Lifeboat News: The Blog – Safeguarding Humanity

Four Blind People Go Home With New Bionic Eyes

Posted by Nancie Hunter in biotech/medical, cyborgs, transhumanism

Nov 21
2018

Bionic Vision Technologies, a firm based in Australia, has announced that its bionic eye system has been used to restore a “sense of sight” to four completely blind people suffering from retinitis pigmentosa. The findings from the study, which was performed at Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne, were presented at the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists Scientific meeting.

Unlike previous studies of the technology that were limited to in-lab use, the four patients were able to use the system in their everyday environments.

This Startup Is Helping Build China’s Panopticon

Posted by Derick Lee in biotech/medical, robotics/AI

Nov 21
2018

The company will have to wrestle more seriously with ethical questions as it expands into new industries and countries. These include Japan, where it’s making road-tracking software to help steer driverless Hondas, and the U.S., where its New Jersey health lab is developing cancer detection software. It’s also working to bring interactive games to livestreamers in Southeast Asia, teaming up with the popular app Bigo.

SenseTime, the world’s most valuable AI startup, aims to bring its smarter-cameras-everywhere model, well, everywhere.

A New Gadget Turns Plastic Waste Into Tools Astronauts Need

Posted by Michael Lance in space

Nov 20
2018

The Refabricator could help extend our reach into space.

It’s already being put to the test aboard the ISS.

How well do you know your Filipino-made satellites?

Posted by Michael Lance in satellites

Nov 20
2018

We have compiled all the information you need to know about the Diwata-1 & 2 and the Maya-1. Click each photo to know more! #Diwata #Maya #dostPH

The life cycle of a neutron star

Posted by Michael Lance in cosmology

Nov 20
2018

When a massive star somewhere in our galaxy runs out of fuel, it collapses and explodes in a supernova.

The death of that star is the birth of a neutron star: one of the densest known objects in the universe:

Space Station Crew Discusses 20 Years of Operations

Posted by Michael Lance in engineering, space

Nov 20
2018

Twenty years ago today, construction began on the greatest international science and engineering project in human history — the International Space Station. In case you missed it, we celebrated the occasion by talking to the crew currently living and working in space. Take a look: https://go.nasa.gov/2qVKqt9 #SpaceStation20th

Image of the Day

Posted by Sidney Clouston in climatology, sustainability

Nov 20
2018

Climate change, global climate change, global warming, natural hazards, Earth, environment, remote sensing, atmosphere, land processes, oceans, volcanoes, land cover, Earth science data, NASA, environmental processes, Blue Marble, global maps.

Lasers may help experts understand cancer

Posted by Genevieve Klien in biotech/medical, nanotechnology, neuroscience

Nov 20
2018

Scientists in Fife are investigating if tiny lasers could be used to better understand diseases such as cancer.

Using nano-technology, the St Andrews University experts created lasers small enough to fit inside live cells which can then be tracked.

With a diameter of a thousandth of a millimetre, the lasers can be inserted into neurons or immune cells.

This Guy Has to Be One of the Best Drone Pilots in The World

Posted by Genevieve Klien in drones

Nov 20
2018

A few years ago I wrote about how YouTube opened up rallying to the world in a way that it never had before, taking the sport out of forests and onto screens everywhere. I didn’t expect the same of drones and drifting but here we are.

When AI and optoelectronics meet: Researchers take control of light properties

Posted by Genevieve Klien in robotics/AI

Nov 20
2018

Using machine-learning and an integrated photonic chip, researchers from INRS (Canada) and the University of Sussex (UK) can now customize the properties of broadband light sources. Also called “supercontinuum”, these sources are at the core of new imaging technologies and the approach proposed by the researchers will bring further insight into fundamental aspects of light-matter interactions and ultrafast nonlinear optics. The work is published in the journal Nature Communications on November 20, 2018.