Category: Technology

A New Lease on Life – Extending the Human Life Span

Researchers are always trying to come up with ways to prevent diseases, and other ailments, in humans. Decades of research has shown that the main cause of many illnesses is the same as that of getting older. They believe that it is possible to learn more about this cellular breakdown by observing the aging process in other species. A study involving the transparent cells of roundworms has revealed a connection between RNA splicing and an organism’s lifespan. Using this information scientists believe that they will be able to find additional ways of fighting disease, and slowing down aging in humans.

RNA splicing is the cellular process by which a single gene is able to produce a variety of proteins. Any mutation that occurs during RNA splicing normally results in disease, and may be the reason for our body’s getting older. In order to gain more knowledge about the aging process, researchers conducted experiments with the Caenorhabditis elegans roundworm. This species has a three week lifespan, during which they show obvious signs of aging.

shutterstock_285993866Fluorescent genetic tools made it possible to see the roundworms’ transparent cells, and the scientists observed certain patterns during RNA splicing of the individual genes. Using the ones that showed premature aging, researchers quickly learned how to predict individual roundworm lifespans before signs of aging appeared. They are confident that this discovery is the start of using RNA splicing as an early indication of aging, which can then be expanded in order to prevent or reverse these signs.

As we stop our cells from getting older, humans would also need to take precautions to maintain their health. This will allow them to live for much longer than the current average lifespan. Some of the other ways researchers believe that we might be able to combat aging are:

Using chromosome extensions to increase the rate of cell division – As we age the cells in our body lose their natural ability to replicate, resulting in aging and inevitably death. The idea behind this theory is that if we are able to extend our ability to continue cell division, we will be able to prolong our lives.

Using the drug Metformin to prevent illness and degeneration – Even though Metformin has been used to treat diabetes for in excess of 60 years, scientists are currently testing the theory that the drug is beneficial to our body’s cells in other ways. Research has shown that it might be able to prevent some forms of cancer, as well as slow down aging by speeding up metabolism and cellular processes. Metformin also releases oxygen into cells, which is the building block of healthy ones.

Scientists also believe that a combination of these and other methods might be the key to longevity, and research continues to find ways of increasing the number of centurions on the planet.

Quantum Computers – The Future of Technology

Many life changing inventions surfaced during the 20th century, and one of the most important was the classic computer.  Most of the technology that we currently use is based on this, in one way or another. The fundamental building block of the computer is the bit, which can only exist in two states ‘0’ and ‘1.’ Algorithms which can be manipulated using either of these states are the basis on which computers currently solve problems. This creates limitations to the issues that a classical computer can address. In order to expand computing and our technological capabilities, researchers have turned to the development of the quantum computer.

In a quantum computer the building blocks, called qubits, can exist in the ‘0’ and ‘1’ states as well as any combination of both. This means that instead of being able to register one solution to a problem at a time, qubits would allow the computer to focus on all possible solutions at the same time! This theory is called quantum parallelism, and when applied to computing will create more effective and faster computers than classical ones. New algorithms are being created to apply to this technology, in order to enable quantum computers to solve some of the world’s hardest problems.

shutterstock_485654209One of the areas that is greatly affected by any technological advancement is the medical field. Through the breaking down of DNA, medical research has proven that treatment which has been modified for each individual tends to be more effective. Even though they have identified that our genes are made up of protein molecules, medical researchers do not have technology that is currently able to analyse these proteins. Quantum computers will be able to map these in the same way that we are currently able to map DNA will a classic computer. This will be a tremendous leap in treating hereditary and deadly diseases, quickly and efficiently, based on an individual’s genetic makeup.

One of the differences between humans and computers is our ability to follow our instincts, and may be what determines life and death for many. Classic computers are currently used to try and pinpoint where and when terrorists may strike. Their ability to identify a target is based exclusively on facts. Quantum computers will be able to expand on this knowledge creating possibilities without having a definitive reason for doing so. In other words, using their intuition!

D-wave is a company that has taken the research into quantum computing to advanced levels. The processors that they have developed use ‘quantum annealing’ to solve problems. This means that they ‘tune’ qubits to return the set of answers which will provide the best possible solution, as well as a list of other options. Using this system D-Wave has developed their flagship product the 1000-cubit D-Wave 2X quantum computer, which is the most advanced in the world. With large companies such as Google, NASA, and the CIA’s In-Q-Tel investing in D-Wave’s technology, it will be no surprise if this is the beginning of an artificial intelligence to rival human capabilities.

Out-of-this-World Holidays – Commercial Space Flight

Most of us would love to be able to explore the far reaching corners of space, and shed some light on the mysteries of the universe. This dream of jumping into a space taxi and taking a trip to the moon is shared by Virgin Galactic, which has put together a team of rocket scientists, engineers and designers in order to ensure the possibility of this happening in the near future. The company believes that everybody should have the opportunity to explore space, and have set out to make this happen.

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Steve Mann / Shutterstock.com

Founded in 2004, Virgin Galactic has had several setbacks during testing; including one which resulted in the unfortunate death of a test pilot. Recently they have made a giant leap forward in their research, however, with a successful solo glide test of their second VSS Unity.  Designed to be the first private airline into the vast unknown, the vessel was launched along with its carrier aircraft White Knight Two from the Mojave Air and Space Port in California. VSS Unity was piloted by Mark Stucky and Dave Mackay, who were flying light and slow. After separating from the carrier the aircraft was able to glide back to the runway from an altitude of 50,000 feet, reaching a maximum speed of Mach 0.6 during the descent.

The vessel’s performance went extremely well and researchers are pleased with the results. The company’s representatives have stated that this is only the first of many glide flights from which they intend to collect and analyse data, in order to determine how the VSS Unity will be able to perform in a variety of real-world flight conditions. After an extensive amount of observation and calculation, Virgin Galactic plan to move on to the rocket powered phase of their test flight program.

An outspoken supporter of the work being done by Virgin Galactic, Stephen Hawking plans to be one of its first passengers. While safety is always the most important part of any program which needs to be taken into consideration, the company does have to move quickly if it is going to become the first to privatize space travel as there are several others that have similar missions. These include: Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which aims at making life multi-planetary, Blue Origin, which plans to be able to have humanity at the edge of space in as little as a year from now, and Bigelow Aerospace that is already drafting their design for a commercial space station. The race into space has certainly taken on a new meaning, and we all look forward to experiencing the results.

Changes to Traditions – Technology at Christmas

Advances in technology have changed the way that we do most things in the world, including celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Some of these changes are obvious and others might not be as noticeable, but do limit the stresses normally surrounding the season. For most people Christmas used to be filled with non-stop running around: buying gifts, wrapping and delivering them, decorating the house, purchasing the groceries and preparing the meal. Most of our time was spent stuck in a queue in one place or another. By the time we got around to relaxing and enjoying the season, we would have to be back at work and regular life.

shutterstock_337077659The internet has changed the way we shop for everything, especially the large amount of presents that we normally buy. We can order most of them from the comfort of our living rooms, and many online companies will even help you plan your Christmas ideas from earlier in the year. Groceries are delivered directly to the house and gifts wrapped and dropped off at the click of a mouse, virtually eliminating the need to wait for long periods in lengthy lines.
Another Christmas tradition that used to be extremely hectic was the buying and mailing of cards. Most of these end up in the bin when the celebrations are over, and there is at least one person that you forget about sending to until the last minute. The internet has made it possible to send ecards, which can be personalized and saves on both paper and effort. Last minute sending is possible, and the time saved avoiding the post office lines can be spent warming up with a glass of spiced cider.

One of the best parts about decorating your house is arriving home to see the lights blinking, after following Rudolph’s bright red, nose down the street. Unfortunately, this used to be enjoyed exclusively by your neighbors, as the lights would never be blinking until you got inside and turned them on yourself. The invention of smartphones with apps that can turn on your Christmas lights, before you reach your driveway, has made it possible to actually enjoy the fruits of your decorative labor.

shutterstock_235354942For most people Christmas is a time for family, and everybody would end up crammed into grandma’s house for the majority of the season. Even though we all love sleeping on the living room floor with cousins that we only see once a year, with families now scattered across the world this is not always an option. Skype, and social media, have made it possible for us to see and celebrate with loved ones over long distances. It is a great way to feel closer to home, when we have no choice but to be far away. Partaking in the festive drinks via your laptop and seeing hundreds of Facebook photos, means that Christmas is always spent close to loved ones. Perhaps as close as you really want to be.

Bioprinting – The Future of Organ Donations

The idea of being able to make functional human organs, instead of waiting for uncertain donations, is not a new one. The demand for organs has always been higher than the supply, and there is the additional obstacle of the receiver’s body rejecting it even when a perfect match has been found. Research has facilitated the beginning of the production of useable organs, which still needs to be refined before functionality will be possible. This would solve two major problems currently involved with organ transplant: the lack of available organs and the possibility of rejection, as each is custom made from the patient’s own cells.

shutterstock_526170505Bioprinting is the name given to this process, and is basically the 3D printing of human tissue. It begins with creating an ink from living human cells, and layering them together to form the tissue. Most bioprinting is currently undertaken by independent laboratories, under carefully monitored conditions. This means that those who would be using the organs do not have the actual facilities to make them. The Queensland University of Technology and the Metro North Hospital and Health Service have formed a partnership in order to change this. This collaboration has set out to establish a ‘biofabrication institute,’ which will be able to undertake all the steps needed to print the patient’s tissue and use it in one place.

The ultimate goal is to be able to produce organs which are transplantable, and having all the experts working in one place will significantly increase the rate of progression. There are three main steps that need to be taken in order to produce an end result: scanning, making a 3D model and engineering human tissue. Opening in 2017, the institute will be located at the Herston Health Precinct and will be able to do all three. It will also contain learning centres and an innovation hub. Bringing together the most knowledgeable persons in the field is essential in producing the best results for patients.

shutterstock_406842811The cost of a transplant would also decrease over time, as the organ is unlikely to be rejected by the body. This means that there will be much less aftercare needed, and the use of antibiotics and metallic implants practically eliminated. The 3D printing of organs is just the beginning, as engineers are hoping to progress to 3D printing of bones and customized prosthetics. The specifics also mean that drugs can be tailored to each patient’s needs. Bioprinting continues to be a source of hope for many, as the need for organs increases daily, and the creation of the institute has given a new lease on life to those that continue waiting.

Devastation to Determination – Using Storms for Energy

Increasing technology not only provides us with ways of doing things that we were previously unable to do, but also gives us the ability to turn natural, unavoidable disasters into a source of clean energy. Taking into considering the typhoons which plague his country Japanese engineer, Atsushi Shimizu, and his team have designed a wind turbine that is capable of harvesting energy from the power that they generate.

38ebe21400000578-3813817-image-a-6_1475159798050These large storms are created in regions of low atmospheric pressure, with winds which can exceed 85 mph. Japan has been using European designed wind turbines which have been proven to be incapable of withstanding the force behind the typhoons, and many of them are destroyed by the winds. Shimizu’s eggbeater shaped turbine has been specifically designed to withstand these conditions with two vital changes to the traditional design.

The first thing needed was to ensure that the machine would be able to handle Japan’s unpredictable wind patterns, which the team was able to do by installing an omnidirectional vertical axis. The Magnus effect, which is the sideways force that causes a spinning object to deviate from a straight path, was also added to the design. This combination significantly increases the level of control extended over the turbines blades, and the centre rod can be tightened to adjust their speed ensuring that they won’t be able to spin out of control during a storm.

Shimizu has estimated that the kinetic energy produced by a single typhoon would be able to power his country for about 50 years, if they were able to harvest it. Turning a natural disaster into a source of energy is an amazing opportunity, and would be the solution to the energy problem that Japan now faces. The country’s plan had been for 60% of their energy supply to be from nuclear power by 2100. However, a tsunami which hit them in 2011 caused three nuclear meltdowns, and resulted in the reconsideration of this energy source.

Japan is currently importing about 80% of its energy, and there is also a significant increase in its usage of solar power. Shimizu is convinced that the large amount of wind power available in the country would be significantly more beneficial once harvested. His team has installed their first prototype in Okinawa and are currently waiting for a typhoon to test its power. With at least six typhoons hitting the country in the past year it is safe to say that the wait won’t be long, and the engineer is likely to see his dream of changing the country’s future with a single turbine coming true sooner rather than later.