Lifeboat Foundation

Johns Hopskins Medicine

A modified version of the Clostridium novyi (C. novyi-NT) bacterium can produce a strong and precisely targeted anti-tumor response in rats, dogs and now humans, according to a new report from Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center researchers.

In its natural form, C. novyi is found in the soil and, in certain cases, can cause tissue-damaging infection in cattle, sheep and humans. The microbe thrives only in oxygen-poor environments, which makes it a targeted means of destroying oxygen-starved cells in tumors that are difficult to treat with chemotherapy and radiation. The Johns Hopkins team removed one of the bacteria’s toxin-producing genes to make it safer for therapeutic use.

Read more

FUTURISM UPDATE (November 14, 2014)

BBC: Oil price falls below $80 a barrel http://bbc.in/1xChaon

FUTURE OBSERVATORY: An artificial retina based on semiconductor nanorods and carbon nanotubes. An international team of researchers has combined semiconductor nanorods and carbon nanotubes to create a wireless, light-sensitive, flexible film that could potentially act in the place of a damaged retina. http://lnkd.in/dCymrjH

FUTURE OBSERVATORY: Twisted-light waves transmitted in air over a 3-kilometer path. Could significantly increase data rates for non-fiber communications and improve encryption of quantum communications http://lnkd.in/dZJP7qw

Continue reading “FUTURISM UPDATE (November 14, 2014) — Mr. Andres Agostini” »

The audio in this archive file was compiled from a 1984 meeting of futurists, transhumanists, and progressives. The main topic of the meeting was the most appropriate ways to engage or advance these philosophies within government. For example, one significant point of discussion centered around whether running for office was an effective way to drive change.

In the course of the discussion, the primary viewpoint FM-2030 espoused was that some aspects of government — especially the concept of leadership — would become obsolete or be replaced by other aspects of society (see Part 1). However, he also expressed what he believed the core of a ‘true’ democracy might look like. This archive file is assembled from excerpts of that section of the discussion.

MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine

FUTURISM UPDATE (November 13, 2014)

FORBES: How Top CIOs Brace For The Next Big Data Breach http://lnkd.in/d-btWe3

STRATFOR: What the Fall of the Wall Did Not Change http://lnkd.in/d8qx75t

UPI: Lockheed Martin partners for space debris research. Lockheed Martin has announced a partnering agreement to study near-Earth space debris using the largest infrared telescope in the Western Hemisphere. http://lnkd.in/dGUFrnd

Continue reading “FUTURISM UPDATE (November 13, 2014)” »

By Nick Lavars — Gizmag

Even with advances in gels and dressings, burns remain a difficult injury to treat. This applies particularly to parts of the body where the skin bends around bones and joints, creating surfaces unfavorable to most types of bandaging. But researchers from Japan’s Tokai University have developed a new ultra-thin material that clings to those trickier locations, serving to ward off infectious bacteria.

The researchers liken the material as akin to cling wrap in its ability to adhere to not only flat surfaces without any adhesives, but also irregular surfaces that can be prone to dog-eared Band-Aids and curling gauze.

Read more

FUTURISM UPDATE (November 12, 2014)

FINANCIAL TIMES: Alibaba breaks online shopping records http://on.ft.com/1ytcyPI

THE GUARDIAN: Report claims a third of UK jobs at risk from robots http://lnkd.in/dTBpmFE

EURASIA REVIEW: Iran To Launch More Selective Internet Censorship http://lnkd.in/dzG-wPM

Continue reading “FUTURISM UPDATE (November 12, 2014)” »

FUTURISM UPDATE (November 11, 2014)

TECHCRUNCH: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella details his views on what Google and Apple do best http://tcrn.ch/1ypN0D4

REUTERS: Iranian-built copy of U.S. drone takes first flight http://lnkd.in/ddzJxZs

REUTERS: U.S. Postal Service data breach may compromise staff, customer details http://lnkd.in/dZcfTtf

GARTNER: Gartner Identifies the Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends for 2015 http://lnkd.in/ds775sy

Continue reading “FUTURISM UPDATE (November 11, 2014)” »

By: Bryan Nelson — MNN