Breakthrough for stem cell therapies at University of New South Wales (video)

Credit: UNSW Media/Michael Whitehead

At UNSW in Australia, scientists have found a way to create stem cells from bone or fat cells. Advantages include:

● no ethical issues with embryonic stem cells

● cells are from the patient’s own body

● safer than other methods

Potential uses include treating spinal disc injury, joint & muscle degeneration, & could speed up recovery following complex surgeries.

To date, experiments have been restricted to mice. It is hoped that human trials will begin in late 2017.



http://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/health/medical-scientists-develop-%E2%80%98game-changing%E2%80%99-stem-cell-repair-system / stem cell therapies regenerating human tissue damaged injury disease ageing degeneration available within a few years breakthrough research UNSW medical researchers stem cell therapies regenerating any human tissue damaged injury disease ageing available within a few years following breakthrough research UNSW Australia researchers repair system salamanders regenerate limbs repair spinal discs bone fractures potential transform current treatment methods regenerative medicine UNSW research published Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal study lead author haematologist UNSW Associate Professor John Pimanda new technique reprograms bone fat cells induced multipotent stem cells iMS successfully demonstrated in mice technique significant advance current unproven stem cell therapies objective evidence contribute directly new tissue formation Associate Professor Pimanda currently assessing adult human fat cells reprogrammed iMS cells safely repair damaged tissue human trials expected to begin in late 2017 new technique reprograms bone fat cells induced multipotent stem cells iMS successfully demonstrated in mice different types of stem cells embryonic stem ES cells embryonic development generate every type of cell human body adult stem cells tissue-specific adult stem cells regenerate multiple tissue types technique iground-breaking iMS cells regenerate multiple tissue types bone fat cells switched off their memory converted them into stem cells repair different cell types technique developed UNSW researchers extracting adult human fat cells treating compound 5-Azacytidine AZA platelet-derived growth factor-AB PDGF-AB approximately two days cells treated growth factor /

Why you should disable your webcam

Credit: How-To Geek

Some time ago I wrote that you should disable your webcam, in the interests of privacy. Just in case you were wondering, FBI Director James Comey thinks so too!

Actually, scratch that – FBI Director James Comey thinks he should disable his webcam in the interests of his privacy.¹

FBI Director James Comey probably thinks that you should not disable your webcam in the interests of enabling the FBI to invade your privacy if they choose, as they have been doing for a number of years.^2,3

Stickers designed for the purpose of covering your webcam lens, without leaving a residue, are available from the Electronic Frontier Foundation at https://supporters.eff.org/shop/laptop-camera-cover-set
__________

¹ “FBI Director James Comey uses tape to cover up his laptop webcam to ensure Privacy.” – The Hacker News, https://thehackernews.com/2016/04/tape-webcam.html

² “In 2013, researchers demonstrated that they could activate the webcam on MacBooks without the indicator light turning on, something previously considered impossible. A former FBI agent confirmed that not only was this possible but that they’d been doing it for years.” – How-To Geek, http://www.howtogeek.com/210921/how-to-disable-your-webcam-and-why-you-should/

³ “According to The Intercept, the NSA uses a plug-in called GUMFISH to take over cameras on infected machines and snap photos.” – Wired, http://www.wired.com/2014/03/webcams-mics/

/ FBI Director James Comey disable his webcam his privacy uses tape cover up his laptop webcam ensure Privacy adopt encryption techniques warrant-proof webcam thwart lawful surveillance investigated shame on him Edward Snowden leaks NSA Optic Nerve project capture webcam images random Yahoo users million users images captured stored government servers 2008 tape over the lens webcam stop hackers government spying agencies recording your voice prevent watching capturing your live visual feeds slave slaves concern paranoia paranoid reports revelations spy on you through webcam disable cover webcam review handy products Script-kiddie hackers easily accessible tools phishing techniques hijack webcams unsuspecting people watch them through their camera store images videos people in compromising situations bedroom uploaded shady websites kids children implementing stop webcams on all the time webcam spying threat government agents hackers law-breaking voyeurs actively spy computer’s webcam ramblings paranoid conspiracy theorist hypervigilant hyper vigilant hyper-vigilant privacy advocate news stories over paranoia uncomfortable reality student sued his school school-provided laptop secretly photographing ensuing legal investigation revealed school collected 56,000 photographs students without their knowledge consent researchers demonstrated activate webcam MacBooks without indicator light turning on previously considered impossible former FBI agent confirmed possible doing it for years documents leaked by Edward Snowden NSA backdoor access cameras on iPhones Blackberries NSA tools remotely monitor users Gumfish malware tool remote video monitoring via webcam BlackShades remote access webcam access victim’s computers Back Orifice marginally skilled malicious users gain access your computer Ars Technica Meet The Men Who Spy On Women Through Their Webcams spying government agents low-tier hackers simple phishing tricks malicious websites simple tools catalog monitor allegations government spying intellectual majority of actual webcam spying creepy Peeping Toms Remote Access Tools RATs Trojans malware well documented examples only active snapping selfies Skyping trust indicator light camera can be active without the light webcam spying real threat spooks at the NSA kid next door access tools webcam against owner then threat legitimate disable or obscure computer webcam documented cases webcam spying insecure recording device permanently disable remove webcam obscure lens disable webcam antivirus anti-virus link running wrong executable whitelist trojan antivirus malware secure help unplug camera desktop users external webcams desktop machines external USB web cam webcam hacking hacker hacked plug an unplugged device workstation monitors USB cable hardware operating system OS BIOS option laptops integrated webcams disable webcam via BIOS reboot microphone camera microphone module same expansion board privacy mic microphone disable OS operating system solution secure foolproof disabling webcam cripple webcam disabling removing driver support Windows Device Manager Imaging Devices roster of devices remote administrative access install missing drivers enable device disable webcam Eyebloc Cover C-Slide tiny plastic slider Creative Cam Covers DIY electrical tape cover /

Tesla Model S updates

Credit: http://forococheselectricos.com/

Rumours have been circulating recently about updates to the Tesla Model S, including:

● nose treatment changed to resemble the Model X

● LED headlights

● Bioweapon Defense Mode cabin air filtration from the Model X

See the new nose on the Tesla site at www.teslamotors.com

Check the Model S order page for references to the LED headlights & Bioweapon Defense Mode cabin air filtration.

Still missing is the 100 kWh battery option. / bigger battery Model S 320 miles range styling Model X grille redesigned taillights automotive rumor mill Tesla Model S significant styling drivetrain update soon Tesla update Model S styling Model X Model 3 rumor powertrain 100kWh battery Model S lineup increase driving range largest battery option 90kWh driving range 320 miles Model S 100D Model S P100D Ludicrous mode incrementally quicker acceleration updated Model S Bioweapon Defense Mode Model X seals off passenger cabin air conditioned air giant HEPA filter Model S updated styling Model X smaller front grille updated LED headlights taillights Tesla Model S styling Model 3 Tesla /

What every home needs is a laser cutter

What every home lacks a laser cutter – & Mr. Beam II is available on Kickstarter for as little as €1,399.



https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mrbeam/mr-beam-ii-the-desktop-laser-cutter-and-engraver/description

Then again, maybe not …

/ Mr Beam II affordable desktop laser cutter engraver integrated camera connect your PC Mac tablet WiFi choose your own design cut engrave wide variety of materials Mr Beam II cut architectural airplane models very high precision balsa plywood kraftplex cardboard perfect tool makers architects model builders artisans cut models high precision engrave wood leather fabric mirror anodized aluminum no problem integrated software pictures engraved directly onto your material cut engrave cut wide variety of materials plywood cardboard fabric MDF felt paper latex leather paperboard basalt balsa foam-board acrylic engrave materials engraving wood mirrors anodized aluminum no problem Mr Beam II materials thoroughly tested cut engrave /

Updates to Tesla Model S in the works

Credit: http://forococheselectricos.com/

Some time ago there were indications that the Tesla Model S was about to have a 100 kWh battery option, at least for the 4wd performance variant.

Now other sources are indicating that the 100 kWh battery, plus some styling updates, the Bioweapon Defense Mode from the Model X, plus LED headlights & taillights will soon appear:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/news/a28778/tesla-model-s-p100d-with-new-styling-could-debut-this-week-says-rumor/ / bigger battery Model S 320 miles range styling Model X grille redesigned taillights automotive rumor mill Tesla Model S significant styling drivetrain update soon Tesla update Model S styling Model X Model 3 rumor powertrain 100kWh battery Model S lineup increase driving range largest battery option 90kWh driving range 320 miles Model S 100D Model S P100D Ludicrous mode incrementally quicker acceleration updated Model S Bioweapon Defense Mode Model X seals off passenger cabin air conditioned air giant HEPA filter Model S updated styling Model X smaller front grille updated LED headlights taillights
Tesla Model S styling Model 3 Tesla /

Platooning lets trucks make better use of roads, save fuel & reduce greenhouse gasses

Routes used by DAF, Daimler, IVECO, MAN, Scania, & Volvo trucks taking part in the European Truck Platooning Challenge
Credit: slo-tech.com

Semi-autonomous trucks connected by radar, GPS, WiFi & optical sensors are able to follow one another on the highway more closely than is safe for human drivers. Such group of trucks is called a platoon. Shorter distances between the members of a platoon increase the efficiency & greenhouse emission gains from slipstreaming. On Wednesday 06 April, the European Truck Platooning Challenge successfully concluded in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, as shown in the map above.



http://arstechnica.com/cars/2016/04/europe-completes-a-demonstration-of-semi-autonomous-truck-platooning/
/ two-lane highway headaches Europe demonstrates semi-autonomous truck platoonWi-Fi-connected trucks tight convoys saving fuel increasing safety self-driving vehicles technology companies autonomous advocates self-driving technology road haulage freight sector Europe demonstration semi-autonomous trucking European Truck Platooning Challenge wrapped up successfully on Wednesday 06 April Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment trucks from six different European manufacturers DAF Trucks Daimler IVECO MAN Scania Volvo trucks left their home bases traveled in platoons Dutch port of Rotterdam trucks platoon connected via Wi-Fi enabled synchronized driven much closer to each other human drivers completely autonomous level 4 vehicles driver on board each vehicle trucks equipped radar optical sensors at least as smart semi-autonomous Teslas Audis cars driving advantages networked platooned trucks almost no reaction time within platoon lead truck slow down brake trucks in the platoon respond at once closing gap between each vehicle trucks benefit from decreased wind resistance better fuel economy 10 percent saves truck operators money less carbon dioxide emissions USA level 3 autonomous truck Freightliner impact technology industry employs 3.5 million people shortage of truck drivers in the USA semi-autonomous tech reduce workload decrease stress fully autonomous passenger cars completely autonomous truck travel no human intervention setting the route networked truck platoons cut down carbon emissions improve road safety /

"MagSafe"™ charging for any device with USB-C

Credit: Griffin Technologies/techvibrate.com

If you bought the new Macbook 12 inch, with USB-C port, you may regret loss of the MagSafe™ charging connector which protected your laptop, cable & charger against damage from the cable being kicked. If so, Griffin Technologies has a solution in the form of its BreakSafe Magnetic USB-C Power Cable. As you can see in the image, it consists of a connector which is inserted into the USB-C port of your laptop, & a six foot (1.83 metre) cable with a standard USB-C plug at one end & a proprietary connector at the other which attaches magnetically to the connector in the USB-C socket of your computer.

Breaksafe works with any computer with USB-C charging.

https://the-gadgeteer.com/2016/04/08/the-breaksafe-magnetic-usb-c-power-cable-is-coming-soon/ / new laptop new industry standard USB-C port USB C replace all older USB ports Macs PCs mobile devices standardization Magsafe magnetic cable old device magnetic power cable Griffin Technologies BreakSafe Magnetic USB-C Power Cable ease of snapping on your charging cable charges your device faster breaks away when placed under stress don’t accidentally pull your laptop off your desk tripping on the charging cable order connector 12.8mm deep remain inserted in your USB-C port your device six-foot power cable USB-C charger device compatible with USB Power Delivery rated up to 60 watts 20 volts @ 3 amps BreakSafe for charging power only data video not supported BreakSafe Magnetic USB-C power cable release April 2016 Griffin Technologies cost $39.99 new USB-C products covered by Griffin’s new Guaranteed for Life warranty program /