Category Archives: Transhuman News

The ants undergo a bizarre transformation while they fight over their colony's throne.Mind Melting

When the queen of an Indian jumping ant dies, other females immediately begin to compete for the throne, undergoing a bizarre internal transformation in the process.

A team of scientists studying the bizarre ritual found that the Indian jumping ant can actually change the size of its brain, according to research published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B on Wednesday. So far, its the only insect known to be capable of both shrinking and regrowing its brain later on, The New York Times reports, thanks to a complex process thats likely meant to reallocate and conserve energy as the ants vie to take on a new role.

When the queen croaks, most of the female ants in a colony will immediately begin to lash each other with their antennae in a grand battle for the throne. Eventually, a handful of victors called,and we are not joking, gamergates emerge and begin to reproduce en masse.

Gamergates and female worker ants look very similar, but gamergates actually have much tinier brains, according to the study especially in regions related to vision and cognition.

If you look inside their bodies, you can see the huge transformations that they undergo, lead study author and Kennesaw State University biologist Clint Penick told the NYT.

Because the queen-like gamergates live out their lives mating and laying eggs in the darkness of the colony, they dont really need to be able to see or scavenge for food. And since the brain is an extremely energy-intensive organ, the ant simply does away with those parts to save on fuel.

Worker ants need a large brain to deal with these cognitive tasks, but gamergates dont need to think that much, Penick told the NYT. Once they win the tournament, they become little more than egg-laying machines.

The scientists thought that gamergates would die off when they plucked them out of the colony but instead they transformed right back into their former worker ant selves, regrowing their brains to the exact same size they had been before the tournament.

READ MORE: These Ants Shrink Their Brains for a Chance to Become Queen [The New York Times]

More on ants: Researchers Used CRISPR to Manipulate the Social Activities of Ants

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This Type of Ant Can Shrink and Regrow Its Brain - Futurism

Image by YesMore via Unsplash / Futurism

There appears to be a troubling link between aluminum in the brain and the early signs of Alzheimers Disease, according to a new study.

Researchers have known for years that aluminum has something to do with Alzheimers, but now Keele University scientists have discovered that the metal pops up at the same places in the brain as the tangles of tau protein that appear in the early stages of the disease, according to research published last month in the Journal of Alzheimers Disease Reports. The discovery suggests that its possible that aluminum could even play a role in forming those tangles and plaques which precede the onset of Alzheimers in the first place.

The presence of these tangles is associated with neuronal cell death, and observations of aluminum in these tangles may highlight a role for aluminum in their formation, lead study author Matthew Bold said in a press release.

That doesnt mean that you need to ban aluminum cans from your home. Aluminum, perhaps introduced through food or other exposures, is commonly found in healthy brains, according to the Alzheimers Society, a dementia-focused charity based in London. But as people age, their kidneys may lose the ability to filter it out of the brain potentially leading to the Alzheimers ties uncovered in the new study.

Aluminum accumulation has been associated with Alzheimers disease for nearly half a century, Journal of Alzheimers Disease editor-in-chief George Perry said in the release, but it is the meticulously specific studies of Drs. Mold and Exley that are defining the exact molecular interaction of aluminum and other multivalent metals that may be critical to formation of the pathology of Alzheimers disease.

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The Stuff Beer Cans Are Made From Is Linked to Alzheimer's Disease - Futurism

Los Angeles, USA, April 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CRISPR Therapies Pipeline Insights 2021: Analysis of Key Companies, Emerging Therapies, Recent Happenings and Futuristic Trends

The leading gene-editing companies looking at commercializing CRISPR-based therapeutics are CRISPR Therapeutics, Intellia Therapeutics, and Editas Medicine. CRISPR Therapeutics has the largest market cap of the three, at $10.9B, with a clinical development program that is more advanced than those of Intellia and Editas. Editas Medicine has the smallest market cap of the three companies. Intellia has established high profile collaborations with Regeneron and Novartis.

DelveInsights CRISPR Therapies Pipeline Insight report offers a broad view of available CRISPR therapies in the market, pipeline CRISPR therapies, their MoA, RoA, key companies working in the domain and competitive assessment.

Some of the key takeaways from the CRISPR Therapies Pipeline Report:

Interested in knowing more? Request for the sample @ CRISPR Therapies in the Pipeline

The report underlines the present unmet needs in the market, driving factors and market constraints, along with the holistic view of the inactive therapeutics (comprising dormant and terminated products) with the reasons behind their downfall, detailed insights into the structure and gene editing tool of the pipeline CRISPR therapies to help clients gauge the opportunities and risks in the market.

In the News

Know what is happening in the CRISPR Pipeline Therapies @ CRISPR Pipeline Recent Happenings

What is CRISPR?

CRISPRs (Clusters of Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) are specialized stretches of DNA and are a shorthand for CRISPR-Cas9, which are transcribed by the bacteria to RNA stretches during viral infections. The same CRISPR technology can be leveraged to identify, alter and modify the DNA sequences and genomes.

The technique is used to correct genetic defects, prevent the spread of disease by altering the genetic sequence, improving crop viability and durability, and so on without affecting the functions of other genes.

Want to learn more about the leading candidates in different clinical stages of trials? Reach out @ CRISPR Emerging Therapies and Key Companies

At a Glance: Emerging CRISPR Therapies, RoA, MoA and Companies

Know more about budding CRISPR therapies projected to transform the landscape @ Emerging CRISPR Therapeutics and Market Scenario

CRISPR Therapeutic Assessment The CRISPR Therapies Pipeline report proffers comprehensive insights into active pipeline assets segmented by Stage, Product Type, Route of Administration, Molecule Type, Target and Indications of various drugs.

By Product Type

By Stage

By Route of Administration

By Mechanism of Action

By Targets

By Stage and Route of Administration

By Stage and Product Type

To know more, Visit CRISPR CAS-9 Technology and Emerging Trends

Scope of the report

Learn more about the scope and highlights of the report @ CRISPR Pipeline Emerging Drug Pipeline

Key Questions Answered in the Report

Got queries? Get in touch @ CRISPR Technology and Pipeline Therapies

Table of Contents

Know more about report offerings @ CRISPR Pipeline Insights

Related Reports Adeno Associated Virus Vectors In Gene Therapy MarketDelveInsight's "Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors in Gene Therapy - Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast-2030" report.

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Gene and Cell Therapies in CNS DisordersAnalysis of the key companies in the domain is BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, Helixmith, Q therapeutics, Neuroplast, StemCyte, Axovant, Libella Gene Therapeutics, Voyager Therapeutics and many others.

CRISPR Gene-Editing and Stem-Cell Technology

About DelveInsight

DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports Pharma companies by providing end-to-end comprehensive solutions to improve their performance. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platform PharmDelve.

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CRISPR Therapies Pipeline Insights 2021: Analysis of Key Companies, Emerging Therapies, Recent Happenings and Futuristic Trends - GlobeNewswire

To the dismay of local residents, the New York City police department rolled out its newest toy earlier this week: a four-legged robot dog.

The robot, a modified Spot model manufactured by Boston Dynamics, made an appearance at a public housing building. Videos taken at the scene show the robot dog entering and exiting the buildings lobby.

Now, new details are emerging about the incident. Police have told The New York Timesthat the bot, dubbed Digidog, didnt play an active role in the operation, but that a man who had a gun and was hiding in an apartment along with a woman and her baby was arrested on the scene.

The robodog may not have played an active role in the arrest, but having an armed police squadron deploy a robot to an active crime scene raises red flags about civil liberties and the future of policing.

Locally, the incident was met with outrage.

You cant give me a living wage, you cant raise a minimum wage, you cant give me affordable housing; Im working hard and I cant get paid leave, I cant get affordable child care, Bronx and Westchester County representative Jamaal Bowman said in a video posted to Twitter. Instead we got money, taxpayer money, going to robot dogs?

In the leadup to a mayoral election, candidates took the opportunity to voice their discontent as well.

Rather than $70 million invested into saving residents from dangerous mold & lead paint, N.Y.C. creates another danger for Blackand Latino residents?! mayoral candidate and former MSNBC analyst Maya Wiley wrote in a tweet.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has long called out the use of robot dogs by police enforcement as a gross overreach of power.

One of the things that makes these robots so unnerving is that everybody implicitly understands that the possibility of weaponizing them will continue to hang out there like a tempting forbidden fruit for law enforcement, senior policy analyst Jay Stanley wrote in a recent blog post for the ACLU. There is also the fear that they could evolve from a remote-controlled tool to an autonomous decision-maker that makes actual law enforcement decisions of some kind.

Stanley argues that AI-enhanced decision making, especially when it comes to assisting an already trigger-happy law enforcement system, could end up strengthening existing biases.

Boston Dynamics which has repeatedly attempted to paint its robot in a more whimsical light by showing them go for a jog or complete a dance routine maintains that theres nothing wrong with having a remote controlled robotic dog accompany law enforcement.

As Michael Perry, Boston Dynamics VP of business development, told the Times, its only really willing to draw the line when it comes to arming its robots.

We are adamant that we do not want our robots to be used in a way that harms people, he told the newspaper.

Melanie Aucello, president of the tenant association at the building where the robot dog showed up this week, said that tenants there were being used as guinea pigs.

Were powerless, she told NYT. Were like the scapegoats in society. To further read that they are trying it out and testing it out on us everything that happens bad in our community happens here first.

READ MORE: N.Y.P.D.s Robot Dog Returns to Work, Touching Off a Backlash [The New York Times]

More on the incident: Outcry as Video Shows Robodog Patrolling With NYPD

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NYPD Robodog Involved in Arrest of Man With Gun - Futurism

Taco Bell has recently announced plans for a restaurant redesign that will prioritize digital elements for their on-the-go customers. And one such futuristic location, which utilizes contactless features, has just been unveiled in New York City.

The beloved fast-food chain is cutting the ribbon on its very first digital-only U.S. restaurant today, located in none other than the city's Times Square area, a prime location for brand peacocking and offbeat customer attractions. And naturally, this restaurant puts on full display the high-tech vision that Taco Bell has for its future.

RELATED: 7 New Fast-Food Chicken Sandwiches Everyone's Talking About.

The Times Square Cantina, located in the iconic Paramount Building, will only be fulfilling digital orders. Customers will have to place orders through their phone apps or at one of the ten self-order kiosks, and pick them up at the checkout counter or from one of the code-operated automated cubbies. This location will also sell Taco Bell merch, like keychains, pins, and pens, which can be ordered through the digitized kiosks.

The chain's cantina concept has been around for several years and is a way for Taco Bell to entice its urban customers. These locations provide a more upscale experience by serving specialty alcoholic beverages and providing a view of the open kitchen reminiscent of high-end restaurants. From time to time, you'll also find exclusive menu items on offer.

The new Times Square location follows the recent opening of the chain's first drive-thru cantina operated by a franchisee in Danville, Calif., which has seen great success with its outdoor socializing area. Both restaurants bring Taco Bell a step closer to reaching its ambitious goal of 10,000 global restaurants in the next decade.

For more on Taco Bell, check out 5 Major Changes You'll See on Taco Bell's Menu, and don't forget to sign up for our newsletter to get the latest restaurant news delivered straight to your inbox.

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Taco Bell Just Opened a Futuristic New Location In This Major City - Yahoo Lifestyle

Who's going to be an astronaut?New Deal

NASA has signed paperwork to explore the prospect of letting a company film what would be the first reality show set in space Space.com reports.

The show, titled Space Hero, claims to be the worlds first ever global casting show where contestants compete for a trip to the International Space Station, according to a statement, with flights being offered up by Axiom Space.

Despite the agreement, nothing is set in stone just yet. The document signed by NASA this week does not authorize a private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, as a NASA spokesperson told Space.com. Instead, its meant to facilitate initial cooperation and information sharing between NAS and Space Hero.

The reality show is planning to invite anybody over 18 to enter the competition, with first flights to the space station tentatively scheduled for 2023. According to the shows statement, the mission could also include a 24/7 immersive and interactive livestream.

The news comes after billionaire Jared Isaacman announced a crew of four non-professionals last month who will be joining him on a trip around the Earth on board a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule some time this fall.

Equality is our mission, Space Hero co-founder Deborah Sass said in the statement. We encourage women and men from all over the world to apply to become the Space Hero. This competition is a safe environment for everyone. Dont let gender be a hurdle.

READ MORE: Space Hero reality show competition signs space act agreement with NASA [Space.com]

More on the ISS: Watch NASA Astronauts Take SpaceX Spacecraft for a Joyride

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NASA Considering Reality TV Show Filmed on Space Station - Futurism

Scientists have long observed a growing dent in the Earths magnetic field just above the southern Atlantic Ocean.

The South Atlantic Anomaly, as it has become known, can wreak havoc with satellites and spacecraft that happen to pass over it.

Now, scientists suspect it may have a connection to two mysterious blobs of dense material discovered in the Earths mantle that recent research suggests could be the partial remains of Theia, an ancient Mars-sized protoplanet believed to have smashed into the Earth around 4.5 billion years ago, as Business Insider reports.

Last month, a team of scientists led by Qian Yuan, a graduate student from Arizona State University, presented the idea that the two underground blobs, each millions of times larger than Mount Everest, could have been shards left over from the collision.

Yuan and his colleagues found seismological evidence that the blobs, formally known as large low-shear velocity provinces (LLSVPs), were quite different from the rock in the rest of the Earths mantle.

The blobs may also have a connection to the South Atlantic Anomaly, as our planets magnetic field is generated by the swirling iron in Earths outer core, wherein hotter material rises into the partially solid mantle above and is replaced by sinking, denser material, a process known as convection.

Scientists believe the strange dip in the field is caused by something huge interrupting this process under the Atlantic Ocean.

As it turns out, the relatively hot and dense qualities of the two LLSVPs could technically be significant enough to affect these convection currents, Yuan proposed.

One of these blobs also happens to be near southern Africa, not too far from the South Atlantic Anomaly.

But its not a perfect fit, problematizing the theory.

Why doesnt the same weakness occur in the magnetic field above the Pacific, where the other province is? Technical University of Denmark geophysicist Christopher Finlay told BI.

Its a compelling theory, which could shed light on the mysteries surrounding the magnetic field surrounding our planet that protects us from the Suns harmful radiation.

But until Yuans claims can be evaluated, we will have to take it for what it is: a theory.

READ MORE: Remnants of an ancient planet buried inside the Earth may be the cause of a weak spot in the magnetic field [Business Insider]

More on the anomaly: Scientists: Earths Magnetic Field Could Shift 100x Faster Than Observed

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Anomaly in Earth's Magnetic Field May Be Caused by Buried Fragment of Ancient Planet - Futurism

Last week, Elon Musks neural implant company Neuralink released a video of a primate, whod been implanted with its technology, playing the game Pong with its thoughts.

The technologically flashybut otherwise disappointing demo neuroscientists first developed and demonstrated mind-control tech in primates decades ago represented Neuralinks growing prominence in the public sphere, and raised important questions about privacy, data ownership, and biomedical ethics.

While Im excited about the therapeutic applications of brain chips for those with movement and memory problems, I worry about the widespread use of brain chips in the future, cognitive psychologist Susan Schneider told Observer.

Schneider, whos the Director of Florida Atlantic Universitys Center for the Future Mind, has criticized Elon Musks ambitions for Neuralink for years. In 2019, she said that merging the human mind with AI, as Musk said he wants the neural implant to do, would be akin to suicide.

Without proper regulations, your innermost thoughts and biometric data could be sold to the highest bidder, Schneider added in her latest interview.

Neurological data gathered as part of a medical experiment or treatment is protected by regulations like HIPAA. But there are no legal barriers preventing a company like Neuralink from harvesting and selling cognitive data through a consumer neural implant, like a more invasive version of how Facebook monetizes your data.

And while a neural implant capable of doing that is still far in the future, the fact that technology could outpace the regulations meant to protect the public is alarming.

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Expert: Neuralink Could Sell Your Private Thoughts to the "Highest Bidder" - Futurism

The Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3 crossover weve always wanted.

Cyberpunk 2077 unfortunately never hit the same heights as CD Projekts other whopper of a game, The Witcher 3. But, if you ever happened to want to know what Yennefer would look if she was in the futuristic title, this cosplay will be sure to settle any curiosities you may have.

Flung into the cosplaying spotlight today we have the delectable Oksana_Frost showcasing her top-drawer Yennefer attire but with a twist. Instead of the sweet aroma of Lilac and gooseberries, Yennefer enters the Night City in a haze of cigarettes and car fumes.

Just in case youre new to The Witcher world, let me give you a quick briefing: Although Yennefer didnt appear in the firstWitchergame, she did appear in flashbacks inThe Witcher 2: Assassins of Kingsand then found herself as a main character inThe Witcher 3: Wild Huntplaying a sorceress and Geralt of Rivias true love.

Russian photographer oksana_frost takes the very essence of Yennefer in her stunning cosplay by changing the powerful enchantress into one of Cyberpunks cyborgs.

As you can see from the images, Yennefers arm is laced in wires and contraptions poking out from her skin as well as her face. Her eyes, too, have changed from their usual violet colour to a hypnotic red stare.

Known for her elegant attire, this Yennefer cosplay can be seen incorporating some of Cyberpunks boldness throughout her dress with strips of harsh gold giving this cosplay a real revolutionary statement.

Its brilliantly designed and cleverly constructed by oksana_frost as she mixes in two very different worlds into one striking cosplay. I love it. If youd like to see more of Oksanas photography and many of the other talents she lends her hand to, you can follow her over on Instagram.

While you are here, make sure to check out our own review for the Netflix seriesThe Witcherhere. If gaming is more your style,The Witcher 3: Wild Huntis available on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

Have something to tell us about this article?

Rachael, who is Head of Culture, has been gaming for many years. Some of her favourite video games include The Witcher 3 and The Last of Us but also loves a good indie title. Gaming Culture is where her heart lies and spends many hours sieving through gaming fan art and cosplay displays. Other than gaming, Rachael is a book nerd and music lover.

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Cyberpunk 2077 Meets The Witchers Yennefer in Futuristic Cosplay - DualShockers