The Something Guy 🇿🇦

Because Life’s Too Short for Boring Blogs.

[The Something Guy 🇿🇦 @thesomethingguy]

AI-designed universal coronavirus vaccine passes first human trial

Scientists have successfully tested an AI-designed universal coronavirus vaccine in humans for the first time, finding it to be safe and well tolerated. The vaccine generated immune responses against multiple coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, SARS, and related bat viruses with pandemic potential. By targeting features shared across an entire virus family, it aims to provide protection even as viruses evolve.
https://t.co/OCereXTFyX

[The Something Guy 🇿🇦 @thesomethingguy]

Scientists discover why ozempic may not work for some people

Scientists have identified genetic variants that may make some people less responsive to GLP-1 drugs used to treat Type 2 diabetes. Roughly 10% of the population carries these variants, which appear to cause a mysterious form of "GLP-1 resistance." In several clinical trials, carriers were significantly less likely to reach healthy blood sugar targets while taking GLP-1 medications.
https://t.co/IQPG6LAiSW

[The Something Guy 🇿🇦 @thesomethingguy]

Octopuses use mirrors to find food they cannot see

Octopuses may be even smarter than we thought. Researchers at Dartmouth found that octopuses can learn to use mirrors to locate food hidden behind them—a skill previously seen only in vertebrates like mammals and birds. After training, the animals correctly identified the food’s location about 73% of the time, showing they could use a mirror as a tool rather than simply reacting to a reflection.
https://t.co/MCdDPlmhPq

[The Something Guy 🇿🇦 @thesomethingguy]

Hidden supermassive black hole pairs may finally have a visible signal

Scientists have proposed a new method for finding tightly bound supermassive black hole pairs by searching for stars that flash repeatedly as their light is magnified by the black holes’ gravity. The timing and brightness of these bursts could provide a unique fingerprint of black holes slowly spiraling toward a future collision.
https://t.co/288CfoOAuS

[The Something Guy 🇿🇦 @thesomethingguy]

Magnetic fields may be the secret behind binary star formation

Scientists have uncovered a surprising force that may help explain how binary star systems form so quickly. New supercomputer simulations show that magnetic fields surrounding newborn stars can act like a cosmic brake, stripping away angular momentum and allowing two still-forming protostars to spiral closer together instead of drifting apart.
https://t.co/Vx09rh2gg2

[The Something Guy 🇿🇦 @thesomethingguy]

Scientists discover a hidden quantum world inside cobalt

Scientists have uncovered unexpected quantum complexity inside cobalt, a metal long thought to be fully understood. Advanced measurements revealed a dense network of topological electronic states that remain robust at room temperature. These states enable extremely fast electron behavior and can be switched or controlled using magnetism. The discovery could open new paths toward next-generation computing and spin-based devices.
https://t.co/Xl686LZIVU

[The Something Guy 🇿🇦 @thesomethingguy]

Rising seas could drown mangroves and release vast stores of carbon

Mangroves are famous for trapping vast amounts of carbon, helping slow climate change. However, a new study suggests rising sea levels could eventually reduce that benefit across entire forests. As flooding becomes too extreme, mangroves may die off and their carbon-rich soils could erode, potentially turning these coastal ecosystems from carbon sinks into carbon sources.
https://t.co/bu1uQpVJx4

[The Something Guy 🇿🇦 @thesomethingguy]

Giant fire tornadoes could clean up oil spills faster with less pollution

Researchers have shown that controlled fire whirls can clean up oil spills faster and more cleanly than traditional burning methods. The spinning flames consumed up to 95% of the oil, cut soot emissions by 40%, and could help prevent spills from reaching sensitive marine habitats.
https://t.co/ZGTIE9kIgX

[The Something Guy 🇿🇦 @thesomethingguy]

Scientists are seriously asking if bees and ChatGPT are conscious

New studies suggest consciousness can't be judged solely by behavior, whether it's a chatbot discussing philosophy or a bee searching for nectar. Researchers are increasingly focusing on the internal mechanisms of brains and computers, concluding that today's AI is likely not conscious while leaving open the possibility for both conscious insects and future machines.
https://t.co/SpEPHUzjws

[The Something Guy 🇿🇦 @thesomethingguy]

The biggest collagen study yet reveals what actually works

A major review of nearly 8,000 participants found that collagen supplements can improve skin health and ease osteoarthritis symptoms, especially when taken consistently over longer periods. Researchers also found modest benefits for muscle and tendon health. But the results challenge claims that collagen enhances sports performance, as it showed little effect on recovery or post-workout soreness.
https://t.co/qGrlNY6LNN

[The Something Guy 🇿🇦 @thesomethingguy]

Joburg Ballet and UJ Arts and Culture are presenting a world-first African Choral Ballet reimagining of Euripides' The Bacchae at the Joburg Theatre from 3 to 12 July 2026. Directed by Jay Pather, choreographed by Mthuthuzeli November, composed by Neo Muyanga and featuring the 80-strong UJ Choir alongside a live chamber orchestra, this landmark production forms part of Joburg Ballet's 25th Anniversary Season. Tickets range from R125 to R700 through Webtickets.
https://t.co/e52xjqFPJW

[The Something Guy 🇿🇦 @thesomethingguy]

The Rocky Horror Show is coming to Pieter Toerien's Montecasino Theatre from 12 June to 16 August 2026, and Shaun Zietsman has thoughts. Here is why this production, led by Craig Urbani as Frank-N-Furter and directed by Steven Stead, is the must-see Johannesburg theatre event of the year.
https://t.co/2wFKl76tO7

[The Something Guy 🇿🇦 @thesomethingguy]

Bizzy Hands Puppet Company is bringing festive chaos, South African humour and a lovable cast of puppet characters to Die Centurion Teater on 27 June 2026. Who Stole Christmas? Christmas in July? is a Grinch-inspired family production featuring The Grouch, his dog Stanley and the gloriously quirky residents of Ama-Townsville. Tickets are R150 per person through Quicket.
https://t.co/BrIOc0RFL2

[The Something Guy 🇿🇦 @thesomethingguy]

Pretoria Youth Theatre is bringing back its beloved production The Frog Princess for a return run at the Irene Village Theatre from 18 June to 18 July 2026. After a triumphant first season, director Kerry Anne Beldon and a cast that includes Pretoria Youth Theatre alumni and Naledi Theatre Award nominees are ready to share the magic, the laughs and the heart of this enchanting family show all over again. Tickets are available through Quicket.
https://t.co/LaGGcPa0O9

[The Something Guy 🇿🇦 @thesomethingguy]

If your Pride month plans need an upgrade, the Johannesburg Queer Chorus has you covered. iCons is a bold, high-energy celebration of the rule-breakers who changed culture forever, from Brenda Fassie to Johnny Clegg to Madonna, performed live at the Roodepoort Theatre on 27 June 2026. Matinee at 3pm, evening show at 7pm, tickets on Webtickets. This is the one.
https://t.co/yxzlZpT7P4

[The Something Guy 🇿🇦 @thesomethingguy]

Scientists discover vast hidden structure beneath Antarctica’s ice

A giant fan-shaped network of hidden basins has been discovered beneath East Antarctica, revealing that several well-known subglacial features are actually part of one massive geological structure. The finding sheds new light on Antarctica’s ancient tectonic history and could help scientists better understand how the ice sheet behaves today.
https://t.co/w4vHGYA0Op

[The Something Guy 🇿🇦 @thesomethingguy]

After 20 years, scientists finally shrink a powerful laser onto a chip

Researchers at EPFL have developed a chip-scale ultrafast laser that performs on par with traditional tabletop femtosecond lasers. The innovation could make advanced laser technologies far smaller, cheaper, and more accessible for applications ranging from medical diagnostics to atomic clocks.
https://t.co/6D3Z3YKwnq

[The Something Guy 🇿🇦 @thesomethingguy]

A study of 8,300 older adults revealed a surprising salt habit

A large study of older adults in Brazil found that adding extra salt at the table is still a common habit, especially among men. While too much salt is linked to serious health problems and faster cognitive decline, researchers discovered that women’s salt-shaking habits were tied more closely to lifestyle and diet.
https://t.co/FyXdrXgxdk

[The Something Guy 🇿🇦 @thesomethingguy]

Scientists finally crack an “undruggable” pancreatic cancer target and nearly double survival

For decades, pancreatic cancer has been one of the most lethal cancers, with few effective treatment options. A new drug, daraxonrasib, targets the KRAS mutation that fuels most pancreatic tumors—something many scientists once thought couldn't be done. In a major clinical trial, the treatment nearly doubled survival for patients with advanced disease and reduced the risk of death by 60%.
https://t.co/kF3L2I2Jls

[The Something Guy 🇿🇦 @thesomethingguy]

Goethe never knew this 40-million-year-old ant was hidden in his collection

Scientists examining amber from Goethe’s personal collection discovered three hidden fossil insects, including an extinct ant preserved in extraordinary detail. Advanced 3D imaging allowed researchers to see not only the ant’s outer features but also structures inside its body. The findings offer new clues about the species’ biology and suggest it likely built large nests in trees.
https://t.co/G8BUEVixHg