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Apr 1, 2019

NASA and MIT researchers show off new flexible airplane wing

Posted by in category: transportation

The wings of aircraft today are complex systems with lots of moving flaps and components controlled by hydraulics or cables depending on the application. Researchers from NASA and MIT have shown off a new wing design that is flexible and able to change shape to control the flight. The team says that the new design could significantly boost aircraft production, flight, and improve maintenance efficiency.

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Apr 1, 2019

Volcanic Eruptions Detected from Space

Posted by in categories: space, transportation

Satellite measurements of sulfur dioxide from volcanic eruptions could help keep aircraft safe from hazardous ash.

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Apr 1, 2019

IBM reduces noise in quantum computing, increasing accuracy of calculations

Posted by in categories: computing, quantum physics

IBM researchers found a method to reduce noise in quantum computing by amplifying noise at measurable intervals, and extrapolating a difference to calculate a “zero-noise” result.

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Apr 1, 2019

3D-printed shrimp claw makes plasma underwater

Posted by in category: 3D printing

To develop a new method of underwater plasma generation, scientists used 3D printing to replicate the shape of a snapping shrimp claw and the complex way it works.

As reported in Science Advances, the discovery could lead to significant improvements in the development of water sterilization, drilling, and more.

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Apr 1, 2019

Acknowledging Risks in Institutional “Stablecoin” Cryptocurrencies and Fractional Reserve Banking

Posted by in categories: bitcoin, business, cybercrime/malcode

(Originally posted March 7, 2019, on the Crowdfunding Professional Association’s website.)

The purpose of this memo is two-fold:

  • To highlight the possibility of risks to banking and finance sectors arising from new financial instruments based on blockchain technology; primarily from novel financial accounting methods and products called “stablecoins,” digital tokens, and cryptocurrencies.
  • To encourage regulators and policymakers to engage blockchain thought leaders, product developers and the community in general to better understand the economic and policy implications of public, private and permissioned blockchains; their application to banking and finance regulations; and how innovation may be encouraged in a safe, sound and responsible manner.

Like any technology, blockchain can and may be used to improve a variety of operational, identity, security and technology challenges that the future of digital banking, business and society face. Blockchain technology is also poised to create new and increasingly clever methods and economies for value, commodities, assets, securities and a slew of yet-to-be discovered financial instruments and products. However, no leap in technology and finance is ever made without risk. As policymakers and stewards of the current and future digital economy and ecosystem, we have an obligation to our constituents and the global banking and finance community to guide the growth and adoption of emerging fintech technology in a safe and sound manner.

To that end, three areas that have the potential for regulatory and compliance issues as companies such as JP Morgan Chase, embrace and develop blockchain technologies to leverage digital tokens, cryptocurrencies and novel accounting systems such as the so called “JPMCoin,” are highlighted:

Continue reading “Acknowledging Risks in Institutional ‘Stablecoin’ Cryptocurrencies and Fractional Reserve Banking” »

Apr 1, 2019

Vector

Posted by in category: futurism

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Apr 1, 2019

‘Jumping genes’ drive many cancers

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, genetics

Wang and his colleagues found that many cancers that get switched into overdrive and boost tumor growth have jumping genes that function as a kind of stealthy “on switch.” These cryptic switches can force a gene to be turned on all the time, even though it should be off.


Mistakes in DNA are known to drive cancer growth. But a new study, from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, heavily implicates a genetic phenomenon commonly known as “jumping genes” in the growth of tumors.

The study is published March 29 in the journal Nature Genetics.

Continue reading “‘Jumping genes’ drive many cancers” »

Apr 1, 2019

‘The Matrix’ 20 Years Later: The Artificial Intelligence Lives in Us (Column)

Posted by in categories: alien life, drones, robotics/AI

But in “The Matrix,” the landmark of liquid-action sci-fi released 20 years ago today, the artificial intelligence comes at us in a uniquely teasing, forward-tilting, who’s-that-in-the-mirror way. The movie is about a computer-company office drone, played with pinpoint charisma by Keanu Reeves, who gets tugged out of his existence by a rebel underground that unplugs him from the Matrix.


The term “artificial intelligence” was coined in 1956, but one way or another it has been the subject of just about every great science-fiction movie, from “Metropolis” to “Frankenstein,” from the paranoid fables of the ’50s (about brainy robots and aliens with giant noggins who were like “advanced” versions of ourselves) to “2001: A Space Odyssey,” in which HAL, the computer who talks like a wounded therapy patient, displays the anger and ego of a jilted human being. And by the late ’70s and early ’80s, the Machines Who Could Think were really taking over. “Alien” featured a technologically evolved monster with the metallic jaws, the helmet head, and the relentlessness of a demonic thresher, the most sympathetic character in “Blade Runner” was a replicant, and “The Terminator” gave us a dystopia ruled by the machines, featuring a weaponized badass who was the ultimate programmed destroyer.

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Apr 1, 2019

After 3 days packed with exciting talks on how to bring aging under full medical control, over 40 awesome speakers, lots of positive and extremely motivating energy, an amazing Undoing Aging 2019 ended with a big party!

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, life extension

After being sold out this year with nearly 500 participants, we will be back in 2020!

Already missing us? Subscribe to the Undoing Aging YouTube channel to get notified when the UA2019 speaker presentations are released: youtube.com/c/UndoingAging

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Mar 31, 2019

World’s Largest Atom Smasher May Have Just Found Evidence for Why Our Universe Exists

Posted by in category: particle physics

Physicists have observed a difference in the decay of particles containing the charm quark and its antiparticle, perhaps helping to explain why matter exists at all.

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