, reveal the structure of LDL's central protein, and create enzymes that break down plastic for chemical recycling. - Stun guns incapacitate individuals who cannot feel pain because the devices lock muscles via electrical pulses, causing contractions regardless of pain perception in conditions like Congenital Insensitivity to Pain (CIP). **Context:** The speaker hosts a monthly, lightly researched "cozy lightning round video" where he answers questions submitted by Patreon supporters and channel members at the solar system level, framing this specific session as a look at science he is looking forward to in the upcoming year, which he treats as a "wish list for the next year." ## Detailed Analysis The host discusses several anticipated scientific and technological developments. First, he highlights a preventative cancer vaccine utilizing engineered nanoparticles that activate the immune system against cancer antigens, showing striking results in mice with tumor rejection rates up to 88% for pancreatic cancer and resistance to metastasis. Second, he expresses excitement for the Artemis 2 mission, aiming to witness the launch window starting as early as February 2026, motivated by a desire to see the powerful solid rocket boosters. On a societal note, he critiques current social media, wishing for a profitable platform free from algorithms that promote "rage bait." Addressing a movie physics question, he confirms that the procession of the equinoxes would affect the alignment required for the Staff of Ra in *Raiders of the Lost Ark*. Regarding fringe science, he endorses studying past-life recall research from UVA, viewing it as harmless academic inquiry. Finally, he details the impact of AlphaFold, the AI that predicts protein folding, noting its Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2024) and its early applications in strengthening bee immunity, aiding heart disease research by identifying the structure of the LDL B100 protein, and developing enzymes for chemical plastic recycling. He concludes by confirming that stun guns incapacitate people lacking pain sensation because the electrical pulses cause involuntary muscle seizure. ### Science Wish List - Nanoparticle cancer vaccine shows tumor rejection in 88% of pancreatic cancer mice - Artemis 2 launch window possible starting February 2026 - Desire for non-rage-bait social media platforms ### Astro-Physics Inquiry - Axial procession of the Earth over 26,000 years means alignments based on ancient stellar positions, like the Staff of Ra scene in *Raiders of the Lost Ark*, would be off by a few degrees. ### Fringe Science & Academia - Supports studying phenomena like past-life recall via UVA's Division of Perceptual Studies, arguing that research should cover everything, even if initially deemed 'pseudoscicence,' as it is harmless. ### AI Breakthroughs (AlphaFold) - AI predicts protein folds, a process that could take millions of years experimentally; it won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and is being used for bee immunity, heart therapy targets, and plastic-degrading enzymes. ### Taser Mechanics and Pain - Stun guns incapacitate by causing muscle seizures through electrical pulses; individuals with Congenital Insensitivity to Pain (CIP) still experience muscle lock-up but do not register the resulting sensation as pain. ### Media Bias Discussion - The host uses Ground News to illustrate how stories, such as a red flag gun law passed in Maine, receive vastly different coverage emphasis across left-leaning versus right-leaning media outlets, stressing the importance of checking multiple perspectives.