December Ideas and Innovation
Read the articles selected in December 2016
Europe’s Galileo satellites herald new era for Earth science
by Declan Butler
Source: Nature, 15 December
With the first European Satellite navigation system, not only travelers will rely on more accurate positioning signals from multiple satellite networks, but science will be able to collect data for weather forecasting and climate research and to investigate the ionosphere, monitoring tsunamis and earthquakes.
Read more:
http://www.nature.com/news/europe-s-galileo-satellites-herald-new-era-for-earth-science-1.21183
Finding micrometeorites in city gutters
Source: The Economist, 17 December
Micrometeoritic dust falls to Earth at a rate of six tonnes a day. This matter interests researchers because it gives information on the solar system. Amateurs astronomers alleged to have found detritus of micrometeorites on the roofs of several cities that turned out to be asteroids fractions.
Read more:
Researchers rejuvenate aging mice with stem cell genes
by Mitch Leslie
Source: Science, 15 December
Resetting the epigenetic marks of adult body cells turned on into stem cells researchers have increased longevity in mice and refurbished some of their tissues. The experiment can be used to find ways to slow the aging process and to stop the effects of degenerative diseases.
Read more:
http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/12/researchers-rejuvenate-aging-mice-stem-cell-genes
Facebook finally gets real about fighting fake news
by Davey Alba
Source: Wired, 15 December
Facebook has presented his plan to crack down on the fake news on the web, after heavy criticism for not taking control of the spread of false reports during the US presidential election. Facebook’s strategy combines crowdsourcing relying on external fact checkers and financial disincentives for web news pirates.
Read more:
https://www.wired.com/2016/12/facebook-gets-real-fighting-fake-news/
Investir dans l’innovation
by Emmanuel Schafroth
Source: Le Monde, 7 December
A company that makes innovation can earn big profits. Betting on a common fund for the innovation allows to share the risk on several companies and different approaches to investing.
Alien life could thrive in the clouds of failed stars
by Joshua Sokol
Source: Science, 2 December
The recent discovery of some cold brown dwarfs has expanded the concept of habitable zone: here microbes float in an atmosphere of predominantly hydrogen gas. What’s interesting is explaining how life could rise in the lack of water.
Read more:
http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/12/alien-life-could-thrive-clouds-failed-stars
With 21st Century Cures Act, the future of regenerative medicine is “inject and see”
by Megan Molteni
Source: Wired, 6 December
In the USA the 21st Century Act will close a decade-long battle regarding the legality of regenerative therapies ruling how medical treatments are tested and brought to market. While patients and investors celebrate, FDA officials express skepticism about safety and efficacy of stem cell treatments.
Read more:
https://www.wired.com/2016/12/future-regenerative-medicine-inject-see/
Learning how to use A.I.
by John Simons
Source: The Wall Street Journal Europe, 1 December
Harvard, MIT, Insead are launching courses of Management that teach techniques for a business based on machine-induced decision making. Algorithms and data analytics are used not only for more informed decisions but also to construct the future leadership with the help of AI-generated profiles and to forestall consumers’ choices.
Artificial intelligence could dig up cures buried online
by Bahar Gholipour
Source: Wired, 29 November
With 2.5 million scientific papers published every year, even specialized doctors can’t keep up with the cutting-edge clinical developments in their field. Now an AI assistant can read and select scientific literature through key concepts, and a search engine can do research beyond keywords.
Read more:
https://www.wired.com/2016/11/artificial-intelligence-dig-cures-buried-online/
The neuroscientist who’s building a better memory for humans
by Cynthia Mckelvey
Source: Wired, 1 December
A biomedical engineer is studying in rats and monkeys a prosthesis that implanted into the brain would stimulate the hippocampus electrically to convert short-term in long-term memory. Other devices are studied to develop creativity or concentration, that can’t be recognized as medical ones.
Read more:
https://www.wired.com/2016/12/neuroscientist-whos-building-better-memory-humans/
“This is humanity’s most dangerous moment”
by Stephen Hawking
Source: The Guardian, 2 December
Technology widens financial inequalities with the automation of jobs and makes our developed world like a Nirvana Instagram visible and ready for anyone in search of a better life. We need an humble technology and leadership to not self-destruct before to be able to escape from our Planet.
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- Pubblicato il : 20/12/2017 Modificato il : 04/04/2019