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Archive for the ‘evolution’ category: Page 121

Dec 4, 2017

WMAP Team Wins $3 Million Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics

Posted by in categories: cosmology, evolution, physics

A team of researchers who helped shape our understanding of the origin, evolution and nature of the cosmos is now $3 million richer.

Those folks worked on NASA’s WMAP space mission, which was awarded the 2018 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics today (Dec. 3) during a ceremony in Palo Alto, California.

From 2001 to 2009, WMAP mapped the cosmic microwave background (CMB) — the light left over from the Big Bang — with unprecedented precision. This work allowed scientists to nail down the age of the universe (about 13.8 billion years), its rate of accelerating expansion (roughly 70 kilometers per second per megaparsec) and its basic composition (about 5 percent “normal” matter, 24 percent dark matter and 71 percent dark energy). [Dark Matter and Dark Energy: The Mystery Explained (Infographic)].

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Dec 2, 2017

Dr. Steven Gundry says plant-based diets are the problem

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, evolution, food, life extension

Have you seen the clickbait campaign that focuses on the research of Dr. Steven Gundry. It employs a slimy, photo-tile lure that asks you to turn up your speakers and then hawks a product or service disguised as a breakthrough discovery. These scams force the viewer to stay on the page. Typically, there is no indication of how long the video is, or any way to skip forward,

But often, it is hard to tell if a photo tile is news or clickbait. Big companies like Yahoo and Outbrain intermingle genuine news with marketing scams, teasers and outright fake news into an array of little photos at the end of every feature. This particular clickbait may be a story of a dogged counter-cultural researcher with a genuinely relevant finding. It could be newsworthy…I’m just not sure. Dr. Gundry clearly believes that our health is adversely affected by many of the plant based foods that we thought was healthy, because of a defense mechanism linked to lectin.

Steven Gundry Food Pyramid

Passing judgement on Dr. Gundry’s evolutionary claims and diet recommendations begs for independent clinical studies, or at least the analysis and commentary of scholars in nutrition, gastroenterology and evolution. But, like Robert Atkins and Dean Ornish, Dr. Gundry seems earnest in his research and motives. I don’t think that he is selling anything other than his opinion.

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Nov 28, 2017

Galápagos study finds new species can emerge in just two generations

Posted by in category: evolution

Nov. 28 (UPI) — New research proves interbreeding among species can produce new species in as little as two generations.

Researchers discovered their proof, a new bird species — the product of a love affair between a foreigner and local — on the Galápagos Islands.

For decades, scientists have been studying Darwin’s finches on the Galápagos Islands off the west coast of South America. The remote islands offer an ideal setting in which to study evolution and adaptation.

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Nov 21, 2017

This Gene-Editing Tech Might Be Too Dangerous To Unleash

Posted by in categories: evolution, existential risks, genetics

With gene drives, scientists are trying to supercharge evolution to eradicate malaria and save endangered species from extinction. But is this DARPA-funded tech safe enough to test in the wild? One of its creators isn’t so sure.

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Nov 12, 2017

Listen: Adam Savage interviews Natasha Vita-More

Posted by in categories: cosmology, evolution, neuroscience, transhumanism

The SYFY25: Origin Stories Podcast, hosted by Adam Savage (editor-in-chief, tested.com and former co-host of Mythbusters), is a nostalgic celebration of all things science fiction. In this podcast series Adam sits down with creators, thought-leaders, and celebrity fans to discuss the moments, people, and milestones that have changed the genre universe forever. From revealing personal anecdotes to deep philosophical discussions.

Transhumanist philosopher Natasha Vita-More chats with Adam and explains what transhumanism means for us regular humans, how it will impact the evolution of humanity, and close we are to uploading our brains into databases, ensuring our immortality.

Listen on iTunes.

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Nov 4, 2017

Cyborgs Among Us

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, cyborgs, evolution, transhumanism

This film “Cyborgs Among Us” that has a segment on my #transhumanism work (as well as many others in our community) has its #Dutch premier on Nov 10 in a major international science film festival. Go see it if you can!


Imagine having a sixth sense! These are the first cyborgs that transcend the boundaries of human possibility and spark the debate about the technological evolution of mankind. Cyborgs Among Us offers insight into how technology can become part of us and the social and ethical implications associated with it.

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Oct 25, 2017

Octopuses Edit Their Genetic Code Like No Other Animal

Posted by in categories: evolution, genetics

Cephalopods can make sweeping changes to their RNA, favoring individual adaptations over species-level evolution.

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Oct 20, 2017

Synthetic Biology and Evolution

Posted by in categories: bioengineering, biological, evolution

Darwinian evolution is old-fashioned. Bioengineering raises new principles for the creation of life but, to what extent can we dispense with the past of our biology.

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Oct 15, 2017

The nature of warfare is changing. It’s time governments caught up

Posted by in categories: evolution, military

The future of military success will now be owned by those who conceive, design, build and operate combinations of information-based technologies to deliver new combat power. Caution, bureaucratic inertia, vested interest and institutional preference for evolution won’t work: this will only leave room for competitors to steal decisive advantage in the most challenging of competitions on Earth.


Unless the private and public sectors start sharing ideas, the UK will be left behind in the new arms race says former Joint Forces Command chief Richard Barrons.

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Oct 9, 2017

Evolution of Video Game Graphics 1962–2017

Posted by in categories: entertainment, evolution

Click on photo to start video.

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