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Jan 19, 2019

Biofeedback from the brain will help students learn faster

Posted by in categories: education, robotics/AI

Biofeedback will also be able to help with problems that feel intractable, by conditioning students to make time to think outside the box. Studies show the best way is to deal with a seemingly intractable problem is to consider it intensely for a period of time and then to relax to an almost meditative state to foster the brain’s creative side.

We have trialled technology that can help users manage this approach in Finland, using an app called Study Train that has been designed by Finnish education experts. The app combines the Pomodoro time-management technique with customised learning rhythms based on an individual’s brain waves, telling students to focus when learning efficiency is high and to rest meditatively to promote lateral thinking and creativity when efficiency is low. It is now being used by students in China, Malaysia and Taiwan as well as in Finland and next year will be rolled out further.

We have long known that the brain has good and bad times for retaining information and solving problems. By combining EEG data and machine learning we can now we confident when those different states occur and use that information to improve students’ learning. 2019 will be the year when study becomes turbocharged.

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Jan 19, 2019

Doc in a Box Knows What Ails You

Posted by in category: biotech/medical

Engineers at Sandia National Laboratories have improved their SpinDx mobile diagnostic device so that it can perform both protein and nucleic acid tests. This lets it identify nearly any cause of illness in human patients, including viruses, bacteria, toxins, and immune system markers of chemical agent exposure.


This mobile diagnostic machine can test for viruses, bacteria, and active toxins.

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Jan 19, 2019

Experimenting with Cancer Treatments Outside the Human Body

Posted by in categories: 3D printing, biotech/medical

New research from MIT has resulted in a microfluidic device, the tumor analysis platform (TAP), that can simulate different cancer treatments on biopsied tumor tissue. The TAP device can be 3D printed within one hour and is slightly larger than a quarter. Three cylindrical shafts rise from the surface of the device and serve as ports to input and drain fluids, as well as remove air bubbles. Fluid—including various media, fluorescent markers, or lymphocytes—gets injected into an inlet port adjacent to the trap. The fluid enters through the inlet port and flows past the trap.


A new 3D-printed device from MIT researchers allows for the testing of different cancer treatments on live tumor tissue outside the human body.

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Jan 19, 2019

This Scientist Is On The Verge Of Curing Multiple Sclerosis For 2.3 Million Patients

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, health, neuroscience

More effective treatments for Multiple Sclerosis on the horizon?


Dr. Metcalfe and her company are already looking to take down other severe diseases as well.

“Psoriasis is high up on our list, and diabetes is another. Downstream there are all the dementias because a LIF is a major health factor for the brain. So if we can get it into the brain we can start protecting against dementia.”

Continue reading “This Scientist Is On The Verge Of Curing Multiple Sclerosis For 2.3 Million Patients” »

Jan 19, 2019

Are We Just Another Primate? Robert Sapolsky

Posted by in category: neuroscience

Perhaps not the most complete and/or updated view on dopamine, but pretty fun short talk overall. No, we’re not that different.


http://www.scienceandnonduality.com

Continue reading “Are We Just Another Primate? Robert Sapolsky” »

Jan 19, 2019

Google is buying Fossil’s smartwatch tech for $40 million

Posted by in categories: computing, wearables

While the company is no doubt losing quality employees, Fossil is still committed to wearable tech.


Rumors about a Pixel Watch have abounded for years. Such a device would certainly make sense as Google attempts to prove the viability of its struggling wearable operating system, Wear OSeems the company is finally getting serious about the prospect. Today Fossil announced plans to sell its smartwatch IP to the software giant for $40 million.

Sounds like Google will be getting a nice head start here as well. The deal pertains to “a smartwatch technology currently under development” and involves the transfer of a number of Fossil employees to team Google.

Continue reading “Google is buying Fossil’s smartwatch tech for $40 million” »

Jan 19, 2019

This Drone Takes off by Leaping With Bird-Inspired Legs

Posted by in category: drones

It could soon make deliveries in the places that need drones the most.

Continue reading “This Drone Takes off by Leaping With Bird-Inspired Legs” »

Jan 19, 2019

Bizarre 4-Star System Forms Planets in a Vertical Disk Orbit

Posted by in category: space

Researchers have discovered a highly unusual vertically-oriented protoplanetary disk orbiting around a four-star system.

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Jan 19, 2019

Watch This Wiggly Robot Worm Swim Effortlessly Through Simulated Body Fluid

Posted by in categories: health, robotics/AI

It’s for your health, we promise.

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Jan 19, 2019

Geothermal Heating Could Make Life Possible on the Super Earth Planet at Barnard’s Star

Posted by in categories: space, sustainability

In 2018, scientists announced the discovery of a extrasolar planet orbiting Barnard’s star, an M-type (red dwarf) that is just 6 light years away. Using the Radial Velocity method, the research team responsible for the discovery determined that this exoplanet (Barnard’s Star b) was at least 3.2 times as massive as Earth and experienced average surface temperatures of about −170 °C (−274 °F) – making it both a “Super-Earth” and “ice planet”.

Based on these findings, it was a foregone conclusion that Barnard b would be hostile to life as we know it. But according to new study by a team of researchers from Villanova University and the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC), it is possible – assuming the planet has a hot iron/nickel core and experiences enhanced geothermal activity – that this giant iceball of a planet could actually support life.

Continue reading “Geothermal Heating Could Make Life Possible on the Super Earth Planet at Barnard’s Star” »