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Jul 15, 2019

Intel has packed 8 million digital neurons onto a brain-like computer

Posted by in categories: computing, neuroscience

With 64 Loihi processors, Intel packs 8 million digital neurons into one computer.

Jul 15, 2019

David Attenborough says industrial overfishing is more dangerous to the ocean than plastic

Posted by in category: materials

Putting the entire ocean system at risk.

🔎 Learn more about overfishing: https://wef.ch/2KM97Be

Jul 15, 2019

Researchers create ‘epigenetic atlas’, heralding leap forward in disease diagnosis

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, genetics

This atlas of human CoRSIVs,” they write, “provides a resource for future population-based investigations into how interindividual epigenetic variation modulates risk of disease,” and may well transform understanding of the causes of illness in the human body.


A project 370 times larger than the Human Genome Project bears first fruit. Stephen Fleischfresser reports.

Jul 15, 2019

The Years Project

Posted by in category: futurism

Half the globe’s population could face severe water stress by 2050. For some countries, it could be as early as 2030. Cities like Chennai, India, are experiencing these consequences right now. #YEARSproject

Jul 15, 2019

Insect Extinction

Posted by in category: existential risks

The world’s insects are disappearing. If we don’t stop it, this disappearance will set off a catastrophic chain of events. #YEARSproject

Jul 15, 2019

Heading Towards Collapse

Posted by in category: futurism

The world’s most important crop is, and if we don’t stop it, nearly half the world could be left hungry. #YEARSproject


The world’s most important crop is heading towards collapse, and if we don’t stop it, nearly half the world could be left hungry. #YEARSproject

Jul 15, 2019

Coal Ash in the Water

Posted by in category: climatology

There’s no way to store toxic coal waste that’s completely safe. There’s also no way to mine and burn coal that doesn’t threaten communities, our waterways and our climate. Duke needs to stop burning coal, clean up its toxic mess, and invest in abundant, affordable clean energy sources like solar and wind. #2048istoolate #BeyondCoal #YEARSproject with Sierra Club.

Jul 15, 2019

Is Immortality Worth It?

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, economics, life extension

Any major breakthrough in extending human life would drastically alter population projections. The social effects, while obviously huge, would depend on whether the years of senility were prolonged, too; whether women’s age at menopause would increase; and how families would be structured if many generations were alive at the same time. Expensive treatments to extend human lives could also have implications for inequality; as in many other areas of technology, the wealthy would be most able to afford such services.


Almost everyone would welcome an extension of their healthy lifespan, and some scientists are looking at increasingly extreme ways to achieve that. But any major breakthrough in this area could have unwanted and far-reaching demographic, social, and economic implications.

CAMBRIDGE – Humans have long sought the elixir of youth, so it is not surprising that even non-scientists closely follow the latest research into aging. But is what most people consider simply a fact of life actually a “disease” that can be cured? Or is there some insurmountable limit to the lifespan of human bodies?

Continue reading “Is Immortality Worth It?” »

Jul 15, 2019

Alternative theory of gravity makes a nearly testable prediction

Posted by in category: futurism

A massive simulation done with a “chameleon” theory of gravity.

Jul 14, 2019

Zooming on the Orion Nebula

Posted by in categories: habitats, space

The Orion Nebula is a diffuse nebula situated in the Milky Way, being south of Orion’s Belt in the constellation of Orion. It is one of the brightest nebulae, and is visible to the naked eye in the night sky. M42 is located at a distance of 1,344 ± 20 light years and is the closest
 This wide-field view of the Orion Nebula (Messier 42).


In one of the most detailed astronomical images ever produced, the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope is offering an unprecedented look at the Orion Nebula. This turbulent star-formation region is one of astronomy’s most dramatic and photogenic celestial objects.

Continue reading “Zooming on the Orion Nebula” »