Interesting things happening in the world now.
July 2013
Printable ‘bionic’ ear melds electronics and biology
Using 3-D printing tools, scientists at Princeton University have created a functional ear that can “hear” radio frequencies far beyond the range of normal human capability. The researchers’ primary purpose was to explore an efficient and versatile method of merging electronics with tissue. The scientists used 3-D printing of cells and nanoparticles — with an off-the-shelf printer purchased off the Internet — followed by cell culture to combine a small coil antenna with cartilage, creating what they term a bionic ear.
HEAVEN: The head anastomosis venture Project outline for the first human head transplantation with spinal linkage (GEMINI)
In 1970, the first cephalosomatic linkage was achieved in the monkey. However, the technology did not exist for reconnecting the spinal cord, and this line of research was no longer pursued. In this paper, an outline for the first total cephalic exchange in man is provided and spinal reconnection is described. The use of fusogens, special membrane-fusion substances, is discussed in view of the first human cord linkage. Several human diseases without cure might benefit from the procedure.
June 2013
What Does Human Brain Mapping Actually Tell Us?
Google “brain” right now and you’ll find a mountain of news stories on a development known as the BigBrain project, which came out just yesterday: Researchers in Europe and Canada have just mapped the human brain with a precision that’s so strikingly detailed, that it’s unprecedented in humans – and it’s in 3D.
‘Standing man’ inspires silent demonstration in Turkey
Istanbul (CNN) — A single man stood silently in Istanbul’s Taksim Square for hours Monday night, defying police who broke up weekend anti-government protests with tear gas and water cannon and drawing hundreds of others to his vigil.
For more than five hours, he appeared to stare at a portrait of Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the modern Turkish state. Police eventually moved in to arrest many of those who joined him, but whether Erdem Gunduz — a performance artist quickly dubbed the “standing man” — was in custody was unclear early Tuesday.
Losing my religion for equality (from 2009, but still poignant)
Women and girls have been discriminated against for too long in a twisted interpretation of the word of God. I HAVE been a practising Christian all my life and a deacon and Bible teacher for many years. My faith is a source of strength and comfort to me, as religious beliefs are to hundreds of millions of people around the world.
Wireless bio-absorbable circuits could kill bacteria
Remote-controlled, dissolvable electronic implants have been created that could help attack microbes, provide pain relief and stimulate bone growth.
The spread of bacteria resistant to antibiotics – popularly called superbugs – is threatening to put the clock back 100 years to the time when routine, minor surgery was life-threatening. Some medical experts are warning that otherwise straightforward operations could soon become deadly unless new ways to fend off these infections are found.
May 2013
On Being
Krista Tippett radio interview: A Shift to Humility: Andrew Zolli on Resilience and Expanding the Edge of Change
Stamp-On Circuits Could Put Your Phone On Your Finger
Transistors. Resistors. Capacitors. Inductors. Diodes. RF antennas. Inductive coils. Lithium ion batteries. These are the components of microprocessors, wireless communications, and energy storage. Today you’ll find them in your phone. Tomorrow, you may wear them right on your body.
Coca-Cola Small World Machines – Bringing India & Pakistan Together
In March 2013, Coca-Cola set out to break down barriers and create a simple moment of connection between two nations — India and Pakistan. The initiative “Small World Machines” provided a live communications portal between people in India and Pakistan and showed that what unites us is stronger than what sets us apart.
Xbox 360’s Kinect causes trouble for users during next-gen livestream reveal
Xbox 360 Kinect owners had some trouble today watching Microsoft’s Xbox One reveal due to device’s response to “Xbox” commands spoken during the livestream.
Several users took to Twitter to document their problems, which included pausing, opening Xbox Live or quitting the stream entirely. Polygon’s own reviews editor Arthur Gies experienced similar problems with his Kinect while watching the stream.
WHAT EVERYBODY OUGHT TO KNOW…ABOUT THE NEW MYTH OF EXPERIENCE
This article has a thread of over 100 comments on Linked in wonder why?…
“We are living in an age of networks, not hierarchies, knowledge and wisdom is distributed rather than concentrated among gray hairs.” This quote appeared in the May 2011 issue of Fast Company under the title of “Life In Beta: A Case For Changing The Way We View Mentors” by Anna Kamenetz.
Can Futurists shape the Future?
Jules Verne first started the futurology movement around 150 years ago by predicting amazing future technologies in science fiction classics such as Journey to the Centre of the Earth and Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea. Ever since, futurology has evolved and expanded in terms of reach, popularity, diversity, social application and scientific vision.
Four Out of 10 Recent College Grads are Underemployed, New Accenture Research Finds
Young workers want more training but employers disappoint. NEW YORK; April 30, 2013 – U.S. employers are underutilizing the capabilities of young, college-educated workers, according to new research by Accenture (NYSE: ACN) that reveals that 41 percent of workers who graduated from college in the past two years say they are underemployed and working in jobs that do not require their college degrees. The research also reveals that, despite their degrees, nearly two-thirds (63 percent) say they will need more training in order to get their desired job.
April 2013
Innovation and the future of universities
It is widely accepted that creativity and innovation are more than ever before the key resource for individuals and societies. Innovation is now the main avenue towards job creation and economic growth and the only route to a sustainable future.
There’s A Critical Difference Between Creativity And Innovation
There’s a lot of confusion surrounding creativity and innovation. “Creative types,” in particular, claim that creativity and innovation can’t be measured. Performance, however, demands measurement
You Lookin’ at Me? Reflections on Google Glass.
by Jan Chipchase. There is but one remedy for the Glass wearer — a bucket of ice water in the face whenever you suspect he has taken you unawares…
Never Mind Facebook; Winklevoss Twins Rule in Digital Money
The Winklevii, as they are known, have amassed since last summer what appears to be one of the single largest portfolios of the digital money…
Innovation For Dummies
Why being too smart, isn’t too smart. The infinitely quotable—and really smart—Albert Einstein once said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”…
Biological transistor enables computing within living cells, study says
A team of Stanford University bioengineers has taken computing beyond mechanics and electronics into the living realm of biology…
Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics
Whether human genes can be patented…
New Interface Allows Humans to Move a Rat’s Tail With Their Thoughts
In what might be the first documented case of technologically-assisted interspecies telepathy, an international team of researchers has successfully created a non-invasive brain-to-brain interface that allows humans to make a rat move involuntarily…
Fancy that hat Rihanna’s wearing on TV? Shazam wants to help you track it down
The company behind the hugely popular smartphone tool is turning its focus on viewers’ consumption with a ‘one-click’ information service…
Now My Kinect Can Tell Me If I’m Depressed With 90% Accuracy
Kinect may not still be the end-all must have device in the living room for the gamer set but it is still being used for something much more interesting…
Swarm of Robots Could be Future of Medicine and Military, Researcher Says
British researchers are currently developing robot swarms that could ultimately lead to a better understanding of how a group of machines could work together in order to fulfill any given task …
What Americans Keep Ignoring About Finland’s School Success
The Scandinavian country is an education superpower because it values equality more than excellence…