A new wireless retinal implant called PRIMA shows promise in restoring central vision in patients with advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD), specifically geographic atrophy, with over 80% of trial participants experiencing meaningful improvements in visual acuity and reading ability after one year, although further research is needed to assess long-term safety and efficacy.
NASA is evaluating two new space telescope designs, PRIMA and AXIS, to determine which will become the next "Probe" class mission. PRIMA aims to study the universe in far-infrared wavelengths, while AXIS focuses on X-ray imaging of black holes and supernovae. Both projects have until 2026 to finalize their designs, with a $5 million budget each, and the selected mission is expected to launch in 2032. These missions are part of a new class of medium-scale projects proposed to bridge the gap until the next generation of large observatories is developed.
NASA defended its selection of two proposals, AXIS and PRIMA, for its Astrophysics Probe Explorer program, despite community concerns about their unequal footing. The agency emphasized that the choices align with decadal priorities and aim to balance the astrophysics portfolio. Questions arose about the selection process, particularly regarding the perceived lower ranking of AXIS, but NASA maintained that both proposals were chosen based on their scientific merit and potential to enhance current capabilities.
