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Wednesday February 20, 2013 Daily edition   News and Blog Headlines Stanford scientists fit light-emitting bioprobe in a living cell Stay cool and live longer? New self-driving car system tested on UK roads Bioengineering cells for more efficient biofuel production Engineering a better spinal implant Latest News Stanford scientists fit light-emitting bioprobe in a living cell February 20, 2013   Stanford engineers have developed a new class of biophotonic (light-emitting) probes small enough to be injected into individual cells for intracellular sensing and control, without harm to the host. The researchers call their device a “nanobeam,” because it resembles a steel I-beam with a series of round holes etched through the center. This beam, however, … more… Stay cool and live longer? February 20, 2013   Researchers at the University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute have identified a genetic program that promotes longevity of roundworms (nematodes) in cold environments — and this genetic program also exists in warm-blooded animals, including humans. “This raises the intriguing possibility that exposure to cold air — or pharmacological stimulation of the cold-sensitive genetic program — … more… New self-driving car system tested on UK roads February 20, 2013   Scientists at Oxford University have developed a self-driving car that can cope with snow, rain and other weather conditions. The system can be fitted to existing cars and could one day cost just £100 (US$150), The Guardian reports. The new system has been installed in a Nissan Leaf electric car and tested on private roads … more… Bioengineering cells for more efficient biofuel production February 20, 2013   In the search for renewable alternatives to gasoline, heavy alcohols such as isobutanol are promising candidates. They contain more energy than ethanol and are also more compatible with existing gasoline-based infrastructure. For isobutanol to become practical, however, scientists need a way to reliably produce huge quantities of it from renewable sources. MIT chemical engineers and … more… Engineering a better spinal implant February 20, 2013   Researchers from North Carolina State University have for the first time successfully coated polymer implants with a bioactive film. The discovery should improve the success rate of such implants, which are often used in spinal surgeries. The polymer used in polymer (plastic) implants, called PEEK, does not bond well with bone or other tissues in … more… New EVENTS   PDPTA 2013 — The 2013 International Conference on Parallel and Distributed Processing Techniques and Applications Dates: Jul 22 – 25, 2013 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada more... New books The Hidden Alpha author Alexander Popoff   X Factors are unknown, emerging risks to human wellbeing, even survival. These risks might come from inner space (human cognitive and body enhancement, associated with genetic engineering, nanotechnologies, neural and cybernetic implants, etc.) and outer space (discovery and contact with extraterrestrial life and artificial intelligence). That’s not preposterous science fiction mumbo jumbo of professor Farnsworth … more… Visit KurzweilAI.net You are currently subscribed to the KurzweilAI.net newsletter as *|EMAIL|* To unsubscribe, please click here. To change your email preferences, please click here. *|LIST:ADDRESS|*.