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Aug 27, 2016

Ray Kurzweil Explores How Self-Driving Cars Will Choose Between Life or Death

Posted by in categories: computing, information science, Ray Kurzweil, robotics/AI, transportation

Driving a motor vehicle requires making tough choices in the heat of the moment. Whether slamming on the brakes in traffic or speeding up before a light turns red, split-second decisions are often a choice between the lesser of two evils. Sometimes, a choice could lead to bodily injury or even a loss of life.

As more self-driving cars reach the road, life-and-death decisions once made by humans alone will increasingly shift to machines. Yet the idea of giving that responsibility over to a computer may be unsettling to some.

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Aug 27, 2016

Cyborgs are already here, but the next steps will make you nauseous

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

From bionic limbs to sensors that let you “smell’ color, the body modifications of science fiction are finally coming to fruition, and not all of them are born in squeaky-clean hospital labs.

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Aug 26, 2016

Alvin Toffler, the celebrated author of ‘Future Shock’, died on 27 June at age 87

Posted by in category: futurism

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Aug 26, 2016

Faces of murderers could be recreated from DNA left at crime scenes after science breakthrough

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, genetics, science

The faces of murderers or rapists could be ‘recreated’ from DNA left at the scene of the crime, according to new research.

Scientists have identified the genes that shape the extraordinary variation in the human face.

Many features, such as nose size and face width, stem from specific mutations, say researchers.

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Aug 26, 2016

Anti-aging effects (in mice) of a dietary supplement called alpha lipoic acid

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, life extension

Shortened telomeres, the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes (credit: NIGMS)

Scientists at Emory University School of Medicine have found that the dietary supplement alpha lipoic acid (ALA) can stimulate telomerase, the enzyme that lengthens telomeres, with positive effects in a mouse model of atherosclerosis.

In human cells, shortened telomeres, the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes, are a sign of aging and also contribute to aging.

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Aug 26, 2016

The Axolotl: A Cut Above the Rest

Posted by in category: futurism

The axolotl is a Mexican salamander with an incredible ability: Cut its leg off, and the limb will grow right back!

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Aug 26, 2016

Hackers Could Make a Killing After Finding Vulnerability in Medical Device Tech

Posted by in category: biotech/medical

Major departure from traditional disclosure of vulnerabilities in Medical Devices –this could be game changing.

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Aug 26, 2016

Virtual reality robots could someday TELEPORT juries to crime scenes

Posted by in categories: robotics/AI, security, virtual reality

Virtual reality robots could someday teleport juries to gruesome crime scenes to investigate murders…


Juries are rarely allowed to visit crime scenes.

There are some exceptions, usually in difficult, high-profile murder cases such as the O.J Simpson trial in 1995.

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Aug 26, 2016

Nooscope mystery: The strange device of Putin’s new man Anton Vaino

Posted by in category: futurism

A strange theory about a tool to control society sets Russians guessing about President Putin’s new top aide Anton Vaino.

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Aug 26, 2016

Italy to test earthquake predictor to reduce deaths and damage

Posted by in category: habitats

A national earthquake forecasting system combined with data on building vulnerability may help communicate risk of shocks happening – but uncertainties remain.

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