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Jul 8, 2016

Extra-Coding RNAs Regulate DNA Methylation in the Adult Brain

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, neuroscience

A special form of RNA called extra-coding RNA controls the careful targeting to add or remove methyl groups to chromosomal DNA of the adult neuron. The ecRNAs are fundamental regulators of DNA methylation patterns in the adult brain through interaction with DNA methyltransferase enzymes and are involved in creation of memories.

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Jul 8, 2016

New security tool addresses Android app collusion threat

Posted by in category: security

As we reported last month app collusion, where apps work together to extract sensitive data, now represents a very real security risk to mobile devices.

To address this emerging threat, component technology firm Formaltech, today is releasing FUSE, a DARPA-funded tool that detects inter-application collusion and other vulnerabilities in Android apps.

The FUSE platform identifies potential security vulnerabilities and tracks information flow through multiple apps, revealing potential collusion between apps. The tool uses static binary analysis to detect vulnerabilities without requiring the source code of the apps, allowing security professionals to analyze third party apps without the need for vendor cooperation. It operates in the cloud, supporting Android app (APK) analysis from anywhere. Developers and testers can easily drill down into the FUSE interface when FUSE displays errors, warnings and informational alarms.

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Jul 8, 2016

Stealthy 3D Printing at Airshow?

Posted by in categories: 3D printing, military

I hate that I am going to miss the Farnborough airshow.


The Farnborough airshow begins next week and will feature a number of announcements from the 3D printing industry. The show only takes place once every 2 years and will see a flurry of news and displays of the latest aviation technology. These include Boeing’s 737 MAX airliner with its 3D printed LEAP engines and also demonstrations by the first Lockheed Martin F-35 Lighting II, or Joint Strike Fighter, stealth jets to arrive in the UK.

Additive manufacturing company Norsk Titanium (NTi) hopes their announcements will make an equally large splash. During 2016 a number of press releases by the company have piqued the interest of insiders in the 3D printing industry and also in the aerospace industry. Outside of this group, the name Norsk Titanium may be relatively unknown.

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Jul 8, 2016

DARPA Goes Full Tron With Its Grand Battle of the Hack Bots

Posted by in categories: cybercrime/malcode, robotics/AI

Definitely the longer term goal with security bots.


With its Cyber Grand Challenge—a battle of autonomous security software—DARPA is taking us inside the machine.

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Jul 8, 2016

Man Builds Half Ton Tetris Computer Because Why Not

Posted by in category: computing

Tetris #1 fan.


This giant homemade machine runs at 8kHz.

Continue reading “Man Builds Half Ton Tetris Computer Because Why Not” »

Jul 8, 2016

IARPA wants big data intel tools that can predict the future

Posted by in category: information science

IARPA is interested in proposals ranging four broad topics – anticipatory intelligence, analysis, operations and collection – to better integrate intelligence.

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Jul 8, 2016

Tunable wetting and adhesion of graphene demonstrated

Posted by in categories: engineering, materials

Nice.


“Our study suggests for the first time that the doping-induced modulation of the charge carrier density in graphene influences its wettability and adhesion,” explained SungWoo Nam, an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering at Illinois. “This work investigates this new doping-induced tunable wetting phenomena which is unique to graphene and potentially other 2D materials in complementary theoretical and experimental investigations.”

Graphene, being optically transparent and possessing superior electrical and mechanical properties, can revolutionize the fields of surface coatings and electrowetting displays, according to the researchers. A material’s wettability (i.e. interaction with water) is typically constant in the absence of external influence and are classified as either water-loving (hydrophilic) or water-repelling (hydrophobic; water beads up on the surface). Depending on the specific application, a choice between either hydrophobic or hydrophilic material is required. For electrowetting displays, for example, the hydrophilic characteristics of display material is enhanced with the help of a constant externally impressed electric current.

Continue reading “Tunable wetting and adhesion of graphene demonstrated” »

Jul 8, 2016

Introducing robo-ray: part animal, part machine

Posted by in category: robotics/AI

The tiny artificial stingray is the first step to bigger, more complex tissue-engineered robots, scientists say. Belinda Smith reports.

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Jul 8, 2016

Microsoft Testing DNA’s Data Storage Ability With Record-Breaking Results

Posted by in categories: computing, genetics, information science, internet, quantum physics

Biocomputing/ living circuit computing/ gene circuitry are the longer term future beyond Quantum. Here is another one of the many building blocks.


The tiny molecule responsible for transmitting the genetic data for every living thing on earth could be the answer to the IT industry’s quest for a more compact storage medium. In fact, researchers from Microsoft and the University of Washington recently succeeded in storing 200 MB of data on a few strands of DNA, occupying a small dot on a test tube many times smaller than the tip of a pencil.

The Internet in a Shoebox.

Continue reading “Microsoft Testing DNA’s Data Storage Ability With Record-Breaking Results” »

Jul 8, 2016

Aerospace-industry mavens discuss Boeing’s next 100 years

Posted by in categories: futurism, transportation

Interesting and plausible perspective about the future of air travel.


The Boeing Co. is turning 100 on July 15. Throughout the year, The Daily Herald is covering the people, airplanes and moments that define The Boeing Century. More about this series.

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