Lifeboat Foundation

Five minute of epic science compilation. Enjoy.

By NASA.

The iconic scene in the movie Terminator where T-1000 robot heals itself of the bullet holes has now become a technological reality.

Gene-based circuits are about to get decidedly more sophisticated. MIT scientists have developed a method for integrating both analog and digital computing into those circuits, turning living cells into complex computers. The centerpiece is a threshold sensor whose gene expression flips DNA, converting analog chemical data into binary output — basically, complex data can trigger simple responses that match the language of regular computers.

The practical applications are huge. Along with general-purpose computing, you could have advanced sensors that trigger different kinds of chemical production depending on levels for other chemicals. You could produce insulin when there’s too much glucose, for instance, or deliver different kinds of cancer therapy. And this isn’t just talk. Clinical trials for a simple gene circuit (which will treat gut diseases) are starting within a year, so you could see these organic machines in action before too long.

A startup founded by a former top boss at NASA has emerged from so-called stealth mode with technology that claims to beat Apple, Google and Microsoft’s voice recognition technology.

Dan Goldin, who spent nearly all of the 1990s leading NASA, has revealed KnuEdge, a machine learning company that already boasts Fortune 500 clients and $100m in private funding despite its under the radar nature for the last decade.

“We are not about incremental technology. Our mission is fundamental transformation,” said Goldin.

Continue reading “An ex-NASA chief has revealed a stealth startup that’s built ‘military-grade’ Apple Siri voice recognition technology” »

Injecting specially prepared human adult stem cells directly into the brains of chronic stroke patients proved safe and effective in restoring motor (muscle) function in a small clinical trial led by Stanford University School of Medicine investigators.

The 18 patients had suffered their first and only stroke between six months and three years before receiving the injections, which involved drilling a small hole through their skulls.

For most patients, at least a full year had passed since their stroke — well past the time when further recovery might be hoped for. In each case, the stroke had taken place beneath the brain’s outermost layer, or cortex, and had severely affected motor function. “Some patients couldn’t walk,” Steinberg said. “Others couldn’t move their arm.”

Continue reading “Chronic stroke patients safely recover after injection of human stem cells” »

This is truly inspiring stuff from Jason Silva.

San Francisco startup is set to release a robotic device that folds laundry it for you. Called FoldiMate, it uses sensors and ‘arms’ for professionally folded garments — and for $700 to $850.

UCSF scientists have successfully created the world’s first reverse Dalmatian.

New Russian technologies, including phonecall interception and a facial recognition app, have stirred a fierce debate about privacy and data monitoring.

Infowatch, a Moscow-based IT security company managed by businesswoman Natalya Kasperskaya, found itself in hot water last month after it revealed it had invented a system that companies can use to intercept employees’ mobile phone conversations.

Companies outside Russia have also devised call interception software, and Infowatch already markets products that monitor employees’ e-mails, USB keys and printers.