The technologies in these billion-dollar megaprojects rival science fiction.
Category: futurism – Page 1,145
Muscle memory discovery ends ‘use it or lose it’ dogma
The old adage “use it or lose it” tells us: if you stop using your muscles, they’ll shrink. Until recently, scientists thought this meant that nuclei—the cell control centers that build and maintain muscle fibers—are also lost to sloth.
But according to a review published in Frontiers in Physiology, modern lab techniques now allow us to see that nuclei gained during training persist even when muscle cells shrink due to disuse or start to break down. These residual ‘myonuclei’ allow more and faster growth when muscles are retrained—suggesting that we can “bank” muscle growth potential in our teens to prevent frailty in old age. It also suggests that athletes who cheat and grow their muscles with steroids may go undetected.
This ‘Artificial Nose’ Device Can Quickly Detect Gas and Other Odors
Having a good sense of smell can help protect us from danger. Unfortunately though, humans don’t always have an efficient response to odors. However, a group of researchers aim to change that: They’ve created an “artificial nose” device that can quickly detect ammonia, gas, and sewage.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus developed a microfluidic gas detector, which can sense most odors, including noxious substances, said a UBC Okanagan press release. The team, which published their findings in Nature Scientific Reports on Jan. 17, found that this device might be helpful in detecting fumes that aren’t easily noticed by humans.
Life’s good
Oops sry wrong group…😁✨🕊.
Analysis: “The Era of Deep Learning Is Coming to an End”
Many of the new developments in artificial intelligence that we hear about nowadays are actually just applications of machine learning techniques that have been hammered out for years.
And as the research community’s attention shifts from deep learning, it remains unclear what will take its place, according to MIT Tech. In the past, older types of artificial intelligence that didn’t really take off when they were first developed later resurfaced and taken off with new life. For instance, scientists first developed machine learning decades ago, but it only became commonplace about a decade ago.
MIT Tech didn’t predict what will come next. It may be that some form of existing technology will finally hits its stride, but it’s also possible that an AI engineer will develop some brand-new type of AI that’ll shape the future.
First Commercial SpaceShipTwo Flight Is Expected to Launch This Year
Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson aims to fly to space on the first-ever commercial SpaceShipTwo flight in mid-2019.
On Thursday, Branson spoke about SpaceShipTwo on the CBS This Morning TV show, and how Virgin Galactic is collaborating with Under Armour to equip future astronauts with proper space attire and footwear, SpaceNews.com reported. During the interview, Branson said Virgin Galactic is conducting additional tests for the first commercial SpaceShipTwo flight, which is expected to take place later this year.
How soon do you see people in space wearing an @UnderArmour outfit?
Vajrayana Buddhism: Preparation for the Posthuman?
The Vajra (thunderbolt) tradition goes back at least to Amen of the Egyptian Old Kingdom. It passes on through thunderbolt-wielding Zeus/ Jupiter; and is also found in India and Tibet in the Vajrayana (Tantra) tradition. Tantra entails the study of all relevant traditions to determine the best. It contradicts neither science or religion. This C19th Tibetan tsakli is from a group of five Vajragarudas. Several ancient Egyptian emblems that survive in tsakli are given in Hypermodern Magick/ Khemetic Chess (Vol 2 of 3, Mandrake of Oxford series). This type of Buddhism seems particularly suitable for radical futurists.
China Starts “Debt Shaming”: New App Warns Users If They Are Walking Near Someone In Debt
https://paper.li/e-1437691924#/
Whether the app reveals the debtors’ names or photos is unknown, nor does China Daily mention how much money is owed or to whom — but according to paper the app allows people to “whistle-blow on debtors capable of paying their debts.”
“It’s a part of our measures to enforce our rulings and create a socially credible environment,” said a spokesman for the Higher People’s Court of Hebei — which is behind the app.
The “map of deadbeat debtors” is yet the latest in China’s push towards a shame-based “social credit score” system which has already been deployed in several parts of the country. According to a November report, Beijing has an ambitious plan to control China’s citizens through a system of social scoring that punishes behavior it does not approve.