The Download: Reviving frozen pig kidneys and boosting nuclear power

This edition of The Download covers significant breakthroughs in biotechnology and energy. Scientists have successfully rewarmed pig kidneys that were stored at -150 °C for over a year, demonstrating that the organs could regain function, which marks a major milestone for potential human organ transplantation. In the energy sector, the US nuclear industry is moving to increase capacity at existing plants. Constellation and Vistra are among the companies working to boost output from current reactors to meet rising electricity demand, particularly for data centers. Additionally, the newsletter highlights BasiGo, a climate tech company electrifying public transport in Africa, and provides updates on Starlink speed restrictions in Ukraine, an OpenAI security investigation, Tesla’s new Roadster, and a German robot-harassment case. These stories reflect the ongoing intersection of rapid technological advancement and its practical, often complex, applications in medicine, climate, and global infrastructure.