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Harvard scientists turn a silicon chip into a DNA writing machine

Scientists have created a silicon chip that can write dozens of DNA sequences simultaneously using electricity and water-based enzymes, offering a cleaner alternative to conventional DNA manufacturing. The breakthrough could eventually support portable DNA-writing devices and even massive DNA data storage, although new chemistry will be needed to scale the technology further.

The Machine Consciousness Hypothesis — Joscha Bach, Hikari Sorensen and Lou de K

This private salon centers on The Machine Consciousness Hypothesis, CIMC’s recently published essay proposing that consciousness may be formally defined in functional terms, computationally realized in artificial systems, and empirically tested.

Speakers.
Joscha Bach – Executive Director \& Board Director, CIMC
Hikari Sorensen – Researcher, CIMC
Hosted by Lou de K. – VP of Programs \& Board Director, CIMC

Event Details.
Recorded on Thursday, March 12
Location: Hillsborough, United States.

Timestamps.

0:00 — Introduction.
10:26 — What is consciousness and how does it relate to reality? Hikari Sorensen.
32:48 — What is it like to be AI?
1:08:34 — Q\&A

Read the full essay: https://cimcai.substack.com/p/essay-t… to our channel for future convenings and updates on machine consciousness research.

LONGEVITY EXPERTS: How Close Are We to Solving Death?

Interesting but no mention of Dr. Fahy.


What’s the biggest problem in longevity today: bad science, hype, or misplaced optimism?

This episode is brought to you by NADclinic.com, the go-to destination for longevity and human performance. Check out their new NADair, a next-gen, precision breath-activated NAD⁺ wellness system using multi-patented DPI technology: https://nadairx.com/

This debate brings together leading voices in longevity to separate evidence from speculation. They discuss why misinformation is growing and why many people chase advanced treatments before addressing basic health.

The panel explores longevity escape velocity, healthspan versus lifespan, and how much progress has actually been made. They debate whether dramatic life extension is near or still much farther away than many believe.

A soft exoskeleton could restore hand function in people with motor impairments

Recent technological advances have opened valuable possibilities for supporting people with motor impairments or who are recovering from injuries to the brain, spinal cord or nerves. Millions of people worldwide currently experience difficulty moving their hands or other parts of their body. Some of these motor impairments are associated with progressive neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), while others are the result of neurological damage caused by an injury or a stroke.

Researchers at Technical University of Munich and the Center for Rehabilitation Passauer Wolf recently developed a new lightweight, soft exoskeleton that could allow people with severe motor impairments to move their hands again and grasp objects. The new robotic system, introduced in a paper published in Nature Machine Intelligence, combines an advanced mechanical design with muscle-sensing technology and artificial intelligence (AI).

“This recent paper discusses restoring hand function for individuals with severe hand impairment,” Gordon Cheng, who led the study, told Tech Xplore. “Hand functions are critical to every aspect of life. The patient we were working with has near-complete hand function loss, and our work aims to help people with such needs.”

UCSF and Samsung launch remote study on aging brain health

An innovative new study from the Neuroscape research center at UCSF, and consumer electronics giant Samsung seeks to understand decade-by-decade changes in brain health.

The Neuroscape Technology for Aging Health — Digital Approaches (TAH-DA) longitudinal study, seeks to identify biometric predictors of cognitive decline over the course of a year, using Samsung wearable technology.

Samsung fosters innovation and transformational health research in collaboration with leading institutions to explore new health technologies and a novel prescriptive on wellness. The TAH-DA study is another example of Samsung’s work to understand the unique connection between the brain and wellness.

FCC approves first Reflect Orbital satellite

TOKYO — The Federal Communications Commission has given its approval for a satellite that will test the ability to reflect sunlight into nighttime regions, a project sharply criticized by astronomers and environmentalists.

The FCC on July 9 formally authorized the launch of Eärendil-1, a satellite developed by Reflect Orbital that will deploy a thin-film reflector 18 meters on a side in low Earth orbit, reflecting sunlight to the ground.

The 142-kilogram spacecraft is scheduled to launch later this year into an orbit 600 to 650 kilometers in altitude, where it will deploy the reflector. The company plans to use the spacecraft to test its ability to direct reflected sunlight to specific areas on Earth for several minutes at a time.

New soft wearable device could support at-home sleep monitoring

Good sleep is essential for brain health. During sleep and rest, the glymphatic system, the brain’s waste-clearing process, helps remove metabolic waste that accumulates during waking hours. This activity is linked to memory processing, cognitive function and neural recovery. When sleep quality is poor, metabolic waste may accumulate, potentially disrupting cognitive function and memory formation.

Traditional approaches to brain monitoring are often invasive, costly and limited to clinical settings. New research from Georgia Tech points to a more accessible approach. A study published in Science Advances shows that a soft, wireless wearable device could help enable home-based monitoring of physiological changes associated with sleep and brain health.

The research team, led by W. Hong Yeo, Peterson Endowed Professor in the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and director of the Wearable Intelligent Systems and Healthcare Center and the Korea KIAT-Georgia Tech Semiconductor Electronics Center, developed a wearable device that uses light-based sensing and wireless communication to support natural sleep monitoring at home.

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