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Aug 13, 2016
Directly reprogramming a cell’s identity with gene editing
Posted by Shailesh Prasad in categories: bioengineering, biotech/medical, genetics, neuroscience
Researchers have used CRISPR—a revolutionary new genetic engineering technique—to convert cells isolated from mouse connective tissue directly into neuronal cells.
In 2006, Shinya Yamanaka, a professor at the Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences at Kyoto University at the time, discovered how to revert adult connective tissue cells, called fibroblasts, back into immature stem cells that could differentiate into any cell type. These so-called induced pluripotent stem cells won Yamanaka the Nobel Prize in medicine just six years later for their promise in research and medicine.
Since then, researchers have discovered other ways to convert cells between different types. This is mostly done by introducing many extra copies of “master switch” genes that produce proteins that turn on entire genetic networks responsible for producing a particular cell type.
Aug 13, 2016
Synesthesia: How Neurons Can Let You Physically Feel What Others Experience
Posted by Shailesh Prasad in category: neuroscience
Mirror neurons allow individuals to, in essence, feel what others are experiencing. These neurons fire when an individual experiences something and when they observe the same or similar act happen to another.
Synesthesia, a neurological trait with more than 80 forms and growing numbers of people who recognize it in themselves, is mostly associated with famous creatives who have possessed it–from Pharrell Williams to David Hockney and from Mary J. Blige to Marilyn Monroe.
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Aug 13, 2016
Why I prefer science fiction to general literature
Posted by Shailesh Prasad in category: futurism
Aug 13, 2016
‘Connected’ ink: Temporary tech tattoos transform skin into user interfaces (VIDEO)
Posted by Carse Peel in category: futurism
Temporary tattoos are getting the high tech treatment with a new product that transforms them into multifunctional on-skin user interfaces.
DuoSkin, created at the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Media Lab in partnership with Microsoft Research, allows people to control their mobile devices, display information, and store data all while looking stylish with a metallic like tattoo on their skin.
Mars Cube One (MarCO) Mission Overview Engineers for NASA’s MarCO technology demonstration check out a full-scale mechanical mock-up of the small craft in development as part of NASA’s next mission to Mars. Mechanical engineer Joel Steinkraus and systems engineer Farah Alibay are on the team at NASA…
Aug 13, 2016
How Nanotech Will Lead to a Better Future for Us All
Posted by Klaus Baldauf in categories: biotech/medical, nanotechnology
How do we gain the immense benefits of advanced nanotechnology while avoiding its potential misuse?
This was Christine Peterson’s big question when she co-founded the Foresight Institute, a non-profit think tank focused on nanotechnology, three decades ago. And she says it’s still her guiding focus today.
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Aug 13, 2016
Meet the Reactors Accelerating Us Toward Fusion Energy
Posted by Klaus Baldauf in categories: humor, nuclear energy, particle physics
The old joke about fusion is that it is 30 years from becoming a reality — and that’s been the case for the last 50 years or more. It’s a joke that may quickly be reaching its sell-by date.
And a good thing too. The promise of fusion is near-unlimited energy that produces almost no waste.
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Aug 13, 2016
Self-healing textiles not only repair themselves, but can neutralize chemicals
Posted by Klaus Baldauf in categories: biological, materials
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Someday, chemically protective suits made of fabric coated in self-healing, thin films may prevent farmers from exposure to organophosphate pesticides, soldiers from chemical or biological attacks in the field and factory workers from accidental releases of toxic materials, according to a team of researchers.
“Fashion designers use natural fibers made of proteins like wool or silk that are expensive and they are not self-healing,” said Melik C. Demire l, professor of engineering science and mechanics. “We were looking for a way to make fabrics self-healing using conventional textiles. So we came up with this coating technology.”
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