SciTech #ScienceSunday Digest – 50/2016.

Permalink here: http://www.scitechdigest.net/2016/12/scitech-digest-502016-1.html

Equation for intelligence, Faces diagnose diseases, Deep learning everywhere, CRISPR inhibitors, Direct neural implants, Artificial blood nanoparticles, Zero-g experiments via drones, Ultrasound microbubbles open brain, Nanocrystal night vision, Energy technologies.

1. An Equation for Intelligence

A new theory of connectivity based on the equation N = 2^i – 1 attempts to describe very simply how neurons and their networks flexible assemble to gather knowledge and reason about concepts, in short how intelligence works https://singularityhub.com/2016/12/07/this-one-equation-may-be-the-root-of-intelligence/. Not only does the theory question the dogma of “cells that fire together, wire together” but many animal experiments show the equation at work many different brain regions that control key functions including feeding, behaviour, and fear. Basically core wiring is innately determined by genetics, with clusters or cliques of networks being combined to represent ever more greater conceptual complexity. We can expect this to be tested sooner rather than later in deep learning and neuromorphic chip applications.

2. Predicting Diseases from Facial Features

Dysmorphology, the practice of diagnosing disease by observing a patient’s features, exploits the fact that many genetic conditions have associated effects on face development – and new facial recognition software called Face2Gene automates this process, comparing features across a vast database to approach human expert level diagnoses https://www.technologyreview.com/s/603038/diagnosing-disease-with-a-snapshot/. Of 7,000 genetic syndromes, Face2Gene estimates that half have distinct facial patterns, and any tool that accelerates diagnoses to allow more rapid interventions will be a boon for patients and payers. This work relates to that from a couple of weeks ago in which, controversially, facial features were used to predict criminality.

3. Deep Learning is Everywhere

First, a new deep learning system is being used to create vastly improved hearing aids able to extract speech and other important sounds from chaotic background noise, and in tests people’s ability to understand words from background noise was boosted from 10% to 90% http://spectrum.ieee.org/consumer-electronics/audiovideo/deep-learning-reinvents-the-hearing-aid. Second, a new system that correlates descriptive speech with images could provide a fully automated speech recognition capability http://news.mit.edu/2016/recorded-speech-images-automated-speech-recognition-1206. Finally, another deep learning system can turn a single photo of a person’s face into a realistic 3D model and face render http://gizmodo.com/neural-networks-can-now-turn-a-single-photo-into-a-cree-1789786327.

4. CRISPR Inhibitors & iPSCs

Further boosting the safety and utility of the CRISPR genome engineering tool, new discoveries of anti-CRISPR protein inhibitors that turn CRISPR off should further reduce the risk of unwanted off-site changes at unwanted times https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/12/161208143535.htm. Isolated from viruses, and presumably evolved as part of the bacterial-viral CRISPR arms race, the three different inhibitors can be spliced into cells to ensure cell or tissue specificity and drastically minimise off-target cuts. In related news CRISPR editing of induced pluripotent stem cells shows immense promise for therapeutic development http://www.nextbigfuture.com/2016/12/genome-editing-of-pluripotent-stem-cell.html.

5. Direct Neural Implants & Tourniquets

Tiny microcoils measuring 100 micrometers wide and made of silicon and copper can be implanted into the brain to precisely stimulate the firing of only vertically aligned, near-by neurons via magnetic induction http://spectrum.ieee.org/the-human-os/biomedical/devices/tiny-implantable-microcoils-in-the-brain-activate-neurons-via-magnetic-fields. The benefits of this type of implant and brain stimulation are (i) not having long term performance degraded by scar tissue formation, and (ii) being able to target very specific and tiny patches of cells. Experiments in mice showed precise control of whisker movement for example. In related news a new vagus nerve interface and stimulation protocol actually stimulates platelets to better clot wounds, reducing bleeding time by 40% and blood loss by 50%, to function as a type of neural torniquet http://spectrum.ieee.org/the-human-os/biomedical/devices/neural-tourniquet-stimulates-a-nerve-to-stop-bleeding-anywhere-in-the-body.

6. Latest Artificial Blood

The latest advances with ErythroMer are showing promise as a genuine artificial synthetic blood substitute https://www.fightaging.org/archives/2016/12/erythromer-as-a-step-forward-in-artificial-blood/. ErythroMer uses synthetic nanoparticles to accomplish the functions of red blood cells, and freeze dried, stored, and reconstituted with water prior to use. The nanoparticles are about one fifth the size of a red blood cell and incorporate materials with pH dependent oxygen absorption ability that comes within 10% of normal red blood cell function. In animal tests ErythroMer performed indistinguishably from normal blood, and also resuscitated animals in shock after 40% blood loss. They’ll need chemistry for physiologically comparable carbon dioxide absorption and release before they can claim version 1.0 respirocytes however.

7. Cheaper Zero-G Experiments with Drones

A new autonomous quadcopter platform provides zero-gravity conditions for short periods of time to enable certain types of experiments to be conducted cheaper, quicker, and easier https://www.technologyreview.com/s/603037/robotic-quadcopters-could-offer-zero-g-flights-on-the-cheap/. Sounds simple but there were a range of very difficult technical challenges to overcome in order to guarantee stability, which ultimately involved the design of custom variable pitch rotors able to provide complete six degrees of freedom at all times. In related news autonomous quadcopters can now navigate small gaps using only on-board processing and a fisheye camera https://www.technologyreview.com/s/603088/watch-this-robotic-quadcopter-fly-aggressively-through-narrow-gaps/.

8. Targeted Ultrasound Microbubbles Open Blood Brain Barrier

Building on work that opens the blood brain barrier with ultrasound and microbubbles, the technique can now target the delivery of drugs just to certain brain regions and without exposing the rest of the body to the circulating drug http://www.agenciasinc.es/en/News/Microbubbles-and-ultrasound-open-the-blood-brain-barrier-to-administer-drugs. Drugs are now incorporated into the lipid-coated microbubbles, which are injected into the patient as before, while the desired region of the brain is targeted with focused ultrasound; the ultrasound causes the bubbles to temporarily open the blood brain barrier only in that region, also causing the drugs to be released only in that region. Experiments in mice and monkeys confirmed the effectiveness.

9. Nanocrystal Night Vision

Advances in nanophotonics have for the first time produced semiconductor nanocrystal antennas on optically transparent substrates http://www.anu.edu.au/news/all-news/anu-invention-to-inspire-new-night-vision-specs. Grown as arrays on a thin film and applied to normal glasses lenses the surface might enable cheap and easy night vision. The structures can be designed to shift the direction, frequency, and polarisation of light passing through the device, and might additionally find application in holography and optical computing.

10. Energy Technologies

A couple of unusual but interesting energy-related technologies this week. First, a new nanoceramic material would constitute safer casings for nuclear reactors, more safely handling liquid metal coolants such as sodium, and instead of becoming brittle over time like many other materials under intense radiation, actually becoming tougher and stronger from the radiation https://www.engr.wisc.edu/new-materials-safe-economical-nuclear-reactors/. Second, leading on from unconventional oil and gas fracking technology and the geological deposits that characterise these sources, there are different (vast) rock deposits embedded with hydrocarbons that cannot be obtained via fracking or any other technology, except for this new microwave technology that was developed that can effectively extract oil and water from these rocks http://www.nextbigfuture.com/2016/12/microwave-oil-recovery-could-unlock.html.

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SciTech #ScienceSunday Digest – 46/2016.

Permalink here: http://www.scitechdigest.net/2016/11/metamaterial-radar-metamaterial.html

Metamaterial radar, Metamaterial semiconductors, Hybrid anti-lasers, Machine learning advances, Cyclocopter microdrone, Clones age normally, Implants fix paralysis, fMRI lie detector, Zika virus therapies, Carbon nanomaterials pressurised.

1. Metamaterial Radar for Drones

Echodyne has demonstrated a metameterial radar device the size of a phone whose performance is comparable to expensive, bulky military-grade phased-array radars http://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/drones/metamaterial-radar-is-exactly-what-delivery-drones-need. Next year the improved device will allow a drone to detect power lines 800m away, small drones 1km away, and small planes 3km away, and all regardless of the weather conditions. Their metamaterial, comprised of layers of patterned copper wiring with radar beam control facilitated by heating different regions, drastically reduces the size, complexity, and cost of effective high resolution radar applications powering sense-and-avoid capabilities for autonomous vehicles and other devices. Meanwhile Osram continues to shrink LIDAR systems http://spectrum.ieee.org/cars-that-think/transportation/sensors/osrams-laser-chip-for-lidar-promises-supershort-pulses-in-a-smaller-package.

2. Metamaterials Power Semiconductor-Free Electronics

In related metamaterial news, a microscale metamaterial device functions as a semiconductor via the application of a low voltage and low power laser, which boosts electrical conductivity by 1,000% http://jacobsschool.ucsd.edu/news/news_releases/release.sfe?id=2060. The metasurface is designed such that the influence of this light and low voltage causes certain spots to generate very high electric fields able to pull electrons from a metal and liberate them. An interesting novelty at this stage it’ll be interesting to see what applications are developed: where do you need semiconducting properties but can’t have semiconducting elements?

3. Hybrid Laser Anti-Lasers

A new device demonstrates both laser and anti-laser capabilities for telecommunications applications, and would enable the development of devices that can flexibly operate as lasers, amplifiers, modulators, absorbers, and detectors http://newscenter.lbl.gov/2016/11/07/lasers-anti-lasers-one-device/. While a laser amplifies a certain frequency of light, an anti-laser completely absorbs a certain frequency of light and can pick up signals among noisy backgrounds. The architecture of the device, a microscale alternating array of two materials, is the first to achieve what is known as “parity-time symmetry” in which an amplifying gain medium can also be a absorbing loss medium.

4. Latest Machine Learning Advances

First, LipNet is a deep learning system that can lipread from video to transcribe sentences with 93.4% accuracy, outperforming experienced human lipreaders http://prostheticknowledge.tumblr.com/post/152735696866/lipnet-deep-learning-research-from-the-university. Second, another system generates and suggests alternative promising drug molecules for investigation https://www.technologyreview.com/s/602756/software-dreams-up-new-molecules-in-quest-for-wonder-drugs/. Third, DeepMind and Blizzard are collaborating to open up and use StarCraft II as a formal AI and machine learning environment https://deepmind.com/blog/deepmind-and-blizzard-release-starcraft-ii-ai-research-environment/. Finally, a new system makes gains in automatic information extraction from text but automatically generating search queries and including new texts in its analysis http://news.mit.edu/2016/artificial-intelligence-system-surfs-web-improve-performance-1110.

5. Cyclocopter Microdrone

A tiny 29 gram cyclocopter drone has been developed that utilises a novel lift and thrust mechanism based on a single cycloidal rotor that can generate instant vector thrust http://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/drones/worlds-smallest-cyclocopter-brings-unique-design-to-microdrones. Check out the video, it is pretty cool. The cyclorotor design provides excellent maneuverability and efficiency, as well as more stability, lower noise, and faster than helicopters. We might even see this design adapted to carry humans at some point given the key hurdle of large centrifugal bending loads can be overcome with better composite materials.

6. Cloned Animals Age Normally

Latest research suggests that cloned animals age at the same rate and achieve the same lifespan as normal animals https://www.fightaging.org/archives/2016/11/do-cloned-animals-age-normally/. There had been concerns over many years as to whether this was the case but it appears that once the cloned animal reaches adulthood most problems that might arise from the somatic cell nuclear transfer and reprogramming procedure are effectively overcome and a normal life outcome should be expected. Addressing the rates of reprogramming errors are of course important and an ongoing research area, but for those animals who reach maturity telomeres and other cellular degradations appear to be restored.

7. Brain & Spine Implants Circumvent Paralysis

Monkeys with partial spinal cord injuries were able to walk again thanks to a new system involving a brain implant and a spinal implant that bridged the injury with wireless data connection http://spectrum.ieee.org/the-human-os/biomedical/bionics/brain-and-spine-implants-let-a-paralyzed-monkey-walk-again. The brain implant records specific activity in the motor cortex that coordinates leg movement, decodes these signals and sends to the spinal implant, which stimulates a specific location in the spinal cord in order to generate appropriate leg movement. Meanwhile NeuroGrid is an electrode grid on plastic wrap that can cover and cling to the brain to perform high-resolution recording and stimulation of neurons http://spectrum.ieee.org/the-human-os/biomedical/devices/new-implant-safely-records-activity-from-individual-neurons.

8. Spotting Lies With fMRI

As expected, functional magnetic resonance imaging has proven to be significantly more effective at spotting lies than typical polygraph tests http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/news/News_Releases/2016/11/langleben/. In the comparison study neuroscientists reviewing fMRI scans were 24% more likely to detect deception than professional polygraph examiners reviewing polygraph recordings. Interestingly, in 17 subjects in which the polygraph and fMRI agreed on the particular lie, they were 100% correct. Still, it is unsure whether fMRI scans will ever be admissible as evidence in court.

9. Zika Antibody Therapy

A new antibody has proven effective in tests in mice to protect babies in the womb from the effects of Zika Virus, effectively transferring from the mother’s blood, through the placenta, and into the baby’s brain http://www.bbc.com/news/health-37897617. This is in addition to a promising Zika Virus vaccine being developed to prevent infection in the first place http://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/999584/human-trials-begin-for-army-developed-zika-vaccine. While Zika proves catastrophic in babies with rapidly growing brains (by targeting neural stem cells), adults also have neural stem cells needed throughout life, and I suspect Zika may result in long-term neurological conditions so any therapy will be doubly beneficial.

10. Pressurising Carbon Nanomaterials

First, applying high pressure (55 GPa) to multi-walled carbon nanotubes results in the walls of different carbon nanotubes fusing together to create an ultrastrong bulk material and opening the possibility of covalent inter-tube bonding for polymerised carbon nanotubes https://mipt.ru/english/news/pressure_welding_nanotubes_creates_ultrastrong_material. Second, applying a pressure difference across graphene membranes results in the perceived colour of the graphene shifting colour (a type of strain-tronics or strain-optics in this case) and is a phenomena that might be exploited in displays http://phys.org/news/2016-11-graphene-balloons.html.

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SciTech #ScienceSunday Digest – 20/2016.

Permalink here: http://www.scitechdigest.net/2016/05/industrial-synthetic-enzymes.html

Industrial synthetic enzymes, Mimicking protein evolution, Topological spintronics, Smooth telepresence robots, Silk preservation technique, Regrowing cartilage, Improving prosthetic hands, Parsey McParseface, Graphene light harvesting, RNA life origins.

1. New Enzymes for Industrial Synthesis

A bacterium with enzymes that make it resistant to heavy metals has been co-opted to produce a bacterium that secretes quantum dots into solution that can then be purified by simple centrifugation http://www1.lehigh.edu/news/quantum-dots-nature. These are cadmium- or lead-sulfide quantum dots, with plans to create more varieties for a range of applications in electronics, photonics, and sensing, and produced via conventional fermentation processes with fine control over nanometer sizes. In other new a new enzyme AbyU has been discovered in bacteria living at the bottom of the ocean that is able to catalyse the industrially important Diels-Alder reaction http://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2016/may/enzyme-antibiotic-discovery.html.

2. Mimicking Evolution to Develop Novel Proteins

In related protein engineering news a new technique called SEWING has been developed that recombines portions of existing proteins to produce new structures and functions https://news.unchealthcare.org/news/2016/may/unc-school-of-medicine-scientists-digitally-mimic-evolution-to-create-novel-proteins. This is a tool for creating proteins that don’t exist in nature and have structures that allow new functions and reactions that weren’t previously possible. The evolutionary process starts with computer simulations, and in the latest demonstration mapped 50,000 variably stitched proteins to arrive at an optimised sample of 21 structures that were then synthesised in the lab and experimentally verified to have the predicted structure.

3. Spintronics from New Topological Insulators

New topological insulators made from bonding layers of bismuth selenide with magnetic europium sulfide manages to retain all of the properties of a topological insulator but with strong magnetic properties, at room temperature http://news.mit.edu/2016/unexpected-magnetic-effect-thin-film-materials-0509. Such new materials have promising applications in realising spintronics as well as new magnetic memories with possible molecular scale information storage. In related news, graphene has been made magnetic by inserting hydrogen atoms into specific locations of the carbon lattice, and resulting in graphene now also functioning as a promising spintronic material http://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1329572.

4. Silky Smooth Telepresence Robots

Disney research impresses yet again with the demonstration of a telepresence robotic system that is powered by a hybrid hydrostatic transmission system that enables the user to feel immersed in the remote environment via (i) stereoscopic cameras and (ii) head and arm actuation that responds with multiple degrees of freedom and force-feedback https://www.disneyresearch.com/publication/haptic-telepresence-robot/. The system demonstrated physical human interaction and very fine & detailed object manipulation. Meanwhile RE2 Robotics also demonstrated a very impressive remote robotic operation system http://www.gadgetify.com/re2-imitative-controller-robots/.

5. Silk Preservation Technology

Tufts University has demonstrated a couple of silk preservation technology applications. First, an ultra-thin coating of biocompatible silk proves very effective at extending the room temperature shelf-life of a range of different fruits, prolonging freshness and slowing ripening https://now.tufts.edu/news-releases/silk-keeps-fruit-fresh-without-refrigeration. Second, blood samples can be stabilised for long periods of time, even after 84 days, and even at high (45C) temperatures after being encapsulated in air-dried silk protein http://now.tufts.edu/news-releases/silk-stabilizes-blood-samples-months-high-temperatures.

6. Regrowing Cartilage

Regrowing cartilage has proven to be one of those persistent problems people have struggled with. A new bio-glass material that mimics the shock-absorbing and load bearing qualities of real cartilage has the potential to encourage cartilage cells to regrow to help reform and repair damaged areas of cartilage, while the material degrades and disappears over time http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/newsandeventspggrp/imperialcollege/newssummary/news_12-5-2016-9-57-13. The material can be 3D printed to customer or personalised dimensions and lead applications include replacing damaged intervertebral discs and knee cartilage and could be transformational given the limitations of current materials and implants. Meanwhile a new injectable gel helps generate blood vessels https://www.technologyreview.com/s/601416/injectable-gel-generates-new-blood-vessels/.

7. Improvements for Robotic & Prosthetic Hands

Yet another DARPA project is demonstrating natural control of a prosthetic hand and arm by a human amputee, this time utilising Myo armbands to pick up signals from the upper arm and translat them into precise hand movements and facilitated by an osseointegration surgical procedure that secured a metal utility rod to the upper arm bone http://gizmodo.com/darpas-mind-controlled-arm-will-make-you-wish-you-were-1776130193. In related news that may feed into prosthetics like the above, machine learning techniques are helping to produce robotic hands that are approaching human-like dexterity http://www.washington.edu/news/2016/05/09/this-five-fingered-robot-hand-learns-to-get-a-grip-on-its-own/.

8. SyntaxNet & Parsey McParseface

Google opensourced SyntaxNet, a neural network implemented in TensorFlow that provides a foundation for Natural Language Understanding systems, as well as an English language parser called Parsey McParseface (the most accurate such model in the world with 94% accuracy) that can be used to analyse English text http://googleresearch.blogspot.com.au/2016/05/announcing-syntaxnet-worlds-most.html. These tools analyse the linguistic structure of language, explain the functional role of words in sentences, and can be used to automatically extract information, translate text, and better determine the meaning of text.

9. Efficient Light Harvesting with Graphene

By creating a Morie superlattice of layered graphene and boron-nitride researchers created material states that are very efficient at converting light into electrcity, with up to five electrons being kicked to flow through the material with each photon http://www.washington.edu/news/2016/05/13/uw-researchers-unleash-graphene-tiger-for-more-efficient-optoelectronics/. I really liked the exploitation of geometry in this work as it reminded me of this great Numberphile video discussing dot patterns and the surprising superstructures that can result https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAja2jp1VjE.

10. RNA Life Origins Gains More Evidence

While it has been previously shown that 2 of the 4 bases in RNA could be made via natural chemical reactions on early Earth, it has only recently been demonstrated that the other 2 bases can also be made via similar natural chemical reactions on early Earth http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/05/rna-world-inches-closer-explaining-origins-life. In this case the only requirements were hydrogen, cyanide, water, and a little bit of acid; it turned out to be far simpler than previously thought. The next piece of the puzzle will be finding out how the 4 bases linked together to form the first RNA molecules whose autocatalytic self-replicating behaviour could begin being selected for by evolution.

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SciTech #ScienceSunday Digest – 07/2016.

Permalink here: http://www.scitechdigest.net/2016/02/brain-preservation-win-stent-bci-dna.html

Brain preservation win, Stent BCI, DNA nanocage chemistry, Cell transformation mastery, Gravity waves confirmed, Electron fluid on graphene, Laser boosts superconductivity, Better GPS, Artificial capillary networks, Protein nanoneedles. 

1. Long Term Structural Brain Preservation

The brain preservation prize has been claimed by a new aldehyde-stabilised cryopreservation procedure that proves that near perfect, long term structural preservation of intact mammalian brains is possible, with every neuron and synapse appearing to be captured even after freezing and thawing http://www.brainpreservation.org/small-mammal-announcement/. This is a very big step towards validating cryonics and cryogenic preservation for life extension, stasis, and future uploading applications. 

2. Stentode is a Less Invasive BCI

A DARPA team has created an electrode-laden stent as a neural recording device that, like similar conventional stents, is designed to be introduced through blood vessels in the neck to reach capillaries in the desired region of the brain in order to record neural firing and function as a less invasive brain computer interface http://www.darpa.mil/news-events/2015-02-08. Proof of concept successfully measured motor cortex signals in sheep and human studies are planned for 2017. In related news we had a new design for an implanted wireless power device for BCIs http://www.kurzweilai.net/powering-brain-implants-without-wires-with-thin-film-wireless-power-transmission-system. 

3. DNA Nanocages Accelerate Enzyme Function

Self-assembled DNA origami nanocages have been formed in which enzymes are confined and localised along with their substrate molecules and serving to both accelerate the rate of enzymatic reactions and shield the enzymes from typical degradation processes https://asunow.asu.edu/20160210-chemical-cages-new-technique-advances-synthetic-biology. More complex cages and scaffolds in future might allow more sophisticated enzyme cascades that could perform a wide range of useful functions; another small step on the path to atomically precise fabrication. 

4. Mogrify is a Cell Transformation Algorithm

Mogrify is a new algorithm that draws on a large database of human cell and tissue types and, according to the research team, is able to predict the optimal set of factors required to transform any cell type into any other cell type http://www.sciencealert.com/new-algorithm-points-the-way-towards-regrowing-limbs-and-organs/page-2. Initial studies have confirmed this but more are needed and it is expected to become more accurate over time as more data is acquired. 

5. Gravity Waves Confirmed

In the biggest news of the week the existence of gravity waves has been confirmed by the LIGO experiment, and made possible after a large and expensive detector sensitivity upgrade https://www.quantamagazine.org/20160211-gravitational-waves-discovered-at-long-last/. The finding was confirmed by two separate, correlated detection events at two different LIGO detectors whose signal profiles matched theoretical models and predictions, and believed to be caused by a black hole merger in which three times the mass of our sun was converted into gravitational wave energy. Setting up LIGO detectors in India, Japan, and other sites will help cement gravity wave astronomy and allow pinpointing of gravity wave sources. 

6. Liquid Nature of Graphene Electrons

The surface electrons on ultra-pure graphene surfaces have been observed acting like a collective fluid describable by hydrodynamics, with individual electrons behaving like massless relativistic objects https://www.seas.harvard.edu/news/2016/02/metal-that-behaves-like-water. Energy injected into the system flowed across many electrons, like a wave through water. Such a fluid allows for simulating and experimenting with black hole physics and other high energy environments. It’d be interesting to know what the other properties are for the waves in this fluid; if frictionless then energy and charge transfer without losses might be possible. 

7. Laser-Boosted Superconductivity

Work to boost superconducting transition temperatures with lasers continues with a new class of fullerene materials in which laser pulses induce superconductivity at minus 170 degrees Celsius instead of minus 250 degrees Celsius without the laser https://www.mpg.de/9949877/superconductivity-fullerenes-light-induced. It is hoped that additional work helps to unveil a general mechanism by which this phenomena can be controlled at ever-higher temperatures. In related news endohedral fullerenes (fullerene cages with a single atom trapped inside) are now available commercially http://arstechnica.co.uk/science/2015/12/oxford-company-now-selling-endohedral-fullerenes-priced-at-110-million-per-gram/. 

8. Consumer GPS to Centimeter Accuracy

Newly reformulated algorithms for calculating GPS position are much more efficient and look set to enable mobile and wearable devices to achieve centimeter-level positional GPS accuracy http://ucrtoday.ucr.edu/34932. The technique combines measurements from a GPS unit, an inertial measurement unit, and an internal navigation system. This should prove useful for phones, drones, and internet of things applications. 

9. Better Artificial Capillary Networks for Engineered Organs

Using a $40 cotton candy machine allows researchers to spin out special hydrogels into threads that are comparable to normal capillaries and which form three dimensional microfluidic networks able to facilitate the transport of fluids, nutrients, and oxygen through bulk materials http://news.vanderbilt.edu/2016/02/cotton-candy-machines-may-hold-key-for-making-artificial-organs/. The proof of concept artificial organ structures were able to keep cells throughout the structure alive and well for much longer than other approaches and provide a promising platform on which to develop better-performing artificial organs. 

10. Retractable Protein Nanoneedles

Protein nanoneedles are found in bacteria where they are used to puncture cell membranes. These structures, which rapidly extend from a coil to a needle and back again depending on changes in pH past a threshold, are being engineered as a tool in synthetic biology as an alternative mechanism to deliver material such as genes into cells http://wyss.harvard.edu/viewpressrelease/245. However, these little actuators might be commandeered en masse to create functional and responsive materials at the nanoscale, for example (i) helping to build little motors for tiny devices, (ii) altering the shape and properties of a material, or (iii) being used in controlled chemical and enzymatic production processes e.g. combined with #3 above offers interesting possibilities. 

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SciTech #ScienceSunday Digest – 06/2016.

Permalink here: http://www.scitechdigest.net/2016/02/better-gene-delivery-better-dna.html 

Better gene delivery, Better DNA aptamers, Light effect transistor, Rejuvenation advances, Atomically precise materials, Integrated photonics modem, Electronic nematicity, Deep learning chips, Graphene lenses & electrodes, Flexiramic materials. 

1. Delivering Genes Across the Blood Brain Barrier

Using high-throughput screening techniques combined with methods of directed evolution, researchers screened millions of viral variants to create a novel, modified adeno-associated virus that is able to efficiently get past the blood-brain-barrier and deliver genes and genetic engineering tools to neurons and other cells of the brain http://www.caltech.edu/news/delivering-genes-across-blood-brain-barrier-49679. This obviates the need to drill a hole through the skull to inject these vectors and provides a far more elegant tool that can be used for CRISPR-powered modifications. In related news rats have been cured of a genetic liver disorder with a more effective CRISPR-delivery system involving a different adeno-associated virus carrying guide RNA and repaired-gene-insert and lipid nanoparticles carrying Cas9 mRNA instructions http://news.mit.edu/2016/crispr-curing-disease-repairing-faulty-genes-0201; 6% of liver cell transformations are sufficient for disease curing, which is 15 times more effective than other methods, but the group hope to boost this % in future. 

2. Better DNA Aptamer Technology

DNA aptamers can be artificially engineered to target and bind any molecular target in the body – proteins, viruses, bacteria, cells, tumours – but are limited by poorer binding-efficiency and instability due to enzymatic digestion. These two limiting factors have now been addressed http://www.a-star.edu.sg/Media/News/Press-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/4496.aspx with (i) the inclusion of an artificial base into the DNA that boosted binding ability by 100 times compared to existing aptamers, and (ii) the inclusion of a DNA-mini-hairpin structure that serves to restrict enzymatic digestion and boost lifetime in the body from hours to days. DNA aptamers like these could in theory be used instead of antibodies for therapeutic and diagnostic applications but are cheaper, quicker, and simpler to produce and obviate potential inflammatory side effects. 

3. Developing a Light-Effect-Transistor

Prototype light effect transistors have been developed with the aim of replacing standard field effect transistors in future chip designs https://www.technologyreview.com/s/600702/the-nanodevice-aiming-to-replace-the-field-effect-transistor/. A light effect transistor comprises a wire that conducts electricity when exposed to light and insulates when it is dark; a light-controlled switch in which light functions like a gate and with benefits including no reliance on dopant atoms and the ability to achieve smaller size dimensions to continue Moore’s Law. The demonstrations include semiconducting nanowires whose conduction changes by six orders of magnitude when switched, and can also function as an optical amplifier that performs logic operations when two or more laser beams are used. But the biggest unsolved question is how a chip would accurately address more than a billion nanowires with light? 

4. Rejuvenation via Senescent Cell & Amyloid Clearance 

First, venture-backed company Unity Biotechnology joins competition with Oisin Biotechnology aiming to develop and launch therapeutics that clear senescent cells from adult animals https://www.fightaging.org/archives/2016/02/25-median-life-extension-in-mice-via-senescent-cell-clearance-unity-biotechnology-founded-to-develop-therapies.php. Their latest work extends the median lifespan of mice by 25% and should help to attract additional funding and support for this approach; investors will want to get this into humans as soon as possible. And back in the lab another group finds a 35% lifespan extension by clearing senescent cells http://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-researchers-extend-lifespan-by-as-much-as-35-percent-in-mice-2/. Second, a partnership between companies Pentraxin and GSK is slowly bearing fruit with clinically-tested drug therapies that very effectively clear amyloid (misfolded protein clumps that accumulate) deposits from tissues and body fluids, intended for Alzheimer’s and other diseases but providing a platform for this area of rejuvenation therapies https://www.fightaging.org/archives/2016/02/what-next-for-transthyretin-amyloid-clearance-therapies.php. Boosting mitophagy also rejuvenates cells to a more youthful state http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-02/nu-mst020316.php. 

5. Atomically Precise Materials and Devices

Structural DNA technology can self-assemble nanoparticles into diamond-shaped crystal lattices https://www.bnl.gov/newsroom/news.php?a=11810. The DNA forms the rigid frame of the material, while complementary DNA binding ensures the nanoparticles bind in specific locations, leading to a diamond lattice about 100 times larger than conventional diamond; interesting platform for novel materials development. Bacteria produce self-assembled microcompartments to concentrate enzymatic production of certain molecules, and these compartments are being used as templates to engineer variants with novel functions and molecular production capabilities https://newscenter.lbl.gov/2016/02/04/toward-nanoscale-chemical-factories/, slowly building a platform of contained molecular production machinery that might one day be introduced inside human cells for exmample. 

6. NASAs Integrated Photonics Modem

NASA is building the first fully integrated photonics modem, simplifying optical on-chip systems design, and reducing the size of the large prototype down to conventional system-on-chip scales http://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2016/nasa-engineers-tapped-to-build-first-integrated-photonics-modem. The chip uses lasers to encode and transmit data at 10 – 100 times faster than equipment available today. While testing of the device in space won’t begin until 2020 we might see commercial applications of this earlier, particularly in data centers and Internet backbone lines. 

7. Electronic Nematicity Key in Superconductivity

New studies indicate that the phenomenon of electronic nematicity, in which electron clouds in a material snap into an aligned and directional order, is a generic property common to high-temperature superconductors https://uwaterloo.ca/stories/waterloo-physicists-discover-new-properties. The electrons involved in superconductivity form patterns that exhibit different symmetries that preferentially align in one direction and which can compete with, co-exist, or enhance superconductivity. Hopefully this understanding allows for the future design of higher-temperature superconductors. 

8. Dedicated Deep Learning Chips on Smartphones

Eyeriss is a newly designed and developed dedicated deep learning chip for use in smartphones and other low-power applications http://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/semiconductors/processors/a-deep-learning-ai-chip-for-your-phone. The chip is designed to allow these devices to run computationally demanding neural network algorithms quickly and efficiently on the device without offloading to the cloud, and using only one tenth of the energy of a typical mobile GPU. Agnostic to the type of neural network being run the chip can process image, sound, and other types of data as  needed and might also find deployment in autonomous platforms such as cars and drones. In related news Google’s DeepMind game-playing AI can now also navigate environments in first-person-shooters https://www.newscientist.com/article/2076552-google-deepmind-ai-navigates-a-doom-like-3d-maze-just-by-looking/ and I wonder if this can be transferred to robots to help in realworld environments, perhaps by using these dedicated chips. 

9. Graphene Lenses and Electrode Benefits

First, graphene has been formed into a clever fresnel lens by using a laser to pattern concentric rings of graphene oxide on its surface, and allowing optical focusing in the visible and infrared down to scales of 200nm http://www.swinburne.edu.au/news/latest-news/2016/01/focus-on-results.php. Second, graphene-coated electrodes turn out to be an excellent option for applications involving interfacing with neurons http://graphene-flagship.eu/graphene-based-interfaces-do-not-alter-target-nerve-cells. Finally, graphene cages formed around silicon anodes appear to enable higher capacity batteries that avoid the problem of cracking that such materials are usually limited by http://spectrum.ieee.org/nanoclast/semiconductors/materials/graphene-cages-cover-silicon-anodes-for-high-capacity-batteries. 

10. Flexiramics: Ceramics that Act Like Paper

A new material dubbed flexiramics is being developed and commercialised by a company called Eurekite http://arstechnica.com/science/2016/02/dutch-researchers-have-created-flexiramics-flexible-ceramics-for-circuit-boards/. Flexiramics appear to be a new class of materials that possess the mechanical properties of paper or thin textiles in being thin, foldable, and flexible while also exhibiting the properties of ceramics in being fireproof and nonconducting. The fabrics withstand 1,200 degrees Celsius for 24 hours without burning or melting. Printed PCBs will be the first application apparently but the possibilities are endless. 

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