Should We Bring Back Neanderthal Man?
The New York Times reports that biologists are discussing the possibility of reconstructing the DNA profile of Neanderthal Man, a species of humans which occupied Europe from 300,000 years ago to 30,000 years ago until being displaced by modern humans.
The full genome of the Neanderthal is expected to be recovered shortly. If, as recently reported in the media, a mammoth can be resurrected, the same would be technically possible for Neanderthals.
In fact, the NYT points out, there are good reasons to re-create a Neanderthal; 'No one knows if Neanderthals could speak. A living one would answer that question and many others.'
Now there's a question for bio-ethicists. And would there be volunteer women prepared to be the surrogate mother?
A Machine That Can Read Your Dreams
Researchers at the ATR Computational Neuroscience Laboratories in Japan have succeeded in processing and displaying images directly from the human brain.
While the team for now has managed to reproduce only simple images from the brain, they said the technology could eventually be used to figure out dreams and other secrets inside people's minds. When humans look at an object, the eye's retina recognises an image that is converted into electrical signals which go into the brain's visual cortex. The research team succeeded in catching those signals and then reconstructing what people see.
'It was the first time in the world that it was possible to visualise what people see directly from the brain activity,' the private institute said in a statement.
'By applying this technology, it may become possible to record and replay subjective images that people perceive like dreams.'
Artificial Bone Can Be Injected Into Body
Artificial 'injectable bone' that flows like toothpaste, and hardens in the body, has been invented by British scientists.
This new 'regenerative medicine' technology provides a scaffold for the formation of blood vessels and bone tissue, and can also deliver stem cells directly to the site of bone repair, say the researchers.
'Injectable bone is the first delivery system for stem cells and growth factors that forms a material with the strength of a bone,' said pharmacist Robin Quirk of the University of Nottingham and co-founder of RegenTec, a spin-off company commercialising the technology.
Injectable bone might one day reduce or eliminate the need for bone-grafts to repair skeletal defects and fractures – which often require painful invasive surgery. Not only does the technique reduce the need for dangerous surgery, it also avoids damaging neighbouring areas.
Estonia Approves Mobile Phone Voting For Elections
Leading the world, the Estonian Parliament has approved a law making the nation the first country to allow voting by mobile phone. The lawmakers approved the measure allowing citizens to vote by mobile phone in the next parliamentary elections in 2011.
The mobile-voting system, which has already been tested, requires that voters obtain free, authorized chips for their phones. The chip will verify the voter's identity and authorize participation in the electronic voting system.
Waterproof HD TV For Your Bathroom - Or Pool
For those who think that relaxing in the tub with a nice novel is a bit outdated, British firm Aquavision
will be launching the first full HD waterproof TV in early 2009.
The new S4 HD 40-inch wall/waterproof television incorporates a true, full High Definition (1920 x 1080) LCD panel, integrated Freeview digital tuner, a component video, S-Video and analogue PC input, twin inputs, full scart connection and built-in games.
The unit is also available in the Mirrorvision finish, so that when the television is off, the glass takes the form of a mirror that is perfect for shaving or putting on make-up.
Makes my underwater iPod seem a bit old fashioned.
It's That Time Of Year Again - Top Ten Forecasts By American Futurists
Each year, the World Future Society publishes its Top Ten predictions for the future made by member futurists. The full unedited list and the individual sources of these prognostications can be read here.
1. Everything You Say And Do Will Be Recorded By 2030.
By the late 2010s, ubiquitous, unseen nanodevices will provide seamless communication and surveillance among all people everywhere. Humans will have nanoimplants, facilitating interaction in an omnipresent network. Everyone will have a unique Internet Protocol (IP) address.
2. Bioviolence Will Become A Greater Threat As The Technology Becomes More Accessible.
Bacteria and viruses could be altered to increase their lethality or to evade antibiotic treatment. Another long-term risk comes from nanopollution fallout from warfare. Nanoparticles could potentially cause new diseases with unusual and difficult-to-treat symptoms, and they will inflict damage far beyond the traditional battlefield, even affecting future generations.
3. The Car’s Days As King Of The Road May Soon Be Over.
More powerful wireless communication that reduces demand for travel, flying delivery drones to replace trucks, and policies to restrict the number of vehicles owned in each household are among the developments that could thwart the automobile’s historic dominance of the environment and culture. If current trends were to continue, the world would have to make way for a total of 3 billion vehicles on the road by 2025.
4. Careers Are Becoming More Specialized.
An increase in unusual college courses may foretell the growth of unique new career specialties. Instead of simply majoring in business, more students are beginning to explore niche majors such as sustainable business, strategic intelligence, and entrepreneurship. Other unusual majors that are capturing students’ imaginations: neuroscience and nanotechnology, computer and digital forensics, and comic book art.
5. The World’s Legal Systems Will Be Increasingly Networked.
The Global Legal Information Network (GLIN), a database of local and national laws for more than 50 participating countries, will grow to include more than 100 counties by 2010. The database will lay the groundwork for a more universal understanding of the diversity of laws between nations and will create new opportunities for peace and international partnership.
6. Professional Knowledge Is Becoming Outdated At A Much Faster Rate Than Ever Before.
Most professions will require continuous instruction and retraining. Rapid changes in the job market and work-related technologies will necessitate job education for almost every worker. At any given moment, a substantial portion of the labour force will be in job retraining programs.
7. Get Ready For Biomedical And Genetic Enhancement
Humanity is ready to pursue biomedical and genetic enhancement, says UCLA professor Gregory Stock, the money is already being invested, but, he says, 'We’ll also fret about these things - because we’re human, and it’s what we do.'
8. Urbanization Will Hit 60% By 2030.
As more of the world’s population lives in cities, rapid development to accommodate them will make existing environmental and socioeconomic problems worse. Epidemics will be more common due to crowded dwelling units and poor sanitation. Global warming may accelerate due to higher carbon dioxide output and loss of carbon-absorbing plants.
9. The Middle East Will Become More Secular While Religious Influence In China Will Grow.
Popular support for religious government is declining in places like Iraq. Researchers report that in 2004 only one-fourth of respondents polled believed that Iraq would be a better place if religion and politics were separated. By 2007, that proportion was one-third. Separate reports indicate that religion in China will likely increase as an indirect result of economic activity and globalization.
10. Access To Electricity Will Reach 83% Of The World By 2030.
Electrification has expanded around the world, from 40% connected in 1970 to 73% in 2000, and may reach 83% of the world’s people by 2030. Electricity is fundamental to raising living standards and access to the world’s products and services.
Best wishes for 2009 - Ray. www.rayhammond.com
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