Lifeboat Foundation

The OpenAI CEO’s ambitious, ingenious, terrifying quest to create a new form of intelligence.

By Ross Andersen

Researchers have transplanted cells capable of forming specialized brain support cells into mice brains and found that they not only competed with and replaced unhealthy cells but aged ones, too. The findings open the door to developing an effective treatment for a range of conditions like multiple sclerosis, ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, autism and schizophrenia.

‘Glial cells’ is an umbrella term for the cells that are a support system to nerve cells (neurons). Progenitor cells are descendants of stem cells that can differentiate into specific cell types, and, in the case of glial cells, human glial progenitor cells (hGPCs) differentiate into subtypes, including astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, specialized for particular functions.

Astrocytes comprise most of our central nervous system cells, providing support and protection for neurons, transporting nutrients and removing waste. Oligodendrocytes lay down and maintain the lipid-rich, insulating wrapping called myelin around some axons, the part of the neuron that connects with another neuron and allows the transmission of nerve impulses.

This video, which is a part of the Distinguished Lecture Series by Trivedi School of Biosciences, Ashoka University, Prof. Jack W. Szostak discusses why life began with RNA. Why was Ribose sugar chosen in the primordial soup, and not several other alternative sugars that may have been available? He shows this using elegant experiments that include chemistry and structural biology.

Distinguished Speaker: Prof. Jack W. Szostak.
2009 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine.

Continue reading “Distinguished Lecture Series | Why life began with RNA | Trivedi School of Biosciences” »

The Large Hadron Collider yields a five-quark particle that includes a ‘strange’ quark, as predicted by theory.

Nobel laureate Jack Szostak from University of Chicago delivered the Eyring General Lecture on March 17, 2023 at Arizona State University. Please click here to learn more about Dr. Szosta and the distinguished Eyring Lecture Series at ASU. https://news.asu.edu/20230309-nobel-laureate-jack-szostak-de…series-asu.

#chemistry #research @arizonastateuniversity @ASUNews

A team of researchers with Cambridge University created what they’re describing as synaptic devices — a material that can both work as a storage and memory medium while promising a significant jump in.

Neuroscientists proceed as if thoughts and feelings account for very little. Consciousness eludes efforts to map its flow.

Modern life replaced spirituality with goal-setting — and it’s making us depressed. Here’s how to win back your happiness.

Did the JWST just find evidence for dark matter stars? NASA released new findings by the james webb telescope where it may have found three possible candidat…