SciTech Digest - 13/2017.
SciTech Digest - 13/2017.
Permalink here: http://www.scitechdigest.net/2017/03/tetrachromatic-filters-optogenetic-stop.html
Tetrachromatic filters, Optogenetic stop light, Automated Lego lab, CRISPR applications, Antiaging breakthroughs, More medical implants, Molecular moire patterns, Quantum dot lasers, Cryo-Electron microscopy, Robot bug zapper.
1. Filters for Tetrachromatic Vision
New lenses filter out different parts of the spectrum and when fitted to glasses allow the wearer to see colours that are normally hidden (known as metamers), and which might provide tetrachromatic vision and beyond https://techxplore.com/news/2017-03-filters-tetrachromatic-vision-humans.html.
2. Optogenetic Stop Light
Optogenetics gets an expanded toolkit with a newly engineered protein that responds to green light by shutting off cellular signalling http://ist.ac.at/news-media/news/news-detail/article/when-green-means-stop/6/.
3. Lego Lab Automation
A new DIY lego robot design and free software download lets anyone build an automated life sciences and chemistry robot for carrying out lots of sequential tests, reactions, and measurements http://spectrum.ieee.org/the-human-os/biomedical/devices/diy-lego-robot-brings-lab-automation-to-students.
4. CRISPR Applications
First, CRISPR is being used to target cancer cell’s synthetic lethal vulnerabilities in which two genes have dependent effects such that if one is mutated cancer results but if the other is also mutated then cell death results http://www.genengnews.com/gen-news-highlights/crisprcas9-reveals-cancers-synthetic-lethal-vulnerabilities/81254065. Second, CRISPR is enhancing T-Cell immunotherapy treatments for cancer and might provide off-the-shelf cells rather than necessitating patient-derived cells http://www.nextbigfuture.com/2017/03/crispr-gene-therapy-is-enhancing-t-cell.html.
5. Antiaging Breakthroughs
First, cell-penetrating peptides comprising specific sequences demonstrate the ability to block particular cellular interactions and cause apoptosis of senescent cells, and demonstrating pretty decent antiaging effects in mice models http://www.bbc.com/news/health-39354628. Second, immortalised cell lines have been engineered that could mass produce red blood cells, while the osteopontin protein has been discovered to rejuvenate white blood cell activity http://www.nextbigfuture.com/2017/03/two-separate-breakthroughs-will-combine.html.
6. Better, More Natural Medical Implants
First, a new technique prevents scar tissue formation around implanted medical devices http://news.mit.edu/2017/blocking-immune-cells-scar-tissue-better-implants-0320. Second, another new technique quickly grafts PEDOT polymer films on metal substrates that can improve the interfacing of neurons with biomedical implants http://www.udel.edu/udaily/2017/march/materials-breakthrough/.
7. Molecular Moire Superstructures
I first came across the very cool Moire patterns via Numberphile https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAja2jp1VjE. But now molecular moire superstructures can be formed via block copolymers https://phys.org/news/2017-03-moire-superstructures-block-copolymers.html.
8. Flying Saucer Quantum Dots
While specific sizes of quantum dots produce distinct colours of light, altering the specific shape of quantum dots produces far more efficient quantum dot lasers that might solve the heating issues that have plagued this application http://spectrum.ieee.org/nanoclast/semiconductors/materials/flying-saucer-quantum-dots-the-secret-to-better-brighter-lasers.
9. Cryo-Electron Microscopy Imaging
Cryo-Electron Microscopy has been significantly extended with the new ability to produce three dimensional atomic-scale images and models of complex biological structures including complete viruses http://newscenter.lbl.gov/2017/03/23/cryo-electron-microscopy-achieves-unprecedented-resolution-using-new-computational-methods/.
10. Underwater Bug Zapper
Perhaps inspired by the device that zapper mosquitoes with lasers, a new underwater robotic drone zapps lice to protect fish in fish-farms http://spectrum.ieee.org/semiconductors/optoelectronics/licehunting-underwater-drone-protects-salmon-with-lasers.
SciTech Tip Jar: http://www.scitechdigest.net/p/donate.html
Permalink here: http://www.scitechdigest.net/2017/03/tetrachromatic-filters-optogenetic-stop.html
Tetrachromatic filters, Optogenetic stop light, Automated Lego lab, CRISPR applications, Antiaging breakthroughs, More medical implants, Molecular moire patterns, Quantum dot lasers, Cryo-Electron microscopy, Robot bug zapper.
1. Filters for Tetrachromatic Vision
New lenses filter out different parts of the spectrum and when fitted to glasses allow the wearer to see colours that are normally hidden (known as metamers), and which might provide tetrachromatic vision and beyond https://techxplore.com/news/2017-03-filters-tetrachromatic-vision-humans.html.
2. Optogenetic Stop Light
Optogenetics gets an expanded toolkit with a newly engineered protein that responds to green light by shutting off cellular signalling http://ist.ac.at/news-media/news/news-detail/article/when-green-means-stop/6/.
3. Lego Lab Automation
A new DIY lego robot design and free software download lets anyone build an automated life sciences and chemistry robot for carrying out lots of sequential tests, reactions, and measurements http://spectrum.ieee.org/the-human-os/biomedical/devices/diy-lego-robot-brings-lab-automation-to-students.
4. CRISPR Applications
First, CRISPR is being used to target cancer cell’s synthetic lethal vulnerabilities in which two genes have dependent effects such that if one is mutated cancer results but if the other is also mutated then cell death results http://www.genengnews.com/gen-news-highlights/crisprcas9-reveals-cancers-synthetic-lethal-vulnerabilities/81254065. Second, CRISPR is enhancing T-Cell immunotherapy treatments for cancer and might provide off-the-shelf cells rather than necessitating patient-derived cells http://www.nextbigfuture.com/2017/03/crispr-gene-therapy-is-enhancing-t-cell.html.
5. Antiaging Breakthroughs
First, cell-penetrating peptides comprising specific sequences demonstrate the ability to block particular cellular interactions and cause apoptosis of senescent cells, and demonstrating pretty decent antiaging effects in mice models http://www.bbc.com/news/health-39354628. Second, immortalised cell lines have been engineered that could mass produce red blood cells, while the osteopontin protein has been discovered to rejuvenate white blood cell activity http://www.nextbigfuture.com/2017/03/two-separate-breakthroughs-will-combine.html.
6. Better, More Natural Medical Implants
First, a new technique prevents scar tissue formation around implanted medical devices http://news.mit.edu/2017/blocking-immune-cells-scar-tissue-better-implants-0320. Second, another new technique quickly grafts PEDOT polymer films on metal substrates that can improve the interfacing of neurons with biomedical implants http://www.udel.edu/udaily/2017/march/materials-breakthrough/.
7. Molecular Moire Superstructures
I first came across the very cool Moire patterns via Numberphile https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAja2jp1VjE. But now molecular moire superstructures can be formed via block copolymers https://phys.org/news/2017-03-moire-superstructures-block-copolymers.html.
8. Flying Saucer Quantum Dots
While specific sizes of quantum dots produce distinct colours of light, altering the specific shape of quantum dots produces far more efficient quantum dot lasers that might solve the heating issues that have plagued this application http://spectrum.ieee.org/nanoclast/semiconductors/materials/flying-saucer-quantum-dots-the-secret-to-better-brighter-lasers.
9. Cryo-Electron Microscopy Imaging
Cryo-Electron Microscopy has been significantly extended with the new ability to produce three dimensional atomic-scale images and models of complex biological structures including complete viruses http://newscenter.lbl.gov/2017/03/23/cryo-electron-microscopy-achieves-unprecedented-resolution-using-new-computational-methods/.
10. Underwater Bug Zapper
Perhaps inspired by the device that zapper mosquitoes with lasers, a new underwater robotic drone zapps lice to protect fish in fish-farms http://spectrum.ieee.org/semiconductors/optoelectronics/licehunting-underwater-drone-protects-salmon-with-lasers.
SciTech Tip Jar: http://www.scitechdigest.net/p/donate.html
Comments
Post a Comment