Your Move Humans
“Born in Ravensburg in 1938, Klaus Schwab is a child of Adolf Hitler’s Germany, a police-state regime built on fear and violence, on brainwashing and control, on propaganda and lies, on industrialism and eugenics, on dehumanisation and “disinfection”, on a chilling and grandiose vision of a “new order” that would last a thousand years.”
“Worse still, as his own words confirm time and time again, his technocratic fascist vision is also a twisted transhumanist one, which will merge humans with machines in “curious mixes of digital-and-analog life”, which will infect our bodies with “Smart Dust” and in which the police will apparently be able to read our brains.”
“And, as we will see, he and his accomplices are using the Covid-19 crisis to bypass democratic accountability, to override opposition, to accelerate their agenda and to impose it on the rest of humankind against our will in what he terms a “Great Reset“.”
“While it may not feel momentous to those of us experiencing a series of small but significant adjustments to life on a daily basis, it is not a minor change—the Fourth Industrial Revolution is a new chapter in human development, on a par with the first, second and third Industrial Revolutions, and once again driven by the increasing availability and interaction of a set of extraordinary technologies”
Cultocracy note :
To quote Klaus Schwab from the above paragraph :
“…a series of small but significant adjustments to life…”
“….increasing availability and interaction of a set of extraordinary technologies….”
Hmmmmm…..
Significant adjustments ???
Extraordinary technologies ???
What on Earth could he be talking about ???
Nanotechnology News – September 2020
Genetics
Cultocracy note :
There is widespread research into the underlying genetic process involving memory formation .
Such research may well be used to help trauma victims .
It can also be used to erase memories , prevent memory formation of a particular experience , enhance memories of a specific experience or even insert memories of a specific experience .
Thalamus Brain Area Linked to Short-Term Memory
“Researchers at Rockefeller University have just released findings from a new study, done in mice, which identifies a gene that is critical for short-term memory but functions in a part of the brain not traditionally associated with memory.”
“They screened the mice on a short-term memory task and used genetic mapping techniques to identify a region of the genome, harboring 26 genes that are associated with working memory.”
“With further genome-scale analyses, they whittled the list of genes down to four of special interest. “
“By disabling each of these four genes one at a time, they found that one in particular, Gpr12, coded for a protein that is required for and promotes working memory.”
“Within the locus, we identified a gene encoding an orphan G-protein-coupled receptor, Gpr12, which is sufficient to drive substantial and bidirectional changes in working memory.”
“I expected the prefrontal cortex would be the region most globally changed by the activity of Gpr12…”
“Strikingly, it was actually the thalamus, by far.”
“Within the Smart1 locus, an orphan GPCR is a potent modifier of short-term memory“
- Surprising Brain Area Linked to Short-Term Memory
- A Thalamic Orphan Receptor Drives Variability in Short-Term Memory
Further reading :
- What is the Thalamus?
- What does the Thalamus do?
- Orphan gene (Wikipedia)
- Orphan receptor (Wikipedia)
- Orphan Genes: A Guide for the Perplexed
- About Orphan Genes — What’s the Big Problem for Evolution?
Epigenetic Control of Genes affects Memory
“A research team headed by scientists at the University of Basel has linked epigenetic regulation of a gene, NTRK2, which is involved in glucocorticoid receptor signaling, with a reduced risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among survivors of war….”
“Individuals with PTSD may have symptoms including intrusive daytime recollections of the event, traumatic nightmares, and flashbacks.”
“The stress hormone cortisol plays a vital role in the regulation of these memory processes, as demonstrated by a number of studies”
“Extensive pharmacologic, genetic, and epigenetic research has linked the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) to memory processes….”
“Their previous studies had found that increased DNA methylation at a particular site of the GR gene promoter was linked with less intrusive memory of the traumatic event…..”
“These results might contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of PTSD, ultimately paving the way for the discovery of novel biomarkers and drug targets….”
“For their newly reported work de Quervain’s team continued to take a closer look at the genes involved in cortisol signaling.”
“Several basic studies have already shown that the gene NTRK2 plays a key role in memory formation.”
“NTRK2 encodes the transmembrane receptor tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB). This receptor binds brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as well as other neurotrophic factors”
“BDNF signaling has been shown to play an important role in memory consolidation…”
“The researchers were able to link the epigenetic regulatory mechanism—DNA methylation on the gene NTRK2—with memory in 568 non-traumatized individuals.”
“The combined results of the studies suggest that increased regulation of the NTRK2 gene reduces memory formation.”
Further reading :
Genetic Engineering to Treat Obesity
“The human contains different types of fat cells, and some are more desirable than others. “
“Scientists have developed a new gene-editing technique that converts a subject’s own white fat cells into brown fat cells, which could then be transplanted as a way of treating obesity and diabetes.”
“The gene-editing system was used to increase the expression of UCP1, a gene that causes white fat cell progenitors to convert into brown-fat-like cells. “
“The team calls the result of this process HUMBLE cells (human brown-like) fat cells.”
“Cells in different tissues communicate with each other….”
“In this case, we found that our transplanted HUMBLE cells secrete a molecule called nitric oxide, which is carried by red blood cells to the endogenous brown cells and activates those cells.”
“Now scientific advances, such as CRISPR gene-editing technologies, will help us to improve the metabolism, the body weight, the quality of life and the overall health of people with obesity and diabetes.”
Cultocracy note :
Coming soon…….
Genetic engineering to treat humanity…..
Quantum Computing & Communications
Quantum Radar Going Black
“You might call Jeffrey Shapiro the reluctant godfather of quantum radar. Twelve years ago, the electrical engineer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) helped develop the key concept underlying this scheme to dramatically increase radar’s sensitivity.”
“A mini–arms race is unfolding in the supposed field, initiated by press reports in 2016 that China had built a quantum radar…”
“I started working on this because there were government people coming to me and saying,
“There are reports of quantum radar coming out of China. Is this real?”
“The quantum radar story began in 2008, when Seth Lloyd, a quantum engineer at MIT, unveiled his concept of quantum illumination. Lloyd argued that you could more easily detect an object against a bright background if, instead of merely reflecting light off it, you exploited a quantum connection between particles called entanglement.”
“Lloyd calculated that an observer could more easily pick out an object by generating entangled pairs, shining one photon toward the object, keeping the other, and then measuring the retained and returning photons together in a particular way.”
“Things are different in the microwave band, where radar works…..”
“At room temperature, microwaves stream from everything, even the air.”
“Physicists can generate pairs of entangled microwave pulses from single ones using, instead of a crystal, a gizmo called a Josephson parametric converter.”
“Even if experimenters can overcome the technical hurdles, quantum radar would still suffer from a fatal weakness, researchers say. The entangled pulses of microwaves provide an advantage only when the broadcast pulses are extremely faint.”
“Such considerations suggest quantum radar will never be deployed for long-range uses such as tracking airplanes…..”
“But the dream of fielding a quantum radar to detect stealth aircraft will likely fade away.”
“Taking out the long-range application of the technology will surely take out a lot of the interest of funding agencies…..”
“Shapiro is less sure. This week, he notes, researchers again discussed quantum radar in a special session of the online Radar Conference of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.”
Cultocracy note :
Maybe quantum radar was never about tracking stealth planes in the first place ?
IBM Pomises Quantum Super Computer
“For 20 years scientists and engineers have been saying that “someday” they’ll build a full-fledged quantum computer able to perform useful calculations that would overwhelm any conventional supercomputer.”
“But current machines contain just a few dozen quantum bits, or qubits, too few to do anything dazzling.”
“The plan includes building intermediate-size machines of 127 and 433 qubits in 2021 and 2022, respectively, and envisions following up with a million-qubit machine at some unspecified date.”
“A 1000-qubit machine is a particularly important milestone in the development of a full-fledged quantum computer, researchers say.
“Such a machine would still be 1000 times too small to fulfill quantum computing’s full potential—such as breaking current internet encryption schemes”
“IBM is already preparing a jumbo liquid-helium refrigerator, or cryostat, to hold a quantum computer with 1 million qubits. “
Cultocracy note :
My very own ‘cryostat’ .
Related :
Artificial Intelligence – AI
A Computer Predicts your Thoughts
“By monitoring brain function, computers can be made to imagine what a person is thinking of and present the results as images. The technique can be utilised in psychology and cognitive neuroscience, as well as supporting human creativity. “
“In a way, it is as if the computer tries to imagine what a human is thinking about. As a result of this imagining, the computer is able to produce entirely new information, such as fictional images that were never before seen.”
“As far as is known, the new study is the first where both the computer’s presentation of the information and brain signals were modelled simultaneously using artificial intelligence methods.”
“Images that matched the visual characteristics that participants were focusing on were generated through interaction between human brain responses and a generative neural network.”
“The researchers call this method neuroadaptive generative modelling.”
“The technique is based on a novel brain-computer interface. “
“The subjects were asked to concentrate on certain features, such as faces that looked old or were smiling. While looking at a rapidly presented series of face images, the EEGs of the subjects were fed to a neural network, which inferred whether any image was detected by the brain as matching what the subjects were looking for.”
“Finally, the images generated by the computer were evaluated by the participants and they nearly perfectly matched with the features the participants were thinking of. “
“…the researchers believe that the technique may be used to gain understanding of perception and the underlying processes in our mind.”
“Unconscious attitudes may be exposed…..”
Cultocracy note :
“As far as is known…..”
More refined techniques are currently used in tandem with persistent surveillance technologies .
This and similar technologies are used to monitor and perhaps predict the possible intentions of a human target in the real world .
The systems can also be tweaked to provide ‘intervention’ where necessary .
To quote the above article :
“Unconscious attitudes may be exposed…..”
Or not……
Further reading :
- Weaponized Dreams – CIA & Mi6
- The Dream Team
- AI Recreates Images From Human Brain EEG
- Aligning Brains & Minds
5G & IoT
5G Beamformers
“The 5G era is ushering in a variety of new radio access network technologies…”
“Among these technologies is a new type of antenna , they are called beamforming antennas.”
“Focusing a signal in a specific direction rather than arbitrarily radiating outwards in all directions, enables beamforming antennas to deliver higher signal quality to mobile receiving devices (i.e smartphones), which results in faster information transfer with fewer errors.”
“In essence beams are created by a technique involving multiple antennas in a close proximity array, all broadcasting the same signal at slightly different times…”
“The overlapping radio waves produce interference patterns which are in part constructive (amplifying the signal) and in parts destructive (weakening or cancelling out the signal).”
“Using this technique the antenna array is able to shape the interference pattern into a beam….”
“Another key technology in 5G NR is Massive MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) antennas…..”
“With the massive number of antenna elements, beamforming becomes three dimensional.”
“3D Beamforming can create both horizontal and vertical beams toward users…”
“…even receivers on the top floors of tall city buildings.”
Related :
- HAARP , Phased Radar Arrays , Charged Particles , 5G , BAE Systems
- SpaceX Launches Starlink Satellites
- UK TETRA Masts & Project Pandora
- Wi-Fi , Fourier Transforms & Beam Forming
- US Government Take Over of 5G ? AI & Weaponized Internet
- Electronically Steered Multi Beam Antennas (ESMA)
Cultocracy note :
Nothing is ‘unhackable’.
Everything is ‘hackable’ .
Although the hacking of electronic gadgets and gizmos should be the least of your worries .
Safe and Secure IoT Devices ?
“Makers of Internet-connected gadgets should have to certify that their products can resist cyberattacks.”
“We need to change our thinking. “
“We need to become far more circumspect when we plug a new device into our networks, asking ourselves if its maker has given as much thought to cybersecurity as to basic electrical safety.”
“The answer to that question will almost invariably be no.”
“The number of connected devices within our homes has grown by an order of magnitude over the last decade….”
“At some point in the not-too-distant future, the risks will outweigh the benefits.”
“But security is never cheap. And the costs of poor security are so much higher.”
O2 launches UK’s ‘first’ 5G Satellite Lab
“O2 has just launched the first commercial 5G satellite lab in the UK to test autonomous vehicles.”
“We’ve known for a long time that the speed and reliability of 5G would be key to putting connected and self-driving cars on the roads, but it’s combined here with satellite communications because the latter could help to ensure connectivity is seamless even in remote and harder-to-reach areas.”
“The new lab is called the ‘Darwin Satcom Lab’, and it’s part of Project Darwin – a four-year trial programme that’s based in the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire, and supported by both O2 and the European Space Agency.”
“O2’s 5G Innovation team will be able to remotely track the vehicles, including their position, movement and speed, but that’s just the start, as new ideas are already being tested.”
“For example, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors are allowing for the tracking of CO2 emissions from the vehicles, and by using satellite imagery the lab team can calculate the emissions savings of taking different routes, leading to more environmentally friendly vehicle use.”
“As for everyone else, this 5G-powered lab brings us one step closer to making transport truly smart – and hopefully a little bit greener.”
Councillor Promoted 5G Coronavirus Theories
“A COUNCILLOR has defended promoting theories linking coronavirus cases with 5G masts on his Facebook page after being accused of acting in a ‘reckless’ way. “
“In a series of posts, Cllr Holland suggested a link between a spike in coronavirus cases in Brynmawr with a 5G mast in the area. “
“There is no evidence of a link between 5G and coronavirus and such theories have been rejected by scientific experts in the World Health Organisation. “
“Cllr Holland also said he had attended a rally in London attended by 35,000 people on September 19, adding: “No one was wearing a mask, me included”. “
“But the leader of the council’s Labour group, Cllr Steve Thomas, said they sent a ‘dangerous’ message after the county borough went into local lockdown last week. “
“Cllr Holland accused the council’s Labour group of politicising the issue and said they were “ignorant to the facts of 5G”. “
” Cllr Holland said he is “not a conspiracy theorist”, but stood by his views of there being a “strong connection” between 5G and coronavirus cases.”
“However he said people should do their own research on the issue and not take his word. “
“…rejected by scientific experts in the World Health Organisation”
Say no more….
Related :
- World Health Organization blew almost $192 million on travel: report
- Swedish Disease Expert Calls WHO’s COVID-19 Warning ‘A Total Mistake’
- The World Health Organization’s Swedish flip-flop
- Trump announces US to sever all ties with WHO
- WHO Director-General wishes Trump a swift Covid-19 recovery
It’s our Data not theirs , or yours…
“I’m confident that many more European countries now, frankly because of just sharing information with them, they’re going to make their own sovereign decision that says no”, Pompeo said on Friday. “
“We don’t want our citizens’ data in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party“
“The United States has signed declarations on 5G security with several European countries, including the Czech Republic, Poland and Estonia.”
Cultocracy Chinese spokesperson note :
“Czech Republic, Poland and Estonia”
Hahahaha…….
Very , valuable data….
Hahahaha…….
5G Rollout Delays May Cost UK £41bn
“A new report from the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) think-tank, which was penned by former Government advisers Alex Jackman and Nick King, has claimed that the UK’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is “at risk without a faster 5G rollout” – to the tune of £41 billion.”
“Using analysis by consultancy Policy Points, the report from CPS – ‘Upwardly Mobile‘ – estimates that if 5G coverage reaches a quarter more of the population than the Government’s current target of 51%, it will produce GDP gains of £41.7bn by 2027.”
“The CPS report thus makes a serious of recommendations, most of which centre around a need to update the Electronic Communications Code (ECC), which governs access to land and property by telecoms operators.”
“Recommendations :”
“…..discourage vexatious behaviours that delay site works…”
“All four UK Governments must commit to review and change planning rules….”
Cultocracy note :
Oh dear……
The UK gov really are about to place all their chips on red…..
Or should that be blue ?
Not that they have any choice……
As for “GDP gains of £41.7bn”….
Well…..
It never was about the money…..
Related :
- Future Shock – Once Upon a Virus
- The Fourth Industrial Revolution: what it means, how to respond
- The Top 10 Technology Trends Of The 4th Industrial Revolution
- Technological revolution (Wikipedia)
- Rothschild Signals Move From U.S. to Far East , The 4th Industrial Revolution
Implants
3-D Printed Implants
“Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a new method of 3-D-printing gels and other soft materials.”
“Because many gels are compatible with living cells, the new method could jump-start the production of soft tiny medical devices such as drug delivery systems or flexible electrodes that can be inserted into the human body. “
“Typically, modern 3-D gel printers have used ultraviolet or visible laser light to initiate formation of the gel scaffolding. “
“However, Kolmakov and his colleagues have focused their attention on a different 3-D-printing technique to fabricate gels, using beams of electrons or X-rays.”
“The method enabled the team to use the 3-D-printing approach to create gels with structures as small as 100 nanometers (nm)—about 1,000 times thinner than a human hair.“
“Some future structures made with this approach could include flexible injectable electrodes to monitor brain activity, biosensors for virus detection, soft micro-robots, and structures that can emulate and interact with living cells…..”
Hijacked
“Cells constantly communicate with each other and have ways to pick up signals and process them….”
“In the journal ACS Nano they now report how enzyme loaded nano-capsules can enter cells and be integrated into their native signaling processes. “
“One of the many signals that cells receive and process is nitric oxide (NO).”
“It is a well-studied cellular mechanism since defects in the NO signaling pathway are involved in the emergence of cardiovascular diseases, but also in muscular and retinal dystrophies.”
“The pathway encompasses the production of NO by an enzyme family called nitric oxide synthases (NOS). “
“The NO can then diffuse to other cells where it is sensed by another enzyme named soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC).”
“The activation of sGC starts a cascade reaction, regulating a plethora of different processes such as smooth muscle relaxation and the processing of light by sensory cells, among others.”
“It’s a new strategy to stimulate such changes in cellular physiology by combining nanoscience with biomolecules.”
- Bioactive nano-capsules to hijack cell behavior
- Bioactive Catalytic Nanocompartments Integrated into Cell Physiology and Their Amplification of a Native Signaling Cascade
Related :
- Nitric oxide synthase (Wikipedia)
- Role of Nitric Oxide Synthase in Normal Brain Function and Pathophysiology of Neural Diseases
- Chaperone-dependent Ubiquitination of Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase (PDF)
- Enzymatic function of nitric oxide synthases
- Inhibition of Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase Increases Aggressive Behavior in Mice
- Neuronal nitric oxide synthase in hypertension – an update
- Peroxynitrite…..one of the ‘bad guys’
- Nitric oxide and peroxynitrite in health and disease
- Could Your Body Be Low In Nitric Oxide?
Also related :
- Hypoxia vs. hypoxemia
- Nitric oxide, hypoxia, and superoxide: the good, the bad, and the ugly!
- Nitrous Oxide Diffusion and the Second Gas Effect on Emergence from Anesthesia
- Hypoxia induces type II NOS gene expression in pulmonary artery endothelial cells via HIF-1
Further related :
- Do You Have Microwave Sickness?
- EFFECTS OF MICROWAVES ON CELL MEMBRANE PERMEABILITY (PDF)
- Microwaves and the cell membrane. II. Temperature, plasma, and oxygen mediate microwave-induced membrane permeability in the erythrocyte
- Effects of Acute, Profound Hypoxia on Healthy Humans
- They Are Starving Us of Oxygen
Further reading :
- They don’t struggle to breathe—but COVID-19 is starving them of oxygen
- ‘Silent hypoxia’ may be killing COVID-19 patients. But there’s hope.
- Mysterious coronavirus condition ‘happy hypoxia’ baffles doctors
- BAE Systems – Illegal Human Experimentation
Bionic Vision
“Scientists in Australia who have spent more than 10 years developing a first-of-a-kind bionic vision system are now eyeing human trials.”
“The technology works by bypassing damage to the optic nerves, and following successfully trials in animals….”
“The development of a safe and fully functioning bionic vision system is a goal being pursued by research groups the world over. “
“Some are so far along that they’ve already been implanted in patients, while others are designed to not just restore vision in people suffering from blindness, but afford users superhuman sight.”
“The system is built to carry out the function of healthy optic nerves. “
“It consists of custom headgear with a built-in camera, a wireless transmitter, a vision processor and software, along with a set of square tiles fitted with hair-thin electrodes that are implanted in the brain.”
“The camera captures the scene and passes it along to the smartphone-sized vision processor. This data is in turn transmitted wirelessly to the square tiles, capable of turning that data into electrical pulses that stimulate the brain.”
“These electrical pulses stimulate the brain in a way that creates visual patterns….”
“In July, the team published promising results from a study in which its bionic vision system was implanted into three sheep.”
“The study results indicate that long-term stimulation through wireless arrays can be achieved without induction of widespread tissue damage, nor visible behavioral issues or seizures resulting from the stimulation….”
Not related (I think) :
Brain Computer Interface – BCI
Plug and Play ECoG Array
“Machines that attach to the brain and decode its activity promise to open up all kinds of medical possibilities….”
“These types of machines are known as brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), and there are quite a few under development that have shown some promising capabilities over the past few years. “
“In their various forms, these devices can be implanted in the brain and, powered by advanced algorithms, turn its electrical signals into control inputs for all kinds of devices, from prosthetic limbs, to complete exoskeletons and even drones.”
“The new technology developed at UCSF could mark a significant step forward in this field of research, with the team focusing on the software that translates brain activity into action.”
“Some tweaks to the algorithm enabled it to continue learning about the user’s brain activity and desired movements, without resetting and starting from scratch each day. “
“The team found that this approach enabled the algorithm to better itself each day on an ongoing basis, and eventually meant that the user was able to plug in and begin using it to great effect right away.”
“The BCI used in these experiments is known as an ECoG array, which is a pad of electrodes around the size of a Post-it note that is surgically implanted on the surface of the brain.”
Related :
- EEG tech gives users the power of mind control without putting a hole in their heads
- Rise of the mind-reading machines
- ECoG Speech Synthesis , BCI’s , Implant Arrays
- AI Translates Thoughts to Speech
- Electromagnetic Remote Manipulation of the Human Brain
Human Machine Interface – HMI
Pangolin Puppets
“An eye-catching dress that’s part art project, part cutting-edge tech, was presented today at the Ars Electronica Festival in Linz, Austria. “
“The dress showcases an ultra-low energy, high resolution, brain-computer interface that’s so sensitive that if the wearer thinks about moving a single finger, it can identify which one—without the need for an implant.”
“For the Pangolin dress, each group of electrodes and chips was mounted on a six-sided tile, and the wearer’s head….”
“Because brains vary, identifying such fine grained detail requires calibrating the system to the individual wearer, using machine learning to recognize the patterns…..”
“The Pangolin dress determines whether the wearer is one of a number of mental states, including stressed, neutral, and meditative, and expresses this through motion and light. “
Cultocracy note :
I think the inventors missed out one crucial mental state….
That is ‘high as a kite’…..
Which they clearly are….
Robotics
Space Mining Robots
“Now, a space startup in China is taking its first steps towards testing capabilities to identify and extract off-Earth resources.”
“Origin Space, a Beijing-based private space resources company, is set to launch its first ‘space mining robot’ in November.”
“NEO-1 is a small (around 30 kilograms) satellite intended to enter a 500-kilometer-altitude sun-synchronous orbit. It will be launched by a Chinese Long March series rocket as a secondary payload.”
“This small spacecraft will not be doing actual mining; instead, it will be testing technologies.”
“Another mission, Yuanwang-1 (‘Look up-1’), and nicknamed “Little Hubble”, is slated to launch in 2021.”
“The “Little Hubble” satellite will carry an optical telescope designed to observe and monitor Near Earth Asteroids.”
“Origin Space notes that identifying suitable targets is the first step toward space resources utilization.”
“Right now the only real customers are the national space agencies that are planning to do things on the Moon.”
Related :
- NASA Plan to Divert Asteroid in 2022
- NASA Fixed Data for NEOWISE & NEOCAM Asteroid PROJECTS
- Solar System set for Mining Goldrush
- HAARP , Charged Particles & Lights in the Sky – Part 2
Robotic Fabric
“Researchers at Yale have developed a robotic fabric, a breakthrough that could lead to such innovations as adaptive clothing, self-deploying shelters, or lightweight shape-changing machinery. “
“They demonstrated their robotic fabric going from a flat, ordinary fabric to a standing, load-bearing structure. They also showed a wearable robotic tourniquet and a small airplane with stowable/deployable fabric wings. “
“The researchers focused on processing functional materials into fiber-form so they could be integrated into fabrics while retaining its advantageous properties.”
“Long fibers of this material can be sewn onto a fabric to give it a supportive skeleton that we can turn on and off.”
“To create sensors that detect internal or environmental changes and allow the fabric to respond appropriately, the researchers developed a conductive ink based on a Pickering emulsion….”
“With this ink, the researchers can paint the sensors directly onto the fabric.”
“The conductive composite self-coagulates around the individual fibers and does not notably change the porosity of the fabric…”
“To make the fabric move, the researchers used shape-memory alloy (SMA) wire, which can return to a programmed shape after being deformed.”
“We believe this technology can be leveraged to create self-deploying tents, robotic parachutes, and assistive clothing….”
Further reading :
- Pickering emulsion (Wikipedia) :
- Scientists develop DNA microcapsules with built-in ion channels
- Silica Nanoparticles Stabilize Biocompatible Pickering Emulsions
Robot Beats Humans at Curling
“Thanks to a new deep learning program, a curling robot, appropriately named Curly, was able to win three out of four matches against curlers from South Korea’s national teams.”
“Often, artificial intelligence system perform well in simulations, but struggle when applied in the real world. “
“The problem is known as the “sim-to-real” gap.”
“In the computer lab, deep learning systems can learn from millions of actions in repeated simulations.”
“In robotics, the sim-to-real gap has to do with visual perception, which means that the simulated world looks different from the real world….”
“Curly learns from each throw, allowing the robot to make corrections on subsequent throws.”
“Scientists hope their new deep reinforcement learning system can be adapted for a variety of complex real-world applications, including drone navigation.”
US Spy Bot Washed Up in Scotland
“Beachcombers on the Scottish Isle of Tiree called the local coastguard after discovering a mysterious boat-like object. “
“They found the American-made drone wedged between two rocks, presumably after it ran aground. “
“As of now, no one has claimed ownership of the uncrewed boat, and the details of how it washed up in Scotland remain a total mystery.”
“Experts quickly identified the drone as an American-made Liquid Robotics Wave Glider, an uncrewed watercraft designed to self-deploy over thousands of miles and carry a small payload.”
“The spy boat also has the Wave Rider’s telltale set of three black, stubby antennas, likely for satellite communications, payload telemetry, and GPS.”
“The sub unit may have been severed from the drone, causing it to lose propulsion and drift.”
“We still don’t know the owner of the boat….”
“The local coastguard doesn’t know who it belongs to, and the U.K. Ministry of Defence says it isn’t theirs.”
“So that leaves the U.S. Navy, which also maintains a submarine base at Faslane….”
“Is the wayward Wave Rider a U.S. Navy drone? Almost certainly.”
Related :
Remote Sensing & Stimulation
Team Bluetooth Beam
“Bluetooth has made its mark an alternative to Wi-Fi, using unlicensed spectrum to make quick connections between devices.”
“But it turns out that Bluetooth can go much farther than the couple of meters for which most people rely on it.”
“Apptricity, a company that provides asset and inventory tracking technologies, has developed a Bluetooth beacon that can transmit signals over 32 kilometers (20 miles).”
“….by and large, “asset tracking” refers to an IT department registering which employee has which laptop, or a construction company keeping tabs on where its backhoes are…..”
“Asset and inventory tracking typically use labor-intensive techniques like barcode or passive RFID scanning….”
“Alternatively, companies can use satellite or LTE tags to keep track of stuff.”
“So, the burning question: How does one send a Bluetooth signal over 30-plus kilometers?“
“The key is precise tuning within the Bluetooth spectrum.”
“Garcia says it’s the same principle as a tightly-focused laser beam.”
“A laser beam will travel farther without its signal weakening beyond recovery if the photons making up the beam are all as close to a specific frequency as possible.”
“The company has also demonstrated non-commercial versions of the beacons for the U.S. Department of Defense with broadcast ranges between 80 and 120 kilometers.”
Cultocracy note :
Woooowwwwwww…….
Amazing!!
From 2 metres to 120km………
I wonder if this is applicable to other wavelengths and frequencies ?
Related :
Sweet Dreams….
“Back in May we introduced you to MIT’s new type of dream-tracking device called Dormio, in which subtle suggestions taken from the waking world were able to affect dreams of slumbering test subjects while they were in hypnagogia, a semi-lucid dream state that happens during the onset of sleep.”
“Researchers at MIT Media Lab’s Fluid Interfaces, a think tank for devising and developing wearable systems and interfaces to boost cognitive skills, have employed a revolutionary technique they’ve named targeted dream incubation (TDI). “
“According to the August study, TDI presented precisely targeted information to a sleeping person, allowing direct incorporation of this data into the subject’s dream content.”
“Hand-worn sleep trackers monitored heart rates, electrical variations on the skin surface, and the extent fingers curled or relaxed, in order to ascertain when a sleeper arrived at hypnagogia and entered a suggestible dreamscape.”
“The team’s Dormio sleep tracker communicated with tmagnethe app and delivered interrupted audio cues at programmed times, then recorded audio of a person’s dream recollections after they awoke.”
“Simply put, people tell us whether the prompts appear in their dream.”
“This interruption of hypnagogia allowed study authors to discover a secondary route for giving sleepers the ability to craft their dream content.”
“While Horowitz admits that the intricate machinations that control sleep and dreaming remain a mystery, it’s too early to discuss exactly how urging a dream’s subject matter or details might actually be of a benefit to people.”
Cultocracy note :
“..it’s too early to discuss exactly how urging a dream’s subject matter or details might actually be of a benefit to people….”
It can of benefit to some people…
Unconscious attitudes may be exposed…..
Unconscious attitudes may also be exploited……
By some people…
Related :
- Sleep & Subliminal Hypnotic Triggers
- Alone in the Dark , Cortisol & Circadian Rhythms
- Psychotronic Torture & Control – An Introduction
- A new way to control experimentation with dreams
- Incubating Dreams (PDF)
- Special Issue on Dream Engineering
EMFs Causing Pilots to Crash
“Pilots often report minor cognitive performance challenges during flight, and from 1993 to 2013, spatial disorientation in U.S. Air Force pilots accounted for 72 Class A mishaps, 101 deaths, and 65 aircraft lost.”
“It has been hypothesized that the cockpit RF and EM fields may influence cognitive performance including task saturation, misprioritization, complacency and spatial disorientation.”
“However, EM fields and radio waves in cockpits are not currently monitored, little effort has been made to shield pilots from these fields, and the potential impacts of these fields on cognition have not been assessed.”
“Recent DARPA-funded research has demonstrated that human brains sense magnetic fields, like those used by animals for navigation, and that this process is ‘jammed’ (i.e., disrupted) by radio waves (RF), impacting brainwaves and behavior.”
“Furthermore, recent findings were the first to show that even weak RF fields and ‘earth strength’ magnetic fields have measurable, reproducible effects on human brainwaves and unconscious behavior in a controlled environment. “
“Current tactical audio headsets project magnetic fields up to 10 times earth strength, the effects of which can now be measured experimentally in a similar controlled environment.”
“The ICEMAN project aims to determine “what effect, if any, the cockpit RF/EM environment may have on physiological sensor function and efficacy” by measuring and manipulating ambient EM and RF fields inside the cockpit to determine their effects on “brain activity, physiology, behavioral responses and physiological sensing systems.”
“Lastly, the program seeks to determine if and how any negative effects on neurology and sense function might be effectively mitigated.”
“Martin Pall, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of biochemistry and basic medical sciences at Washington State University, has published research showing one of the primary mechanisms by which EMFs harm your biology is through the creation of peroxynitrites, which are potent sources of oxidant stress and secondary free radicals.”
“Low-frequency microwave radiation activates the voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) in the outer membrane of your cells, causing them to open, thus allowing an abnormal influx of calcium ions. “
“This activates nitric oxide, which combines with superoxide to form peroxynitrite.”
“These potent reactive nitrogen species are associated with an increased level of systemic inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction, and are thought to be a root cause for many of today’s chronic diseases. “
“One of its most significant downsides of peroxynitrite is that it damages your DNA.”
Cultocracy note :
Perhaps a more appropriate title for the above should be……
“EMFs Are Causing Pilots Brains to Crash”
It would appear that other types of pilots may also be prone to the odd crash or two .
Related :
- See “Hijacked“
The Return of the Spin Echo
“Small particles can have an angular momentum that points in a certain direction – the spin. “
“This spin can be manipulated by a magnetic field. “
“This principle, for example, is the basic idea behind magnetic resonance imaging as used in hospitals.”
“An international research team has now discovered a surprising effect in a system that is particularly well suited for processing quantum information….”
“First, a magnetic field is used to make sure that the spins of many atoms point in the same magnetic direction. “
“Then the atoms are irradiated with an electromagnetic pulse, and suddenly their spins begin to change direction.”
“A suitable pulse can reverse the previous spin rotation so that the spins all come together again.”
“You can imagine it’s a bit like running a marathon,”
“At the start signal, all the runners are still together. As some runners are faster than others, the field of runners is pulled further and further apart over time. “
“However, if all runners were now given the signal to return to the start, all runners would return to the start at about the same time, although faster runners have to cover a longer distance back than slower ones.”
“In the case of spins, this means that at a certain point in time all particles have exactly the same spin direction again – and this is called the “spin echo”.”
“It will not only find useful applications in quantum information technology, but also in spin-based spectroscopy methods…”
Animals Sense Earth’s Magnetic Field
“One of the most persistent scientific mysteries over the past century has been exactly how some organisms seemingly have the ability to sense the Earth’s magnetic field.”
“A new article, published in the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, presents a novel hypothesis arguing this unexplained sense may be the result of a symbiotic relationship between animals, and a specific group of bacteria with the ability to orient itself along the Earth’s magnetic field lines.”
“For decades scientists have been aware a number of organisms, from bees and birds to whales and eels, have the ability to sense the Earth’s magnetic field. “
“Called magnetoreception, the exact mechanism underpinning this strange sense has yet to be conclusively explained.”
“Magnetotactic bacteria are a particular group of bacteria known to align with magnetic fields using specialized intracellular organelles called magnetosomes.”
“Fitak suggests the data reveals a number of types of magnetotactic bacteria can be detected in animal species suspected of having magnetoreceptive abilities. “
“Atlantic right whales, loggerhead sea turtles and brown bats were all found to harbor distinct types of magnetic-field sensing bacteria.”
“Despite citing this new evidence, the study is very clear in stating this hypothesis is still deeply speculative. It is unknown exactly how the magnetotactic bacteria could be communicating with its host organism.”
“Plus, it isn’t even known where in an animal the bacteria would need to reside to confer its magnetic-field sensing effects.”
Related :
- Virtually Blind Mole-Rats Use Their Eyes to ‘See’ Magnetic Fields, Experiment Shows
- Europe Pesticide Ban , Bees & Magnetite Nano Particles
- Electromagnetic Radiation Poses Threat to Wildlife
Further reading :
- Australian rescuers forced to euthanise some beached whales as toll rises
- Beached whale increase may be due to military sonar exercises, say experts
Hunt for Alien Intelligence
“SETI researchers are used to negative results, but they are trying harder than ever to turn that record around.”
“Breakthrough Listen, the $100 million, 10-year, privately funded SETI effort Siemion leads, is lifting a field that has for decades relied on sporadic philanthropic handouts.”
“The new funds have also been “a huge catalyst” for training scientists in SETI…….”
“But the money is also spurring other searches, in case aliens opt for other kinds of messages—laser flashes, for example—or none at all, revealing themselves only through passive “technosignatures.”“
“But some astronomers worry the funding boon is distorting science.”
“Seti started small….”
“With funding from NASA and the National Science Foundation (NSF), however, searches continued, with bigger telescopes to listen for fainter signals and hardware that could scan thousands and eventually millions of narrow frequency channels at once.”
“In 1992, NASA decided to look harder, only to quickly reverse course. It embarked on the Microwave Observing Project, a 10-year, $100 million SETI search…..”
“…..the project was ridiculed and cut by lawmakers focused on reducing the federal budget deficit.”
“That was when Yuri Milner called.”
“Milner worked as a particle physicist at the Lebedev Physical Institute. In 1990, as the Soviet Union collapsed, he left to study business at the University of Pennsylvania, and in 1999 he founded an internet investment fund. “
“I made some lucky investments….”
“In the not-too-distant future, ultrasensitive radio telescopes might be able to pick up the beams of a radar from a distant exoplanet.
“Future optical telescopes might reveal the glow of a city’s lights or its infrared warmth in a planet’s atmosphere.”
“These efforts chime with searches for biosignatures…”
“The line between technosignatures and biosignatures is blurring….”
“It makes sense to observe both.”
“After the workshop, the wording in NASA funding calls that had for some years excluded SETI-related proposals quietly disappeared.”
Further reading :
US Spy Satellite Launch Aborted (again)
“The launch of a U.S. spy satellite atop a powerful Delta IV Heavy rocket was called off in the final seconds late last night (Sept. 30), mirroring the outcome of an attempt a month ago.”
“We experienced an automated abort because a sensor reported a fault. Automated Safety System operated as intended. Bird and payload are safe and unharmed. “
“The two last-second aborts aren’t the only bumps in NROL-44’s road to Earth orbit. “
“The launch of the satellite, whose planned orbital activities are classified, has also been delayed by bad weather and issues with ground hardware.”
Related :
- Modern spy satellites in an age of space wars
- The Multibillion-Dollar U.S. Spy Agency You Haven’t Heard of
Neuroscience
Cultocracy note :
Not sure about you….
But I always dream about dreaming….
COVID Fear and Loathing
“The pandemic is affecting our dreams as well, infusing more anxiety and negative emotions into dreams and spurring dreams about the virus itself, particularly among women, according to new research. “
“All of these studies support the continuity hypothesis of dreaming: That dreams are consistent with our waking concerns rather than being some outlet for compensation…..”
“Overall, the new studies also suggest that women’s dreams have been more strongly affected by the pandemic than men’s — possibly, Barrett suggested, because women are bearing more of the burden of caregiving, job loss and other hardships.”
“The four COVID-19 articles in the issue are:”
(1)”Dreams About COVID-19 Versus Normative Dreams:Trends by Gender”
“Death was the variable with the largest difference for both genders….”
“Although some of the dreamswith death-related words are classic horror-film fare—as with one woman whowanders into a mortuary which she gradually discovers is embalming live COVID patients—there were also peaceful references to death”
(2)”Dreaming in the Time of COVID-19: A Quali-Quantitative Italian Study”
“The dream settings are internal (home,prison,madhouse,hospital, etc.) in 319 references (37%), but mostly external (543 references, 63%):streets,squares,beaches,swimming pools,shopping centers,fairs,bars, and so forth.”
“Both the houses, which are often crowded and with many windows, and the external places are sometimes familiar, sometimes strange.”
(3)Dreaming and the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey in aU.S. Sample
“They also reported a significant increase in dream recall and more negatively toned dreams due the pandemic itself and the counteracting measures of the government.The more the persons were affected, especially their mental health, the more likelythey reported changes in their dream life (more recall, more negative dream emotions) and more likely a COVID-19 related dream.”
“The prevalence in dreams of socially related content is consistent with the Social Simulation Theory“
(4)Pandemic Dreaming: The Effect of COVID-19 on DreamImagery, a Pilot Study
“The dream journals were collected during a time when the total amount of confirmed cases in Canada was considerably low compared to the numbers reported by different countries…..”
“…..it was also foundthat those who recorded their dreams during the COVID-19 time period reported dreams involving more food and head dream content.”
“The COVID-19 participants reportedgreater amounts of head imagery because COVID-19 can be associated with head or facial imagery, such as coughing, temperature-taking or wearing masks to cover the mouth and nose.”
“Concerns andthoughts regarding food, food shortages, or stocking up on supplies are reflected indream imagery, resulting in the higher amounts of food imagery. This again supports the continuity hypothesis of dreaming“
- COVID-19 spurs anxious, upsetting dreams
- Dreams About COVID-19 Versus Normative Dreams:Trends by Gender (PDF) :
- Dreaming in the Time of COVID-19: A Quali-Quantitative Italian Study (PDF) :
- Dreaming and the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey in aU.S. Sample (PDF) :
- Pandemic Dreaming: The Effect of COVID-19 on DreamImagery, a Pilot Study (PDF) :
Further reading :
- The Avatars in The Machine – Dreaming as a simulation of Social Reality (PDF) :
- “I see avatars a-rising”: Your guide to the AI avatar landscape
Free Speech Under Attack (again)
“Because belief in COVID-related conspiracy theories predicts resistance to both preventive behaviors and future vaccination for the virus, it will be critical to confront both conspiracy theories and vaccination misinformation to prevent further spread of the virus in the US.”
“Reducing those barriers will require continued messaging by public health authorities on mainstream media and in particular on politically conservative outlets that have supported COVID-related conspiracy theories.”
“Complicating matters further, belief in conspiracy theories that attributed a socially significant event, in this case the novel coronavirus, to unknown and sinister actors…..”
“This finding could be especially problematic because vaccinating a high proportion of those susceptible to the coronavirus is one of the surest means of controlling it.”
“Conservative and social media use were positively related to belief in conspiracy theories, whereas mainstream print was inversely related to conspiracy beliefs….”
“….as were education, income, and White racial identity.”
“Individuals younger in age and lower in income and education were more likely to hold conspiracy beliefs about the origins and seriousness of the pandemic. “
“Non-white respondents also were more likely to hold such beliefs.”
“All of these relations are consistent with the suggestion that persons who feel politically powerless are more susceptible to conspiracy theorizing….”
“These conspiratorial beliefs tend to attribute power to unseen actors who have interests that diverge from those of the average person.”
“Prior research suggests that efforts to reduce conspiracy beliefs with information face significant obstacles, a phenomenon that may be related to their non-falsifiability and believers’ underlying distrust of elites who provide corrective information.”
“Another reason for the robustness of conspiracy theories is the tolerance that those who hold them have for inconsistency“
“We thank the team at Qualtrics for their implementation of both waves of the survey….”
Cultocracy translation note :
“……persons who feel politically powerless are more susceptible to conspiracy theorizing….”
= 99% of the population .
“unseen actors who have interests that diverge from those of the average person”
= < 1% of the population .
Cultocracy quiz interlude :
Who do you think funded this particular article ?
a) “Elites who provide corrective information”
b) “People who tolerate inconsistency”
Answers on a postcard please .
Further reading :
- Qualtrics (Wikipedia)
- Sequoia Capital (Wikipedia)
- Accel (venture capital firm)
- Coronavirus: The Black Swan of 2020
- Venture firm Sequoia is sounding the alarm about the economy again as coronavirus spreads
Even more reading :
- Silicon Valley’s most prominent VC firm had a banner week: $9 billion in IPO shares while helping TikTok negotiations
- Sequoia Capital Looking to Raise About $7 Billion for Regional Funds
- Unity sells shares in $1.3 billion U.S. IPO above target range
- Sequoia, other ByteDance investors value TikTok at $50 bn in takeover bid
- Social Gaming Startup Valued at Over $1 Billion in Sequoia-Backed Funding Round
- Sequoia announces $1.35 billion venture and growth funds for India and Southeast Asia
- Sequoia Capital becomes top investor in Indian unicorns
- Sequoia Capital China raising $2.2 billion in new yuan fund, say sources
- Blah…Blah…Blah…Vested Interests…..etc…etc…Corruption…Blah….Blah…etc…etc…
Brain Circuitry Underlying Dissociative Experiences Identified
“Between 2% and 10% of the population will experience the mysterious phenomenon known as dissociation during their lifetimes…..”
“Nearly three of every four individuals who have experienced a traumatic event will enter a dissociative state during the event or in the hours, days and weeks that follow…..”
“Because no one knows what’s going on inside the brain to trigger or sustain dissociation, it’s hard to know how to stop it.”
“Now, in a study published online Sept. 16 in Nature, Deisseroth and his colleagues at Stanford University have revealed molecular underpinnings and brain-circuit dynamics underlying dissociation.”
“The findings, which implicate a particular protein in a particular set of cells as crucial to the feeling of dissociation….”
“Whenever the patient was about to have a seizure, the study’s authors discovered, it was preceded not only by a particular pattern of electrical activity localized within the patient’s posteromedial cortex. “
“This activity was characterized by an oscillating signal generated by nerve cells firing in coordination at 3 hertz, or three cycles per second. “
“And when this region was stimulated electrically, the patient experienced the dissociative aura without having a seizure.”
“The researchers used optogenetics, a technology enabling scientists to stimulate or inhibit neuronal activity using light, to stimulate neurons in mice’s equivalent of a posteromedial cortex. “
“Doing so at rhythms of 3 hertz could induce dissociative behavior in drug-free animals, the researchers found. “
“Further experiments showed that a particular type of protein, an ion channel, was essential to the generation of the 3 hertz signal and to the dissociative behavior in mice. “
“This protein could be a potential treatment target.”
Dissociative states have been the subject of detailed research , particularly during the last century .
A wide variety of induced mental states are particularly useful for neural manipulation and behavioral modification .
Or brainwashing in layman’s terms .
An externally applied signal to induce a dissociative state ?
Who’d have guessed it……
As the article suggests :
“This protein could be a potential
treatmenttarget.”
Related :
- Magnetogenetics
- Optogenetics: controlling brain cells with lasers
- Emerging Areas of Cognitive Neuroscience and Neurotechnologies – Stalag Earth – Part II
Cultocracy note :
There are those that would wish to see societal upheaval , a scenario which would provide a convenient excuse for the introduction of ever more draconian powers ranged against the masses .
Although sometimes you should be careful what you wish for….
I Predict(ive Programming) A Riot
“With the COVID-19 crisis, protest movements seem to have lost their voice all over the world. “Liberate Hong-Kong”, the environmental activism of Greta Thunberg, the “Gilets Jaunes” in France or the “Sardine” movement in Italy appear greatly weakened since the outburst of the epidemic. “
“According to a Freedom House annual report (Repucci 2020), out of the 20 protest movements active world-wide in December 2019 only two or three are still active.”
“At the same time, the disarraying impact of the epidemic on the network of social and economic relations combined with the restrictions imposed by governments to prevent mass infection are causing a latent sentiment of public discontent.”
“The “virus conspiracy” argument and the denial of the seriousness of the epidemic, which spread in public opinion and are disconcertedly supported by several political leaders, are the symptom of potentially dangerous frictions inside society.”
“We argue that we can form an informed opinion about the possible effects of COVID-19 on protest initiatives and future social unrest by looking at the great plagues of the past.”
“……the change in the types of unrest that America is experiencing has some similarities to the 14-th century uprising in England, which followed the Black Death (1346–1353).”
“He argues that the bubonic plague acted as a social incubator, which silently nurtured the class tensions that had been smoldering for more than 30 years and finally erupted in the aftermath of the plague.”
“……the revolts that occurred after the Black Death were caused by the exacerbating inequality arisen as a consequence of the plague, with particular reference to those government measures undertaken to protect the interest of landowners and large employers.”
“Turning to the government reaction effects, the 14-th century Black Death prompted massive public intervention to limit its spread. Quarantine, confinement of the sick, confiscation of property, ban of public (especially religious) demonstrations were all compulsory and often enforced like military operations. “
“Epidemics can also sow other seeds of conflict. During and after the 1665 plague in London, there were arguments attributing the disease “to the filth of the poor.”“
“A crucial issue which has been left aside deserves few considerations. The necessary restrictions of freedom during an epidemic may be strategically exploited by governments to reinforce power.”
“History may again provide some useful hints: Looking at the 19-th century, popular fury arisen in Paris in 1831 during the cholera epidemic was not resolutely suppressed by the weak King Louis Philippe.”
“This may have reinforced the confidence of the revolutionary movements which exploded in 1848.”
Further reading :
Filth of the Poor :
- Johnson accused of holding ‘hatred and contempt’ for Britain’s working-class people
- Boris Johnson claimed children of working mothers ‘more likely to mug you’
- Boris Johnson called working class men ‘drunk, criminal and feckless’
- Boris Johnson described most deprived members of society as ‘chavs, losers, burglars and drug addicts’
- PM should apologise for Hillsborough remarks, says Liverpool mayor
- Boris Johnson says police money is ‘spaffed up a wall’ when spent on historic child sex abuse investigations
Cultocracy note :
What the article below fails to acknowledge is the inherent weakness of narcissistic individuals .
To put it simply , individuals that enter politics are very easily compromised and manipulated , therefore very easy to control .
Unfortunately the stench of corruption is then able to permeate an entire society via the mechanisms of state .
If you are not bent when you enter politics , then you will be bent when you leave politics .
Ironically , the controllers themselves are often compromised and controlled , the rot usually goes all the way to the top (bottom) .
Hmmmmm……
I wonder what they have on Boris ???
Stating the Obvious
“In a series of studies performed in the United States and Denmark, researchers found that people with higher levels of narcissism — a trait combining selfishness, entitlement and a need for admiration — were also more likely to participate in politics. “
“This could include contacting politicians, signing petitions, donating money, and voting in midterm elections, among other things.”
“It is hard not to think that those high in narcissism taking part in the political process appears to have some role in the current state of our democracy”
“According to the researchers, previous work has shown that higher levels of narcissism are linked with behaviors that could be harmful to functioning democracies…“
“Breaking the results down further, the researchers found that the traits of superiority and authority/leadership were related to higher participation. “
“Self-sufficiency, however, was associated with less participation.”
“This means that policies and electoral outcomes could increasingly be guided by those who both want more but give less.”
“Hatemi said that while it’s difficult to pinpoint a solution, finding ways to increase political engagement among a more diverse electorate while reducing an overrepresentation of narcissism would be a good start.”
- Higher Narcissism May Be Linked With More Political Participation
- Narcissism in Political Participation
Cultocracy note :
Aaaaahhhhh……..
“functioning democracies….”
My great , great , great , great , great , great Grandad used to talk about ‘functioning democracies’……
Them were the days……
Related :
Brain-scanning Backpack
“Scientists have developed a backpack that tracks and stimulates brain activity as people go about their daily lives.”
“The backpack and its vast suite of tools, he says, could broaden the landscape for neuroscience research to study the brain while the body is in motion.”
“A wand snakes up out of a 4-kilogram backpack to rest near the top of the patient’s scalp. There, the wand can communicate with a neural implant that lies deep in the brain. “
“Meanwhile, the backpack is filled with monitors—a setup that allows for real-time data collection from the implant.”
“At the same time, depending on the experiment, the participant can wear additional gear for measuring brain and body activities, including a scalp electroencephalography cap with electrodes that monitor surface brain activity, a pair of virtual reality goggles that track eye movement, and other devices that track heart and breathing rates. “
“All of this information can then be synchronized with signals from the implant.”
“Not being tied to a lab setting could enable scientists to study how the brain functions while people are in motion and interacting with others….”
“There’s a catch, however: Only patients who have neural implants can use the device. “
“The hope, he says, is that other researchers can use the technology to study neurological conditions of all kinds without the constraints of a lab or hospital bed.”
Synthetic Biology
Machine Learning Takes on Synthetic Biology
“If you’ve eaten vegan burgers that taste like meat or used synthetic collagen in your beauty routine – both products that are “grown” in the lab – then you’ve benefited from synthetic biology.”
“Now scientists at the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have developed a new tool that adapts machine learning algorithms to the needs of synthetic biology to guide development systematically.”
“The innovation means scientists will not have to spend years developing a meticulous understanding of each part of a cell and what it does in order to manipulate it….”
“instead, with a limited set of training data, the algorithms are able to predict how changes in a cell’s DNA or biochemistry will affect its behavior, then make recommendations for the next engineering cycle”
“The possibilities are revolutionary….“
“The researchers say they were surprised by how little data was needed to obtain results. “
“Yet to truly realize synthetic biology’s potential, they say the algorithms will need to be trained with much more data.”
“Synthetic biology has the potential to make significant impacts in almost every sector: food, medicine, agriculture, climate, energy, and materials. “
“The global synthetic biology market is currently estimated at around $4 billion and has been forecast to grow to more than $20 billion by 2025…..“
“Today, Berkeley Lab researchers develop sustainable energy and environmental solutions, create useful new materials, advance the frontiers of computing, and probe the mysteries of life, matter, and the universe.”
Bioelectronic Control of Cells
“Life is built upon closed‐loop feedback and regulation systems….”
“Bioelectronic devices that interface electronics with biological systems can be used for sensing and actuation of biological processes and have potential for novel therapeutic applications.”
“Proton‐conducting bioelectronic devices control pH in a microfluidic system that houses pluripotent mammalian stem cells.”
“his pH control affects the membrane voltage (Vmem) of the cells…”
“Cellular processes are hard to model due to noise and uncertainty.”
“As the complexity of biological systems scale up, the challenge of feedback design increases.”
“Machine learning (ML) has successfully controlled biological systems when offline training and large datasets are available a priori.”
“Here, we leverage a single‐layer neural network with a “sense and respond” composed of radial basis functions (RBFs).”
“RBFs act as universal approximators and are fast converging, thus ideal for real‐time control applications.”
“Here, we demonstrate an array of bioelectronic proton pumps merged with an adaptive ML‐based controller that can provide control of Vmem for an extended amount of time….”
“In brief, a bioelectronic proton pump array adds or removes H+ from solution and changes [H+] in proximity of human‐induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs)“
“In hiPSCs, an increase in extracellular [H+] results in cell depolarization (lower Vmem) and a decrease in extracellular [H+] results in cell hyperpolarization (higher Vmem).”
“Bioelectronic actuators are an important part of realizing two‐way communication with living systems.”
“Here, we show that it is possible to combine proton pumps as bioactuators with ML‐based control approaches into biohybrid system achieve long‐term proof‐of‐concept closed‐loop control of membrane voltage in cells.”
“Thus, new technology in synthetic biology and bioelectronics with closed‐loop control could result in unprecedented spatiotemporal control over nature.”
“This research was sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Army Research Office….”
Related :
- What is a Radial Basis Function Network?
- Radial Basis Function Network (RBFN) Tutorial
- Magnetogenetics
Materials
Sponge Bob Skyscraper Pants
“When we think about sponges, we tend to think of something soft and squishy. But researchers from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) are using the glassy skeletons of marine sponges as inspiration for the next generation of stronger and taller buildings, longer bridges, and lighter spacecraft. “
“We found that the sponge’s diagonal reinforcement strategy achieves the highest buckling resistance for a given amount of material”
“…..the glass sponges had a nearly half billion-year head start on the research and development side of things. “
“To support its tubular body, Euplectella aspergillum employs two sets of parallel diagonal skeletal struts, which intersect over and are fused to an underlying square grid, to form a robust checkerboard-like pattern.”
“The sponge design outperformed them all, withstanding heavier loads without buckling. “
Graphene
Graphene EM Shielding
“A fast increase in wireless communications, portable devices, and high-power transmission lines has made the environmental EM pollution a major concern for human health. “
“The conventional materials for EMI shielding are metals or composites with metal fillers, which are utilized as coatings and enclosures. “
“Metals possess a high density of mobile charge carriers, which blocks the EM waves mostly by the reflection mechanism. “
“In the recent work a research team reported on the scalable synthesis of composites with graphene fillers…”
“The examined frequency bands are pertinent to state-of-the-art and future communication systems.”
“The developed lightweight adhesive composites with graphene fillers can be used as electromagnetic absorbers in the high-frequency microwave radio relays, microwave remote sensors, millimeter wave scanners, and wireless local area networks….“
“The extremely high thermal conductivity of graphene and good electrical conductivity, even without the energy band-gap, make graphene promising for EMI shielding and thermal management applications.”
Environment
Plastic-Degrading Enzyme
“Plastics pollution represents a global environmental crisis. “
“In response, microbes are evolving the capacity to utilize synthetic polymers as carbon and energy sources.”
“In 2016, a team of Japanese biologists reported the discovery and characterization of the soil bacterium, Ideonella sakaiensis 201-F6, which uses two enzymes to depolymerize PET to its constituent monomers.”
“Further characterization of Ideonella sakaiensis revealed a PET-degrading called PETase.”
“In the new study, they combined PETase and a second enzyme called MHETase, found in the soil bacterium, to generate a two-enzyme system for PET deconstruction.”
“Our first experiments showed that they did indeed work better together, so we decided to try to physically link them, like two Pac-men joined by a piece of string.”
“We were delighted to see that our new chimeric enzyme is up to three times faster than the naturally evolved separate enzymes, opening new avenues for further improvements.”
- Researchers Create Plastic-Degrading Enzyme Cocktail
- Characterization and engineering of a two-enzyme system for plastics depolymerization
Related :
- Car tires a major source of microplastics in California coastal waters, warn scientists
- Ireland to reduce plastic waste production by eliminating all single-use plastic
Investigating the Impact of Nanoparticles
“Investigating nanomaterials represents an extreme challenge of scale. “
“Vanishingly small, nanomaterials are made of particles less than 100 nanometers across. “
“A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter.”
“Sand, for instance, is a nanomaterial created by erosion. However, nanomaterials are also creatures of the Industrial Age. “
“For the last 250 years, they have been unintentionally shed into the air, water, and land as a result of mining, farming, manufacturing, transportation, and other human activities. “
“In the past 50 years or so, nanomaterials have been intentionally engineered to leverage their distinct chemical, physical, and electrical properties.”
“For about the last 20 years, the modern ubiquity of nanomaterials has made them the subject of intense study regarding potential health effects. “
“One concern is that particles so small can enter the body and slip easily into the bloodstream or lung tissue. “
“It is in that realm of nanoparticle interactions with single living cells that Orr and her team excel. “
“In the past, Orr has characterized nanoparticles—with their huge surface-to-mass ratios and reactive natures—as “tiny chameleons” that can change rapidly once they interact with biological systems. “
“That rapid reactivity makes their behavior difficult to predict once they have been inhaled or ingested, as they have the ability to impersonate cellular components or oxygen-delivery systems such as vesicles in the lungs. “
“In all these ways, PNNL contributes to unlocking the puzzle of nano-bio interactions, a novel dynamic that is both a boon and a worry.”
“In the end, engineered nanoparticles represent a growing issue in need of attention“
European Top Court Upholds French Ban on Bee-harming Pesticides
“The European Court of Justice on Thursday found that France did not violate EU rules when it banned certain chemicals considered harmful to bees.”
“The ban placed France at the forefront of a campaign against chemicals blamed for decimating crop-pollinating bees.”
“Introduced in the mid-1990s, lab-synthesized neonicotinoids are based on the chemical structure of nicotine, and attack the central nervous system of insects.”
“….in recent years, bees started dying off from “colony collapse disorder,” a mysterious disease partly blamed on the use of such chemicals.”
“Studies have since shown that neonicotinoids harm bee reproduction and foraging, while exposure also lowers their resistance to disease.”
Related :
Health & Medical
Design flaws of Chatbot Symptom-checker Apps
“Millions of people turn to their mobile devices when seeking medical advice. “
“They’re able to share their symptoms and receive potential diagnoses through chatbot-based symptom-checker (CSC) apps.”
“But how do these apps compare to a trip to the doctor’s office?”
“Not well, according to a new study.”
“In the past, people generally trusted doctors,”
“But now with the emergence of AI symptom checkers and the internet, people have more sources of information.”
“How would this information challenge doctors? Do people trust this information and why?”
“You’s work serves as a preliminary study for future in-depth exploration. Currently, she is working to investigate how to design a better, explainable COVID-19 symptom checker….”
Related :
- Urgent referrals rejected for one in three GPs during COVID-19 outbreak
- Wife recalls how retired taxi driver husband, 62, was hospitalised with a serious infection after being denied a face-to-face GP appointment due to Covid ‘safety’ rules
- Britons with life-threatening conditions denied care during pandemic
Nanoparticle Heart Meds
“Michigan State University and Stanford University scientists have invented a nanoparticle that eats away – from the inside out – portions of plaques that cause heart attacks.”
“Bryan Smith, associate professor of biomedical engineering at MSU, and a team of scientists created a “Trojan Horse” nanoparticle that can be directed to eat debris, reducing and stabilizing plaque. “
“The discovery could be a potential treatment for atherosclerosis, a leading cause of death in the United States.”
“The results, published in the current issue of Nature Nanotechnology, showcases the nanoparticle that homes in on atherosclerotic plaque due to its high selectivity to a particular immune cell type – monocytes and macrophages.”
“Basically, it removes the diseased/dead cells in the plaque core.”
“By reinvigorating the macrophages, plaque size is reduced and stabilized.”
“We could deliver a small molecule inside the macrophages to tell them to begin eating again.”
Sh*t for Brains
“New research suggests fecal transplants could one day be used to reverse the cognitive decline that comes with aging.”
“When researchers performed fecal transplants from older to younger mice, they found the recipients suffered declines in spatial learning and memory.”
“The authors of the new study suggest a similar transplantation from young to old mice could potentially reverse the cognitive decline.”
“Research has shown that the aging process may be linked with age-related changes in our gut microbiota…”
“The procedure had an impact on the expression of proteins involved in key functions of the hippocampus — an important part of the brain that has a vital role in a variety of functions including memory, learning but also in spatial navigation and emotional behavior and mood……”
“This work highlights the importance of the gut-brain axis….”
Related :
Load of Sh*te
“Coronaviruses wafting through a Chinese apartment building’s plumbing may have infected some residents, according to a new study…..”
“Although fecal transmission of a pathogen is tricky to confirm—and proving that a virus spreads via building waste pipes is even more difficult….”
“A number of studies have reported finding RNA from SARS-CoV-2 in fecal samples from COVID-19 patients.”
“Some studies have also found abundant coronavirus RNA in hospital bathrooms….”
“Amoy Gardens, a Hong Kong housing complex with multiple apartment towers, saw 321 residents catch SARS in 2003; 42 of them died.
“Researchers traced the outbreak to a single visitor with SARS who had severe diarrhea.”
“Could COVID-19 have spread through plumbing in New York City high-rises?“
“There’s no reason it couldn’t happen…..”
“If [you] can smell the drain odor in your bathroom, do something.”
Cultocracy note :
The moral of this story is if you live in a tower block then you are more than likely and quite probably fu**ed…..
Related :
- SARS-CoV-2 Traces Detected in Barcelona Waste Water From March 2019
- Coronavirus traces found in March 2019 sewage sample, Spanish study shows
- SARS-CoV-2 detected in Barcelona water study from March 2019
Smart Shopping to Avoid Gender Bender Chemicals
“Consumers who read labels and do their best to buy products without harmful chemicals aren’t wasting their time — new research suggests smart shopping pays in the form of reduced exposure.”
“In a new study, published Wednesday in the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, researchers surveyed consumers to find people who avoid products with specific endocrine disruptors.”
“When scientists measured chemicals in their bodies, they found significantly lower levels of those same endocrine disruptors.”
“Some chemicals are called endocrine disruptors because they interfere with the body’s hormone production system. “
“Exposure to endocrine disruptors has been linked with reproductive disorders, thyroid disease, asthma and cancers. “
“Despite the health risks endocrine disruptors pose, the chemicals remain common in personal care and household products.”
“Shoppers who avoided parabens, triclosan, BPA and fragrances were twice as likely as other shoppers to be in the group with lowest body burden for all 10 common endocrine disruptors.”
“While researchers said their findings suggest smart shopping can pay dividends, scientists found consumers weren’t always able to avoid exposure. “
“Many shoppers who reported trying to avoid parabens had high levels of parabens in their bodies.”
Further reading :
- 19 Natural Cleaning Tips (+ Easy Recipes)
- 35 DIY Natural Cleaning Recipes for EVERYTHING
- Killer Whales , Monsanto , PCB’s
- Study Links Triclosan to Colonic Inflammation , Cancer
- Toxic Food & Household Products
- Polymer Nano Fibres Found Globally in Drinking Water
Cultocracy note :
A vicious circle for some…..
You use products which contain gender bending chemicals , you then start to use more cleaning chemicals in your womanly attempt to keep everything clean , you then use makeup with more gender bender chems…..
You then enter politics and become a Westminster MP……
$cientific $cammer of the Month
Cultocracy note :
The ongoing race for a ‘COVID vaccine’ is still a long way from the finish line .
Of course , any specific US based vaccine or treatment would require presidential approval first .
I estimate that the current total amount of funding poured into finding a COVID vaccine to be $865,785,8765,977 billion .
Operation Warp $peed
“Last week, on 25 September, the leaders of Operation Warp Speed—the Trump administration program that has committed $10 billion to this vision—flew in from Washington, D.C., for a tour. “
“This was one several recent visits to trial sites and vaccine manufacturing plants by Slaoui and his Warp Speed co-leader, Gen. Gustave Perna.”
“The four-star general had on his camouflaged Army uniform and combat boots, but Slaoui, who formerly headed the vaccine division of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), wore casual slacks, an open-collared shirt, and penny loafers without socks.”
“The nationwide efficacy trial, which compares a COVID-19 vaccine made by Moderna with a placebo, struggled at first to enroll Black and Latino participants…..”
“Margaret Powers-Fletcher, co–principal investigator at the UC vaccine site, noted that many misunderstandings circle around the Moderna vaccine.”
“…..The vaccine contains messenger RNA (mRNA), which codes for the surface protein of the virus that causes COVID-19.”
“A few weeks ago, an international trial of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate made by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford was put on hold after a serious side effect occurred in a recipient.”
“They feel the government has never cared about us before, so now they’re just trying to rush through a vaccine to kill us. “
“So that’s been difficult. There are a lot of doubts in the community.”
“There is widespread concern that politics might influence the issuance of a vaccine…..”
Cultocracy note :
This kind of news makes me very angry , in fact i’m fuming….
An absolute disgrace and travesty…….
“….wearing penny loafers without socks…..”
What was the man thinking of ?
Related :
- Moderna, Regeneron COVID-19 Candidates Show Early Positive Data
- Regeneron: Trump’s Experimental COVID-19 Treatment
- U.S. Raises to $2.5B toward Its “Warp Speed” Bet on Moderna’s COVID-19 Vaccine
- Elon Musk Calls Bill Gates a ‘Knucklehead’ After Vaccine Criticism As Billionaire Clash Continues
- WHO unveils global plan to fairly distribute COVID-19 vaccine, but challenges await
In the Club :
Not in the Club :
Cultocracy also not in the club note :
Damn…..I just submitted my own COVID vaccine funding proposal (at “Warp Speed”) to BARDA , for the paltry sum of $800 billion……
My own experimental vaccine is called Crispy CoV47 .
Preliminary results look very promising indeed….
It consists Of Cheese and Onion crisps sprinkled over Vino (CoV) , 47 = The Cost of the bottle of wine .
£4.70 that is…..
Not £47.00…….
At least not until my next vaccine proposal is accepted……
Although I may have to scale back the scope of the funding required for my UK vaccine submission .
Disgraced Researchers Cash In
“When the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wields its ultimate penalty, disqualification, against clinical researchers who it determines have violated the law, falsified data, or committed grave errors or misconduct, they can no longer run human trials in the United States. “
“But that doesn’t always sever their financially rewarding relationships with big pharma.”
“In 2008, FDA filed a public notice that it had disqualified Texas urologist James Vestal after its inspectors discovered egregious problems in clinical trials he had led of an experimental hormonal treatment for advanced prostate cancer.”
“The agency said Vestal admitted to fabricating medical exams, faking signatures, enrolling ineligible patients, and other actions…..”
“Yet a Science examination of corporate compensation disclosures from the federal Open Payments database showed that from 2013 to 2019, 27 drugmakers—including heavyweights Bayer, the Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Janssen, and Sanofi—paid Vestal about $422,000, including $340,000 for consulting and teaching.”
“In 2005, FDA disqualified Philadelphia dermatologist Harold Farber pleaded guilty to “knowingly and willfully” making a “false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation” to the sponsor of a clinical trial.”
“From 2013 to 2019 alone, Open Payments data show, he took in about $665,000 from 45 medical research companies—including Actavis, Allergan, Bayer, and Genentech—for consulting and teaching.”
“The most favorable sort of interpretation is that the companies’ internal vetting process is deeply broken….”
“The more pessimistic interpretation is that they turned a blind eye because the investigators were not disqualified for something that hurts the companies’ bottom lines.”
Related :
- Johnson & Johnson To Pay Over 100 Million To Settle 1000 Baby Powder Cancer Suits
- Johnson & Johnson told to pay $2.1 billion over cancer-causing talc powder
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