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Archive for the ‘space’ category: Page 774

Aug 2, 2017

J. Craig Venter and Elon Musk discussed faxing genomes through space

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, Elon Musk, space

Starting with just a digital file, scientists manufactured the common flu virus.

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Aug 1, 2017

Why asteroids loom as a future space frontier for mining and manufacturing

Posted by in categories: futurism, space

It’s been 55 years since satellite communications became the first commercial space frontier, and space tourism is looming as the next frontier. But what comes after that? Would you believe in-space mining and manufacturing?

Those are the opportunities that came to the fore on Saturday when members of the Association of Professional Futurists gathered at Seattle’s Museum of Flight.

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Jul 31, 2017

A solar eclipse is coming to America. Here’s what you’ll see where you live

Posted by in category: space

On Monday August 21, a solar eclipse will cut across the entire United States. And wherever you are, you will be able to see it. Even though the “totality” — the area where the sun is completely blocked out by the moon — is only 70 miles wide, the whole country (even Alaska and Hawaii) will experience a partial eclipse.

This is what you’ll see, and the time you’ll see it, in your zip code.

We recommend punching in a few different ones to see how the eclipse experience will vary across the country. Salem, Oregon (97301), is going to see a total eclipse. Downtown Los Angeles (90012) will see 62 percent of the sun blocked at the peak. In Lake Charles, Louisiana (70601), it’ll be 71 percent.

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Jul 31, 2017

Russia is building an AI-powered missile that can think for itself

Posted by in categories: robotics/AI, space

Today’s most advanced weapons are already capable of “making decisions” using built-in smart sensors and tools.

However, while these weapons rely on some sort of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, they typically don’t have the ability to choose their own targets.

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Jul 31, 2017

New Stem Cell Therapy Could Help Treat Osteoporosis and Restore Bones

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, life extension, space

For every month in space, astronauts can lose 2.5 percent of their bone density. This is quite troublesome, as it will likely compound with the natural process of aging that also reduces bone density. However, a new therapy could be a fantastic solution to this issue, along with many other bone-weakening conditions.

Researchers from University College London have discovered that stem cells found in human amniotic fluid could be used in a treatment to strengthen brittle bones. The research, published in Scientific Reports, shows the treatment resulted in 79 percent fewer fractures in mice with brittle bone disease. Out of a total 324 mice, 168 were treated, while 156 served as the control group. Eight weeks after the mice were treated both the test group and the control group were evaluated for fractures.

Every control mouse exhibited fractures. Conversely, fractures in the experimental group decreased between 69 and 89 percent, leading to the 79 percent decrease in the fracture rate across all tested bones. Pascale Guillot, the study leader, found that the treatment was not resulting in new bone formation, but instead helping to fortify existing bone tissue.

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Jul 31, 2017

Libra — A movie on space libertarianism from 1978

Posted by in categories: government, solar power, space, sustainability

“The year is 2003, and space colony Libra’s development of solar power could solve an acute, worldwide energy crisis. Government opposition to the Libran energy plan sparks a debate about free enterprise and government control.” (IMDb)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfY4djdAW_s

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Jul 28, 2017

Unhackable Data: In a First, Secure Quantum Communications Is Tested Via Microsatellite

Posted by in categories: cybercrime/malcode, quantum physics, space

The SOCRATES microsatellite securely transmitted data to a receiver on Earth using a process called Quantum Key Distribution, marking the first time the technique has used between the ground and space.

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Jul 28, 2017

Stephen Hawking Is One Step Closer To Reaching Alpha Centauri

Posted by in categories: innovation, space

Breakthrough Starshot, the Stephen Hawking-backed attempt to reach Alpha Centauri, has successfully flown its first ever spacecraft – the smallest ever launched.

Stephen Hawking and Yuri Milner announced the $100-million-dollar research program in April 2016, aiming to show that light-propelled spacecraft could fly at 20% of light speed and reach the next nearest galaxy just 20 years after their launch.

Last month, a number of their prototype “Sprites” tiny fully functional space probes built on a single circuit board, achieved Low Earth Orbit.

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Jul 26, 2017

Work It! How Reebok, Adidas, and Y-3 Will Dress Future Space Explorers

Posted by in categories: futurism, space

Boeing’s Starliner and Virgin Galactic don’t just want you to visit space–they want you to do it in style.

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Jul 25, 2017

Billionaire space prospectors are racing to mine the moon, and that’s a good thing

Posted by in categories: law, space

“Think of these planets as international waters,” says Jain. “Nobody gets to own the underlying things, but they can use the private resources,” “They [can] own the fish and the oil … we as a private company are flying under the U.S. flag, in some sense then, we are a ship in international waters.”

With the legal framework in place to determine who owns the rights to any resources recovered on the moon and beyond, the doors of opportunity have been flung wide open. There’s a massive hoard of loot floating over our heads, and whoever gets there first basically has carte blanche to mine it — we just have to make the trip.

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