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Sep 28, 2017

Pluto’s Gargantuan Glacial “Skyscrapers” Reveal Their Secrets

Posted by in categories: climatology, space

The jagged geological ridges, found at the highest elevations located close to Pluto’s equator, soar hundreds of feet into the sky and are as high as some of the tallest skyscrapers on Earth.

According to an article in the latest issue of planetary science journal, Icarus, the colossal “ice-scrapers” observed on Pluto’s surface are vestiges from the last Ice Age that occurred on the dwarf planet millions of years ago.

Scientists believe that the “ice blades” are the result of solid methane evaporation that formed the towers of ice on the mountain peaks along Chile’s Chajnantor plain.

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Sep 28, 2017

Review of Juvenescence: Investing in the Age of Longevity

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

Only two years ago, when I launched my advocacy website Rejuvenaction, I didn’t think I would read a book like Juvenescence so soon; yet, the topic of rejuvenation biotechnologies has already become mainstream enough to lead investors of the calibre of Jim Mellon and Al Chalabi to devote a whole book to it.

As Juvenescence is a book aimed at potential new investors in rejuvenation biotechnologies, I expected it to be an extremely technical and detailed account of things I don’t understand, such as finance, markets, and funds. To my delight, this was not the case. Rather, the details Juvenescence dives into are primarily those of the emerging field of rejuvenation science (alas, still something whose details I don’t fully understand).

The book explains the paradigm shift that is currently taking place and changing the way science sees aging—no longer as an inevitable fact of life but rather as a disease to be eradicated like any other—and goes through a biology 101 crash course for the benefit of readers who might be not too well versed in the science of life.

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Sep 28, 2017

Deus ex machina: former Google engineer is developing an AI god

Posted by in categories: law, robotics/AI, transhumanism, transportation

Interesting story in The Guardian today. Quotes from multiple transhumanists, including myself:


Intranet service? Check. Autonomous motorcycle? Check. Driverless car technology? Check. Obviously the next logical project for a successful Silicon Valley engineer is to set up an AI-worshipping religious organization.

Anthony Levandowski, who is at the center of a legal battle between Uber and Google’s Waymo, has established a nonprofit religious corporation called Way of the Future, according to state filings first uncovered by Wired’s Backchannel. Way of the Future’s startling mission: “To develop and promote the realization of a Godhead based on artificial intelligence and through understanding and worship of the Godhead contribute to the betterment of society.”

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Sep 28, 2017

Intel Unveils Neuromorphic, Self-Learning Chip Codenamed Loihi

Posted by in category: robotics/AI

Intel has unveiled a new, specialized compute core designed for AI, deep learning, and neural networks. Meet Loihi.

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Sep 28, 2017

Researchers Have Developed Microchips That Behave Like Brain Cells

Posted by in categories: computing, neuroscience

The human brain is used as a comparison for how computer’s function. But, honestly, computers are nothing like human brains. Not yet, at least.

That could change as researchers have developed computing technology that uses light to mimic the functionality of a nerve’s synapse, opening the way for hardware that combines the speed of modern processors with the efficiency of brainpower.

Brains and computers are both systems that can model, manipulate, and store information. From there, they don’t tend to have all that much in common.

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Sep 28, 2017

DNA surgery on embryos removes disease

Posted by in category: biotech/medical

A Chinese team corrected the potentially fatal blood disorder beta-thalassemia.

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Sep 28, 2017

U.S. senators announce deal on self-driving car legislation

Posted by in categories: robotics/AI, transportation

WASHINGTON (Reuters) — Two U.S. senators said late on Wednesday that they had reached a bipartisan deal on legislation aimed at easing hurdles to getting self-driving cars to drivers.

U.Senator John Thune, a Republican who chairs the Commerce Committee, and Senator Gary Peters, a Michigan Democrat, said they had reached a deal on the legislation that would be voted on by the committee on Oct. 4.

They said they planned to release the text on Thursday.

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Sep 28, 2017

MouseAge: Photographic Aging Clock in Mice

Posted by in categories: life extension, robotics/AI

Say Cheese! Support science in style with this iconic t-shirt. Just one of the great rewards on offer for supporting the MouseAge Project at www.lifespan.io/mouseage

We are developing a way to measure mouse age using AI and visual recognition. Helping to speed up scientific progress and reduce animal suffering at the same time. Win-win!

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Sep 27, 2017

A New, Artificially Intelligent Hologram Was Just Born

Posted by in categories: augmented reality, business, holograms, robotics/AI

VNTANA and Satisfi Labs are collaborating on a hologram concierge platform. The finished product will allow businesses to combine a virtual assistant powered by artificial intelligence with augmented reality visuals.

VNTANA and Satisfi Labs have announced a new platform that will allow businesses to develop a hologram concierge to be used in business. The project fuses artificial intelligence (AI) with augmented reality (AR) technology to produce a 3D persona that can interact with customers.

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Sep 27, 2017

Trump’s Top General Says Iran Honoring Nuke Deal

Posted by in category: futurism

Dunford, the head of the Joint Chiefs, warns that unilaterally pulling out would anger allies and complicate the North Korea crisis.

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