Technology & Society
It’s been called the “rapture of the nerds,” but such derision didn’t stop an estimated 500 enthusiasts from showing up to the Singularity Institute’s conference in San Jose, Calif., last weekend to discuss the possibility of artificial intelligence overtaking that
From Financial Times: “A Sheffield company has launched a “virtual rat” computer programme, which it claims will mimic drug trials on animals. Simcyp, spun out of Sheffield University, has specialised for the past seven years in creating virtual populations, essentially
Chipmaker Intel said this week that despite its record US$10.2 billion in revenue for the third quarter, the company is worried that the global economic crisis will affect future performance. Despite such a general malaise across the industry, however, there
A new magazine called H+ has launched and I have an article in its first edition (“Science Fiction Gets Funding”). It’s edited by cyberculture icon RU Sirius and is published by Humanity Plus (aka the World Transhumanist Association). Here’s some
From the WSJ: “Even with the credit crisis, the telecommunications industry is in better shape than it has ever been in. It is now competitive, relatively flush with subscribers and strategic options….“You’re not seeing the same liquidity issues and hue
Here’s the story. “Up to a fifth of adults, including college students and shift workers, may be using cognitive enhancers, a poll of 1,400 by Nature journal suggests. “
Well, for older people perhaps, according to UCLA researchers. “A simple, everyday task like searching the web appears to enhance brain circuitry in older adults, demonstrating that our brains are sensitive and can continue to learn as we grow older,”
Complete Genomics, a startup based in Mountain View, says it can sequence an entire genome for $1000 in materials costs and will sell it for $5000 to cover the costs of labor etc. If that’s correct, they should be in
The financial crisis currently consuming the U.S. has led tech industry leaders, such as Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer, to speak out in favor of quick Congressional action. Tech stocks, as well as general stocks, have plummeted, and there is confusion over
A study by Dr. Dean Ornish and his team showed that lifestyle changes including diet, exercise, and stress management techniques made a difference in telomerase levels. “Telomerase repairs and lengthens telomeres, which are DNA-protein complexes at the end of chromosomes
“If successful, the technique could be used to improve the quality of hearing in people with cochlear implants — and one day it may even help restore hearing to those who are totally deaf.” Read the story at Better Humans.
Here’s the story from Wired. “With the help of gene therapy, two people who once were blind now can see.[…] Cideciyan’s study, published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is one of three simultaneous trials of
Earlier this week, European regulators said that they are investigating the online advertising deal between Google and Yahoo, even though that deal affects only the U.S. and Canadian markets. Such a revelation is a disturbing sign of the globalization of
Here’s what Camille Paglia has to say.
Longevinex, a company that makes nutracuticals, recently took issue with the idea that large doses of resveratrol help fight the aging process. Instead, they say that lower doses work better when combined with other substances. In discussing their product, they
Popular genetics testing firm 23andMe just got cheaper b/c of upgrades to the chips it uses to do the tests (now it’s $399 compared with $999). Here’s the story.
Finally, a scientific excuse for academics: A Université Laval research team has demonstrated that intellectual work induces a substantial increase in calorie intake. The details of this discovery, which could go some way to explaining the current obesity epidemic, are
It’s called deepglamour.net and she says: “With tart commentary and probing analysis, we’ll be examining glamour, allure, and the seductive images we find throughout media and culture.” Great! Looking forward to reading it, Virginia!
Here is an article and video about Intel’s plan to deliver wireless power. Note that if we can charge a laptop using wireless tech, we can also charge robots etc.
From the Associated Press: “Alabama, pushed to second in national obesity rankings by deep-fried Southern favorites, is cracking down on state workers who are too fat. The state has given its 37,527 employees a year to start getting fit —