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Dec 11, 2022

Gene expression data point to exercise as the most effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, health, neuroscience

An analysis of 22 large-scale gene expression datasets pointed to exercise and activity in general as the most effective theoretical treatment for reversing gene expressions typical of Alzheimer’s disease. Fluoxetine, a well-known antidepressant, also showed effect, particularly when combined with exercise. Curcumin showed positive effects as well. The study was published in Scientific Reports.

Alzheimer’s disease is a complex neurodegenerative disorder that affects multiple brain regions. It is the most common disease that causes dementia and is very difficult to treat. In the course of the disease, abnormal collections of proteins called tau accumulate inside neurons.

Another type of protein clumps together to form so-called amyloid plaques that collect between neurons and disrupt cell functions. These and other changes harm the functioning of the brain across different regions and lead to dysfunction and death of brain cells.

Dec 11, 2022

Quantum physics is weird, but here’s how it’s making us money

Posted by in categories: economics, quantum physics

Following a visit to the UK’s National Quantum Technology Showcase, James McKenzie is excited about the prospects of UK firms developing “quantum 2.0” technology.

Dec 11, 2022

Is it ethical to use AI art? Some thought on this topic

Posted by in categories: employment, law, robotics/AI

2022 the Colorado State Fair’s annual art competition gave out prizes in all the usual art categories.

“Thé tre D’opéra Spatial,” took home the blue ribbon in the fair’s contest for emerging digital artists — making it one of the first A.I.-generated pieces to win such a prize.

Continue reading “Is it ethical to use AI art? Some thought on this topic” »

Dec 11, 2022

A trio of satellites could take a groundbreaking 360-degree photo of the sun

Posted by in categories: mapping, physics, satellites

We still don’t have a clear picture of the Sun’s physics — but the Solar Ring could change that.


To solve this a team of astronomers proposes the Solar Ring. The Solar Ring is a fleet of three spacecraft that will all orbit around the Sun. They will be separated from each other by 120 degrees and be fitted with identical instruments. This way their overlapping fields of view will make it impossible for us to miss anything happening on the surface.

Among the many kinds of observations that the astronomers behind the Solar Ring hope to perform, one involves a technique called reverberation mapping. By carefully mapping the velocity of gas on the surface of the Sun, they can measure vibrations and pulsations. These kinds of “sunquakes” give astronomers rich information about what is happening within deeper layers, much like how earthquakes tell us about the core and mantle of the Earth.

Continue reading “A trio of satellites could take a groundbreaking 360-degree photo of the sun” »

Dec 11, 2022

Artificial womb concept revealed

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, futurism

A German-based biotechnologist and filmmaker has presented his concept for an artificial womb. This futuristic device could allow a foetus to grow and develop outside the body, without the need for women to undergo pregnancy.

Dec 11, 2022

IIT-G’s Cooking Stove Saves Fuel Up To 50%, Reduces 80% Emissions

Posted by in categories: energy, government

A s of 1 February 2021, there are about 280 million domestic LPG (liquified petroleum gas) consumers in India, according to Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. By March 2022, the Government of India expects that there will be over 300 million consumers. Indian Oil, the country’s largest fuel refiner, claims that it will import 50% more cooking gas to ensure the supply of LPG remains uninterrupted for its bottling plants.

It’s imperative to find heating solutions that are more efficient.

Moreover, the Government of India has been encouraging wider adoption of LPG to replace coal and firewood to improve air quality as well. But according to researchers at IIT-Guwahati, the thermal efficiencies of conventional domestic LPG cooking stoves available in the market are low (60–68%), and emissions are high (CO: 220–550 ppm, NOx: 5–25 ppm).

Dec 11, 2022

‘Invisibility cloak’ that hides wearers from security cameras invented by students

Posted by in categories: robotics/AI, security

InvisDefense uses an unusual pattern and irregular heat signals to confuse AI cameras.

Dec 11, 2022

How the SIM card in your phone could make medicines cheaper

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, mobile phones

Research from Imperial College London suggests that gold compouds recovered from discarded SIM cards can significantly lower the cost of making medicines.

Dec 11, 2022

Scientists Blown Away by the Toughest Material on Earth — “Unexpected Transformation”

Posted by in categories: materials, transportation

Scientists have measured the highest toughness ever recorded, of any material, while investigating a metallic alloy made of chromium, cobalt, and nickel (CrCoNi). Not only is the metal extremely ductile – which, in materials science, means highly malleable – and impressively strong (meaning it resists permanent deformation), its strength and ductility improve as it gets colder. This runs counter to most other materials in existence.

“In the same units, the toughness of a piece of silicon is one, the aluminum airframe in passenger airplanes is about 35, and the toughness of some of the best steels is around 100. So, 500, it’s a staggering number.” —

Dec 11, 2022

Base editing: Revolutionary therapy clears girl’s incurable cancer

Posted by in category: biotech/medical

New way of altering DNA is used to engineer an “exciting”, experimental therapy for a 13-year-old girl.