Category Archives: Futurism

In Brief Due to the Earth's rotation being slowed by tidal movement, the Moon is moving further away, which means that the days of total solar eclipses are numbered. This makes catching the event in August even more important. Elusive Eclipse

Solar eclipses have been vital to humanitys study of the Sun and the workings of our solar system. But over the course of future millennia this phenomenon will change forever.

Due to the Moon moving away from the Earth at a rate of 3.8 cm (1.5 inches) a year, total solar eclipses will decrease in frequency and annular eclipses, during which the Suns ring of fire remains visible, will increase in frequency. Although humans probably wont be on Earth when the last total eclipse occurs in 620 million years because well probably be living on Mars, where annular eclipses occur almost daily the inevitable cut-off date may make it slightly more pressing for you see them while they still happen.

The discovery of the lengthening time between solar eclipses began with Edmond Halley in 1695, who realized that according to the contemporary dates that eclipses were on, eclipses in ancient Greece and Rome were occurring on the wrong days. Due to his faith in Isaac Newtons principle of general gravitation, he concluded that days on Earth must be getting longer because the planets rotation was slowing.

Halleys hypothesis was later definitively proven by using the laser measuring instruments that the Apollo astronauts left on the Moon. Scientists discovered that tides are responsible for the rotation slowing. The cumulative effect of shallow waters around a land mass (continental shelves) colliding with high tides create a force that slows the rotation.

As the rotation slows, the Moon gains angular momentum to preserve equilibrium in the Earth-Moon system. As it gains more momentum, it moves further away. Eventually, this means that it will be too far away to obscure all of the Sun meaning total eclipses can no longer occur.

The next solar eclipse is on August 21st, and is remarkable because it is the first eclipse that will be visible the U.S. since 1979. As solar eclipses will become more and more infrequent, its important to try to witness the cosmic intricacy while you still can.

Our understanding of the relationship between the Earths rotation, the Moons position, and solar eclipses is an example of generations of scientists building on discoveries that proceeding them and working towards truth in a collaboration across time. Due to the nature of space in which things happen slowly it is only through long-term study that we can come to know universal details and occurrences like these.

There are several projects and missions underway currently that will probably also need this multi-generational approach to understand all the ramifications of their discoveries. An example is the multiple Mars missions. While the NASA project Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) has shown us that Mars atmosphere was robbed by solar winds and the Suns energy, it is only through observation over multiple lifetimes that we will understand the precise nature of these phenomena.

Despite our years of research, our solar system and the star at the heart of it continue to baffle and amaze us. Even as we move closer to our goal of touching the Sun, we can rest assured that our perspective of it will continue to change even millions of years into the future.

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Total Solar Eclipses Are on the Path to Extinction - Futurism

In Brief The Tesla Model 3 is about to hit the streets. CEO Elon Musk announced via Twitter that, after passing all regulatory requirements, the first series of Model 3s could be out by Friday this week. Arrival of the Tesla Model 3

When it comes to Elon Musks ventures, it seems like theres alwayssomething to look forward to. This past weekendSpaceX launched itsthird mission in nine days which came after their historic doubleheader last weekend.Then theres the progress on MusksBoring tunnels under L.A.But the most recent announcement hadmore than 400,000 peoplein wait; those who have signed up for pre-orders for the Tesla Model 3.

In a tweet Sunday night, Musk said that the Model 3 has already passed regulatory hurdles.

He expects that the serial number 1 (SN1) for Teslas electric vehicle will be finished by the end of this week. Musk also said in a second tweet that the handover party for the first 30 Model 3 customers will take place on the 28th of this month.

Musk was clearly pleased to make the announcement, and hed done the legwork ahead of potential questions, too. He also shared on Twitter just how manyModel 3s are expected to berolled out by the end of 2017. Continuing on in his Twitter thread, the Tesla CEO said that they expect 100 cars by August and over1,500 by September. By December, Tesla hopes to be producing20,000 Model 3s per month.

It should come as no surprise that Tesla has ramped up production for the Model 3. Previous reports revealedtheModel 3 production line runs onwhat Musk called an alien dreadnaught of Kuka robots. This was certainly the right move,considering the amount of pre-orders Tesla received for the Model 3 was staggering.

While the Model 3 is Teslas most affordable EV yet, the energy company isnt going cheap in terms of its design and capabilities, which will includeTeslas self-driving Autopilot software.

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Get Ready. The Tesla Model 3 Goes on Sale This Week. - Futurism

A Hub of Ideas

Dubai is already leading the world in a number of innovative conceptsthey have plans for a Hyperloop system, a robot police force,a store that changes shape,self-driving electric vehicles,flying taxis,a space agency that will work towards getting people to Marsand this is just the beginning.

Now, its looking to continue that trend through a unique and innovative program that gathers the worlds industry leaders with key figures in government in order to solve some of humanitys greatest challenges.

The Dubai Future Accelerators is an intensive nine-week program that aims to connect the most innovative companieswith partners in the government in order to bring to life viable futuristic prototypes at a city-wide scale. Their goal is to actually testthe technologies that could be the solutions to some of thechallenges that plague modern society.Our mission is to imagine, design and create the future by facilitating partnerships between forward-thinking entrepreneurs and the government using the city of Dubai as a living testbed, the programs website notes.

For the program, they are focusing on seven key opportunities of the 21st century. This includes the application of cutting edge technologies like AI and robotics, genomics, 3D printing, distributed ledgers, biomimicry, and biotechnology, as well as new business models and ways of working, notesthe programs organizer, the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF).

Together, these focal points represent the most pressing sectors that could accelerate society into a new age of efficiency,productivity, and abundance. Each of the seven sectors act as umbrellas, housing a number of opportunities for innovation beneath them.

Applications for the third run of the program, which will go from October 1 to November 29, are already open. Interested companies have to be familiar with the challenges defined by the DFFs government partners and then choose one theyd like to focus on before filling out the application form.

The challenges come from a number of Dubais government offices, including the Roads and Transport Authority, the Dubai Police, the citys Health Authority, and the Department of Economic Development.

In the official release, Maha Khamis Al Mazeina, Project Manager at Dubai Future Foundation, noted that the program is really all about setting a course and tone for the future: The Dubai Future Accelerators program embodies the strategies set by the UAE as the country aims to lead the global charge to build the future, focusing on the strategic sectors that most affect peoples lives in the UAE and abroad.

To that extent, the program is doing a lot more than uniting governing officials with tech execs. They are inspiring the coming generations. For example, events held by the Dubai Future Accelerators will include members of the community, such as their Masterclass a series of interactive workshops that are meant to provide a comprehensive introduction to some of the technologies of the future and how to use them to benefit society.

Other events will be less like classes and more like discussion panels, where individuals can come together to ask the best and brightest about their ideas regarding how to build a better tomorrow. Such sessions will be hosted by international experts and participants in the Accelerators program, and they will explore the impact that these latest trends will have (and are having) on people today and tomorrow.

This is not a traditional accelerator. This isnt about how to write a business plan or how to pitch your startup. Its not about coding languages or search engine optimization. We arent going to tell you how to run your business or how to develop your website, the DFF says.This is about changing the world. Today.

So, if youthink that you might be able to help address one of the problems listed above, consider applying at the website by sending along a proposal,and if selected, you could be heading toDubai to help usher in a better tomorrow.

Disclosure: The Dubai Future Foundation works in collaboration with Futurism and is one of our sponsors. This post was not paid for or edited by DFF.

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Dubai Announces Accelerator to Solve the 21st Century's Most Pressing Challenges - Futurism

In Brief Lightyear is a company that is promising a solar powered electric car. The car could be charged both by regular home outlets as well as the sun. Lightyears Ahead

Even before electric cars officially take over as the new normal, clean driving just isnt enough for some. One company is looking to take green personal transportation to unprecedented heights. Lightyear is a next-generation car company from the Netherlands that is making some truly lofty promises. The company is working on bringing the world a vehicle powered not just by electricity, but by energy generated from the sun.

According to the companyswebsite, all cars of the world combined drive one light year, every year. Their mission is to switch from a fossil fuel powered light year of travel to one powered by the sun by 2030.

Lightyear is hoping to sidestep one of the major limitations and anxieties of electric vehicles: range. Mass adoption of electric vehicles could be hindered by a lack of investment in charging infrastructure. The website claims that [o]nly 3% of the world population lives within 100 km of a publicly accessible charging station.

The vehicle promised will be powered by energy stored in a battery that can be charged both by a standard (3.7 kW) outlet, as well as solar panels in the vehicles body. In a sunny environment like Hawaii, the car could theoretically run for months between charges. Even without the sun, the car could run for a significant range. Depending on your battery configuration you have between 400 800 km of range buffered in the battery, Lightyear says on their websitesFAQ section.

This technology has yet to be proven, although the company is planning to haveten vehicles produced in 2019. Cost is also a considerable barrier to obtaining one of these future cars. You can reserve one for 19,000 (around $21,700) a small chunk of the overall 119,000 ($135,800) price tag. Its an interesting addition to the EV lineup, so well be sure tokeep an eye on the development of this technology asthe first prototype gets closer to hitting the road.

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This Next Generation Car Company is Developing Solar-Powered EVs - Futurism

In BriefOver its 1,000 day orbit, MAVEN has revealed the weird andwonderful history of Mars, which NASA has now codified into a listof top ten discoveries. As well as being scientificallyfascinating, what does this knowledge allow us to prepare for? The MAVEN Mission

On June 17th, NASAs Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission (MAVEN) celebrated 1,000 days in orbit around our solar system neighbor it entered into this orbit in September 2014. To commemorate the 1,000 day anniversary, NASA released a list of its 10 most exciting findings.

MAVENs goalis to explore the Red Planets upper atmosphere, ionosphere, and interactions with the sun and solar wind in order to gain insight into the history of Marss atmosphere and climate, liquid water, and planetary habitability. The changes that caused its transition from a habitable world to the rocky tundra we see today are mainly caused by the dissipation of Marss volatiles (the low-boiling point compounds that make up the atmosphere) into space.

The mission is remarkable because it is the first to explore Marss atmosphere rather than its surface. In order to do this, MAVEN is using eight separate instruments and fluctuates between 3,728 miles (6,000 km) and 77 miles(124 km) from Marss surface this allows it to study the entire spectrum of Marss atmosphere. It contains no tools to search for life on the planet, because adding a detector for methane (a gas indicative of extant life) would have exceeded the projects budget.

MAVEN has made a number of interesting discoveries during the last 1,000 days. Gas is exchanged between the upper and lower halves of the Mars atmosphere in a way that will require further study; the ionosphere of the planet has a layer of metal ions; and there are two new types of aurora that have been discovered,calleddiffuse and proton and, informally, Christmas Lights.

What NASA thinks is most important is the explanationbehind how it lost such a significant proportion of its atmosphere. It was stripped layer by layer from the top by the the sun and the solar wind, which were more violent millions of years ago. Bruce Jakosky, Mavens principal investigator, said that it was like the theft of a few coins from a cash register every day, the loss becomes significant over time.

These arent all of the discoveries made by MAVEN; you can read the full list on the NASA website.

MAVEN has given us an incisive look into the nature of Mars, which is pivotal if we want to colonize the planet in the future, as both Stephen Hawking and Elon Musk have proposed. This is because a knowledge of the past allows us to make more accurate predictions about the future: it will inform us of the nature of the challenges we may face when we reach the Red Planet, and allow us to prepare for them in advance.

An example of this early preparation is the recent concept of what a human driven Mars rover could look like, which is informed by the information gathered by MAVEN and other, land-based Mars exploration missions like the Spirit and Opportunity rovers.

These missions also show us what we dont know, which allows us to send tailored spacecraft to Mars to fill in gaps in our knowledge. Our next mission to Mars will be NASAs InSight Mars Lander, which is due to launch in 2018 and aims to study the planets deep interior. InSight will complete our study of the layers of Mars, giving us a schematic of the planet from the subterranean to atmospheric level.

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After 1000 Days in Orbit, Here Are the 10 Most Remarkable Things MAVEN Taught Us - Futurism

In BriefScientists have developed a tool that can test an entiregenome against a CRISPR molecule to predict potential errors andinteractions. This will allow doctors to ensure treatments aresafer and more effective. Editing The Editor

The CRISPR gene-editing tool is already in use by scientists all over the world who are racing to cure deadly diseases by editing the genomes of patients. However, as human trials for various treatments are slated to begin, we still face the hurdle of ensuring that any errors in CRISPR edits wont causing problems. Scientists from The University of Texas at Austin may have come up with a possible solution. Theyve developedsomething that works like a predictive editor for CRISPR: a method for anticipating and catching the tools mistakes as it works, thereby allowing for the editing ofdisease-causing errors out of genomes.Click to View Full Infographic

Scientists have already learned how to use CRISPR to edit errors in almost any genome and its these errors that can cause a wide range of diseases. Many forms of cancer, Huntingtons disease, and even HIV can be targeted usingCRISPR. That being said, itsnot a perfect solution. Just as the autocorrect on your smartphone can cause you to send an unintentional and embarrassing text message, CRISPR can correct something that was actually right the consequences of which can make it adangerous mistake. One that actually causes a disease as opposed to an embarrassing social gaffe.

The researchers developed a method for quickly testing a CRISPR molecule against a persons entire genome, rather than onlythe target area,in order topredict other segments of DNA the tool might accidentally interact with. This new technique functions like an early warning system, giving doctors a chance to more closely tailor gene therapies to specific patients, while ensuring they are effective andsafe.

If were going to use CRISPR to improve peoples health, we need to make sure we minimize collateral damage, and this work shows a way to do that,Stephen Jones, UT Austin postdoctoral researcher and co-lead author of the study, told the UT News.

This research will also allow scientists to improve their own predictive skills when it comes to CRISPR molecule behaviors even without genome testing. This is because the work is actually revealing the rule book CRISPR molecules follow when they choose targets.

One CRISPR molecule the team tested, Cascade, targets DNA sequences but pays less attention to every third letterin the sequence. So if it were looking for the word shirt and instead found the word short, it might be fine with that, Jones said, explaining the significance of the quirk to the UT News.

As researchers master these rules, they will be able to develop better predictive models for CRISPR therapies. This will make the technique faster and cheaper, which will in turn render personalized gene therapies more accessible to more patients. Most important of all, it will also help make theentire process far safer.

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This New Gene-Editing Technique Can Spot CRISPR's Mistakes - Futurism

In Brief A federal grant has enabled researchers to investigate what makes the Brangus cow so effective at body temperature regulation. Due to climate change, high temperatures have made trouble for cows, leading to decreased efficiency and quality in agriculture. Can Cows Take the Heat?

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has proposed a plan to make cowsmore resistant to the temperature increase caused by global warming. The proposal has received a three-year, $733,000 federal grant.

The scientists plan aimsto retain the quality meat cows provide whileincreasing the efficiency of the process in spite of a changing climate. The first step is conducting research on cows that already handle the heat pretty well. By studying theBrangus cow, researchers hope to identify how it regulates its body temperature, which allows it thrive in hotter climates. Once identified, researchers could usea gene editing tooltogive thatability to other breeds.

Dr Rachel Mateescu, associate professor in the UF/IFAS department of animal sciences, told Digital Trends:

Heat stress is a principal factor limiting production of animal protein and negatively affecting health and welfare of cattle in subtropical and tropical regions, and its impact is expected to increase dramatically due to climate change [] the ability to cope with heat stress is imperative to enhance productivity of the U.S. livestock industry and secure global food supplies.

That a venture like this received funding is a sign of two things that many in the scientific community have been well aware of, but that they may not have yet connected:the rate at which the climate is changing, and the potential of gene editing software.

Climate change isfundamentally changing our world.Its even changingthe genetics of several species including humans as well as altering the function of entire ecosystems.

As funding for this research is contingent on viability, its also a chance to demonstratethe rapid progress made in gene editing software, which has been catalyzed by CRISPR. Since its first demonstration in 2013,an enormous amount of research has been conducted using it. The future of gene editing with CRISPRs help looks bright, too: manytrials have or are set to beginthis year, including attempts to modify viruses to killantibiotic resistant bacteria andrevive extinct species.

While it seems more logical to reduce global warming rather than try to deal with its consequences, should the preventative method fail, the only solutions that we could turn to are those previously reserved for the realms of science fiction, like changing ourgenetic makeup or migrating to another planet.

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Scientists Want to Genetically Engineer Heat-Resistant Cows to Survive Climate Change - Futurism

Enhanced Regional Inequalities

A new study from the Climate Impact Lab, a consortium of 25 economists and policy experts from across the country, shows that the American South will be more affected byclimate change than any other region in the United States. The analysis also shows that the effects of climate change will transfer wealth from poor counties in the Midwest and Southeast to wealthier counties on the coasts and in the Northeast. This will aggravate the trend of economic inequality in the U.S.that already exists.

States that are alreadywarm or hot such as Florida, Arizona, Texas, and the states of the Deep South will therefore lose income potentialwhen jobs and other benefits migrate to cooler areas. Counties in states that border the Gulf of Mexico in particular are likely to experience the equivalent of a 20percent, county-level income tax solely attributable to climate change. This tax will come in the form of skyrocketing summer energy costs, struggling harvests, rising seas that engulf real estate, and heatwaves that trigger public health crises and inflate mortality rates.

TheU.S. GDP will decrease by around 1.2 percent for every additional degree Celsius of warming. Although the Paris Agreement terms would allow a rise of four degrees Celsius by the end of this century, but even if we didnt surpass that limit,the GDP of our country will still contract by 1.6 to 5.6 percent. If the Paris terms are not met, the damage will be more severe. (To put this into perspective, the biggest drop in GDP during the Great Recession was 6.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008. It took years to recover from the drop, and the ramifications were felt all over the world.)

The study is an exhaustive, detailed effort, which models every single day of weather in each county in the U.S. during the 21st century in order to simulate the economic costs of climate change. It is by far the most in-depth economic assessment of human-caused climate change to date. It is also highly significant because it takes a bottom-up approach, building on multiple microeconomic studies with regional economic data to provide a more detailed picture of the future of the U.S.

As detailed as the study is, the team omitted many serious risks of climate change because they lacked sufficiently detailed data to include them. For example, although the researchers could agree that biodiversity and other non-market goods are important, without a concrete way to assess the costs of those losses they didnt feel they could include them in the study. They also omitted increased chance of tail risks, which areunlikely yet catastrophic events likemass migration,violent civil or military conflicts, massive droughts, or major polar ice collapses.

The studys economic projections also end in 2099. While certain regions in the Northern regions of the U.S. might initially benefit from the pain the Southern statesare feeling thanks to climate change, that wont last. The authors of the study point out that the North will also experience more severe economic damages should climate change continue unchecked into the next century.

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New Study Says This Region of the US Will Be Hit Hardest by Climate Change - Futurism

In Brief Elon Musk tweeted an update regarding the construction of The Boring Company's first tunnel under Los Angeles. The electric sled component of the elevator system is expected to be operational by next week. A Not So Boring Announcement

On Friday, Elon Musk posted a series of tweets that at first seemed a bit odd (I love floors), but that quicklyproved to be a lead-up for an exciting update about The Boring Company. Musks thread of tweets ended with a video that showcased one of the most intriguing parts ofThe Boring Companys forthcoming tunnel system: the elevator for the electric sled.

Musks concept for tunnels running under the streets of Los Angeles wont featureregular roads, so thats where the need forthiselectric sled comes in.According toThe Boring Companys websiteandthe concept video they released, the components of the elevator (shafts, sleds, and skates) will facilitatecarrying cars down into the tunnel, as well as ferrying people. The sled itself is capable of traveling at speeds of 200 k/h (125 mph).

According to Musk, the first elevator for the electric sled could be operational by as soon as next week. This would indicate thatconstruction of the first part of the L.A. tunnel the Culver City route which would connect to the LAX is well underway. With support from L.A. mayor Eric Garcetti, the progress isnt too surprising. That being said, just because some steady progress has been made and theres government support for Musks project, until the Hyperloop is fully realizedits unlikely that there will be an immediate use for the electric sleds elevator. Other than for the purpose of testing, of course.

Still, seeing the inner workings of the projects progress is pretty neat, as was emphasized by a short video Musk posted that shows the area around the tunnel site.

Indeed, this is exciting work, and Musk is again demonstrating that hes capable of turning his ideas no matter how far-fetched or relatively boring they may seem into a reality.

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Musk Says the Boring Company's First Car Elevator Will Be Operating Next Week - Futurism

In Brief Henrik Fisker has given us a sneak peak of his luxury EV with an official reveal of the prototype scheduled for later today, and pre-orders of the car are available to the public. His company's statements about the car's potential are staggering, and establish it as fierce competition for Tesla. Fiskers Coming Soon

Fisker CEO Henrik Fisker has unveiled a prototype of his luxury electric vehicle (EV) the EMotion on Twitter, ahead of the official unveiling event that will occur later today. Pre-orders for the $129,000 vehicle have also opened, which require a $2000 deposit. Production of the car is set to begin in 2019.

The company also took to Vimeo to release a video of the hotly anticipated vehicle.

The car will, reportedly, have a range of over 643 km (400 miles), a top speed of 260 km/h (161 m/h), a charge time of nine minutes for 100 km (62 miles), and utilizesthe wonder material graphene in its battery, which wasdeveloped in collaboration with Nanotech Energy Inc. Fisker has previously announced that the cars other salient feature isfully autonomous driving capabilities. A press release stated:

The EMotion will be equipped with hardware that will allow fully autonomous driving when approved and released by a soon-to-be-announced partnered supplier. The interior will emphasize ultimate comfort and user interface from both front and rear seats, and all seats will have access to screens and infotainment features.

The development of EVs at all ends of the spectrum is pivotal to the success of the technology. Fiskers price indicates he is aiming for the luxury car price range, and if the figures stand up to scrutiny, the vehicle will be able to compete with its petrol or diesel powered counterparts.

If Fiskers bold claims are true, the car will exceed almost any other EV on the market including the Tesla model S, the car Fisker claims to have helped design and now seems to be taking aim at. Teslas vehiclehas a rangeof up to 300 km (186 miles) if you use the $10,000 85-kwh battery, and takes an hour to charge if you use a Tesla Supercharger station.

There is also promising competition from Porschein the form of the Mission E. The company aims to be producing the EV by 2020, which they estimate will have a range of 450 km (250 miles), and a charge time of 15 minutes.

This competition is good news for the EV market, as it will encourage innovation that will drive the more environmentally friendly type of car forward. Whoever wins the EV supercar race, the planet wins too.

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Here's a First-Ever Look at the New Electric Vehicle That Charges in ... - Futurism