Detailed analysis of salamander regeneration

Technology Review discusses the work of Gerald Pao, a postdoctoral researcher at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, to perform a detailed genetic analysis of the axolotl salamander’s DNA and the precise molecular processes of successful regeneration. Pao and his collaborators won one billion bases’ worth of free sequencing from Roche Applied Science, based in …

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Solutions that are cared about most poll results

The last poll results are here The top results were: Improve humanity (safe singularity) 59 out of 284 (21%)Effective anti-aging treatment 56 out of 284 (20%)Stronger economy (triple growth or more) 55 out of 284 (19%)Peak Oil solutions 32 out of 284 (11%)Reduce CO2 from transportation and energy 20 out of 284 (7%)Cure disease (cancer, …

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Further improvement of buildings for more resistance to nuclear bomb effects

This a follow up to prior article about re-inventing civil defense using simple and affordable defenses for residential buildings, such as better nails (hurriquake nails which you can buy from amazon.com.) This is not a plan to make buildings nuclear blast proof, but a lot more blast resistant. A direct hit would be too tough …

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Self-assembling polymer arrays improve data storage potential

In a collaborative effort between academic and industry, chemical and biological engineering professors Nealey and Juan de Pablo and other colleagues from the UW-Madison NSEC partnered with researchers from Hitachi Global Storage Technologies to test a promising new twist on the traditional computer memory and storage methods. In the Aug. 15 issue of the journal …

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Myostatin manipulation doubling lean muscle

Wired talks about new strength and muscle enhancement technology Johns Hopkins’ Se-Jin Lee recently found that overproduction of one myostatin inhibitor pumps the mice up even more than previous results instead of 60% up to 81 percent in females and a whopping 116 percent in males. Results of human clinical trials are pending. Researchers at …

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Restored liver function helps prevent cellular aging and keep organs young

Researchers at Yeshiva University have used transgenic mice to turn on a process that helps keep the liver of older mice young and healthy. Using a double transgenic mouse model that could be modulated to selectively increase the number of receptors for damaged proteins, they found that the process of chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) could be …

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Finally Diamond Mechanosynthesis Viability Experiments funded for $3.1 million

Finally experiments have been funded to test the viability of diamond mechanosynthesis as described in detail by Robert Freitas and Ralph Merkle. This is a major step towards achieving the long held vision of molecular nanotechnology as envisioned by Eric Drexler. UPDATE: Based on an interview of Robert Freitas in 2007. Based on the computational …

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MIT transportation plan

MIT has a transportation plan from now until 2035 For the near term (up to 15 years), we should increase our efforts to improve light-duty vehicle engines and transmissions, but all improvements must go toward increasing fuel efficiency rather than making cars bigger and faster. Also critical is reducing vehicle weight and size. For the …

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More Performance and cognitive enhancement

Popular Science looks at Juicing 3.0 Better nootropic cognitive enhancers comingModafinil is but one of a dozen or so “neural enhancers” currently available in pharmacies that scientists say could enhance athletic performance. Popping FDA-approved Parkinson’s meds and antidepressants might not seem like cheating, but studies suggest that a positive mental attitude improves mental focus, contributing …

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Powering exoskeletons and other vehicles: Revolutionary electric and fuel engines

The highest power to weight ratio electric or combustion engines could be used to power the Sarcos exoskeleton [as well as enable radically more efficient planes, cars, motorcycles and scooters]. The Sarcos exoskeleton just needs a good powersource and engine to power the hydraulics for it to enhance the strength and endurance of someone who …

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