DARPA Developing Defensive Plasma Shield

According to an article at New Scientist, DARPA is developing a plasma shield that would allow troops to stun and disorientate enemies. The system will use a technology known as dynamic pulse detonation (DPD), which involves producing a ball of plasma with an intense laser pulse, and then a supersonic shockwave within the plasma using another pulse. The result is a gigantic flash and a loud bang in a the air. 'The company has also pitched a portable laser rifle, which would be lethal, to the US Army. It would weigh about fifteen kilograms, would have a range of more than a mile, and could have numerous advantages over existing rifles - better accuracy and the ability to hit a moving target at the speed of light

'Kryptonite' Discovered in Serbian Mine

A mineralogist at London's Natural History Museum was contracted to help identify an unknown mineral found in a Serbian mine. While he initially thought the miners had discovered a unique compound, after its crystal structure was analyzed and identified the researcher was shocked to find the material already referenced in literature. Fictional literature. Dr. Chris Stanley, from the BBC article: 'Towards the end of my research I searched the web using the mineral's chemical formula — sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide — and was amazed to discover that same scientific name, written on a case of rock containing kryptonite stolen by Lex Luthor from a museum in the film Superman Returns ... I'm afraid it's not green and it doesn't glow either — although it will react to ultraviolet light by fluorescing a pinkish-orange

Modified ink printer churns out electronic circuits

A standard desktop printer loaded with a silver salt solution and vitamin C has been used to produce electronic circuits, including mobile phone antennas, circuits, RFID chips and inductive coils, on a range of surfaces Read More

Nanotechnology leading to molecular machines

Richard Jones and commenters bring our attention to a number of enticing research papers on the use of catalysis and molecular motors to produce movement. One paper mentioned sounds particularly useful: an overview of progress on Synthetic Molecular Motors Read More...

The Key To Muscle Regeneration?

ScienceDaily reports on a new discovery in the biochemical regulation of stem cells: "After injury, even adult muscles can heal very well because they have a reserve supply of muscle stem cells, called satellite cells, which they can utilize for repair. Until now, it was unclear how this supply of satellite and muscle progenitor cells, out of which both muscle cells as well as satellite cells develop, keeps itself 'fresh'. ... a molecular switch, abbreviated RBP-J, regulates this 'fountain of youth'. If the switch is absent, the satellite cells generate muscle cells in an uncontrolled way, resulting in the depletion of the satellite cell reserves." It doesn't look like the researchers have yet conclusively proven that this switch controls the age-related decline in the satellite cell population (and resulting loss of healing capacity), however. The root cause of this decline is likely an evolutionary adaptation to avoid cancer resulting from age-damaged stem cells - so even if manipulation of RBP-J can induce elderly muscles to vigor, you'd better have a good cancer therapy to hand.

Physicist to Present New Exact Solution of Einstein's Gravitational Field Equation

New antigravity solution will enable space travel near speed of light by the end of this century, he predicts.
On Tuesday, Feb. 14, noted physicist Dr. Franklin Felber will present his new exact solution of Einstein's 90-year-old gravitational field equation to the Space Technology and Applications International Forum (STAIF) in Albuquerque. The solution is the first that accounts for masses moving near the speed of light.

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Hyperspace Drive coming soon

According to New Scientist hyperdrives may soon be possible.
Within 5 years.

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MIT Theorizes How To Make Better Muscles

Current robotic artificial muscles are about 100 times slower than human muscles. MIT researchers have a theory that could boost speeds of artificial muscles to 1,000 times faster than human muscles! The new muscles have virtually no extra energy demands and have a simpler design. The artificial muscles actuate, or drive, via conjugated polymers. Conjugated polymers are polymers that can conduct and can carry an electric current like a wire as opposed to rubber or plastic that are insulators and non-conducting. Conjugated polymers can actuate on command if electrical charges can be sent to specific locations in the polymer chain in the form of a solitary wave called "solitons" (charge density waves). The polymer chains are naturally curled and so to relax the muscle, light of a specific frequency is shined on the conducting polymer causing it to straighten out (flex and bend).

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Longevity-linked telomere length inherited from fathers

Genes responsible for longevity-linked cellular components called telomeres are inherited from fathers but not mothers, according to a new study.

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Cure for the common cold?

A new study suggests that an anti-flu, anti-cold pill called COLD-fX cuts the incidence and frequency of recurrent colds by more than half while also cutting cold duration and severity.

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"Nanotowers" built from DNA

A special enzyme has allowed engineers to construct nanoscale towers from short DNA chains—a step towards designing and building biological machines.

The enzyme, TdTase, has allowed engineers from

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Cannabinoids Induce Brain Cell Growth?

The Globe and Mail is reporting that researchers at the University of Saskatchewan are claiming that high doses of cannabinoids have induced new brain cell growth in the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for learning and memory, in rat subjects. There are some interesting potential implications in regards to high doses of cannabinoids found in substances like marijuana

Machine Makes Dishes on Demand

Researchers at MIT develop a device that presses out durable plates, cups and bowls at the touch of a button -- then consumes them again after the meal.

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Embryonic stem cells make cancer fighters

Embryonic stem cells have been coaxed into producing cancer-killing cells in the lab, a step towards new treatments for various types of tumors.

New Tenth Planet Has a Moon

SPACE.com is reporting that the recently discovered 10th planet of our solar system has a neighbor - a moon. The discovery team also have nicknamed the planet 'Xena' and the moon 'Gabrielle'. Many scientists are objecting to whether the new planet really is a new planet - so what do you call a moon with no planet?

Thinking Cap Brain-Computer Interface

Nature.com says that computer scientists have created a hat that can read your thoughts. Called a brain-computer interface, the device detects activity in certain brain areas linked to movement, and uses the signals to mimic that movement in a virtual world. The scientists setup a virtual road and the users just "think" to walk themselves down the street or grab objects. This could lead to help for those who are paralyzed or physically unable to move otherwise. Remember the story about the Rhesus Monkey that could control a robotic arm that we reported on before?
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Interactive 3D Display: Its Here!

Originally mentioned at Gizmodo as a prototype in 2003, IO2 Technology has just completed the production unit and provided the details behind the revolutionary HelioDisplay which produces interactive 3D dsiplays in thin air (via lasers) from common sources.

The HelioDisplay technology page lists some of its remarkable features:

Inputs from most regular sources: PC,TV, DVD, HDTV, Video game consoles

Projects a 22″ to 42″ (depending on model) diagonal image that floats above the device

It is interactive, like a virtual touch screen: a hand or finger can act as a mouse

Although the HelioDisplay uses lasers, the images are not holographic

Possible uses for this product include advertising, entertainment facilities, design prototyping, teleconferencing etc. Obviously the applications for such a product are endless. Most importantly it may convince my wife to finally allow the purchase of the Brooke Burke Swimsuit calendar for testing purposes! This of course relies heavily on pricing (TBD) and other more, um, personal matters.

Apparently the product is ready for release; visit the product page here which looks like its being updated right now.

Visit the IO2TECHNOLOGY company homepage here.

Carbon Nanotube Gecko Grippers

Geckos have an impressive capacity to walk upside down on almost any surface, using just the attractive forces created by their feet to hold on. With this in mind, scientists have attempted to copy the structure of gecko feet to create strongly adhesive materials. The latest version, developed at the University of Akron and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, US, uses multiwalled carbon nanotubes attached to a polymer backing.

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Crocodile's Immune System Kills HIV

In an ongoing effort to stop the spread of HIV, scientists in Australia have discovered that crocodiles can fight off HIV and kill the virus. This is a major boon to medicine because the crocodile serum can also fight things that are penicillin resistant such as staphylococcus aureus.

U.S. Okays Virgin Galactic Plans

Space.com reports that the U.S. Department of State's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has approved collaboration of technical details between Scaled Composites of Mojave, California and Virgin Galactic of the United Kingdom to build passenger-carrying suborbital spaceliners. The next suborbital ship will be a nine person vessel." From the article: "Details about the new company were unveiled at the Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA) AirVenture air show held July 25-31 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The Spaceship Company will build a fleet of commercial suborbital spaceships and launch aircraft. Scaled Composites is to be under contract for research and development testing, as well as certification of a 9-person SpaceShipTwo (SS2) design, and a White Knight Two (WK2) mothership to be called Eve.