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Apr 2, 2020

Potential coronavirus vaccine ‘generates enough antibodies to fight off virus’

Posted by in category: biotech/medical

Dozens of other teams around the world have potential vaccines in development.

But the Pittsburgh research is the first study on a Covid-19 vaccine candidate to be published after critique from fellow scientists at outside institutions.

Continue reading “Potential coronavirus vaccine ‘generates enough antibodies to fight off virus’” »

Apr 2, 2020

We aren’t just stopping coronavirus. We’re building a new world

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, economics, transportation

Can we build a better world with the lessons learned around this pandemic?

There is discussion that globalism will give way to community resilience and local digital manufacture, storage and transportation to provide abundant resources for normal and unanticipated needs.

#CommunityResilience #CommunityResourceCentres

Continue reading “We aren’t just stopping coronavirus. We’re building a new world” »

Apr 2, 2020

Physical force alone spurs gene expression, study reveals

Posted by in category: biotech/medical

Cells will ramp up gene expression in response to physical forces alone, a new study finds. Gene activation, the first step of protein production, starts less than one millisecond after a cell is stretched—hundreds of times faster than chemical signals can travel, the researchers report.

The scientists tested forces that are biologically relevant—equivalent to those exerted on by breathing, exercising or vocalizing. They report their findings in the journal Science Advances.

“We found that force can activate genes without intermediates, without enzymes or signaling molecules in the cytoplasm,” said University of Illinois mechanical science and engineering professor Ning Wang, who led the research. “We also discovered why some genes can be activated by force and some cannot.”

Apr 2, 2020

Spain death toll passes 10,000 with record single-day rise of 950

Posted by in category: military

Spain death toll passes 10,000; Catalonia asks Spanish army for help; Thailand imposes national curfew.

Apr 2, 2020

Spiral patterns in living cells could be used to create biological computers

Posted by in categories: biological, computing, quantum physics

Vortices in starfish eggs resemble those found in quantum fluids.

Apr 2, 2020

Our brains as hard drives – could we delete, modify or add memories and skills?

Posted by in categories: computing, genetics, neuroscience, virtual reality

Given the rapid development of virtual reality technology, we may very well be moving toward a time when we’re able to manage the brain’s memories.


Could we develop a similar capability? That may depend heavily upon a handful of ambitious attempts at brain-computer interfacing. But science is moving in baby steps with other tactics in both laboratory animals and humans.

Continue reading “Our brains as hard drives – could we delete, modify or add memories and skills?” »

Apr 2, 2020

More than 1,000 in US die in a single day from coronavirus, doubling the worst daily death toll of the flu

Posted by in category: biotech/medical

The U.S. passed 1,000 coronavirus deaths in a single day Wednesday, a daily death toll more than double lung cancer and the flu.

Apr 2, 2020

A Voice Only You Can Hear: DARPA’s Sonic Projector

Posted by in categories: information science, military

2007…


Imagine a weapon that creates sound that only you can hear. Science fiction? No, this is one area that has a very solid basis in reality. The Air Force has experimented with microwaves that create sounds in people’s head (which they’ve called a possible psychological warfare tool), and American Technologies can “beam” sounds to specific targets with their patented HyperSound (and yes, I’ve heard/seen them demonstrate the speakers, and they are shockingly effective).

Sound Now the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is jumping on the bandwagon with their new “Sonic Projector” program:

Continue reading “A Voice Only You Can Hear: DARPA’s Sonic Projector” »

Apr 2, 2020

Australia begins coronavirus vaccine tests

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, government

Australian government scientists have begun the first stages of testing for a potential vaccine against the SARS CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19. Australia’s national science agency CSIRO said Thursday that testing at a biosecurity facility was expected to take three months. The testing is being undertaken in cooperation with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), a global group that aims to help speedily develop vaccines against emerging infectious diseases.


Australia’s national science agency will test two vaccine candidates over the next three months. It is part of a global race to halt the coronavirus pandemic.

Apr 2, 2020

Senator: Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war has killed 20,000

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, policy

Circa 2018


Rights group says report underscores need for a UN-led investigation into Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly anti-drug policy.