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Jan 30, 2016
Genetic engineering could thwart the Zika virus, among other mosquito-borne diseases
Posted by Aleksandar Vukovic in categories: bioengineering, biotech/medical, genetics, habitats, health, transportation
With the recent use of genetically engineered mosquitoes in Brazil to halt the spread of the Zika virus, we might be beginning to see some major health improvements as a consequence of the genetics revolution. A world in which mosquitoes were all but eliminated from the ecosystem would look quite different from the world of today, especially for people living in the tropics where the threat of mosquito transmitted infections does more than just mar an otherwise tranquil margarita sipped from the veranda of a beach resort. This is not to beggar the more mundane advantages of a mosquito-free habitat, but rather call attention to the fact that for large parts of the world, including Brazil, mosquitoes can be the difference between life and death.
Ironically, the genetic changes made to the Aedes aegypti mosquito in order to halt the spread of the Zika virus are deceptively simple. The company behind the project, Oxitec, used a modified version of something called the “Sterile Insect Technique” to create their hybrid specimens. The end goal of this process is to produce a male mosquito possessing a “self-limiting gene.” When these males mate with wild female mosquitoes, they create non viable offspring that perish soon after the birth. The end result is a rapid drop in the mosquito population of a given area.
When compared with some of the more hazardous forms of mosquito control currently in use such as massive spraying of DEET and chemical infusers popular throughout Asia, sterilizing mosquitoes sounds like an imminently reasonable approach. As a journalist who once saw his roadside samosa blasted by a massive spray of DEET from an oncoming municipal vehicle in India, I can personally attest to a preference for a genetic solution.
Jan 30, 2016
Connected Medical Devices Are Sick with Vulnerabilities, According to New Research
Posted by Karen Hurst in categories: biotech/medical, internet, life extension, nanotechnology, Ray Kurzweil, security, wearables
This is not good especially as we look at those aspirations for more nanobots to connect us to the cloud plus Mr. Kurzweil’s desire to live forever.
Medical device manufacturers are struggling to safeguard their newly connected designs from current and emerging security threats.
Natick, MA (PRWEB) January 29, 2016.
Jan 30, 2016
FDA Guidelines Target IoT Medical Device Security
Posted by Karen Hurst in categories: biotech/medical, computing, health, internet, security
Could the FDA crush IoT opportunities in Healthcare?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration last week took a step toward addressing the threat the Internet of Things poses to patients and their data by releasing some proposed guidelines for managing cybersecurity in medical devices.
“A growing number of medical devices are designed to be networked to facilitate patient care. Networked medical devices, like other networked computer systems, incorporate software that may be vulnerable to cybersecurity threats,” the FDA says in its proposal.
Continue reading “FDA Guidelines Target IoT Medical Device Security” »
Jan 30, 2016
This Driveless Shuttle Bus Will Soon be on Dutch Public Roads
Posted by Shailesh Prasad in categories: robotics/AI, transportation
In a first, a driverless bus will now have to undergo real world traffic while shuttling passengers as a public trial on Dutch roads begins.
While Google and Uber are currently experimenting with self-driving cars, other companies are adapting the same idea to public transportation. Trials for driverless buses and trains are currently ongoing across the world.
Continue reading “This Driveless Shuttle Bus Will Soon be on Dutch Public Roads” »
Jan 30, 2016
This Jet Promises to Fly You From NYC to London in 11 Minutes
Posted by Shailesh Prasad in category: food
How fast is Mach 24? A little over 18,000 miles per hour, which could allow the Antipode Concept jet to fly from NYC to London in the time it takes to eat lunch.
Jan 30, 2016
Cyco.net Inc. Signs $20 Million Equity Line of Credit with Cornell Capital Partners
Posted by Karen Hurst in categories: internet, quantum physics, security
This is sad in a way; especially as you see the large gap that still remains in Cyber Security v. hackers. 2015 was not a stellar year for security against hackers. Quantum does offer hope for many in finally getting a handle on Cyber Security; however, that may be even 7 years away before main street is able to leverage an operational Quantum Internet and/ or platform.
However, tech companies & proven Cyber talent need to strategically come together under a broader cyber program (beyond just the US Government and special interest groups; or a couple of venture partnerships) to resolve Cyber Security once and for all. Granted there has been some attempts for companies and industry talent to cross collaborate & address the Cyber Threat challenges for a while now. And, myself and others from big tech have worked together on “special programs to address the Cyber Threat Challenges.” Unfortunately, it hasn’t been enough; we need something more on a larger scale.
Jan 30, 2016
Tesla Model 3 will be unveiled in March, with budget Model Y CUV to follow
Posted by Karen Hurst in categories: Elon Musk, sustainability, transportation
Hope it is a success; he will need it.
Reports claim that the Tesla Model 3, the Palo Alto automaker’s long-awaited electric car for the masses, will be unveiled in March. Better yet, the company also has a Model Y compact crossover planned for the future, though details on this vehicle are largely limited to the type of vehicle it would be.
March’s Model 3 launch will focus exclusively on the new EV – an electric sedan like the Model S, but this time sold at a more affordable price point. Tesla CEO and founder Elon Musk called the vehicle “probably the most profound car that we make” and a “very compelling car at an affordable price,” and that only adds to the hype of a car that’s expected to drive Tesla sales to 500,000 in 2020, from a mere 50,000 in 2015.
Continue reading “Tesla Model 3 will be unveiled in March, with budget Model Y CUV to follow” »
Jan 30, 2016
Elon Musk: SpaceX to make trip to Mars
Posted by Karen Hurst in categories: Elon Musk, space travel, sustainability
In less than 9 yrs.
HONG KONG, Jan. 30 (UPI) — SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk said he plans to send humans to Mars by 2025.
Jan 30, 2016
New Form of Matter Holds Promise for Ultracompact Data Storage and Processing
Posted by Shailesh Prasad in category: materials
A new form of matter, in which electrical charge swirls in “polar vortices,” has been observed in a ferroelectric material.
Notably, ferroelectric materials display unique electrical or magnetic properties, as such, the discovery holds intriguing possibilities for advanced kinds of memory and processors that take up far less space, and could also “rewrite our basic understanding of ferroelectrics,” according to the researchers who observed them.
