Lifeboat Foundation

Intel’s investment arm has invested $9 million in Figure, a company specialising in humanoid robots for general purpose.

Here’s What We Know

Figure caught the attention of the robotics industry due to its success in creating a general-purpose robot. Just a few months after its inception, the company unveiled the humanoid Figure 01.

An open letter signed by more than 1,300 experts says AI is a “force for good, not a threat to humanity”.

It was organised by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, to counter “AI doom”.

Rashik Parmar, BCS chief executive, said it showed the UK tech community didn’t believe the “nightmare scenario of evil robot overlords”.

Dr. Ralph W. Moss and son Ben discuss how a walk in the woods may help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Delve into the science behind how the Japanese practice of “Forest Bathing” and aromatherapy can reduce stress, improve mood, and ease pain.

Program Notes:

Continue reading “Essential Oils, Aromatherapy & Cancer — Fragrant Forest Bathing and Potent Pain Relief” »

Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco and colleagues conducted a study to determine whether AKI is independently associated with subsequent kidney function trajectory among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The findings suggest kidney disease observed after AKI often present before injury.

In the present study of hospitalized persons with chronic kidney disease (CKD) fournd that acute kidney injury (AKI) did not predict worsening of kidney function trajectory once difference in pre-hospitalization characteristically were fully accounted for. Instead, the authors suggest that much of determinants of faster kidney disease decline observed after AKI may already be present before AKI. The findings are published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Many now believe that AKI is an independent risk factor for accelerated loss of kidney function. This has led to changes in research focus, practice patterns, and public health targets. However, prior studies associating AKI with more rapid subsequent loss of kidney function had methodological limitations, including inadequate control for differences between patients who had AKI and those who did not.

A pair of new studies led by researchers at Columbia University explains why babies get so many common respiratory infections and identifies a specialized cluster of immune cells found only in babies that help them better cope with new pathogens.

“We know little about how the immune system develops throughout life, and most of what we know about immune system development in children comes from animal studies,” says Donna Farber, Ph.D., an expert in immune system development at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons who led the research. “But mice develop much more quickly than humans and their immune systems are a bit different than ours.”

Using a trove of tissue samples from deceased pediatric organ donors, Farber’s team was able to pinpoint aspects of immune system development that distinguish babies from adults.

Pain affects millions of Americans. It’s hard to measure, and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment approach. NIH conducts and supports basic, translational, and clinical research on pain, as well as strategies for treating it. Here are just a few recent examples.

Basic pain research

Basic research is conducted in labs by scientists who study the most fundamental building blocks of life, including genes, proteins, and cells. This kind of research helps us better understand living systems and processes.

Some sharks get a new set of teeth every few weeks, while crocodiles can go through thousands of chompers in their long lifetimes. Yet the ability to endlessly replace our pearly whites is something that’s eluded us and nearly all other mammals. By the time our 32 ‘adult’ teeth grow in, that’s as good as it gets.

Now, a Japanese team of scientists is set to trial an experimental drug that would allow humans to grow completely new teeth.

A clinical trial scheduled for July 2024 will initially be for participants with tooth agenesis, a genetic condition that results in the absence of teeth, but the scientists have a view to making the treatment available for general use by as soon as 2030.

Big cats also like cat nip 😗😁.

As you may know from your own pet, if there’s one thing that is guaranteed to send your cat a little dizzy it’s their catnip toy. Big cats are no exception and one of the favourite enrichment activities we give our cats is their regular catnip fix.

Continue reading “Cats In A Spin Over Catnip” »

Allergists can help treat and prevent allergy symptoms that effect day-to-day activities or decrease your quality of life.