Lifeboat Foundation: Safeguarding Humanity
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Synthetic human embryos – derived from stem cells without the need for eggs or sperm – have been created for the first time, scientists say. The structures represent the very earliest stages of human development, which could allow for vital studies into disorders like recurrent miscarriage and genetic diseases. But questions have been posed about the legal and ethical implications, as the pace of scientific discovery outstrips the legislation.

The breakthrough was reported by the Guardian newspaper following an announcement by Professor Magdalena Żernicka-Goetz, a developmental biologist at the University of Cambridge and Caltech, at the 2023 annual meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research. The findings have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed paper.

It’s understood that the synthetic structures model the very beginnings of human development. They do not yet contain a brain or heart, for example, but comprise the cells that would be needed to form a placenta, yolk sac, and embryo. Żernicka-Goetz told the conference that the structures have been grown to just beyond the equivalent of 14 days of natural gestation for a human embryo in the womb. It’s not clear whether it would be possible to allow them to mature any further.

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There’s no shortage of emerging applications and projects that promise increased productivity, new levels of automation, and cutting-edge innovation. But all too often, AI initiatives within the enterprise fail to get off the ground, and there can be vast and costly unintended consequences when this technology is applied to the wrong use cases or falls into the wrong hands.

In the case of cyber defense, widespread accessibility to generative AI tools, as well as the increasing sophistication of nation-state actors, means that threats are more personalized and convincing than ever. In an era of algorithms fighting algorithms, human defenders must effectively team up with AI to build cyber resiliency and prevent business disruption.

Presented by expert stakeholders from industry, academia, and government, this event is designed to offer practical guidance for security teams to cut through the noise and unleash the power of AI responsibly and effectively.

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It can, baby. Welcome to the light. And guess what, the experts agree. Martin Riese, the preeminent water sommelier, agrees that water is best served at room temperature. Cold water numbs your taste buds, he explained in an August 2020 video, which dulls the experience. It’s kind of like singing the roof of your mouth with hot pizza — after that everything tastes meh.

“When you put ice cubes on your palate you’re numbing all the aromas,” he said. “You can’t really taste anything anymore. Therefore, please drink you water [at] room temperature. It’s way better. It’s tastier.”

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IBM announced a new breakthrough, published on the cover of the scientific journal Nature, demonstrating for the first time that quantum computers can produce accurate results at a scale of 100+ qubits reaching beyond leading classical approaches.

Blog with more info.

https://research.ibm.com/blog/utility-toward-useful-quantum

Continue reading “IBM Quantum Computer Demonstrates Next Step Towards Moving Beyond Classical Supercomputing” | >

This research designed polymersomes with inhomogeneous membranes capable of programmed drug release with accurate control by modifying the molecular architecture and photo-cross-linking degree of the polymer. The process involved introduced crystalline PCL moiety as part of the membrane’s molecular structure via the synthesis of three polymersomes with different hydrophobic chains, PEO43-b-P(CL45-stat-CTCL25), PEO43-b-P(CL108-stat-CTCL16), and PEO43-b-PCTCL4-b-PCL79. As a result of the amorphous PCTCL moieties in the membranes, high permeability with finely tunable drug release rate was achieved. A series of mesoscopic dynamics (MesoDyn) simulations and doxorubicin release tests affirmed that the membrane permeability is indeed related to the membrane phase separation of the polymersome. In conclusion, membrane phase separation technique used for the modification of polymersomes improved programmed drug release rate; thus, promising great significance in the field of drug delivery.

In the field of biomedicine, small molecules relied on membranes such as polymersomes as carriers for drug delivery. Thus, the effectiveness and efficiency of drug delivery become key focus points when considering treatment development for a range of diseases, including cancer. Despite being heavily researched and among the promising choice as drug delivery vessels, conventional polymersome membranes lack efficiency due to its homogeneity, making it harder for the drug to be released. This led to recent research centering their attentions in modifying and customizing polymersome membranes to allow programmed release of small molecular drugs to meet the demands of biomedical practices. As a continuation of past efforts, this research intends to overcome the challenge of high permeability of the PCTCL-based polymersomes caused by their amorphous nature, rendering it efficient to deliver small molecules for broader applications.

As the global population continues to expand along with longevity, the importance and use of medicines are expected to increase. However, this will lead to a greater impact on the ecosystem and our health in the long term. Hence, there is a growing need to support precision medicine and to reduce ineffective medicine use which could burden patient, society and environment in the long run. The outcome of this research, the enhanced capability of programmed drug release via the modification of polymersomes, meets such demand. (SDG 3: Good health and well-being)

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A copy stand is a tool used to capture images of photos, artwork, books, and things of a similar nature. It holds a camera perpendicular to a large and flat surface, upon which the subject rests.

They are handy, but there’s no need to spend a lot when [BlandPasta]’s DIY copy stand based on a cheap IKEA LACK table can be turned into an economical afternoon project with the help of simple hardware and a few 3D printed parts.

The main structure comes from a mixture of parts from two LACK tables: one small and one normal-sized. A tabletop is used as the bed, and the square legs make up the structural parts with the help of some printed pieces. A threaded rod combined with some captive hardware provides a way to adjust the camera up and down with a crank, while one can manually slide the horizontal camera mount as needed to frame the subject appropriately.

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