Rewiring Your Brain with Nanotubes
Posted by Peter Owen | Filed under science
During scientific research in Italy and Switzerland, scientists have discovered that nanotubes may act similar to neurons. This opens up a whole new possibility of rewiring the brain to make it more efficient. We could also treat diseases that affect the brain like Parkinson’s disease.
NEWS EPFL :: Media & Communications.
Tags: brain, nanotubes, science, smart
Josh Silver’s Quest to Help the Blind See
Posted by Peter Owen | Filed under science, technology
Josh Silver is an inventor that wants to help 1 billion of the world’s poorest see better. While he has an aggressive time line for doing this, he is hell bent on meeting it. Within the next year, he hopes to have 1 million pairs on people in India. The glasses are based on injecting fluid into sacs which are inside the glasses. The more liquid, the stronger the lens. I wish there were more efforts like this.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/dec/22/diy-adjustable-glasses-josh-silver
Tags: 2020, glasses, inventor, Josh Silver, vision
Dying Stem Cells Good News for Scientists
Posted by Peter Owen | Filed under health, science
By harvesting stem cells from the victim of a certain disease, scientists can now observe similar cells dying from the disease. This will enable them to do more research on what causes the disease and how to stop it.
Patient-derived induced stem cells retain disease traits.
Music Mondays – A New Weekly Posting
Posted by Peter Owen | Filed under music, music monday, video
Thanks to Diana for recommending I do a weekly music posting. This will include either a music video or a song. This week, in honor of her, I am posting a video that I was watching when we first met that I absolutely love. It’s called Lover’s Spit by Broken Social Scene.
Why I like this video/song: Correction, I love this video! One reason is I enjoy music that helps me relax and this is definitely one of those pieces. When it’s combined with the fluidity of slow motion AND water, that makes for a perfectly relaxing video. Throw a little love in there and I couldn’t ask for anything more. I hope you enjoy.
Tags: broken social scene, BSS, lover's spit, media, music, music monday, video, youtube
I Just Found a new Hero
Posted by Peter Owen | Filed under science
I think I just found my new hero.. his name? Albert Ellis. He is one of the most influential psychotherapists of the 20th century and has written over 70 books. One of my favorite titles (I plan on reading it when I get a chance) is called How to Stubbornly Refuse to Make Yourself Miserable About Anything—Yes, Anything! The Way I would sum up his position is “everyone is fallible, shit happens, tolerate it, even if you die, it’s not the end of the world, but look on the bright side!” Another thing to note, at his 90th birthday party, he received a letter from President George Bush, skimmed it and dropped it to the floor. I think he might be onto something. The article is below.
The Human Condition: Ageless, Guiltless: The New Yorker.
Tags: Albert Ellis, Psychotherapist, REBT
Molotov cocktails used to fight off Somali (ass) pirates
Posted by Peter Owen | Filed under World
I don’t know if anyone else is sick of seeing these damn Somali pirates make the news, but I’ve had it and this will be the last post about them until one of their boats is destroyed or they all die in gunfire from an angered nation. The other day authorization was given by the UN to attack these pirates by land or air. I think it’s about time to sink all of their ships with zero casualties. Just take away their means.
Chinese ship uses Molotov cocktails to fight off Somali pirates – Telegraph.
Tags: chinese, Molotov cocktails, somali pirates, UN
