Science Saturday: HIV drug, Jovian moon's volcanoes, Astro Bot and quantum computing

This week has seen significant developments across diverse fields, including a promising new HIV preventative, an answer to a long-standing mystery about Io's volcanoes, the selection of the year's top video game and claims of a major leap forward in quantum computing.

Injectable HIV drug

An injectable HIV drug has shown a remarkable ability to prevent infection.

The drug named lenacapavir targets the structure and function of HIV's capsid protein. One injection can protect people for six months. Last week the journal Science heralded its development as the "Breakthrough of the Year." It described lenacapavir as representing "a pivotal step toward diminishing HIV/AIDS as a global health crisis."

Jovian moon's volcanoes

A new discovery points to the reason for continuous volcanic eruptions on Jupiter's third largest moon, Io.

Io is the most volcanically active body in the solar system, home to around 400 volcanoes. Scientists with NASA's Juno mission to Jupiter have recently found these volcanoes are each likely powered by their own chamber of roiling hot magma, rather than an ocean of magma.

The finding solves a 44-year mystery about the subsurface origins of Io's most demonstrative geologic features.

The Game Awards 2024

And the game of the year is ... Astro Bot.

At The Game Awards (TGA) 2024, the video game industry's biggest awards ceremony, the PlayStation 5 performer beat out five other nominees. One was Black Myth: Wukong, the first Chinese game to be named in the top category.

The win drew mixed reactions among gamers. Some argue Astro Bot lacks standout creativity, and has lower sales compared to Black Myth: Wukong. Others acknowledged Astro Bot's quality as a casual game but were still surprised at its victory.

Quantum computing

Quantum computing takes another leap forward. Google parent Alphabet has introduced a new generation chip called "Willow" that it says can demonstrate "below threshold" quantum calculations.

Willow takes only five minutes to solve a problem that would take an existing supercomputer longer than the history of the universe. The company claims it could help overcome a key challenge in quantum computing. But some scientists still question Willow's actual capabilities in future applications.