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Feb 21, 2019

A prosthetic that restores the sense of where your hand is

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, cyborgs, robotics/AI, transhumanism

Researchers have developed a next-generation bionic hand that allows amputees to regain their proprioception. The results of the study, which have been published in Science Robotics, are the culmination of ten years of robotics research.

The next-generation bionic hand, developed by researchers from EPFL, the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa and the A. Gemelli University Polyclinic in Rome, enables amputees to regain a very subtle, close-to-natural sense of touch. The scientists managed to reproduce the feeling of proprioception, which is our brain’s capacity to instantly and accurately sense the position of our limbs during and after movement – even in the dark or with our eyes closed.

The new device allows to reach out for an object on a table and to ascertain an item’s consistency, shape, position and size without having to look at it. The prosthesis has been successfully tested on several patients and works by stimulating the nerves in the ’s stump. The nerves can then provide to the patients in real time – almost like they do in a natural hand.

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Feb 21, 2019

NASA’s Future Spaceships Will Travel At 1 Million Miles Per Hour

Posted by in categories: solar power, space

NASA could be on the verge of a breakthrough. Currently, NASA is working on an advanced propulsion engine, that if cracked, can elevate our space travel to the next level. For decades, spacecraft have been stuck traveling at low chemical speeds, limiting our ability to research and explore space. However, now speeds of over one million miles per hour before 2050 are possible. The NASA institute for Advanced Concepts (NIAC) is funding two high potential concepts.

There are new ion drives being developed right now that could have power levels that are tens thousand times higher. Antimatter propulsion and multi-megawatt ion drives are being developed. The current speeds of spacecraft are quite low in space terms. The Voyager 1 spacecraft is moving at 38,000 mph (61,000 km/h). This speed was achieved mostly by a chemical rocket but also with the assistance of gravity, using it to slingshot the spacecraft out of orbit. Juno, Helios I and Helios II managed to reach speeds of around 150,000 mph using gravitational boosts also. The recently launched Parker Solar Probe will reach 430,000 mph using the Sun’s gravity.

Gravitational boosts are our current best way of achieving higher speeds for our spacecraft. However, this method is also detrimental to our research and exploration as it takes a lot of time to work. It can take many months before the desired speed is achieved and the real mission starts.

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Feb 21, 2019

A New Start-Up Wants to Transfer Your Consciousness to an Artificial Body So You Can Live Forever

Posted by in categories: business, life extension, media & arts, robotics/AI

Circa 2015


Death is the one thing that’s guaranteed in today’s uncertain world, but now a new start-up called Humai thinks it might be able to get rid of that inconvenient problem for us too, by promising to transfer people’s consciousness into a new, artificial body.

If it sounds like science fiction, and that’s because it still is, with none of the technology required for Humai’s business plan currently up and running. But that’s not deterring the company’s CEO, Josh Bocanegra, who says his team will resurrect their first human within 30 years.

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Feb 21, 2019

No speed limits: It works for Germany but could it work for California?

Posted by in category: transportation

VISALIA, Calif. – Forget about the high-speed rail zipping commuters from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

One Southern California politician, state Sen. John Moorlach, has introduced a bill that would do away with speed limits for certain lanes on I-5 and Highway 99 – two vital roadways that stretch across the Golden State.

The measure would require the Department of Transportation to expand the 235-mile stretches from Bakersfield to Stockton on both sides of I-5 and Highway 99 by two lanes.

Continue reading “No speed limits: It works for Germany but could it work for California?” »

Feb 21, 2019

VASIMR plasma engine: Earth to Mars in 39 days?

Posted by in categories: nuclear energy, space travel

Circa 2017


“We’re likely to find hydrogen pretty much anywhere we go in the Solar System,” he said.

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Feb 21, 2019

You Can Now Check the Weather on Mars Every Day

Posted by in categories: climatology, space

Instruments aboard NASA’s InSight lander are now gathering meteorological data from the Martian surface, allowing for daily weather reports that are being made available to the public.

The daily weather reports from Elysium Planitia began on February 11, and contain information about air temperature, wind speed, and air pressure, reports NASA.

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Feb 21, 2019

These New Computer Chips Are Made From Wood

Posted by in categories: computing, mobile phones

Circa 2015


A new technique replaces the bulk of smartphone-friendly microchips with a transparent, flexible material made from wood pulp.

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Feb 21, 2019

Watch Samsung unveil the Galaxy Fold

Posted by in category: mobile phones

Samsung’s first foldable phone costs $1,980 and goes on sale April 26. Here is the announcement at the company’s event in San Francisco.

Samsung’s foldable phone is here!

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Feb 21, 2019

Scientist Who Gene-Hacked Babies “Likely” Boosted Their Brainpower

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, neuroscience

He Jiankui did more than make the twins immune to HIV.

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Feb 21, 2019

China’s CRISPR twins might have had their brains inadvertently enhanced

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

New research suggests that a controversial gene-editing experiment to make children resistant to HIV may also have enhanced their ability to learn and form memories.

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