Technology has immortality, cures for the worlds devastating diseases, quantum computing and a host of other science fiction notions in its grasp. Current trends in a number of areas indicate that over the next 10 years many of these technologies will come to fruition. "The Next 10 Years" tracks the trends that will transform our everyday lives in almost unimaginable ways.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Breakthrough could help combat superbugs

Breakthrough could help combat superbugs

In a paper published today in the premier journal Science, the researchers describe for the first time the mechanism of a bacterial pressure-release valve or channel - which helps safeguard bacteria.

The findings of the two teams from the University of Aberdeen, led by Professor Ian Booth, and the University of St Andrews, led by Professor James Naismith, could pave the way for new chemicals to combat potentially deadly bugs by acting on these channels.

All bacteria have tiny channels in their walls which operate like the valve on a pressure cooker – they open to release material when the pressure in a bacterial cell gets too great. If the channel didn't open to relieve pressure the bacteria would explode and die.


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Sunday, August 24, 2008

Algae: Biofuel of the future?

Algae: Biofuel of the future?

University of Virginia researchers have a plan to greatly increase algae oil yields by feeding the algae extra carbon dioxide (the main greenhouse gas) and organic material like sewage, meaning the algae could simultaneously produce biofuel and clean up environmental problems.

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Thursday, August 21, 2008

Researcher converts biodiesel-waste glycerol into omega-3 fatty acids

Researcher converts biodiesel-waste glycerol into omega-3 fatty acids

The typical American diet often lacks omega-3 fatty acids despite clinical research that shows their potential human health benefits. Zhiyou Wen, assistant professor of biological systems engineering in Virginia Tech's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, found a way to grow these compounds using a byproduct of the emerging biodiesel industry.

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Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Mount Sinai researchers have developed a new gene silencing technology
that could be used to target genes that can lead to the development of
certain diseases. This technology could pave the way for preventing
diseases where gene dysfunction plays a role.

"By being able to silence
certain genes, we may be able to suppress genes that can cause diseases
such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, inflammation and diseases of the central and
peripheral nervous systems. We now know we can focus on these genes and
potentially change the ultimate course of many diseases that have a
major impact on people's lives," says Dr. Zhou.



In the study, Dr. Zhou, Shiraz Mujtaba, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
of Structural and Chemical Biology at Mount Sinai and their colleagues
discovered that Paramecium bursaria chlorella virus uses a viral
protein to modify host DNA packing chromatin and switch host
transcription machinery for viral replication. Based on this finding,
researchers were able to develop a new gene targeting technology that
effectively suppresses transcriptional expression of targeted genes in
human cells, including genes that are linked to the onset of a number
of diseases.


Sunday, August 10, 2008

In scientific first, researchers correct decline in organ function associated with old age

In scientific first, researchers correct decline in organ function associated with old age:
Now, for the first time, scientists at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have prevented this age-related decline in an entire organ — the liver — and shown that, as a result, the livers of older animals functioned as well as they did when the animals were much younger. Published in the online edition of Nature Medicine, these findings suggest that therapies for boosting protein clearance might help stave off some of the declines in function that accompany old age. The study's senior author was Dr. Ana Maria Cuervo, associate professor in the departments of developmental & molecular biology, medicine and anatomy & structural biology at Einstein.
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Saturday, August 02, 2008

Technology Review: 3-D Printing for the Masses

Technology Review: 3-D Printing for the Masses

A rapid-prototyping service opens up technology to hobbyists and designers.

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Scientists mimic essence of plants' energy storage system

Scientists mimic essence of plants' energy storage system:
In a revolutionary leap that could transform solar power from a marginal, boutique alternative into a mainstream energy source, MIT researchers have overcome a major barrier to large-scale solar power: storing energy for use when the sun doesn't shine.
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