Pokémon GO can be more than just a game.

Originally shared by Pokémon GO

Pokémon GO can be more than just a game. Watch how the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital has transformed the patient care experience.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksFwB0Ol8k8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksFwB0Ol8k8

The Best Prepper Movie List - The Prepper Journal

http://www.theprepperjournal.com/2014/02/03/best-prepper-movie-list/

Title

Originally shared by What's Hot Online


Rust removal with a 1000w laser

SciTech #ScienceSunday Digest - 35/2016.

SciTech #ScienceSunday Digest - 35/2016.
Permalink here: http://www.scitechdigest.net/2016/08/dopamine-gene-therapy-remyelination.html

Dopamine gene therapy, Remyelination cell therapy, Algebraic brain topology, Ginko custom microbes, Ultrasound protein imaging, MegaMIMO bandwidth boost, Thought activated DNA-bots, Light controlled CRISPR, Whole transparent organisms, Massively multicore chips.

1. Gene Therapy for Dopamine Production
A new treatment for Parkinson’s Disease is currently entering human clinical trials that involves genetically engineering the neurons of patients by administering large amounts of viruses that carry genes to better enable the brain to produce and manage dopamine https://www.technologyreview.com/s/602193/manufacturing-dopamine-in-the-brain-with-gene-therapy/. Early results with initial patients show promise, not only for restoring cognitive function, but also for circumventing the main drawback to conventional L-Dopa and dopamine treatments which is the development of resistance and the need for ever greater amounts of drug that has less effect. There are currently 48 human clinical trials underway for brain and CNS gene therapies and cell treatments.

2. Cell Therapy Boosts Remyelination in Brain
A cell therapy product incorporating macrophages and microglia is showing promise in animal studies for remyelinating neurons in the brain and actively reversing the demyelination associated with many diseases including Multiple Sclerosis https://www.fightaging.org/archives/2016/08/development-of-a-cell-therapy-to-increase-remyelination-in-the-brain/. Such a treatment might not only be used in treating various neurological diseases but administered on a routine basis to restore myelin levels to youthful states as desired.

3. Understanding the Brain with Algebraic Topology
Mathematical tools from the field of algebraic topology are being used to better characterise and understand the structure and function of the brain and its connectome https://www.technologyreview.com/s/602234/how-the-mathematics-of-algebraic-topology-is-revolutionizing-brain-science/. These new tools provide a different way of classifying nodes and loops, and for identifying these features at small and large scales. It should only be a matter of time before these additional tools and insights are incorporated into artificial machine learning systems.

4. Ginkgo Bioworks’ Custom Engineered Microbes
Synthetic biology company Ginkgo Bioworks continues to grow and develop custom genetically engineered yeasts that metabolise standard feedstocks under standard fermentation conditions to produce a range of different fragrances, flavours, cosmetics, and pesticides http://news.mit.edu/2016/startup-ginkgo-bioworks-engineered-yeast-0825. The company has scaled up, building a large automated foundry dedicated to rapid prototyping and rapidly generating custom yeasts to design specifications. These industrial synthetic biology facilities are starting to proliferate and at some point we can expect their capabilities to distributed to end users.

5. Engineered Proteins for Ultrasound Imaging
Newly engineered protein-shelled nanostructures known as gas vesicles, which reflect sound waves, can now give off far more distinct signals, target specific types of cells, and be used to generate “colour” ultrasound images https://www.caltech.edu/news/designing-ultrasound-tools-lego-proteins-51834. Swapping and modifying different proteins on the surface of the vesicles alters cell targeting, molecule targeting, and sensitivity to different ultrasound frequencies. Such devices can be injected wholesale into an animal for medical imaging purposes, or a gene therapy could deliver the code to cells needed to produce the vesicles from scratch. Applications include e.g. using ultrasound to produce overlapping images showing tumour cells, the immune cells attacking them, and the vascular cells supplying nutrients. I also wonder if these vesicles might be co-opted to facilitate respirocytes.

6. MegaMIMO Boosts Network Bandwidth
The MegaMIMO wireless data system has recently demonstrated three times faster bandwidth and twice the wireless range of conventional Multiple-Input Multiple-Output systems http://news.mit.edu/2016/solving-network-congestion-megamimo-0823. The system manages to synchronise transmitter phases to coordinate multiple access points at the same time on the same frequency without creating interference and in order to maximise the efficient utilisation of the available spectrum. Such a system should provide needed boosts to both cellular and WiFi communications.

7. DNA Robots Activated by Thoughts
This is an interesting if somewhat convoluted proof of concept for triggering the activation of DNA nanobots in a living animal just by thinking http://www.nextbigfuture.com/2016/08/thought-controlled-nanoscale-dna-robots.html. In this system (i) an EEG headset records and recognises particular mind states, (ii) particular mind states influence the strength of an electromagnetic field, (iii) the strength of the electromagnetic field heats up metal nanoparticles injected into an animal (the subject themselves or another), and (iv) past a certain threshold the heated metal nanoparticles cause programmed DNA origami structures on their surface to reversibly activate. In this case they proved that the DNA nanobots were able to induce a cellular effect.

8. Modified CRISPR Controlled by Light
On the topic of controllable nanobots, the CRISPR system is being further engineered and modified to produce versions that can be controllably switched on and off in different ways http://news.mit.edu/2016/using-light-control-genome-editing-0825. Some approaches modify the Cas9 enzyme itself to achieve this, but the present work builds on earlier approaches that engineered light-activated RNA interference in order to produce modified RNA guide strands that are only activated in the presence of certain wavelengths of light. This allows precision experiments for controlling the precise timing of gene editing and other cellular signalling events. Next steps are exploring therapeutic applications and improving the design with a more universal system.

9. Making Whole Organisms Transparent for Imaging
Continual improvements and refinements in imaging and chemical techniques for making organs transparent have resulted in methods that can now make entire organisms transparent while labelling almost any desired internal structure for imaging and analysis http://www.en.uni-muenchen.de/news/press-services/press-releases/2016/ertuerk_imaging.html. In this work with the new uDISCO technique whole rats were rendered transparent and their nervous systems labelled with fluorescent tags in order to produce high resolution images and maps of entire neuronal networks with subcellular detail while still embedded in their original tissues.

10. Massively Multicore Chips
The KiloCore chip contains 1,000 independently programmable processors was fabricated by IBM https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/worlds-first-1000-processor-chip/. The chip can process 115 billion instructions per second while dissipating just 0.7 Watts and has a number of novel features for applications including encoding/decoding, video processing, encryption. In related news a 25 core chip called Piton that is designed to more efficiently power massive cloud computing architectures https://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S47/19/67G69. Piton is designed to be scalable and so chips with thousands of cores and data centres with half a billion cores are envisaged.

SciTech Tip Jar: http://www.scitechdigest.net/p/donate.html

Plant biologists discover how sunflowers use internal circadian timing to follow the sun

Originally shared by Rob Jongschaap

Plant biologists discover how sunflowers use internal circadian timing to follow the sun

'... How do the plants move their stems during the day? Atamian put ink dots on the stems and filmed them with a video camera. On a time-lapse video, he could measure the changing distance between the dots.

When plants were tracking the sun, the east side of the stem grew more rapidly than the west side, he found. At night, the west side grew faster as the stem swung the other way. The team identified a number of genes that were expressed at higher levels on the sunward side of the plant during the day, or on the other side at night.

Harmer said that there appear to be two growth mechanisms at work in the sunflower stem. The first sets a basic rate of growth for the plant, based on available light. The second, controlled by the circadian clock and influenced by the direction of light, causes the stem to grow more on one side than another, and therefore sway east to west during the day.

As the sunflower matures and the flower opens up, overall growth slows and the plant stops moving during the day and settles down facing east. This seems to be because the circadian clock ensures that the plant reacts more strongly to light early in the morning than in the afternoon or evening, so it gradually stops moving westward during the day.
...'

http://www.deepstuff.org/plant-biologists-discover-sunflowers-use-internal-circadian-timing-follow-sun/
http://www.deepstuff.org/plant-biologists-discover-sunflowers-use-internal-circadian-timing-follow-sun/

An effective and low-cost solution for storing solar energy

Originally shared by Rob Jongschaap

An effective and low-cost solution for storing solar energy

'The approach taken by EPFL and CSEM researchers is to combine components that have already proven effective in industry in order to develop a robust and effective system. Their prototype is made up of three interconnected, new-generation, crystalline silicon solar cells attached to an electrolysis system that does not rely on rare metals. The device is able to convert solar energy into hydrogen at a rate of 14.2%, and has already been run for more than 100 hours straight under test conditions. In terms of performance, this is a world record for silicon solar cells and for hydrogen production without using rare metals. It also offers a high level of stability.'

https://techxplore.com/news/2016-08-effective-low-cost-solution-solar-energy.html

Solar-to-Hydrogen Production at 14.2% Efficiency with Silicon Photovoltaics and Earth-Abundant Electrocatalysts

'... aSwiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM), Neuchâtel, Switzerland
 bSchool of Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
 cMichelin Recherche et Technique SA, Conception et Développement Michelin, Givisiez, Switzerland

Abstract

Affordable, stable and earth-abundant photo-electrochemical materials are indispensable for the large-scale implementation of sunlight-driven hydrogen production. Here we present an intrinsically stable and scalable solar water splitting device that is fully based on earth-abundant materials, with a solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of 14.2%. This unprecedented efficiency is achieved by integrating a module of three interconnected silicon heterojunction solar cells that operates at an appropriate voltage to directly power microstructured Ni electrocatalysts. Nearly identical performance levels were also achieved using a customized state-of-the-art proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer. As silicon heterojunction solar cells and PEM electrolysis systems are commercially viable, easily scalable and have long lifetimes, the devices demonstrated in this report can open a fast avenue toward the industrialization and deployment of cost effective solar-fuel production systems.  
...'

http://jes.ecsdl.org/content/163/10/F1177
https://techxplore.com/news/2016-08-effective-low-cost-solution-solar-energy.html

> In a test lab, Bert2 -- a humanoid robot with three separate displays, allowing its eyes and mouth to express...

Originally shared by Daniel Estrada

> In a test lab, Bert2 -- a humanoid robot with three separate displays, allowing its eyes and mouth to express various emotions -- performed in three different ways. One was silent and made zero mistakes, while a second was mute and programmed to make a single blunder (which it would then correct, quietly). A third was able to speak and accept simple "yes" or "no" responses from the user. In a basic kitchen scenario, the vocal android would apologise for its mistakes -- after dropping an egg, for instance -- and give a heads-up when it was about to try a new technique.

While the slowest, it was the robot that most people preferred.

But here's where it gets interesting. At the end of the exchange, the robot would ask for a job. Some participants were reluctant to say no -- even if they preferred the silent, more efficient robot -- because they thought it would upset the machine. "It felt appropriate to say no, but I felt really bad saying it," one of the test participants said. "When the face was really sad, I felt even worse. I felt bad because the robot was trying to do its job."

More: https://www.engadget.com/2016/08/24/people-lie-robots-avoid-hurting-feelings/
Full article: https://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/1605/1605.08817.pdf
via 李卓

https://www.engadget.com/2016/08/24/people-lie-robots-avoid-hurting-feelings/

Switzerland enlists robots to help deliver mail - Aug. 24, 2016

Originally shared by Rob Jongschaap

Switzerland enlists robots to help deliver mail - Aug. 24, 2016

'.

Swiss Post, the national postal service in Switzerland, will test robots next month in three cities to deliver food and medicine. The robots, which are small, six-wheeled pods, travel slowly on sidewalks. They're designed to avoid obstacles, including pedestrians, animals and cars.

The robots, which come from Starship Technologies, are already being tested in Britain and Germany. They will also be tested in Washington, D.C. this fall.'

http://money.cnn.com/2016/08/24/technology/switzerland-swiss-post-ground-robot/
http://money.cnn.com/2016/08/24/technology/switzerland-swiss-post-ground-robot/?utm_source=Triggermail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Post+Blast+%28bii-iot%29%3A+Self-driving+taxis+being+tested+in+Singapore+%E2%80%94+Tesla%27s+Autopilot+is+now+pricier+%E2%80%94+Robots+help+deliver+mail+in+Switzerland&utm_term=BII+List+IoT+ALL

Harvard's Octobot is the first autonomous machine to be made with all soft robotics.

Originally shared by Wayne Radinsky

Harvard's Octobot is the first autonomous machine to be made with all soft robotics. "This Octobot from Harvard is the first that not only contains no hard parts but is also entirely autonomous."

It's really slow. But it works. You know what they say, before you get the bear to dance well, you have to get it to dance. Or octopus swim, in this case.

"The struggle has always been in replacing rigid components like batteries and electronic controls with analogous soft systems and then putting it all together."

"The robot is mostly 3D printed, and afterwards its body is inlaid with channels that both power and govern its movement. That movement is pneumatic, powered by gas derived from hydrogen peroxide, the robot's fuel. It pushes fluid through the limbs, inflating them."
https://techcrunch.com/2016/08/24/harvards-octobot-is-the-first-autonomous-machine-to-be-made-with-all-soft-robotics/

VIDEO: Octobot is a 3D printed 'fully soft' autonomous robot - Uses microfluidic logic circuit

Originally shared by Futuristech Info

VIDEO: Octobot is a 3D printed 'fully soft' autonomous robot - Uses microfluidic logic circuit

https://futuristech.info/posts/video-octobot-is-a-3d-printed-fully-soft-autonomous-robot-uses-microfluidic-logic-circuit

Facebook is giving away the software it uses to understand objects in photos

Originally shared by Ward Plunet

Facebook is giving away the software it uses to understand objects in photos

Facebook is open sourcing a set of computer vision software tools that can identify both the variety and the shape of objects within photos. The tools, developed by the Facebook AI Research (FAIR) team, are called DeepMask, SharpMask, and MultiPathNet, and all three work in tandem to help break down and contextualize the contents of images. These technologies, though not in active use in consumer Facebook products right now, are similar to the software the company uses to describe photos to blind users, a feature it calls "automatic alternative text" that launched back in April.
http://www.theverge.com/2016/8/25/12630850/facebook-fair-deepmask-sharpmask-ai-image-recognition

VIDEO: Consciousness and identity from a Transhumanistic perspective - Clones, converged minds, etc.

Originally shared by Futuristech Info

VIDEO: Consciousness and identity from a Transhumanistic perspective - Clones, converged minds, etc.

https://futuristech.info/posts/video-consciousness-and-identity-from-a-transhumanistic-perspective-clones-converged-minds-etc

DNA origami nanobots can be controlled via brain-machine interface while inside a living host

Originally shared by Futuristech Info

DNA origami nanobots can be controlled via brain-machine interface while inside a living host

https://futuristech.info/posts/dna-origami-nanobots-can-be-controlled-via-brain-machine-interface-while-inside-a-living-host

Researchers Report New Zika Complication

Originally shared by Neuroscience News

Researchers Report New Zika Complication

Dr. John England, Professor and Chair of Neurology at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, and colleagues in Honduras and Venezuela have reported a new neurological complication of infection with the Zika virus.

The research is in Journal of the Neurological Sciences. (full access paywall)

#zika
http://neurosciencenews.com/zika-complications-neurology-4910

Excess weight linked to eight more cancer types

Originally shared by Ward Plunet

Excess weight linked to eight more cancer types

There's yet another reason to maintain a healthy weight as we age. An international team of researchers has identified eight additional types of cancer linked to excess weight and obesity: stomach, liver, gall bladder, pancreas, ovary, meningioma (a type of brain tumor), thyroid cancer and the blood cancer multiple myeloma.
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2016-08-excess-weight-linked-cancer.html

Next Steps in Understanding Brain Function

Originally shared by Neuroscience News

Next Steps in Understanding Brain Function

How understanding brain function has become more than brain science.

The research is in Frontiers in Neuroanatomy. (full open access)

#neuroscience
http://neurosciencenews.com/neuroscience-brain-function-4914

Title

Originally shared by Kasun Geethaj

When an autonomous car has to make a decision, will self-interest or the public good predominate?

Originally shared by Next Nature Network

When an autonomous car has to make a decision, will self-interest or the public good predominate?
http://buff.ly/2bBOAOb

Title

Originally shared by Polynomial -C

Neurotransmission also called synaptic transmission, is the process by which signaling molecules called...

Originally shared by Corina Marinescu

Neurotransmission also called synaptic transmission, is the process by which signaling molecules called neurotransmitters are released by a neuron (the presynaptic neuron), and bind to and activate the receptors of another neuron (the postsynaptic neuron). Neurotransmission is essential for the process of communication between two neurons.

In 1921, an Austrian scientist named Otto Loewi discovered the first neurotransmitter.  In his experiment he used two frog hearts. One heart (heart #1) was still connected to the vagus nerve. Heart #1 was placed in a chamber that was filled with saline. This chamber was connected to a second chamber that contained heart #2. So, fluid from chamber #1 was allowed to flow into chamber #2.

Electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve (which was attached to heart #1) caused heart #1 to slow down. Loewi also observed that after a delay, heart #2 also slowed down. From this experiment, Loewi hypothesized that electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve released a chemical into the fluid of chamber #1 that flowed into chamber #2. He called this chemical "Vagusstoff". We now know this chemical as the neurotransmitter called acetylcholine.

The Chemical Transmission of Nerve Action - Read & Learn:
http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/1936/loewi-lecture.html

Neurons, Synapses, Action Potentials, and Neurotransmission - Read & Learn:
http://www.mind.ilstu.edu/curriculum/neurons_intro/neurons_intro.php

#neuroscience   #neurotransmission   #medicine   #brain   #synapse

Rio Doce deixa de desaguar no Atlântico. Desmatamento, mineração e esgotos são as causas. http://bit.ly/2bI3bdW

Originally shared by Greenpeace Brasil

Rio Doce deixa de desaguar no Atlântico. Desmatamento, mineração e esgotos são as causas. http://bit.ly/2bI3bdW
http://bit.ly/2bI3bdW

Beyond Fitbit: 'Neural dust' puts invisible cyborg tech deep inside you - CNET

Originally shared by Omar AlSadoon
http://www.cnet.com/news/beyond-fitbit-neural-dust-puts-invisible-cyborg-tech-deep-inside-you/

A new AI is detecting depression using Instagram

Originally shared by Ward Plunet

A new AI is detecting depression using Instagram

A new AI programme has been developed to attempt to accurately detect signs of depression using Instagram photos. The study, carried out by researchers from Harvard University and the University of Vermont, used machine learning tools to identify markers of depression. It was found that the programme was 70 per cent accurate in detecting signs of depression, which was better than previous studies looking at the success rate of GPs diagnosing patients – normally around 42 per cent accurate.
http://www.wired.co.uk/article/ai-instagram-diagnose-depression

A 15-millimeter light-controlled soft robot caterpillar has been made.

Originally shared by Wayne Radinsky

A 15-millimeter light-controlled soft robot caterpillar has been made. It works using liquid crystal elastomers, which are materials that change shape when exposed to light.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEvSewJwrTw

A humanoid robotic diver has been created.

Originally shared by Wayne Radinsky

A humanoid robotic diver has been created. "Measuring about 5-feet from head to 'tail,' the robot's stereoscopic 'eyes' allow the pilot to view deep into the ocean without entering the water. Its 'fins' provide ample storage space for batteries, computers, and the eight multi-directional thrusters that help keep the robot stable in turbulent waters. Also, unlike traditional ROV's, OceanOne's electronics are waterproofed with oil rather than being encased inside a rigid case. This simple design improvement prevents the electronics from buckling under the water pressure and enables the robot mermaid to reach depths of up to 2,000 meters without collapsing."

"Smart algorithms enable the mermaid robot to avoid collisions and, with some help from the pilot, even use its hands to 'swim' when stuck in a tight spot. If a crash is unavoidable, the humanoid robot can soften the impact by stretching out its arm. Since OceanOne is able to communicate with human divers through hand-gestures, it also makes a useful diving companion."
http://www.dogonews.com/2016/8/15/stanford-creates-robotic-mermaid-to-help-with-deep-sea-exploration

Now that's glamping!

Now that's glamping!
http://mashable.com/2016/08/21/camping-in-tesla-model-s/

Evolution caught in the act: Lizard Moving From Eggs to Live Birth

Originally shared by Able Lawrence

Evolution caught in the act: Lizard Moving From Eggs to Live Birth
Different conditions favour egg laying or live birth in this strange creature.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/09/100901-science-animals-evolution-australia-lizard-skink-live-birth-eggs/

Venus-like Exoplanet Might Have Oxygen Atmosphere, But Not Life

Originally shared by Pierre Markuse

Venus-like Exoplanet Might Have Oxygen Atmosphere, But Not Life

Gliese 1132 b (GJ 1132b, https://goo.gl/0dORgg) is an exoplanet orbiting the red dwarf star Gliese 1132, located about 39 light-years from Earth. Given its diameter of about 1.2 times the diameter of Earth and its mass of about 1.6 times the mass of Earth it is believed to be a rocky planet.

New research by the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) suggests, that, even though the planet is orbiting its star at a distance of just 1.4 million miles, it could still support a thin atmosphere. While most of the hydrogen and oxygen would be lost to space some of the oxygen could remain, mostly bound to magma oceans. Next-generation telescopes like the Giant Magellan Telescope (https://goo.gl/HTCeKx) and James Webb Space Telescope (https://goo.gl/izbUH) may be able to detect this oxygen.

Read the full article here:
https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/news/2016-18

More on GJ 1132b:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gliese_1132_b

What is an exoplanet?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exoplanet

How do we detect exoplanets?

If you have seven minutes and would like an easy and interesting explanation of different techniques (Doppler Technique, Direct Imaging, Light Curves, Transit Timing Variations, Microlensing) to detect planets in other star systems take a look at this video:
https://youtu.be/zFPnOUSdMdc

Image credit: This artist's conception shows the rocky exoplanet GJ 1132b, located 39 light-years from Earth. New research shows that it might possess a thin, oxygen atmosphere - but no life due to its extreme heat. Dana Berry / Skyworks Digital / CfA https://goo.gl/vqKbXm

Thank you for your interest in this Astronomy/Astrophysics collection. Maybe add me on Google+ (Pierre Markuse) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/Pierre_Markuse) or have a look at the Space/Space Technology collection here: https://goo.gl/5KP0wx

#science   #astronomy   #astrophysics   #gliese1132b   #gj1132b   #atmosphere   #space  #exoplanet

Featuring a video from Healthcare Triage

Originally shared by Curiosity

Featuring a video from Healthcare Triage 
https://curiosity.com/topics/why-mayonnaise-probably-wont-give-you-food-poisoning-curiosity/?utm_source=googleplus&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=googleplus

Zika can damage the brains of even adults

https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/zika-can-damage-brains-even-adults

Recording Analog Memories in Human Cells

Originally shared by Neuroscience News

Recording Analog Memories in Human Cells

Engineers program human cells to store complex histories in their DNA.

The research is in Science. (full access paywall)

#crispr #genetics
http://neurosciencenews.com/analog-memory-human-cells-4873

Standing up for beliefs in face of group opposition is worth the effort, study shows

Originally shared by Ward Plunet

Standing up for beliefs in face of group opposition is worth the effort, study shows

A new study that assessed bodily responses suggests that standing up for your beliefs, expressing your opinions and demonstrating your core values can be a positive psychological experience, report researchers.

link: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160819162352.htm

True

Originally shared by Bio E

True

#health #healthtip #organic #organicfood #food #fitness #weightloss #run #yoga #exercise #gym #vegetarian #vegetables #organicfarming #herbalremedy #fruit #motivation #digestion #foodporn #eat #diet #vegan #herbs #gut #guthealth #probiotics #quote #biogenicsmd #gmo #pesticide #environment #farming #processed #junkfood #fastfood #sugar #smoking #environment #nature #eco

SciTech #ScienceSunday Digest - 29/2016.

SciTech #ScienceSunday Digest - 29/2016.
Permalink here: http://www.scitechdigest.net/2016/07/dna-origami-surfaces-robots-walk-like.html

DNA origami surfaces, Robots walk like humans, Printable metal filament, Machine learning tissue scanning, Transparent skull window, Drone vaccine delivery, Retinal Alzheimer’s detection, Inheriting differential cellular damage, Bacteria in brainstem, Molecular electronics.

1. Precise Surface Functionalisation via DNA Origami
Electron-beam lithography chip fabrication tools can create surfaces etched with photonic crystal cavity arrays, tuned to particular wavelengths of light, that contain up to seven distinct internal surface structures to which precise DNA origami shapes can bind to https://www.caltech.edu/news/dna-origami-lights-microscopic-glowing-van-gogh-51280. With fluorescent molecules (whose light emittance is chosen to match the cavity) attached to specific DNA origami shapes, each cavity can now be precisely filled with from zero to seven fluorescent molecules, and so providing a colour scale with eight shades that the group used to create a dime-sized copy of Van Gogh’s “The Starry Night” containing over 65,000 distinct pixels. This is an exciting platform for building precisely patterned functional surfaces; one can imagine the fluorescent molecules being replaced with sensors, quantum dots, enzymes, and other DNA origami structures, perhaps as mini production lines.

2. Human-Like Robotic Gait
DURUS is a robotic platform recently used to demonstrate hyper-efficient, human-like robotic gait and bipedal locomotion http://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/humanoids/durus-brings-humanlike-gait-and-fancy-shoes-to-hyperefficient-robots. DURUS walks nearly 20x more efficiently than the original ATLAS humanoid robot, has human-like heel-toe walking, and can wear human shoes while doing so. The most important facet here is that, while some hardware innovations were involved, the platform is mainly improved software that can be used with different hardware configurations and doesn’t suffer from the same restraints as before. More complex tests are planned for running and walking, and the platform should also prove just as useful in providing much improved prosthetics for amputees.

3. Metal Filament for 3D Printers
Filamet is the name for a new metal-based 3D printing filament launched by The Virtual Foundry that any standard plastic-filament-based 3D deposition printer can use to produce custom metallic objects http://3dprintingindustry.com/news/now-can-print-metal-3d-printer-85255/. The first filaments on offer contain either copper or bronze metallic powder in a resin that is only 11.5% plastic, 88.5% metal, that can be used to print a mostly-metal object that can be polished or else post-processed to remove the remaining plastic to achieve 99%+ pure metal. However, while other metals and even glass and ceramic versions are planned, such objects will be structurally composite in nature and won’t achieve the consistency and strength of a conventional metal object.

4. Machine Learning Tissue Scanning
3Scan is a company that produces knife-edge scanning microscopes for very finely slicing tissue samples and imaging these to produce virtual 3D models, and now plans to use machine learning techniques to further speed up and automate this virtual model reconstruction http://www.xconomy.com/san-francisco/2016/07/11/tissue-analyzer-3scan-builds-out-machine-learning-with-14m-series-b/. This will be particularly interesting for slicing, scanning, and producing ever-larger brain connectome maps in future. Talking of virtual models of neurons and chunks of brain tissue, the Allen Institute for Brain Science has launched the comprehensive Allen Brain Observatory to further boost progress in this area http://www.alleninstitute.org/what-we-do/brain-science/news-press/articles/introducing-allen-brain-observatory.

5. Embedding a Transparent Window in the Skull
A new transparent form of the material yttria-stabilised zirconia was developed as part of the Window into The Brain project, aiming to utilise this material to replace sections of a human skull to allow optical access to the brain whenever needed http://www.gizmag.com/transparent-brain-window/44286/. Recent animal studies show that (i) lasers can pass through the device to not only treat neurons but also destroy bacteria that may be present due to surgery etc, and (ii) the material is tolerated extremely well by the body and avoids inflammation and immune rejection. It’ll be interesting to start to see this used with optogenetics.

6. Remote Vaccine Delivery via Drone
Drones are to be used to deliver vaccine-coated food pellets to remote wilderness areas in order to vaccinate ferrets against a particular disease and prevent their ongoing population decline http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2016/07/14/u_s_fish_and_wildlife_announces_plan_to_use_drones_and_candy_to_deliver.html. There are some very interesting biocontrol applications here, for example to combat invasive pest species. In related news the robust SwagBot robot has been developed to help remotely herd cattle on large Australian ranches, and might be used to monitor animal health and take samples as needed http://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/industrial-robots/swagbot-to-herd-cattle-on-australian-ranches. The group are next looking to develop and test more autonomous versions.

7. Early Alzheimer’s Detection via Retina
It appears as though the brain and retina undergo similar changes during the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, but the retina is easily accessible to observation whereas the brain is not - simply by examining the retina (in mice and humans) signs of Alzheimer’s can be detected before the onset of symptoms http://www.kurzweilai.net/how-to-detect-early-signs-of-alzheimers-with-a-simple-eye-exam-before-symptoms-appear. In related news we have yet another experimental Alzheimer’s vaccine showing promise http://blogs.flinders.edu.au/flinders-news/2016/07/13/progress-in-worlds-first-alzheimers-vaccine/.

8. Cell Division Differential in Damage Inheritance
An interesting study suggests that cells in both unicellular and multicellular organisms can, in certain circumstances, undergo differential or asymmetric cell division that results in most and sometimes all of the mutations and damage being inherited by only one of the two daughter cells https://www.fightaging.org/archives/2016/07/studying-bacteria-provides-insight-into-the-origins-of-aging/. In this way only one line of cells accumulates increasing damage with time - aging damage - and there is a population of cells that manages to remain youthful for arbitrary lengths of time, especially during times of stress. While a single cell cannot overcome the accumulation of damage, a group or colony of cells can do so together over time. I wonder if this might be adapted to some sort of anti-aging therapy.

9. How Bacteria Get Into Your Brainstem
In possibly the most terrifying news of the week, a type of bacteria that lives in soil has been found - via an innocuous sniff of the nose - to pass the olfactory mucosa and travel to the central nervous system via the trigeminal nerve https://app.secure.griffith.edu.au/news/2016/07/08/deadly-soil-bug-can-reach-the-brain-in-a-day/. From this route the bugs were found in the brainstem and spinal cord; they can cause the potentially fatal disease meliodosis, which can be fatal 50% of the time if it infects the brain. The finding is important as (i) other bacteria are believed to use the same mechanism, (ii) this might now be used to develop treatments and interventions for diseases and persistent pain disorders, and (iii) these are a possible bioweapon. Although I’ll speculate that engineered bacteria might instead be used as therapeutic or enhancement agents via this route.

10. Molecular Electronics Innovations
There were a few interesting molecular electronics items to cover this week. First, functional atomically thin transistors and circuits can be created out of a precise composite of graphene and molybdenum disulfide http://newscenter.lbl.gov/2016/07/11/atomically-thin-transistors/. Second, standard MIMO protocols can be used to boost communications using molecules instead of radio waves http://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/telecom/wireless/for-best-results-send-molecular-messages-through-mimo. Third, single molecule switches can now be reliably operated via mechanochemistry https://news.liverpool.ac.uk/2016/07/05/chemists-show-new-way-operate-single-molecular-switch/.

SciTech Tip Jar: http://www.scitechdigest.net/p/donate.html

SciTech #ScienceSunday Digest - 28/2016.

SciTech #ScienceSunday Digest - 28/2016.
Permalink here: http://www.scitechdigest.net/2016/07/programmable-rna-vaccines-high-res-rna.html

Programmable RNA vaccines, High-res RNA mapping, Robot pick-and-grasp, The six story arcs, Printing electronics, Cyborg insect sensors, Sensitive gravity sensors, Big data cancer, Regenerative tooth fillings, In-ear EEG.

1. Programmable RNA Vaccines
Effective RNA vaccines are now being made from messenger RNA molecules that are packaged into dendrimer nanoparticles measuring 150nm that are able to enter cells after being injected into the body http://news.mit.edu/2016/programmable-rna-vaccines-0704. Once in the cell the mRNA is delivered and translated into specific protein antigens that drive both T-cell and antibody immune responses. Tests in mice demonstrated effective immunity to ebola, influenza, and toxoplasma. This platform might tackle a huge range of infectious diseases and is also being used to develop destructive cell therapies such as cancer vaccines and removing other unwanted cells.

2. Mapping RNAs in Whole Tissues
Meanwhile, expansion microscopy - new technique covered last year - has improved and can now be used to precisely map the location and distribution of RNA molecules throughout a cell in whole tissues http://news.mit.edu/2016/rna-nanoscale-brain-0704. Different RNAs can be tagged to distinguish their identity and questions about the transport of RNAs and their storage throughout the cell - such as in neurons responding to signalling and memory formation - can now be better answered, as well as differentiating between different cell types and healthy vs unhealthy cells and the effects they have on gene transcription and their environment.

3. Robotic Picking is Getting Very Good
Team Delft won Amazon’s latest Picking Challenge, designed to award prizes to the best performing robots able to pick things off shelves and put them into boxes, which will ultimately allow the company to significantly reduce its warehouse human work force http://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/industrial-robots/team-delft-wins-amazon-picking-challenge. Robots had to master Stow and Pick tasks with complex environments, occluded target items, and items demanding different grasping techniques. The winner currently performs at 25% of the output of a human and with a 16% error rate. Far more teams than predicted passed the minimum performance threshold suggesting that the rate of improvement in this area is picking up (sic).

4. Data Mining Reveals the Six Story Arcs
Data mining techniques and sentiment analysis on 1,700 stories have revealed a set of six core trajectories that form the building blocks of complex narratives in our stories https://www.technologyreview.com/s/601848/data-mining-novels-reveals-the-six-basic-emotional-arcs-of-storytelling/. In summary these are: rags-to-riches rise, tragedy decline, fall then rise, rise then fall, rise-fall-rise, and fall-rise-fall. Further, the most popular stories follow more complex arcs that use the basic building blocks in sequence. This provides some insight into human psychology and might also help build future novel storytelling systems and coaches.

5. Printing Electronics & Sensors
New inks and materials can be loaded into conventional inkjet printers to enable simple and quick printing of flexible electronic circuits, batteries, and supercapacitors in arbitrary designs https://www.technologyreview.com/s/601800/hacking-a-desktop-printer-to-make-batteries-and-circuits/. In one demonstration a printed label attaches to a coffee mug and depending on the temperature activates a blue light if cold and a red light if hot. Meanwhile laser printers can be used to form patterns on cellulose paper that act as cheap and convenient supports for further biochemical functionalisation, which was demonstrated via simple biosensors http://phys.org/news/2016-07-laser-printed-patterns-cellulose-paper-biochemical.html.

6. Distributed Cyborg Insect Sensors
A new cyborg insect platform based on locusts is being developed that co-opts insect olfaction, trains insects to seek out specific scents, functionalises insects with materials that collect specific molecules and others that can impart limited remote control, and finally equips the insects with electronics for monitoring brain signals https://source.wustl.edu/2016/06/engineers-use-cyborg-insects-biorobotic-sensing-machines/. In the first instance the group hopes to create and demonstrate the system in explosives detection applications.

7. Very Sensitive Gravity Detectors
A new gravity sensor, or gravity gradiometer, developed by Lockheed Martin is 20 times as sensitive and provides 10 times greater bandwidth than existing systems http://www.worldoil.com/news/2016/7/6/neos-lockheed-martin-develop-new-sensor-to-seek-out-oil-gas. Applications include resource exploration via gravity-mapping fly-overs of areas to look for interesting geological formations that indicate minerals and other resources buried beneath the ground; the sensor is apparently capable of finding a truck full of gold 20m underground.

8. Big Data Cancer Characterisation
The latest big data analysis of cancer successfully catalogued 1,000 different types of tumours, their alterations, and susceptibility to a range of different cancer drugs http://www.idibell.cat/modul/noticies/en/906/a-big-data-approach-to-developing-cancer-drugs. The 1,000 tumours came from 29 different cell lines from different organs and produced a precise map of both genetic and epigenetic modifications and differences, screened each against 265 different antitumour drugs, and then validated the results against 11,000 additional tumour samples. This amazing resource has been made available via open access and once personalise genome (and tumour) sequencing gets underway will become ever more useful to patients for personalised medicine applications.

9. Regenerative Tooth Fillings
A new dental filling material is made from a type of biomaterial that, when placed into a prepared cavity and hardened with UV light like a conventional filling, subsequently works to stimulate local populations of stem cells in the pulp of the tooth http://www.popsci.com.au/science/medicine/the-end-of-root-canals-,430104. In tests the stem cells proliferated and differentiated into dentin, helping to actually heal the damage caused by tooth decay and cavity preparation. Such a material would not only drastically lower the rate of filling failures but possibly prevent root canals too.

10. Ear-Based Brain EEG Recordings
New in-ear earbud-based EEG sensors have been developed that can sit in the user’s ear and accurately pick up EEG signals from the brain for transmission to a device http://spectrum.ieee.org/the-human-os/biomedical/devices/in-ear-eeg-makes-unobtrusive-brain-hacking-gadgets-a-real-possibility. EEG signals are typically difficult to distinguish but in testing the device the group tested a range of mental states that produced the most clearly distinguishable signals and then used these two states as a binary choice to control some particular computing device function. An in-ear device is discrete and would allow continuous monitoring including sleep and disease states.

SciTech Tip Jar: http://www.scitechdigest.net/p/donate.html

SciTech #ScienceSunday Digest - 27/2016.

SciTech #ScienceSunday Digest - 27/2016.
Permalink here: http://www.scitechdigest.net/2016/07/pear-shaped-nuclei-laser-atom-lattices.html

Pear shaped nuclei, Geoscience for Helium, Laser atom lattices, CRISPR antivirals, Injectable micro camera, Carbon nanotube computing, Engineered probiotics, Immunotherapies vs autoimmunity, Controlled supercavitation, Engineered neurotransmitter receptors.

1. Pear Shaped Nuclei
Building on work in 2013 that found the first pear-shaped atomic nuclei in the form of Radium-224, the second pear-shaped atomic nucleus has been confirmed in the form of Barium-144 http://futurism.com/new-form-of-atomic-nuclei-just-confirmed-and-it-suggests-time-travel-is-impossible/. The interest here is the possibility of insights into new physics as pear-shaped nuclei break conventionally accepted symmetries with more charge and mass being present on some side of the nucleus than the other and exhibiting octupole properties. Personally I wouldn’t read too much into the speculative anti-time travel commentary associated with this.

2. Better Geoscience for Helium Discoveries
For the first time a huge geological deposit of Helium has been found deliberately rather than by accident http://www.livescience.com/55204-huge-cache-of-ancient-helium-discovered.html. This resulted from better models concerning the role of volcanic heat in producing pockets of Helium gas in the Earth’s crust. Helium is in limited supply and due to its nature is lost to the atmosphere and into space once used. As such the Helium deposit represents a significant find amounting to, by some estimates, an additional 30% of previously known global reserves.

3. Isolating Atoms with Lasers
An array of lasers can be used to produce a 3d lattice of precisely positioned individual atoms on five planes of 25 atoms each http://science.psu.edu/news-and-events/2016-news/Weiss6-2016. Two other crossed-laser beams can then target individual atoms and alter their energy levels and in this was used to produce an array of quantum superpositions using the atoms in the array as qubits, with the nature of the control demonstrated by writing precise patterns as desired. In related news third generation laser Uranium enrichment technology is five times more energy efficient and compact than the best centrifuges http://nextbigfuture.com/2016/06/third-generation-laser-uranium.html.

4. CRISPR for Gene Silencing & Antivirals
First, CRISPR has been modified yet again, this time with a methylation-cleaving subunit that allows the system to target and cut out methylated (silenced) promoters of genes, and replace them with un-methylated promoters to activate the genes https://www.oia.hokudai.ac.jp/blog/unsilencing-silenced-genes-by-crisprcas9/. Second, I’ve been thinking about CRISPR to target viruses for years because I get cold sores and it seems that this is now underway with successful CRISPR tests for targeting, cutting, and inactivating the latent code for viruses that have incorporated into cellular DNA https://www.newscientist.com/article/2095716-gene-editing-could-destroy-herpes-viruses-living-inside-you/. Finally, we’ll probably see the first CRISPR-based human clinical trial begin later this year http://www.nature.com/news/first-crispr-clinical-trial-gets-green-light-from-us-panel-1.20137.

5. Injectable Micro-Camera
A new micro-lens has been developed by 3D printing tiny compound lenses measuring just 120 microns wide including the casing http://phys.org/news/2016-06-micro-camera-syringe.html. Such a lens can focus on objects 3mm away, can be fabricated on conventional CMOS image sensors or optical fibers, and which might then be delivered into the body via a simple injection for example, or otherwise power discrete imaging sensors in the environment.

6. Carbon Nanotube Computing
Spectrum has another good technology overview article, this time on the present state of the art in using carbon nanotubes in computing applications http://spectrum.ieee.org/semiconductors/devices/how-well-put-a-carbon-nanotube-computer-in-your-hand. There already exist fabrication and design techniques, compatible with conventional semiconductor fabs, for building and scaling carbon nanotube circuits on silicon. Key discoveries have solved the two biggest hurdles of such circuits, (i) creating ordered parallel arrays of tubes that don’t overlap, and (ii) clever techniques to selectively remove metallic tubes to leave only semiconducting tubes. Obtaining a 100x to 1,000x improvement in energy efficiency with such chips should be possible in future.

7. Towards Engineered Probiotics
The case and benefits for engineering and delivering novel probiotic bacteria to directly treat various diseases keeps getting stronger. First, strong correlations have been discovered between abnormal bacterial microbiome in the gut and chronic fatigue syndrome, with the possibility of fixing or engineering these patients’ microbiomes resulting in a cure for the disease http://www.deepstuff.org/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-gut-not-head/. Meanwhile a growing number of companies are developing probiotic treatments-in-a-pill designed to target and treat a range of disease, with many products currently in extended human clinical trials under FDA oversight http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-06-30/coming-soon-gut-bacteria-that-actually-cure-your-disease.

8. Killing Specific Immune Cells for Autoimmunity
Building on promising experimental immunotherapies for targeting immune cell cancers, a new approach instead manages to create an immunotherapy to target the specific subset of B-cells responsible for certain autoimmunity disorders https://www.fightaging.org/archives/2016/07/chimeric-antigen-receptor-strategies-can-be-used-to-target-and-destroy-specific-classes-of-unwanted-immune-cell/. This involves obtaining T-cells from the patient and engineered with a gene that makes them specifically only attach to and destroy those B-cells that produce the antibody responsible for the autoimmune disease. This is great news for a plethora of debilitating diseases such as arthritis, but also for culling and rejuvenating the entire immune system itself back to more youthful levels of effectiveness.

9. Controlled Supercavitation for Underwater Transport
New work on supercavitation shows promise for controlling the instabilities that occur when producing confined air bubbles around underwater vehicles to reduce the drag and friction of water in order to significantly increase the speed of travel underwater http://news.psu.edu/story/414720/2016/06/16/research/innovative-approach-makes-smoother-ride. Such systems might allow much faster underwater travel by submarines, torpedos, and other submersibles.

10. Engineering Controllable Neurotransmitter Receptors
Neurotransmitter receptor proteins found on neurons are now being engineered to be controllably activated and deactivated at will http://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/research/research_results/2016/160628_1.html. Such a tool allows neurons to be genetically altered so that the neurotransmitter receptors they produce can be switched on and off with the addition of specific ligands, and so allowing them to respond, or not, to the conventional neurotransmitters that neurons use for signalling. I do wonder how useful this might be in a living system, as the brain and neurons adapt to normal firing and connection strengths being interfered with.

SciTech Tip Jar: http://www.scitechdigest.net/p/donate.html

SciTech #ScienceSunday Digest - 34/2016.

SciTech #ScienceSunday Digest - 34/2016.
Permalink here: http://www.scitechdigest.net/2016/08/jumping-robot-legs-uber-launches.html

Purifying carbon nanotubes, Anti-inflammatories for Alzheimer’s, Jumping robot legs, Protein sweeteners, Fortified GMO rice, Uber launches autonomous cars, Bacterial conducting nanowires, Superconducting electron superfluids, CRISPR for EvoDevo, Massively engineered genomes.

1. Purifying Carbon Nanotubes
One of the biggest obstacles to developing carbon nanotube applications is separating mixtures of carbon nanotubes to obtain pure samples of either metallic or semiconducting nanotubes depending on the requirements of the application. A new method for doing this involves a newly engineered polymer based on a template that was able to wash away semiconducting carbon nanotubes to leave metallic versions for use, but is now able to selectively wash away metallic carbon nanotubes to leave semiconducting versions for use http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/article/mcmaster-researchers-resolve-a-problem-that-has-been-holding-back-a-technological-revolution/. Next step will be to make more efficient polymers and scale up production.

2. Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Treat Alzheimer's
Recent work shows that certain types of common Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs are effective in treating Alzheimer’s disease in animal models by completely reversing memory loss and brain inflammation http://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/treatment-option-for-alzheimers-disease-possible. Next steps will be to confirm that the effect carries over to humans and, with these drugs already on the market for other NSAID-related indications, seek approval for repurposing in light of side effects.

3. Explosive Jumping Robot Legs
A new “GOAT” robot leg design is capable of explosive jumping to twice its height that can also walking, running, and compliant landings http://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/robotics-hardware/goat-robot-leg-demonstrates-explosive-jumping. Next step is to improve the hardware then mount the legs onto both bipedal and quadruped robots, which I think will be very impressive to see. In related robotic automation news, agricultural fruit and vegetable picking robots continue to get better with the demonstration of a new automated apple picker http://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/industrial-robots/sri-spin-off-abundant-robotics-developing-autonomous-apple-vacuum.

4. Protein-based Artificial Sweeteners
A protein that occurs naturally in a West African fruit turns out to be 2,000 sweeter than sugar http://phys.org/news/2016-08-protein-big-sweetener.html. Producing the protein at scale for commercial uses has been problematic however, although in this recent work the use of genetically engineered yeast to produce larger amounts of the protein via fermentation is showing promise. A reliable source of protein-based, non-sugar, non-aspartame sweeteners would benefit the food and beverage industry by circumventing the different problems surrounding conventional sweeteners.

5. Engineered Rice Addresses Zinc & Iron Deficiency
A new type of genetically engineered rice that fixes and stores significantly more zinc and iron has been created that can improve the lives of those suffering from deficiencies, especially in the third world http://www.nextbigfuture.com/2016/08/modified-rice-has-five-times-zinc-and.html. This is a similar approach to the Golden Rice that has been around for a while that was engineered to produce more Vitamin A. In this case the iron and zinc content of grains was increased from ~3ppm to 15ppm and from 16ppm to 45ppm respectively. Next steps are to introduce the rice for cultivation in Bangladesh.

6. Uber Introduces Autonomous Car Service
Uber and Volvo will introduce a driverless taxi service in Pittsburgh this month using a fleet of 100 Volvo vehicles http://spectrum.ieee.org/cars-that-think/transportation/self-driving/uber-will-start-driverless-service-in-pittsburghthis-month. This won’t be a general-purpose service, but will rather ferry passengers between fixed points of interest around the city and the collaboration will further develop technology and mapping resources. The cars will apparently include “safety drivers” in the cars for the first rollout, not only to intervene if necessary but also to condition customers to get comfortable with autonomous taxis.

7. Producing Conducting Nanowires with Bacteria
Genetically engineered bacteria can now be controllably harnessed to produce electrically conducting nanowires http://www.onr.navy.mil/Media-Center/Press-Releases/2016/Geobacter.aspx. This builds on earlier work that first discovered and characterised the natural bacterial nanowires, which allowed the rational design of modified nanowires by rearranging amino acids into an improved architecture. The nanowires produced by the bacteria are protein-based, 2,000 times more conductive than natural counterparts, and measured 1.5 nanometers wide. Future applications include electronics, sensors, and as power conductors in microbial circuits.

8. Electron Superfluid Critical for High Temperature Superconductivity
Recent analysis of materials that perform as high temperature superconductors reveals that their atomic architecture facilitates the formation of electron pairs into an electron superfluid that flows without resistance https://www.bnl.gov/newsroom/news.php?a=11864. Analysing different types of these copper oxide materials (that include lanthanum and strontium) showed that differences in transition temperature between materials are determined by differences in the density of electron pairs. This challenges conventional theories of superconductivity and is hoped that this better understanding will lead to the design of materials with much higher, room-temperature transition temperatures.

9. CRISPR Accelerating the Field of Evolutionary Developmental Biology
CRISPR is having a transformative effect on the field of evolutionary developmental biology by allowing experiments to not only be done that could never be contemplated before but by significantly accelerating the rate and progress of the field http://www.nature.com/news/crispr-s-hopeful-monsters-gene-editing-storms-evo-devo-labs-1.20449. Recent work traced the gene changes required for (i) turning fins into feet, (ii) improving photoreceptors in butterflies to detect a broader spectrum of colours, and (iii) how crustaceans acquired claws. Future work will look to modify the genes and pathways involved in building chicken beaks to find the sequences required for building theropod dinosaur snouts; we might yet get our chickenosaurus.

10. Most Engineered Bacterial Genome
The most engineered and radically rewritten bacterial genome has been produced recently http://www.nature.com/news/radically-rewritten-bacterial-genome-unveiled-1.20451. The synthetic genome was synthesised with 3.8% of the original genome edited to replace 7 of 64 codons with code that produces the same components and so create an organism that functions on 57 instead of 64 codons. This would not have been possible even a few years ago and represents the largest completely synthesised genome with the most functional changes; next step is to boot it up into a functional cell.

Bonus: Festo’s Fantastic Flying Robots.
The latest robots from Festo are always a pleasure to behold http://spectrum.ieee.org/video/robotics/robotics-hardware/festos-fantastical-flying-robots

SciTech Tip Jar: http://www.scitechdigest.net/p/donate.html

SciTech #ScienceSunday Digest - 32/2016.

SciTech #ScienceSunday Digest - 32/2016.
Permalink here: http://www.scitechdigest.net/2016/08/negative-poissons-ratio-ibm.html

Negative Poisson’s ratio, IBM lab on chip, IBM neuromorphic computing, Single pixel cameras, Magnetic atom chains, On-chip LIDAR, Code patching bots, Airship fixing bots, Resistant productive microbes, Novel electrical materials.

1. Materials with Negative Poisson’s Ratio
Materials with a positive Poisson’s ratio contract when stretched, but those with a negative ratio actually expand when stretched, and while rare metamaterials are being engineered to create materials that possess this property of expanding when stretched http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=44123.php. This review article digs into the negative Poisson’s ratio materials that already exist as well as laying out avenues for exploring ever better materials with beneficial mechanical properties such as shear resistance, indentation resistance, and fracture toughness. I’d even just like to play with a strip of this stuff.

2. IBM’s Latest Lab on a Chip
IBM’s latest microfluidic lab on a chip devices are capable of size-based separation of biological particles down to 20nm, a scale that allows DNA, viruses, and cellular exosomes to be separated out http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/50275.wss. Working with researchers they are examining exosome communication and signalling between cells, and working with clinicians they are using the new capability in a similar way to diagnose cancer and other diseases. The architecture of the device allows variable particle separations under continuous flow and can actually split a mixture of many different particle sizes into a spread of defined particle streams, analogous to a prism splitting light. Meanwhile other microfluidic systems are replicating the connections between neurons and muscle fibers http://news.mit.edu/2016/replicating-connection-between-muscles-and-nerves-0803.

3. IBM’s Latest Neuromorphic Computing Device
IBM’s latest brain-like computing hardware has demonstrated chips that produce spiking neuromorphic features using phase-change materials to store and process data http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/50297.wss. IBM’s phase-change technology platform has already demonstrated novel memory techniques, but these new neuromorphic applications can perform data correlation detection and also unsupervised learning at high speed and low energy; updating these phase-change neurons requires just five picojoules. When will we start to see these things appearing in robots?

4. Single Pixel Camera Advances
The latest advance in computational photography using single-pixel cameras now enables single-pixel camera devices to not only produce human-like foveated images in which the center is captured in high-resolution and periphery in low-resolution, but can now also move this foveated region around to follow objects in the field of view https://www.technologyreview.com/s/602090/single-pixel-camera-reaches-milestone-mimicking-human-vision/. The system can produce two moveable foveated regions, works in visible and infrared, and might enable applications in terahertz imaging for which single pixel sensors are available and arrays are not, as well as allowing conventional trade-offs between resolution and framerate to be optimised on the fly for general imaging systems.

5. One Dimensional Magnetic Atom Chains
That’s a headline I didn’t expect to write this side of 2020. By combining a process of evaporating metals onto a surface with the controlled introduction of oxygen, one dimensional magnetic atom chains bordered by oxygen can now be created, and all via a process of self-assembly http://spectrum.ieee.org/nanoclast/semiconductors/materials/onedimensional-magnetic-atom-chain-forged. Metals explored as part of the proof-of-concept include Mn, Fe, Co, & Ni. The atom chains cover the entire surface, space 0.8nm apart, and up to 500 atoms long without a single structural defect. In the new one dimensional state the different metal atoms exhibit altered magnetic properties including non-magnetic, ferromagnetic, & anti-ferromagnetic. Such structures may have applications in high-density data storage but the advance will be a boon to studying and controlling one dimensional systems in general.

6. On-Chip LIDAR Systems
Recent advances in developing on-chip LIDAR systems for 3D mapping and ranging local environments using conventional semiconductor fabrication techniques look set to produce complete LIDAR systems smaller than a dime at less than $10 per unit http://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/semiconductors/optoelectronics/mit-lidar-on-a-chip. While not only being orders of magnitude smaller than conventional systems, and orders of magnitude cheaper, the devices have 1,000 times faster image scanning. There is a roadmap to boost field of view from 50 to 100 degrees, from 2m to 10m soon and 100m later in range, and further boosting resolution. These systems are going to be absolute game changers for autonomous vehicles, robots, drones, and our smart devices generally, massively boosting their ability to move about in the real world. Spectrum shared a big drone sporting big LIDAR system navigating a barn this week, as part of http://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/drones/video-friday-drone-with-lidar-robot-tai-chi-strange-android.

7. Smarter Bots Fix Malicious Code
New machine learning approaches are able to search hacker marketplaces and other hidden parts of the Web to help find and identify zero day exploits and other critical software vulnerabilities in order to drastically improve the ability of organisations to fix broken code and distribute patches before they can be exploited https://www.technologyreview.com/s/602115/machine-learning-algorithm-combs-the-darknet-for-zero-day-exploits-and-finds-them/. In related news DARPA’s Grand Cyber Challenge continues to encourage the development of ever-better software systems able to quickly find and fix a range of different software bugs better than human teams can http://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/telecom/security/autonomous-supercomputers-seek-and-destroy-software-bugs-in-darpa-cyber-grand-challenge.

8. Spider Bots Monitor Airships
Lockheed Martin has developed a SPIDER bot platform that involves groups of robots that move around and inspect the skin of an airship for tiny pinholes that are difficult for humans to detect, which can then be quickly patched and sealed to prevent the leakage of Helium http://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/industrial-robots/how-lockheed-martin-spider-blimp-fixing-robot-works. While this is a prototype autonomous inspection and repair system that should contribute to airship safety and cost reduction, the team hope that further development will allow such systems to function in-flight as needed in a range of conditions.

9. Resistant Productive Microbial Fermenters
To combat the problem of undesirable contaminant microbes growing in fermenters and bioreactors with productive microbes and so serving to decrease and contaminate yields, productive microbes are being engineered to be able to extract the vital growth nutrients nitrogen and phosphorous from unconventional xenobiotic compounds http://news.mit.edu/2016/microbial-engineering-technique-could-reduce-contamination-biofermentation-plants-0804. In some cases this involved the addition of six genes to provide the enzymatic processing network needed to extract nutrients from the xenobiotic compounds; contaminant microbes lacking these pathways are unable to use the nutrients and are massively outcompeted by the productive microbes.

10. Novel Electrical Materials
Some interesting new electrical materials and devices this week. First, nanoparticles of topological insulators appear to provide a platform for strong coupling between a single photon and a single electron that could be useful for photonics and optoelectronics in future http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/newsandeventspggrp/imperialcollege/newssummary/news_4-8-2016-11-5-15. Second, a layer of buckyballs proves important in creating tiny on-chip diodes that conduct electricity 1,000 times more effectively on one direction as opposed to the other http://science.energy.gov/bes/highlights/2016/bes-2016-08-a/. Third, graphene appears to facilitate a novel property of electrons called pseudospin http://phys.org/news/2016-08-electrons-electronics.html. Finally, the ability to create and manipulate two-dimensional sheets of silicon, or silicene, for electronics applications takes a major step forward http://spectrum.ieee.org/nanoclast/semiconductors/materials/breakthrough-in-silicene-production-promises-a-future-of-silicenebased-electronics.

SciTech Tip Jar: http://www.scitechdigest.net/p/donate.html

SciTech #ScienceSunday Digest - 31/2016.

SciTech #ScienceSunday Digest - 31/2016.
Permalink here: http://www.scitechdigest.net/2016/07/assembling-protein-nanostructures.html

Assembling protein nanostructures, Superatom molecules, Printable Lego Microfluidics, Advanced 3D printing, Cockroach milk, Drone 3D mapping, Microbial production systems, Telomerase therapeutics, WiFi contact lens, Nanostructures control light.

1. Large Self-Assembling Protein Nanostructures
A DARPA project has used computational methods to screen hundreds of thousands of different protein combinations to find those candidates that self assemble into cages, and then successfully produced these structures inside living cells http://www.darpa.mil/news-events/2016-07-21. Progress appears to be quite rapid with the group successfully creating a 120-subunit icosahedron out of self-assembling proteins inside a genetically engineered cell, being the largest of a diverse family of different protein cages that have now been produced. The team claims this work “opens the door to a new generation of genetically programmable protein-based molecular machines.” It’ll be interesting to see how they further functionalise these things.

2. Building Molecules Out of Superatoms
Superatoms, nanoscale clusters of atoms that behave as a single atomic entity, offer a fascinating and huge space of new materials exploration. In recent work, simple molecules or supermolecules, are being created out of superatoms http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/2016/07/molecule-clusters-superatoms-superatomic-structure. These supermolecules have well defined surface definition, bonding, and electrochemistry and were made with cobalt selenide superatoms, demonstrating a versatile platform for exploring the space of superatom molecules and properties. Interesting, fundamental materials platform. Meanwhile super-ions are boosting perovskite solar cell performance http://phys.org/news/2016-07-materials-based-clusters-atoms-super-ions.html.

3. Modular Lego Microfluidics
3D printable Microfluidic Evolutionary Components (MECs) represent a powerful new modular microfluidics experimentation and prototyping platform https://3dprint.com/143152/3dp-modular-lab-instruments/. So far there is a library of 200 different MECs for different microfluidic functions such as pumps, valves, storage, mixing, etc that can be 3D printed and connected together via standard interfaces to create custom circuits to perform as novel chemical and biological research instruments. This has the potential to be transformative for both DIYers and industrial research labs, able to accelerate innovation, and deliver unexpected results.

4. Pushing the Envelope with 3D Printing
The Lawrence Livermore Lab is pushing 3D printing this week. First, they can now hierarchically build ultralight flexible metallic structures with fractal lattices that have feature scales in the nm to cm range https://www.llnl.gov/news/new-study-unlocks-potential-ultra-lightweight-and-flexible-3d-printed-metallic-materials, although the technique first prints in polymer that is removed after coating in metal. Second, newer metal 3D printers are being used to build lasers, supports, and optics, and including diagnostic sensors to confirm the part will perform as predicted once finished https://www.llnl.gov/news/3d-printing-could-revolutionize-laser-design.

5. Cockroach Milk?
It turns out that certain cockroaches produce a type of protein-crystal “milk” to feed it’s young, and this protein complex happens to four times as nutritious as cows milk, contains proteins with all essential amino acids, as well as fats and sugars like a complete food http://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-show-why-we-should-all-start-drinking-cockroach-milk. The gene sequence has now been identified and efforts are underway to engineer yeast to produce bulk volumes artificially. Maybe a future version of the Soylent food replacement powder / drink will include a dose of cockroach milk protein as a more robust and well-rounded food supplement?

6. High-Res 3D Mapping via Drones
Lockheed Martin has developed Hydra Fusion, a system that allows drones to quickly and easily produce 3D topographic maps of landscapes and features https://www.newscientist.com/article/2098120-stitching-a-drones-view-of-the-world-into-3d-maps-as-it-flies/. People have been trying to do this for a while of course, and the article mentions a number of other efforts in this space in addition to applications including estimating mining ore volumes, toxic material released, crop growth, construction project progress, rail movements, and others. I wonder if Google will ever commission a Drone-view project to embed high-res 3D topography across Maps/Earth like it does for Street-view?

7. Advanced Microbial Production Systems
Another DARPA project has resulted in the creation of a microbe bioreactor for producing different pharmaceuticals as needed http://news.mit.edu/2016/portable-device-produces-biopharmaceuticals-on-demand-0729. The device is a microfluidic chip containing a population of genetically engineered yeast cells that respond to different simple feedstocks to produce doses of either human growth hormone or interferon, plus systems for keeping the cells alive and filtering media. Different cells might be used to produce a huge range of different drugs from the same chip in future; I see this as another step on the path towards mature productive nanosystems. Meanwhile smart building bricks have been created with microbial fuel cells embedded to produce electricity, clean water, and create detergents http://info.uwe.ac.uk/news/uwenews/news.aspx?id=3428.

8. Telomerase Therapeutics for Aging
Recent human clinical trials have shown that dosing patients with the synthetic male hormone danazol actually works to stimulate the production of the telomerase enzyme, and causing telomeres to be extended in cells at a rate about 3-fold greater than the rate they would normally be lost http://www.sciencealert.com/a-new-hormone-treatment-can-reverse-cell-ageing-in-humans. This is a commonly available drug, used off-label in many cases, but check the wikipedia listing for possible side effects. Still, might be an interesting temporary drug to try in order to gain a few extra healthy years, similar to Bioviva’s telomerase gene therapy. A recent review of Telomerase as a therapeutic target provides far more detail and nuance https://www.fightaging.org/archives/2016/07/a-review-of-telomerase-as-a-therapeutic-target/.

9. WiFi Enabled Smart Contact Lens
New antennas (and antenna materials) and wireless communication protocols employing the phenomenon of backscattering allow tiny unpowered devices to convert Bluetooth signals into power that is then used to produce WiFi signals for data transmission https://www.technologyreview.com/s/602035/first-wi-fi-enabled-smart-contact-lens-prototype/. The devices basically use the equivalent of Bluetooth white noise generated by a nearby device to broadcast WiFi data to a range of a little over 24 inches, which is sufficient for these types of applications. Prototypes include functional contact lenses and implantable devices.

10. Advanced Light Manipulation for Displays and Data
First, new metasurfaces comprised of precisely arranged nano-scale blocks arrayed as pixels can manipulate light to produce colour holograms http://phys.org/news/2016-07-high-efficiency-holograms-metasurface-nanoblocks.html; by changing the orientation of the blocks it is easy to produce different holographic images with different colour properties as desired. Second, new on-chip laser architectures produce vortex lasers with corkscrew encoding to achieve 10 times greater data capacity http://www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/2016/07/034.html.

SciTech Tip Jar: http://www.scitechdigest.net/p/donate.html