Tag Archives: Science

What Ray Guns And Cats Have In Common

20 Monday Jul 2015

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IFLS just did an article on some new, science fiction-y technology headed out way. Some scientists have invented a “small handheld ultrasonic emitter that accelerates tissue repair…healing times could be reduced by 30%. This both increases comfort for the patient and shortens how long the wound is susceptible to infection.”

ray gun healing medical technology

Probably not what it looks like.

This is way cool. IFLS compares the invention to Star Trek’s medical ray gun, although of course that instrument provides instantaneous healing (methinks we’re a ways off from that yet). Essentially, this device reinvigorates cells and “jump starts” the healing process. As the article explains, “[t]he ultrasound device works by inducing nano-vibrations in the membranes and surrounding environments of skin cells.” The scientists are very optimistic about various uses for ultrasound technology in the future.

There was an interesting tie-in when IFLS asked (and partially answered) Why Do Cats Purr?

“Vibrations in the body have been shown to promote healing.

This raises the fascinating possibility that purring is actually a way for cats to heal themselves. While ultrasound has been shown to accelerate skin healing, and high frequency vibration training increases muscle power, some suggest that a cat’s purring can help to increase its bone density. This would fit the idea that athletes have denser bones on average as a result of vibrations when their feet hit the floor during exercise.

With such sedentary life styles, it might actually make sense that cats would need to increase healing and bone density while effectively lounging around for most of the day. It would also explain why cats purr when sick or injured.”

So it looks like cats are one step ahead of us. Also, apparently purring is a superpower. It would certainly be an interesting superpower. Someone needs to write this superpower into a book! Wait! I know a writer!

And, just because, here’s a nine hour video of a cat purring:
https://youtu.be/IWVaqk4H7b0
For your health! You’re welcome.

One Step Closer To The Jetsons

13 Monday Jul 2015

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First, I’ll have to admit that I didn’t watch much of the Jetsons. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I didn’t like it, or didn’t want to, I just never had much opportunity. My family didn’t have TV when I was growing up (by choice), and when I did watch TV, it was usually Xena or something my sister watched (like Buffy the Vampire Slayer).

Still, what I remember are bright colors and lots and lots of flying cars. In fact, everything seemed to be robotocized and flying in that show. That was why, when I saw this IFLS article, I immediately thought, “It’s just like the Jetsons!”

Jetson's future drones flying cars

Anyways. This is a ways away from flying cars, but it’s still pretty cool:

Switzerland Could be Receiving Post by Drone

So apparently Switzerland is cooler than we are. I mean, yeah, we have a lot more area to cover, which poses logistical issues, but this puts them WAY ahead of us. Our mail system is SAD.

So kudos, Switzerland. You’re rockin’ it.

We Can’t Cure Cancer, But Can We Cure Old Age?

09 Thursday Jul 2015

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Almost a year ago, I wrote a post called The Blood Countess was right… sort of. It was spurred by news of the scientific discovery that young blood injected into older mice had rejuvenating effects on the old mice. Well, this research is still going on.

IFLS reports that Blocking “Pro-Aging” Molecule Could Reverse Memory Loss.

It would be interesting if transplanting young blood ever became reality for humans. In fact, it sounds like a good premise for a dystopic novel. There’s already a shortage of donated blood in hospitals. What if blood also became a luxury commodity? I can imagine a black market for blood. People could be kidnapped and/or killed for their blood. But maybe then there might be blood “donor” clinics where you could be paid for your blood. Certain lucky people of rare blood types might get paid more than people of more common blood types. If anyone wants to use this idea, go for it (although I wouldn’t mind a shout out. ;)

blood cells science youth aging reversal

I am excited about this as a scientific advancement though. I’m all for reducing the awfulness of aging. Prolonging life indefinitely would obviously have some severe consequences as well (not the least of which would be overpopulation), but if lifespans were around the same length but with less suffering? That sounds amazing.

What do you think, readers?

Break Out The Tin Foil Hats

11 Thursday Jun 2015

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Elon Musk Wants To Launch 4,000 Satellites That Will Provide Internet From Space

Alternative title: Elon Musk Wants To Launch 4,000 Satellites To Control Your Every Move.

That’s right people: mind control. 4,000 inescapable satellites sounds like enough firepower to get a start on that.

Just kidding. It’s really the aliens that will brainwash us to become their slaves.

I'm not saying it was aliens... but it was aliens.

In all seriousness, I’m stoked about Musk’s project. There have been other people/companies with ridiculous amounts of money that have tackled this in the past, and there are numerous financial and logistical obstacles in the way yet, but I think this is a step in the right direction.

Musk seems to be looking to tackle the financial problems first – their satellites are less expensive that those of previous attempts. Size and material costs have been minimized, so hopefully his project gets a little traction, at least. Internet anywhere? Yes, please.

What do you think, readers? Are you excited, or do you think there are too many obstacles to have even a hope of succeeding?

World-Ending Lasers On The Horizon

08 Monday Jun 2015

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We Could Have Lasers More Powerful Than Exploding Stars In Just 5 Years (IFLS)

Scientists have been playing with lasers again. They’ve figured out how to create matter/antimatter collisions, which sparks bursts of gamma rays.

Yes, you read me right: gamma rays.

Gamma ray bursts are a powerful explosion of energy that are emitted from extremely massive, energetic stellar objects, like black holes or exploding stars.

Hasn’t anyone seen the Hulk? You know, big, green, angry, and unstoppable?

But it gets better.

Perplexingly, no one knows which mechanisms are responsible for GRBs

So we can create these gamma ray bursts, but we don’t know why what we’re doing causes them.

Sounds perfectly safe.

Now, don’t get me wrong, lasers are awesome. I love lasers as much as the next sci-fi fan. But this sounds… unsafe. Since we’re playing with energies in the leagues of “black holes and exploding stars,” maybe we should conduct these studies, you know, off-planet? Or in another galaxy altogether? Just saying.

Then again…
https://youtu.be/Bh7bYNAHXxw

If we don’t pursue science, how will we ever get sharks with lasers on their heads?

Living Concrete

25 Monday May 2015

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Have you ever noticed how things built today don’t seem to last like things built “yesterday?” Seriously, look at some of the structures built in ancient times: Stonehenge comes to mind, as well as the Coliseum in Rome and castles across Europe. Then you look at buildings today and how quickly they seem to deteriorate. True, we’re trying to build faster and cheaper, trying to be more efficient with our resources. Maybe the things we’re building don’t need to last that long.

But maybe we’re just waiting for the technology we need to come along. Like self-healing concrete. IFLS wrote an article called Self-Healing Concrete Repairs Its Own Cracks.

A brilliant microbiologist came up with the idea of having a particular kind of bacteria encapsulated inside concrete used for building. When the concrete grows old and cracks, moisture creeps in and releases the bacteria. The bacteria then revive. When the bacteria eat the “food” encapsulated with them, they produce limestone to fill the cracks in the concrete.

Voila, self-healing concrete.

No more navigating this minefield to avoid "breaking your mother's back."

No more navigating this minefield to avoid “breaking your mother’s back.”

Even cooler, these bacteria can lie dormant for centuries until needed. Now there’s an insurance policy that’ll keep you covered.

For more details, check out IFLS’s article above. The technology is a little expensive right now, but scientists are seeking to develop cheaper options without compromising the effectiveness.

Future concrete: it’s alive!

What do you think, readers? Is this cool or what?

Bionic Eyes: yes, but can you make them look like cat eyes?

18 Monday May 2015

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If you’re like me, your vision is totally shitty. You can’t get by without glasses, contacts hurt your eyes, and you’re about ready to just go get a blindfold and one of those sticks that blind people use. If you’re like me, you’re considering laser vision surgery, but that costs a lot and the idea of someone using lasers on your eyeballs freaks you out.

If you’re like me, you think this article, B.C. doctor says perfect vision possible with Bionic Lens, is totally awesome.

Bionic eye

Not what it will look like.

Dr. Garth Webb of Ocumetics has created a lens that would be implanted in your eye to replace the natural lens there. This would result in superior vision without the deterioration we see in natural eyes.

Now, this technology is only in prototype stage, but what if it can really do what it advertises? I imagine there will be stumbling blocks along the way. There always are, and it’s usually a good idea to temper optimism with practicality. But if this procedure really does end up being as fast and painless as advertised? Certainly many professionals in the industry are excited.

Maybe the day is coming where everyone can have perfect vision.

My question is: perfect vision is awesome, but can you also make my eyes look like cat eyes? ;)

What do you think, readers?

What Can You Do Without A Brain?

27 Monday Apr 2015

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Vsauce knows:

So while referring to people as “brainless” is metaphorically pleasing, it is scientifically inaccurate.

Now you know.

Chocolate: The Latest Health Food

13 Monday Apr 2015

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Well, okay, not really, but scientists have discovered how to make it healthier than it is!

Scientists Work Out How To Make Chocolate Healthier And More Flavorful

So binging on cheap chocolate with never reduce your waist-line, but as IFLS puts it:

Good news, chocoholics: Scientists have found a way to not only make chocolate more nutritious, but also to enhance its taste. Praise science!

We’ve all seen the articles touting the benefits of chocolate, especially dark chocolate, with some of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Eating small amounts regularly can theoretically help result in lower blood pressure and a reduced chance of stroke and cardiovascular diseases.

The good news is, scientists have figured out how to enhance those beneficial properties. The great news is, they’ve found out that enhancing the beneficial properties of chocolate also enhances the taste. For ONCE, making something healthier makes it taste better instead of worse!

chocolate brownie cake

Health food! …Sorta.

In short, these cheer-inducing results are brought about by adding a step to the bean-harvesting process (temporary storage of the pods before beginning processing them), and roasting the cocoa beans longer at a lower temperature.

Now, longer typically means more expensive (this is conjecture on my part), so I’m guessing that not all chocolate-producers are going to embrace these new methods. But we should still see this new chocolate around, and I, for one, look forward to it!

Gamification: the Future of Schooling, Training, and Brainwashing

02 Monday Mar 2015

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My boyfriend linked me this article and it got me thinking.

Harper government examines game-playing to motivate bureaucrats

I’ve heard of gamification before. I’ve personally used it before. The idea is that if training/schooling or even work itself is turned into a game, people will learn faster and work harder. Studies are showing that gamification works. People learn more in a shorter period of time versus standard classroom-style training.

It also ties into this TED Talk: The game that can give you 10 extra years of life by Jane McGonigal. (It’s worth a watch.)

Games are fun. They reduce stress and give us feelings of accomplishment. They often engage us with other people. Personally, I think the concept of gamification is brilliant.

But is there a dark side? Come on, people, you gotta know I’ll find some dire warning about a bleak (apocalyptic?) future should this go to extremes. Plus, I gave it away in the title.

I remember playing a MMORPG when I was younger and still lived at home. As a low-level character, there was little to kill for experience besides barnyard animals. So there I was, hacking away at a cow when my dad walked in the room. He may have freaked out. He may have compared the video game to how evil regimes (he may have referenced Nazis) brainwashed their soldiers with computer simulations (etc) to desensitize them into killing enemy combatants. He may have forbidden me from ever touching that game ever again. (I now don’t even remember what game it was.) Now, these reactions may have been a little extreme, but there’s also a valid point in there.

cow

My hapless victim.

I personally prefer it when people are straight with me. I don’t like it when people beat around the bush or say and do things with ulterior motives. So I do have reservations about gamification on a corporate and/or government level.

What’s to stop them from candy-coating propaganda, pushing their “training” into something more like brainwashing? People will swallow a candy-coated pill much more easily than a bitter one, after all.

we want you propaganda

Now, I do hope to see gamification used more across the board, but I hope people are aware of the dangers. Along with gamification, we need to push critical thinking, open-mindedness, and caution.

What do you think, readers? Is gamification more beneficial or dangerous? Would you like to see more of it?