Biotech/medical – Lifeboat News: The Blog

Apr 8
2023

This Incredible Tiny Robot Can Locate And Capture Individual Cells

The latest bit of brilliance from the field of robotics is a tiny micro-motor that can identify, trap, and transport individual cells. It’s a serious feat of engineering that could find uses from medicine to air purification.

Importantly, both electric and magnetic fields can control the machine – and the latter will be vital if the microscopic robot is eventually going to be deployed in the human body, which is what its inventors intend.

The bot ranges from 5 to 27 micrometers across and is made from a specially engineered polystyrene sphere coated with the conductive materials chromium, nickel, and gold.

Apr 8
2023

What is the Marburg virus? WHO confirms outbreak of the deadly viral disease in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania

The World Health Organization confirmed an outbreak of the virus in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania earlier this year. Authorities first issued a warning for Equatorial Guinea in February following a series of deaths in early January. The Ministry of Health of Tanzania then announced its own outbreak in late March.

There have been 14 confirmed cases in Equatorial Guinea since the epidemic began, with 10 of those patients dying, according to the CDC An outbreak among a group of fisherman in Tanzania produced eight confirmed cases of the viral fever, five of which were fatal, the CDC said.

The CDC on Thursday warned doctors to watch for possible imported cases and patients exhibiting symptoms that include fever, fatigue, and blood-strained vomit and diarrhea. There have not been any reported cases of Marburg virus thus far in the US and the CDC said the risk of imported cases is relatively low.

Apr 8
2023

How a worm’s embryonic cells change its development potential

Researchers have spotted how specific proteins within the chromosomes of roundworms enable their offspring to produce specialized cells generations later, a startling finding that upends classical thinking that hereditary information for cell differentiation is mostly ingrained within DNA and other genetic factors.

The Johns Hopkins University team reports for the first time the mechanisms by which a protein known as histone H3 controls when and how worm embryos produce both highly specific cells and pluripotent cells, cells that can turn certain genes on and off to produce varying kinds of body tissue. The details are published today in Science Advances.

The new research could shed light on how mutations associated with these proteins influence various diseases. In children and young adults, for example, histone H3 is closely associated with various cancers.

Apr 8
2023

GPT-5 Rumors and Predictions — It’s about to get real silly

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DISCLAIMER: This video is not medical, financial, or legal advice. This is just my personal story and research findings. Always consult a licensed professional.

I work to better myself and the rest of humanity.

Apr 8
2023

The newest version of ChatGPT passed the US medical licensing exam with flying colors — and diagnosed a 1 in 100,000 condition in seconds

ChatGPT’s latest software upgrade, called GPT-4, is “better than many doctors I’ve observed” at clinical diagnosis, one physician said.

Apr 7
2023

We can use stem cells to make embryos. How far should we go?

Synthetic embryos made without eggs and sperm are looking increasingly like the real thing—raising thorny ethical questions.

Apr 7
2023

Advances in oncolytic virotherapy

Recent years have seen rapid advances in the preclinical development and clinical evaluation of oncolytic (cancer-lysing) virus-based therapies, and these are emerging as treatment modality for some cancers. There are challenges to address, however, if we are to maximize the impact of these therapies in patients.

Apr 7
2023

Cyborgs: Pushing the Boundaries of ‘Human’ | Science & Technology Documentary

In just a few years, technology will merge with our bodies in unimaginable ways and push the boundaries of what it is to be human. While medical technology still aims at remediating disabilities, cyborgs strive to something else: a merging of man and machine with the goal of enhancing human capabilities.

The first cyborgs are already crossing the boundaries of their human limits just for the sake of it – at home, in basement workshops and tattoo parlours, using low-tech equipment and a do-it-yourself attitude. They are a tiny minority, seen by many as weird or crazy experimenters, but in the near future we may call them pioneers.

In this film, we meet some of these explorers. We also look at research in medical technology to assess how close science is to creating cyborgs, and ponder the social and ethical dilemmas of a cyborg society.

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Apr 7
2023

Brain Doping: Super Brains Without The Need for Rest or Sleep? Science & Tech Documentary

Forget about life-work-balance. A new generation of drugs promises unlimited increases in productivity without the need for rest or sleep.

“Brain doping” is the latest trend among high flyers. Pharmaceutical companies are developing pills that increase mental capability, stimulate desire, and heighten mood. A meaningful life full of happiness and success – without side effects.

The industry hopes for fantastic profits if the pretty pills become socially acceptable. Are we at the dawn of a new era, in which cosmetic neurology is an everyday phenomenon?

This documentary was first released in 2011.

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Apr 7
2023

In a first, scientists create embryos in a lab from stem cells of monkey

Chinese researchers used stem cells from macaques to culture embryo-like structures in a lab.

Using stem cells from a monkey embryo, a team of researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) successfully cultured embryo-like structures in lab conditions, but they didn’t just stop there.

It is important to understand that human embryonic research is a controversial subject because of the various ethical concerns.

Anusorn nakdee/iStock.

The researchers further tested their lab-grown embryos in the uteruses of living female monkeys to check if they could give rise to fetuses.

Continue reading “In a first, scientists create embryos in a lab from stem cells of monkey” | >