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Blog – Page 6173

Circa 2019

Most people don’t give a second thought to the poop they flush away. But perhaps they should, because the energy contained within our repellent remains is impressive.

If you let poop fester—and you probably shouldn’t in polite company—bacterial digestion will produce a methane-rich ‘biogas’ that can be harnessed for energy. You can also dehydrate a deuce to make powdery fuel or combustible bricks with a similar energy content to coal. These schemes may sound outlandish, but wastewater plants all over the developed world take advantage of this salvageable energy to subsidize their operations. One UK-based treatment plant, for example, gets 50 percent of its power using poop.

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As adults live longer, demand for dental implants continues to grow. However, researchers at Kyoto University and the University of Fuki in Japan may be closer to finding a way to help adults continue to function with natural dentition.

According to the University of Fuki, scientists investigated the effects of monoclonal antibodies for USAG-1. Investigators focused on the USAG-1 gene that interacts with the two mechanisms responsible for tooth development — bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and Wnt signaling. They found administering USAG-1-neutralizing antibodies affects BMP signaling only. The authors reports a single administration was enough to generate a whole tooth in mice and, in subsequent experiments, ferrets as well.

From Decisions in Dentistry. June 2021;7, 11.

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Circa 2014

Four women have had new vaginas grown in the laboratory and implanted by doctors in the US.

A tissue sample and a biodegradable scaffold were used to grow vaginas in the right size and shape for each woman as well as being a tissue match.

They all reported normal levels of “desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction” and painless intercourse.

Continue reading “Doctors implant lab-grown vagina” | >

🤔Will someone PLEASE get this man a seat on the next REAL SpaceX trip to space as a passenger already!? 🙄🙏

You’ll have to wait ever-so-slightly longer to see Star Trek actor William Shatner head to space. Blue Origin has delayed Shatner’s launch aboard NS-18 by a day to October 13th at 9:30AM Eastern following predictions of strong winds in West Texas. The rough weather was the “only gating factor,” Blue Origin said in a statement, noting that the passengers began their training today (October 10th).

Shatner’s flight is a publicity grab on multiple levels. It’s no secret that Jeff Bezos’ outfit is eager to have Captain Kirk reach space, but Shatner will also be the oldest person to make such a journey at 90 years old. The previous record-setter, aviation legend Wally Funk, traveled aboard a Blue Origin flight at 82 years old. Other passengers include Blue Origin mission VP Audrey Powers and two corporate executives, Planet Labs’ Chris Boshuizen and Medidata’s Glen de Vries.

The timing isn’t great beyond the weather. The liftoff will come just weeks after an essay described a “toxic environment” at Blue Origin, including an alleged reluctance to deal with sexual harassment as well as poor attitudes toward safety, the environment and basic internal criticism. Shatner’s flight might create positive buzz, but it might also paper over issues within Blue Origin’s ranks.

Continue reading “Blue Origin delays William Shatner’s spaceflight to October 13th” | >

It’s the question we all want to know the answer to… what are the toilets like in space?

Well never fear the answer is here… NASA have just spent over $23 million dollars (£16 million) on a brand new toilet!

Going to the toilet is a basic human need but when you’re in space with a lack of gravity things can get a bit tricky, but it’s about to get easier.

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Would we act as naturally inside a spacecraft immobile in space as in the series?

Whenever I watch “The Expanse,” I pay attention to the physics. As the production is meticulous — if you notice the scenes where whiskey is served on the Moon this last season, you will see that the liquid falls according to lunar gravity’s acceleration — I always have some good surprises. Unfortunately, the series is taped on Earth, so some things would be too expensive to reproduce convincingly.

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As the medical community’s understanding of the application of augmented intelligence (AI) in health care grows, there remains the question of how AI—often called artificial intelligence—should be incorporated into physician training. The term augmented intelligence is preferred because it recognizes the enhancement, rather than replacement, of human capabilities.

Understanding how AI can affect patients may help learners appreciate its relevance, he noted, adding that the National Board of Medical Examiners exam now tests physicians-in-training on health systems science, and there are questions about health care AI specifically.

But AI doesn’t just relate to systems issues. It also has a home within evidence-based medicine (EBM).

Full Story:

Continue reading “How health care AI could help train tomorrow’s physicians” | >