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Feb 8, 2016

CMU announces research project to reverse-engineer brain algorithms, funded by IARPA

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, computing, information science, neuroscience, robotics/AI

Individual brain cells within a neural network are highlighted in this image obtained using a fluorescent imaging technique (credit: Sandra Kuhlman/CMU)

Carnegie Mellon University is embarking on a five-year, $12 million research effort to reverse-engineer the brain and “make computers think more like humans,” funded by the U.S. Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA). The research is led by Tai Sing Lee, a professor in the Computer Science Department and the Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition (CNBC).

The research effort, through IARPA’s Machine Intelligence from Cortical Networks (MICrONS) research program, is part of the U.S. BRAIN Initiative to revolutionize the understanding of the human brain.

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Feb 8, 2016

Could Digital Artists Replace Real Artists?

Posted by in categories: computing, media & arts

By now, everyone is probably familiar with holographic performances from such artists as Elvis, Micheal Jackson and the one that started it all, Tupac Shakur at Coachella. However, the real pioneers of performance holograms were that quirky cartoon band, Gorillaz. The costs of a holographic setup would make your toes curl, but the technology itself is fairly straight forward. Projecting onto a specialized screen which is as close to invisible as one can get. There are two main players in the space, Holo-gauze and Musion.

When it comes to digital artists, there is one name that stands out from all others. Hatsune Miku. What makes Miku so unique when compared to holograms of dead celebrities or even the animated Gorillaz with Blur frontman, Damon Albarn, is that she is entirely computer generated. A software instrument manifest as an anime character who has become as much of a ‘real’ celebrity as anyone currently in the charts.

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Feb 8, 2016

Your ability to read this message reveals something incredible about the mind

Posted by in category: neuroscience

(Facebook) The above passage, written in a combination of letters and numbers, has been circulating social media for years and purports that only certain “strong minds” can read it.

That’s not exactly true — just about everybody can read the message with ease. But according to one scientist, our ability to read such messages reveals something pretty incredible about the brain.

Interpreting passages like this hardly activates the section of the brain associated with numbers, Jon Andoni Duñabeitia, part of a team of Spanish cognitive scientists who wrote five papers on the subject, told Business Insider. Instead, our brain knows to treat them like letters based on their similar appearance.

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Feb 7, 2016

The Army Wants to Use 3D Printers to Customize Soldiers’ Diets

Posted by in categories: 3D printing, robotics/AI

Bon Appétit — could 3D Printers be coming to make your next 1st Class Meal on a flight, or in resturants with robot servers? The US Army believes it is the new way for them.


Beats the heck out of MREs.

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Feb 7, 2016

The Tiny Startup Racing Google to Build a Quantum Computing Chip

Posted by in categories: chemistry, computing, quantum physics, robotics/AI

As I said this morning; there is something definitely going with Quantum today. Maybe it’s the planet alignment (I saw there was something going on with the alignment with Aquaris today) — this is awesome news.


Rigetti Computing is working on designs for quantum-powered chips to perform previously impossible feats that advance chemistry and machine learning.

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Feb 7, 2016

2 Quantum Computing Companies That Are Not D-Wave

Posted by in categories: computing, quantum physics

Wham! Another headline; 2 new companies (Rigetti and Q Branch) trying to capture the Quantum Platform crown from D-Wave. Now, we can say a real industry race is on.


Based on a recent analysis of our most popular articles, investors seem to have a strong interest in quantum computing. The problem for investors is that there aren’t any pure play opportunities to invest in quantum computing at the moment. The main reason for this is that there aren’t many companies working on quantum computing. In fact, there’s just one company right now that’s actually selling a quantum computer; Canadian based startup D-Wave.

D-Wave has actually released a controversial “quantum computer”, and is working with big names like Google, NASA, and Lockheed. D-Wave received some major credibility recently when Google announced that they solved an optimization problem in seconds that would normally take 10,000 years with a conventional computer. There is one way to get exposure to D-Wave, but it’s hardly a pure-play and doesn’t seem overly promising. While there are very few companies other than D-Wave directly involved in quantum computing, we did find two companies that quantum computing investors should keep an eye on.

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Feb 7, 2016

Saint-Germain: The Immortal Count He was an alchemist who, it is believed, discovered the secret of eternal life

Posted by in category: life extension

Count of St. Germain; a mystery to still be solved. Ever since I was 7 yrs old, I have found this man as a great mystery. He was a true Renaissance man like Di Vinci; however, know one knew his real age, where he truly came from, and his real story. I hope to pick up my own research again on this man; I have always loved solving puzzles and mysteries.


IS IT POSSIBLE that a man can achieve immortality – to live forever? That is the startling claim of a historical figure known as Count de Saint-Germain. Records date his birth to the late 1600s, although some believe that his longevity reaches back to the time of Christ. He has appeared many times throughout history – even as recently as the 1970s – always appearing to be about 45 years old. He was known by many of the most famous figures of European history, including Casanova, Madame de Pampadour, Voltaire, King Louis XV, Catherine the Great, Anton Mesmer and others. Who was this mysterious man? Are the stories of his immortality mere legend and folklore? Or is it possible that he really did discover the secret of defeating death?

ORIGINS
When the man who first became known as Saint-Germain was born is unknown, although most accounts say he was born in the 1690s. A genealogy compiled by Annie Besant for her co-authored book, The Comte De St. Germain: The Secret of Kings, asserts that he was born the son of Francis Racoczi II, Prince of Transylvania in 1690. Other accounts, taken less seriously by most, say he was alive in the time of Jesus and attended the wedding at Cana, where the young Jesus turned water into wine. He was also said to be present at the council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. What is almost unanimously agreed on, however, is that Saint-Germain became accomplished in the art of alchemy, the mystical “science” that strives to control the elements. The foremost goal of this practice was the creation of “projection powder” or the elusive “philosopher’s stone,” which, it was claimed, when added to the molten form of such base metals as lead could turn them into pure silver or gold. Furthermore, this magical power could be used in an elixir that would impart immortality on those who drank it. Count de Saint-Germain, it is believed, discovered this secret of alchemy.

Continue reading “Saint-Germain: The Immortal Count He was an alchemist who, it is believed, discovered the secret of eternal life” »

Feb 7, 2016

The Weird, But True, Evidence for ‘Spooky Action’ at Distance

Posted by in categories: business, quantum physics

Another discussion on Quantum Entanglement. I am seeing a huge gap for scientists and technologists in explaining Quantum to every day folks especially in business. If order for business, etc. to adopt Quantum we will need to start explaining Quantum in examples that the average person can understand.


When physicist Ronald Hanson revealed shocking evidence for quantum entanglement, the world took note — the universe really is stranger than fiction, as he reveals in this hangout with cryptographer Renato Renner.

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Feb 7, 2016

Your Brain Is Hardwired to Snap

Posted by in category: neuroscience

So, when a co-worker or friend tells you that they are about to snap; they truly may mean it according to this new research.


The same group of neurons could make you a hero—or a rage-filled aggressor.

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Feb 7, 2016

Brain damaged violinist makes music for first time in 27 years with mind-reading technology

Posted by in categories: media & arts, neuroscience

Only one word that I can say “AMAZING”.


Rosemary Johnson had made music for the first time since suffering a devastating car crash in her 20s.

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