A single letter in the DNA code could change the course of human development
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Axial Seamount experiment to test real-time eruption forecasts
Currently, scientists struggle to forecast volcano eruption events, as no universally reliable, real-time eruption forecasting framework is available. Instead, researchers often rely on retrospective analysis to evaluate eruptions. And although much has been learned from doing this, it can sometimes introduce biases, such as data snooping, hindsight reinterpretation, and post-eruption model adjustment.
As a potential remedy to this problem, a group of researchers working with the Geohazards Crisis Observatory have launched an ongoing experiment focused on developing a physics-based eruption forecasting framework. The findings are published on the arXiv preprint server.
Novel smart fabrics give robots a delicate grip
Robots aren’t always the most delicate of machines when handling fragile objects. They don’t have the lightness of touch of humans. But that could be about to change thanks to a new development in smart materials.
Researchers have developed a method for weaving flexible fibers that can be controlled by magnetic fields. Not only can this be used for robot hands to pick up objects like soft fruits, potato chips and worms, but it can also be used in a range of other applications. These include gloves that provide a realistic touch in virtual reality and breathable fabrics.
Watch Blue Origin Launch New Glenn to Mars!
Blue Origin’s is launching their second New Glenn rocket, for mission NG-2, from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. It will deploy NASA’s ESCAPADE twin spacecraft to study Mars’ magnetosphere and solar wind interactions, alongside a Viasat communications technology demonstration. Blue Origin is planning to propulsively land the booster down range on their droneship, Jacklyn.
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Enzyme provides promising path to degenerative joint diseases cure
Degenerative joint diseases like osteoarthritis and intervertebral disk degeneration are conditions that affect millions of people worldwide, leading to pain and reduced mobility. These diseases remain incurable because current treatments manage symptoms rather than addressing the root cause.
A Yale study published in the journal Bone Research found that cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) is an important enzyme. It plays a key role in inflammation and cartilage breakdown. The study suggests that cPLA2 could be a possible target for treating joint diseases.
Immune reactions found behind human rejection of transplanted pig kidneys
Researchers have uncovered and then overcome an obstacle that has led to the failure of pioneering efforts in xenotransplantation, in which an animal kidney is transplanted into a human.
More than 800,000 Americans have late-stage kidney disease, yet only 3% receive a transplant each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To boost the supply of available organs, experts are exploring the use of genetically modified pig kidneys.
The genetic changes are meant to keep the human immune system from recognizing the animal organ as foreign and attacking it to cause rejection. However, recipients’ immune reactions can still lead to organ damage and failure after the surgery.
Central neural circuits underlying itch sensation
Itch has an important role as a somatosensory defensive mechanism. In this Review, Sun synthesizes CNS circuits underlying itch signal processing and its modulation in the spinal cord, transmission of processed itch information to the brain for encoding, and evoked sensory and affective components from the perception of itch.
Terrence Deacon — Philosophy of Transhumanism & Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial intelligence and transhumanism.
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Humanity’s future is now framed by artificial intelligence (AI) and increasing interventions in the human body to cure and to enhance, i.e., transhumanism. Considering the stakes and the dangers, a philosophical perspective is imperative.
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Terrence William Deacon is an American neuroanthropologist. He taught at Harvard for eight years, relocated to Boston University in 1992, and is currently Professor of Anthropology and member of the Cognitive Science Faculty at the University of California, Berkeley.
Paul Thagard | How Brains Build Consciousness
Paul Thagard is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the University of Waterloo and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, the Cognitive Science Society, and the Association for Psychological Science. His work focuses on cognitive science, philosophy of mind, and the philosophy of science and medicine.
Check out his recent book, \.