technology

Cygnus cargo spacecraft is on its way to the International Space Station

"Orbital’s Cygnus cargo spacecraft is now on its way to becoming the second commercial cargo vehicle to service the International Space Station. The Antares rocket carrying the Cygnus cargo spacecraft lifted off on schedule at 10:58 am EDT (1458 GMT) Wednesday and placed the Cygnus spacecraft into earth orbit. The spacecraft is carrying 700 kilograms of supplies, more than any previous commercial cargo mission to the station, Orbital’s Frank Culbertson said at a post-launch press conference (a subtle dig at SpaceX’s three Dragon flights to the station.)" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCygnus cargo spacecraft is on its way to the International Space Station

SpaceShipTwo flies a little higher and a little faster

"Virgin officials and investors hailed the flight as bringing the company another step closer to commercial operations. 'We couldn’t be more delighted to have another major supersonic milestone under our belts as we move toward a 2014 start of commercial service,' said Sir Richard Branson. 'The successful completion of all major aspects of the flight mission demonstrates that we are very close to achieving one of Galactic’s key goals: commercializing access to space for the broader public,' said H.E. Khadem Al Qubaisi, chairman of Aabar Investments, a major investor in Virgin Galactic." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSpaceShipTwo flies a little higher and a little faster

Johns Hopkins researchers reverse Down syndrome in mice

"U.S. researchers said Wednesday they have found a way to reverse Down syndrome in newborn lab mice by injecting an experimental compound that causes the brain to grow normally. The team at Johns Hopkins University used lab mice that were genetically engineered to have extra copies of about half the genes found on human chromosome 21, leading to Down syndrome-like conditions such as smaller brains and difficulty learning to navigate a maze. 'It worked beautifully,' said lead author Roger Reeves of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 'We were able to completely normalize growth of the cerebellum through adulthood with that single injection.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJohns Hopkins researchers reverse Down syndrome in mice

Did You Know That Viruses Are Saving Your Life Right Now?

"Phages are an excellent way to combat antibacterial resistance because they adapt to morphing bacteria, whereas antibiotics don’t. Phage therapy has been used successfully to treat acne, and even MRSA. If phages can be controlled, they may become the ultimate antibacterial weapons against the latest deadly superbugs, such as CRE.The Journal of Infection reported impressive success rates with phage therapy in humans, in the range of 80 to 95 percent. The good news is, you already have this wonderful army living in your body, right where nature put it—it’s built-in!" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDid You Know That Viruses Are Saving Your Life Right Now?

Scientists Take Graphene to the Next Level

"Graphene! Graphene! Miracle of miracles! Savior of technology! At least, that’s been the chatter for the last nine or so years, ever since scientists isolated the single-atom-thick carbon derivative. According to a post today in MIT Technology Review, a group of really smart people appear to have solved a major problem with using graphene in transistors by making it act like a switch. There used to be a lot of hand-wringing that we were running up against the upper limits of Moore’s Law when it came to processing power. If we’re talking about silicon, that may be true. But if this graphene stuff is legit, tomorrow’s processors will make today’s look as they were made by Fisher-Price." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingScientists Take Graphene to the Next Level

4-D Printing: The Solution to a $350 Billion Problem?

"Tibbits is working more than a tad bit with a Boston company called Geosyntec to develop a new paradigm in water infrastructure. Rather than use fixed-capacity water pipes, they’re experimenting with nanoscale adaptive materials built from the environment. 4-D printing with adaptive pipes to correct our water piping reminds me a lot of how human veins expand and contract to accommodate blood flow. The 4-D printing solution is similar. 'Imagine if water pipes could expand or contract to change capacity or change flow rate,' Tibbits said in a recent TED talk. 'Or maybe [they] undulate like peristaltics to move the water themselves,' he said." Continue reading →

Continue Reading4-D Printing: The Solution to a $350 Billion Problem?

Richard’s $2 Billion Dollar (Severed) Hand

"Richard Van As, a South African carpenter, lost four of his fingers to a circular saw, reports The Associated Press. An artificial limb — one that could detect the muscles’ electrical impulses and move — would have cost him tens of thousands of dollars. Sadly, he was unable to afford that. Soon after, Van As teamed with an Ivan Owen from Seattle. 10,000 miles separated Van As in Johannesburg from Owen. But with the help of two 3-D printers donated by MakerBot, the two created their own “Robohand” prosthetic. They were able to cut the prototyping time from a week to just 20 minutes. And the cost? Just $500… more than a 95% discount." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingRichard’s $2 Billion Dollar (Severed) Hand

For Virtual Prospectors, Life in the Bitcoin Mines Gets Real

"Aubrey McIntosh has taken up mining in his spare time, and he's finding it hard and hot—even if it's prospecting for a virtual currency and a computer is doing all of the work. Mr. McIntosh, a semiretired chemistry professor in Morris, Minn., is among the growing ranks of enthusiasts who use powerful computers to 'mine,' in insider parlance, 'bitcoins,' an unregulated digital currency. Mr. McIntosh keeps his specialized computer, which he said cost about $1,500 and is custom-built to find bitcoins, near the chimney flue in his basement to try to get rid of all the heat it generates." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFor Virtual Prospectors, Life in the Bitcoin Mines Gets Real

Homeless, Unemployed, and Surviving on Bitcoins

"The internet provides the extra money he needs to buy a meal each and every day. Since setting up a bitcoin wallet about three or four months ago, he has earned somewhere between four or five bitcoins — about $500 to $630 today — through YouTube videos, Bitcoin Tapper, and the occasional donation. And when he does odd jobs for people around Pensacola — here in the physical world — he still gets paid in bitcoin, just because it’s easier and safer. He doesn’t have to worry as much about getting robbed. Jesse Angle isn’t your average homeless person. But he shows that bitcoin is changing the world in more ways than you might imagine." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHomeless, Unemployed, and Surviving on Bitcoins