Lifeboat Foundation

Good read; and highlights fair arguments around science and technology innovations and their patents. CRISPR was highlighted; however, the same can be applied to things like AI. What happens when a Humanoid robot owned by an investment bank innovates and develops new technology for Wall Street? The humanoid robot was (in this example) created by Microsoft; however, is owned by a Goldman Sachs. Who truly owns this new technology innovation? Could we see Goldman Sachs owning 70% of the patent & Microsoft owning 30%?

The worlds of science, technology and patent law eagerly await the U.S. government’s decision on who deserves patents on what many have referred to as the biotechnology invention of the century: the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technique.

Scientists hail CRISPR/Cas9 as more accurate and efficient than other, now-traditional genetic engineering methods. As a result, CRISPR has generated worldwide debate about how it could accelerate the manipulation of plants, animals and even human beings at the molecular level. That some DNA modifications can be passed on to future generations raises particular concern.

Continue reading “CRISPR Dispute Raises Bigger Patent Issues That We’re Not Talking About” »

Definitely a game changer; security threat depends on who gets the technology adopted on a broad scale first prior to other countries (China? USA? Australia? Russia? UK? CAN?, etc.)

Quantum computing offers financial institutions the prospect of faster transactions and lower trading costs, but is it also a threat to security?

A Cork scientist has played a leading role in developing dissolvable brain implants.

The efficiency of many applications deriving from natural sciences depends dramatically on a finite-size property of nanoparticles, so-called surface-to-volume ratio. The larger the surface of nanoparticles for the same volume is achieved, the more efficiently nanoparticles can interact with the surrounding substance. However, thermodynamic equilibrium forces nanostructures to minimize open surface driven by energy minimization principle. This basic principle predicts that the only shape of nanoparticles can be spherical or close-to-spherical ones.

Nature, however, does not always follow the simple principles. An intensive collaboration between University of Helsinki, Finland, and Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Japan, showed that in some condition iron nanoparticles can grow in cubic shape. The scientists also succeeded in disclosing the mechanisms behind this.

“Now we have a recipe how to synthesize cubic shapes with high surface-to-volume ratio which opens the door for practical applications”, says Dr. Flyura Djurabekova from the University of Helsinki.

Continue reading “Nanoparticles can grow in cubic shape” »

A tool for designing computer chips will allow ordinary people to design their own DNA circuits to make smart bacteria perform a range of functions.

Israel must remain on the cutting edge of cyber-defense, –security and –technology in order to maintain the safety and security of the state, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote in Globes on Sunday.

In the article, Netanyahu outlined his vision, policies and initiatives aimed at arming the Jewish state with the latest in “cybernetic innovation.” According to the Israeli leader, “Cyber defense is an essential condition for national security and economic growth in the 21st century,” and Israel’s strength in the fields of science and technology is leading the country to be one of the world’s greatest “cyber security power.”

“Five years ago, I set the goal of making Israel one of the five leading global cyber powers. We are already placed very high, and the world regards us as a rising power. Enhancing our capabilities in the cyber field requires continuous effort,” Netanyahu wrote.

Continue reading “Netanyahu: Remaining on Cutting Edge of Cyber-Innovation Necessary for Israel’s Survivability, Resilience, Defense” »

The new vessel designed to track Chinese and Russian subs is slated to be christened this April.

I see both positive and many negatives to this. Anything available to pharmacies, etc. is also retrievable by cartels.

A continuous-flow method to synthesize medicine promises to change how pharmaceuticals are produced and used.

By Bob Roehr on April 1, 2016.

Continue reading “On-Demand Drug Production Is on the Horizon” »

Russia’s space program could rapidly reach Mars — if the money doesn’t run out first.