Insect News Today — October 28, 2026
Engineered albumin helps a therapeutic protein last longer and cross mucosal barriers and more — today's insect signal.
As we navigate the complex and ever-changing world around us, insects are constantly adapting and finding new ways to survive and thrive. Researchers are making breakthroughs that could have a significant impact on our understanding of the natural world and our place within it. For example, scientists have made progress in developing therapeutic proteins that can last longer and cross mucosal barriers, which could lead to new treatments for a range of conditions. This kind of innovation is part of a broader trend towards using digital tools and 3D printing to create more sustainable and circular systems, which could help reduce waste and promote more efficient use of resources.
These advancements are taking place against the backdrop of a rapidly changing planet. Scientists are still working to understand the fundamental processes that shape our world, from the way Earth's climate has changed over time to the intricate workings of the water cycle. Researchers have recently made progress in standardizing decades of satellite data to track the Earth's water cycle, and are also re-examining the way the planet's climate has changed over time, including the era when the supercontinent Pangea existed. Meanwhile, in the realm of communication and connection, insects and humans are both exploring new ways to make an impact and be heard, whether through the beacon effect of making a lasting impression or the search for extraterrestrial life through METI, or Messaging to Extraterrestrial Intelligence.
Today's signal:
• Engineered albumin helps a therapeutic protein last longer and cross mucosal barriers (phys.org)
• Digital tools and 3D printing emerge as key themes in circular economy research (phys.org)
• The way Earth's 'thermostat' works may have changed during Pangea era (phys.org)
• Open database tracks Earth's water cycle by standardizing decades of satellite data (phys.org)
• A brief-ish history of METI. Part I: Early ideas and experiments (phys.org)
• The beacon effect: Rethinking what it means to make an impression (phys.org)