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Apr 24, 2020
Google claims its AI can design computer chips in under 6 hours
Posted by Quinn Sena in category: robotics/AI
In a paper, Google researchers reveal that they’ve developed an AI framework that can produce chip designs in less than six hours.
Apr 24, 2020
DARPA Is Trying To Develop a COVID-19 ‘Shield’
Posted by Quinn Sena in categories: biotech/medical, military
The Pentagon’s cutting edge science department is working to create a therapeutic “shield” that could be mass produced to provide temporary protection for people from diseases like the coronavirus, boosting their immunity until an actual vaccine is developed. The result could also help slow the viruses’ advance, buying time for hard-pressed hospitals and clinics worldwide.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, has funded efforts to create such therapies from studying COVID-19 samples from individuals who have already recovered from the virus. Scientists working with the organization’s Pandemic Prevention Platform (PPP) are sequencing the B cells of one individual who recovered from COVID-19. B cells create antibodies, proteins created by the human immune system to fight a particular invading microorganism.
Apr 24, 2020
China unveils name of first Mars exploration mission
Posted by Genevieve Klien in category: satellites
BEIJING (Reuters) — China’s space agency on Friday unveiled the name of its first Mars exploration mission, coinciding with China’s annual Space Day and the 50th anniversary of the launch of its first satellite.
Apr 24, 2020
Astronaut “can’t even hug people” after 7 months in space
Posted by Genevieve Klien in category: space
Apr 24, 2020
This is what special ops learned 40 years ago from Operation Eagle Claw
Posted by Quinn Sena in category: futurism
But our failure in Iran made us better! We established commands, units, relationships, mission sets, and joint tactics, techniques and procedures that survive to this day.
The lessons learned fixed a multitude of shortcomings and brought joint SOF operations into the 21st century. It also prepared a small cadre of leaders to meet the future challenges of an ever-evolving radical threat stream. It set us up for the next 20 years.
Ultimately, the lessons of Eagle Claw led to the establishment of U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) as a functional combatant command with service-like responsibilities to man, train, and equip special operations forces from every service. SOCOM also received a budget along with authorities to procure SOF unique equipment; and they gained an advocate on Capitol Hill with the establishment of the assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low intensity conflict (ASD-SOLIC).
Apr 24, 2020
New cancer treatment that tracks and zaps tumors is coming to Stanford Medicine
Posted by Quinn Sena in category: biotech/medical
A new technology aims to make tumors their own worst enemy in the fight against cancer — and Stanford Medicine will be the first in the world to incorporate the treatment into the clinic.
The first generation of a machine using this technology — the X1, from the company RefleXion Medical — harnesses positron emission tomography to deliver radiation that tracks a tumor in real time. This PET feedback allows the system to send beams of radiation to destroy cancerous cells with heightened precision.
Researchers hope that this “biology-guided radiotherapy” will increase accuracy, safety and efficacy of cancer radiation treatment. Stanford physicians plan to test the X1 later this year through clinical trials at Stanford Hospital. Their first step will be to obtain approval by the Food and Drug Administration.
Apr 24, 2020
NASA tracking giant 750ft asteroid travelling at 62,000mph near Earth’s orbit
Posted by Quinn Sena in category: space
NASA recorded the huge space rock – known as ‘2020 HW3’ and measuring as much as 230m or 750ft wide – as an Apollo asteroid which fly close to Earth and intersect our orbit.
Apr 24, 2020
Moderna’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Trial Moves into 2nd Round of Dosing
Posted by Quinn Sena in categories: biotech/medical, health
On March 16, Moderna and the National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases (NIAID) began dosing patients with mRNA-1273, its vaccine candidate against COVID-19. The second round of dosing in healthy Seattle volunteers has now begun.
Without placing too much significance on this, it is a good sign, suggesting that the trial is progressing well and there are no obvious bad side effects from the first round.
Lisa Jackson, senior investigator, Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, who is heading the study, told USA Today that the physicians at Kaiser Permanente’s Vaccine Treatment and Evaluation Unit in Seattle don’t have results from the first round. This suggests that the study data is blinded, meaning it will not be released until a specific point in the trial.
Apr 24, 2020
Utilizing relativistic effects for laser fusion: A new approach for clean power
Posted by Quinn Sena in category: nuclear energy
Researchers at Osaka University studied a new approach for laser nuclear fusion utilizing relativistic phenomena of intense laser light. By irradiating the ultra-intense laser light directly onto the fusion fuel, the researchers examined signs of heating of fusion fuel. This work may lead to widespread, clean fusion power.