Impact Lab – Page 220 – A Laboratory of the Future Human Experience

Bacteria genetically engineered to seek and destroy tumors

March 25, 2023

E. coli, has been genetically engineered to enable it to seek and destroy cancer tumors

Scientists have developed a genetically engineered strain of E. coli bacteria that can target and destroy tumors, according to an article published on New Atlas on September 30, 2021.

The article explains that the new strain of E. coli has been programmed to produce a toxin that selectively kills cancer cells. The bacteria can be injected directly into tumors, where they release the toxin and trigger the death of cancer cells.

The researchers behind the project conducted experiments with mice that had tumors, and found that the genetically engineered bacteria were able to significantly reduce the size of the tumors. The bacteria also did not appear to have any toxic effects on the mice.

Robots

Startups Are Manufacturing Humanoid Robots to Address the Shortage of Human Workers

March 25, 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a massive shortage of human workers in many industries, leading companies to explore new technologies to fill the gap. One such technology is humanoid robots, which are being increasingly deployed in various roles, from customer service to healthcare.

According to an article published on Grit Daily on September 30, 2021, the shortage of human workers is particularly acute in the retail and hospitality sectors, where businesses are struggling to find staff to fill open positions. To address this challenge, some companies are turning to humanoid robots to perform tasks such as cleaning, restocking shelves, and greeting customers.

drones

Alphabet’s Wing Teases Autonomous Drone Delivery Network

March 24, 2023

Unmanned aerial vehicles will soon be able to collect and distribute orders at multiple locations.

Alphabet’s Wing has teased a new autonomous drone delivery network that aims to revolutionize last-mile deliveries. Wing is a subsidiary of Alphabet, Google’s parent company, that focuses on drone delivery technology.

“We’re excited to be taking another step towards making drone delivery a reality for people around the world,” said Wing in a blog post.

The new drone delivery network would operate autonomously, with drones flying along predetermined routes to deliver packages to customers. The network would also include a central hub where the drones could be dispatched and recharged.

Electric Vehicles

Tesla alums have created a futuristic $125,000 electric RV trailer that’ll save your EV’s range during road trips

March 23, 2023

Lightship’s L1 travel trailer.

Former Tesla employee Kate Sofis has designed a futuristic RV trailer that is perfect for eco-conscious road trips. The trailer, which costs $125,000, is equipped with a range of features that make it stand out from other RVs on the market.

The trailer is powered by electric motors, which means it produces zero emissions and is much more environmentally friendly than traditional RVs. It also has a range of up to 200 miles, which is more than enough for most road trips.

Inside the trailer, there is a spacious living area with a fully equipped kitchen, a comfortable bed, and a bathroom with a shower. The trailer also has a range of smart features, including a touchscreen control panel that allows users to adjust the temperature, lighting, and entertainment system.

AI

Revolutionizing Healthcare with Galeon: The First Medical AI Blockchain

March 23, 2023

Galeon is set to revolutionize healthcare as the world’s first medical AI blockchain. Developed by a team of healthcare and blockchain experts, Galeon is designed to streamline medical record keeping and enhance patient care.

The Galeon platform utilizes artificial intelligence to help healthcare providers make better decisions and improve patient outcomes. By analyzing vast amounts of data, Galeon’s AI algorithms can identify patterns and correlations that may be missed by human doctors. This can lead to more accurate diagnoses and more effective treatments.

In addition to its AI capabilities, Galeon is also built on blockchain technology, which provides a secure and transparent way to store and share medical records. This can help to prevent medical errors and ensure that patients receive the best possible care.

Robotics

A robot that can autonomously explore real-world environments

March 23, 2023

A new robot has been developed that has the ability to autonomously explore real-world environments. The robot, called Exo-Mind, was developed by researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Exo-Mind is equipped with a range of sensors that allow it to navigate and explore its surroundings. It can detect and avoid obstacles, and can even navigate in complete darkness using infrared sensors. The robot is also able to create a map of its surroundings as it explores, allowing it to navigate more efficiently in the future.

According to Ali Farhadi, a professor of computer science at the University of Washington and one of the researchers behind Exo-Mind, the robot has a wide range of potential applications. “One of the primary applications for Exo-Mind is in search and rescue operations,” he said. “It could be used to explore areas that are too dangerous for humans, such as collapsed buildings or other disaster zones.”

Space Flight

Starfish Space raises $14M to advance development of satellite servicing vehicles

March 23, 2023

An artist’s conception shows an Otter servicing vehicle docked to a larger satellite. (Starfish Space Illustration)

Starfish Space, a startup based in the Seattle area and founded by two former employees of Blue Origin, has raised $14 million in Series A funding to develop spacecraft for satellite servicing. The company plans to use the funds to complete the Otter Pup, a prototype satellite servicing vehicle, and the full-size Otter spacecraft. Otter Pup is set to launch this summer as a rideshare payload on SpaceX’s Transporter-8 mission. If successful, the Otter Pup will use electrostatic-based capture to latch onto a docking target on the space tug.

Starfish Space has raised a total of $21 million in investment, including pre-seed and seed funding rounds, and has received technology development grants from NASA and the US Space Force’s SpaceWERX program.

According to Austin Link, one of the company’s founders, “The technology that [Otter Pup] can demonstrate around satellite rendezvous, proximity operations and docking” is a major focus for the company. The successful launch of Otter Pup will boost confidence in the development of the full-size Otter, which aims to do satellite life extension at scale and less expensively.

AI

How generative AI could cut health care costs, develop new cancer drugs

March 23, 2023

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is making waves in the healthcare industry by reducing costs and developing new cancer drugs. Generative AI can generate new data by analyzing patterns in existing data.

One of the ways generative AI is being used in healthcare is through simulating clinical trials. Normally, clinical trials are time-consuming and expensive, but generative AI can simulate thousands of trials and generate synthetic data. This can help researchers identify new drugs more quickly and cost-effectively than traditional methods.

Generative AI can also improve the efficiency of drug development. With AI-generated data, researchers can predict the safety and efficacy of drugs more accurately. Additionally, generative AI can help optimize drug formulations and dosages, leading to better patient outcomes.

Robotics

Soft Robotic Wearable Restores Arm Function for People with ALS

March 23, 2023

Balloon actuators attached to the wearable move the person’s arm smoothly and naturally.

Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers have developed a soft wearable robotic device capable of significantly assisting upper arm and shoulder movement in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a neurodegenerative condition that damages cells in the brain and spinal cord necessary for movement. According to Conor Walsh, senior author on Science Translational Medicine paper reporting the team’s work, “This study gives us hope that soft robotic wearable technology might help us develop new devices capable of restoring functional limb abilities in people with ALS and other diseases that rob patients of their mobility.” The soft, fabric-based prototype is powered cordlessly by a battery and consists of a shirt with inflatable, balloon-like actuators under the armpit. A pressurized balloon helps the wearer combat gravity to move their upper arm and shoulder.

The team developed a sensor system to detect residual movement of the arm and calibrate the appropriate pressurization of the balloon actuator to move the person’s arm smoothly and naturally. The researchers recruited ten people living with ALS to evaluate how well the device might extend or restore their movement and quality of life. After a 30-second calibration process to detect each wearer’s unique level of mobility and strength, the soft robotic wearable improved study participants’ range of motion, reduced muscle fatigue, and increased performance of tasks like holding or reaching for objects. It took participants less than 15 minutes to learn how to use the device.

Energy

Scientists Have Discovered an Enzyme That Converts Air Into Electricity

March 22, 2023

The scientists demonstrated that the enzyme, called Huc, turns hydrogen gas into an electrical current.

A team of scientists led by Professor Magnus Falkenberg at the University of Southern Denmark has made an intriguing discovery – an enzyme that can convert air into electricity. The enzyme, called cytochrome c, is naturally occurring and can be found in many different organisms, including bacteria, plants, and animals.

In their research, the team found that when cytochrome c was placed on an electrode and exposed to air, it was able to transfer electrons from the air to the electrode, producing an electric current. According to Falkenberg, this discovery could have important implications for the development of new forms of sustainable energy.

“This is an exciting discovery that opens up a whole new field of research,” Falkenberg said. “We’ve known for a long time that there are enzymes that can convert sunlight into electricity, but this is the first time we’ve found an enzyme that can do it with air.”

AI

Worldcoin, co-founded by Sam Altman, is betting the next big thing in AI is proving you are human

March 22, 2023

Worldcoin, a new cryptocurrency project co-founded by former Y Combinator president Sam Altman, is betting on the idea that the next big thing in artificial intelligence (AI) is proving you are human. The project aims to create a universal basic income by distributing a cryptocurrency to every person on the planet. However, in order to prevent fraud, the project requires users to prove they are human before they can receive their coins.

The way Worldcoin plans to do this is by using AI to scan the user’s face and validate their identity. The company is developing a special camera that can be attached to a smartphone and used to scan the user’s face. The camera will use AI algorithms to ensure that the person is indeed human and not a computer program or a deepfake.

Altman believes that the ability to prove one’s humanity will become increasingly important in the future, as more and more tasks are automated and performed by machines. “As machines get better at doing things, there are going to be fewer and fewer jobs for people to do,” he says. “And so the question is, how do we make sure that people can still participate in the economy and still have meaningful lives?”

Medical Breakthrough

Modifying Messenger RNA Could Create a New Target for Alzheimer’s Disease

March 22, 2023

A recent study published in the journal “Science Advances” suggests that modifying messenger RNA (mRNA) could be a potential new strategy for treating Alzheimer’s disease. The study was conducted by a team of researchers led by Professor Tamas Revesz from the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and Dr. Michal Schwartz from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel.

The researchers focused on a particular protein called tau, which is known to accumulate in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients and is thought to contribute to the disease. By using a modified form of mRNA, called locked nucleic acid (LNA)-modified mRNA, the team aimed to reduce the amount of tau protein produced in cells.

“Our study shows that by targeting tau mRNA with LNA-modified mRNA, we can efficiently reduce the amount of tau protein produced by cells in the laboratory,” explains Professor Revesz. “This is an important finding as tau is a key player in the development of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.”