- Vinay Gupta released a first-draft science-fiction novel, “Mother of Hydrogen,” depicting post-x-risk Earth under totalitarian control while the Moon and Mars remain free; the full text is freely available at http://files.howtolivewiki.com/MOTHER_OF_HYDROGEN_NOVEL/index.html.  
- Max Hodak’s new company Science Corp unveiled its first product program: an optogenetic retinal prosthesis branded “Science Eye,” widely interpreted as a stepping-stone toward an optogenetic brain-computer interface with lighter regulatory hurdles.  
- Telesis Bio (formerly CodexDNA) is commercializing a benchtop DNA printer that replaces standard phosphoramidite chemistry with an enzymatic method called SOLA (short oligonucleotide ligation assembly); the BioXP™ 9600 system integrating SOLA is slated for 2023 release.  
- EnPlusOne Biosciences, spun out of George Church’s lab, raised $12 M in seed funding to scale an enzymatic RNA synthesis platform (ezRNA) that uses terminal transferase to produce modified oligos longer than 100 nt for therapeutic and research use.  
- Nuclera acquired E Ink’s digital-microfluidics division to integrate electrowetting lab-on-chip modules into its benchtop bioprinters, aiming to automate complex molecular biology workflows.  
- Glyphic Biotechnologies released a video animation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gL2aGg7_34) illustrating its single-molecule protein-sequencing workflow that uses fluorogenic amino-acid analogs and cyclic Edman degradation for high-accuracy readout.  
- A Wiley paper describes a “sperm syringe” microfluidic 3-D sorting platform that improves selection of motile spermatozoa for assisted-reproduction procedures (DOI: 10.1002/admt.202101291).  
- Discussion of existential-risk discourse highlighted skepticism toward low-probability, high-impact arguments and the fundraising tactics of some x-risk nonprofits.  
- Varda Space, a startup focused on in-orbit manufacturing, is actively recruiting; channel members report positive endorsements from respected figures in the space-industrial ecosystem.