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Aug 23, 2019
DARPA’s Handheld Nuclear Fusion Reactor
Posted by Quinn Sena in categories: computing, military, nuclear energy, particle physics
Last year, Pentagon mad science arm DARPA was working on one of its wildest projects yet: a microchip-sized nuclear reactor. The program is now officially done, the agency says. But these sorts of far-out projects have a habit of being reemerging under new managers and new names.
The project, known as the “Chip-Scale High Energy Atomic Beams” program, is an effort aimed at working on the core technologies behind a tiny particle accelerator, capable of firing subatomic particles at incredible speeds. It’s part of a larger DARPA plan to reduce all sorts of devices to microchip-scale – including cryogenic coolers, video cameras and multi-purpose sensors. All of the projects are ambitious (this is DARPA, after all). But this had to be the most ambitious of the lot. Here’s how DARPA’s plans for fiscal year 2009 described it:
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Can Nicola figure out the answer to these intriguing biology questions? More importantly, can you? Let’s find out!
In this trivia episode of X10, Giuliano discovers just how much Nicola knows about some weird and interesting facts related to biology.
Aug 23, 2019
Sperm DNA experiment could end breast, ovarian and prostate cancer
Posted by Genevieve Klien in categories: bioengineering, biotech/medical, genetics
Experts at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York are using gene editing tool CRISPR to alter a string of human genetic code which is known to increase the risk of developing some cancers.
Aug 23, 2019
Inside Sierra Nevada’s Inflatable Space Habitat for Astronauts in Lunar Orbit (Photos)
Posted by Genevieve Klien in categories: habitats, space
“We don’t have the official results of that testing, but we are told it went very, very well, so we are really excited about that,” Lindsey said.
Key to SNC’s habitat design is its ability to grow in volume once it is launched into space. The Large Inflatable Fabric Environment, or LIFE, habitat can start out compact enough to fit inside an 18-foot (5.4 meters) rocket fairing but then expand to 27 feet in diameter and 27 feet long (8 by 8 m).
Aug 23, 2019
The SpaceX ‘Starhopper’ is ready to make its biggest leap
Posted by Genevieve Klien in categories: Elon Musk, space travel
After delays, the prototype version of Elon Musk’s Mars rocket could soon get the go-ahead to rise up.
Aug 23, 2019
Wearable patches could ‘decode’ sweat
Posted by Genevieve Klien in categories: electronics, wearables
Aug 23, 2019
Bernie Sanders Wants to Ban Facial Recognition for Policing, I Disagree
Posted by B.J. Murphy in categories: information science, law enforcement, policy, robotics/AI
Under his plan, “Justice and Safety for All,” Bernie Sanders wants to ban facial recognition software for policing. As a supporter of Sanders, I’m going to have to respectfully disagree. Here’s why…
Last Sunday, presidential-hopeful Bernie Sanders released on his website what is arguably one of the most extensive plans for law enforcement oversight and criminal justice overhaul that the United States has ever seen. As a progressive, myself, and supporter of Sanders during his primary run, I fully endorse everything that’s been laid out in this plan— that is, except for one minor policy.
The plan, titled “Justice and Safety for All,” calls to “Ban the use of facial recognition software for policing.” It also calls for a “moratorium on the use of the algorithmic risk assessment tools in the criminal justice system until an audit is completed,” whereby the audit would “ensure these tools do not have any implicit biases that lead to unjust or excessive sentences.”
Continue reading “Bernie Sanders Wants to Ban Facial Recognition for Policing, I Disagree” »
Aug 23, 2019
In Support of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory
Posted by Genevieve Klien in category: space
The House of Representatives has taken the first step toward honoring a pioneering woman in astronomy.
Aug 23, 2019
Gene editing to stop Lyme disease: caution is warranted
Posted by Genevieve Klien in categories: bioengineering, biotech/medical, genetics
A project to use genetic engineering to prevent Lyme disease transmission to humans must be independently evaluated for long-term safety and effectiveness.