How the Sun illuminates the Earth throughout the year. The video consists of 365 frames, 1 frame for each day of the year. The pictures were taken at the same time. Data from Eumetsat satellite. Credit: Simon Proud

@science

Synchron's brilliant Stentrode device: a simple, safe, reliable brain-computer interface that doesn't need chunks of skull cut out

Nature recently published two articles simultaneously discussing "synthetic" human embryos, which are created using stem cells and exhibit similar development patterns to real embryos.

The first article, titled "Postimplantation Human Embryo Model Derived from Pluripotent Stem Cells," was authored by researchers at Cambridge. The second article, titled "Self-replication of human stem cells into postimplantation lines," originated from Yale University.

Just two weeks ago, four different research groups released preprints on this subject, indicating that it is a cutting-edge frontier in biotechnology. However, the emergence of synthetic embryos raises ethical concerns, as they are not treated in the same manner as "true" embryos developed from eggs.

The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) issued a statement two days ago addressing this matter. Here's an excerpt from their statement:

"The ISSCR advises against using the term 'synthetic embryo' to describe these models, as it is both inaccurate and potentially misleading. Integrated embryo models are not truly synthetic nor embryonic. While they can replicate certain aspects of early human embryo development, they cannot and will not progress to the equivalent postnatal human stage. Moreover, the ISSCR Guidelines explicitly prohibit the transfer of any embryo model into a human or animal uterus."

The authors from Cambridge refer to these models as human embryoids. However, this attempt to distance them from the notion of human-like development does not entirely dispel doubts about their potential to develop into something resembling a human. After all, these models possess human DNA. It seems that simply playing with terminology may not be sufficient to resolve this question definitively.


Support @science here: https://t.me/science/3211

Welcome to Science Digest! 🌌🔬

Prepare yourself for a captivating journey through the frontiers of science, where groundbreaking discoveries and mind-boggling advancements await. We are thrilled to present to you our daily digest, dedicated to delivering a carefully curated selection of the most fascinating scientific insights and stories.

Support Science here

Hi everyone!
It’s Friday, and that means it’s time to kick back, relax, and enjoy some science news.
Let’s explore the world of science!

Basic orbital mechanics on @science

The most commonly used form of glass, which you’ll find in everything from windows to drinking glasses, is technically known as soda lime silicate glass. Manufacturing this common material requires furnaces that get up to 1,500 °C (2,732 °F), which of course consumes a lot of energy and releases a huge amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. On top of that, this glass is made from quartz sand, soda ash and limestone, the latter two of which release CO2 when melted.
Now, Penn State researchers have improved the recipe to make glass that’s more environmentally friendly to produce, while also being much stronger.

🔬 Scientists Unveil Revolutionary Cancer Treatment Inspired by COVID-19 Vaccines

Exciting breakthroughs in the field of cancer research have given rise to a cutting-edge treatment that takes cues from the successful COVID-19 vaccines. A team of dedicated scientists has developed and tested a potential therapy that employs mRNA molecules to combat cancer cells by leveraging a similar mechanism used in the vaccines.

@science

Created by a team of scientists at North Carolina State University, the material starts out as a solution consisting of copper microparticles suspended in water. Microparticles of another metal, known as eutectic gallium indium alloy (EGaIn) are then added, as is hydrochloric acid.

Monday News from @science

Let's dive right in: introducing the Phenakistiscope, a brilliant contraption that showcases moving pictures, leveraging the phenomenon of human vision's inertia.

Thanks to the rapid movement depicted in the pictures, it appears as though these penguins are on a journey.


More on @science

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) affects how the body uses glucose (sugar) for energy. It’s caused by a combination of ineffective insulin and not enough insulin. T2D is often preventable, especially when risk factors such as weight, exercise and diet are addressed.

🤖 Introducing the GR-1: A Strong and Versatile Humanoid Robot by Fourier Intelligence 🌐

Chinese company Fourier Intelligence has unveiled its groundbreaking project, the GR-1 general-purpose humanoid robot. With plans to manufacture 100 units by the end of 2023, Fourier aims to create robots capable of carrying nearly their own weight, showcasing a unique focus in the field of robotics.
Fourier Intelligence is renowned for its specialization in rehabilitation technologies, offering the RehabHub platform that integrates a range of physical therapy devices. From wrist strength games to lower-body exoskeletons, these devices address various rehabilitation needs, including hand and finger grip training, balance improvement, and mobility enhancement.

The GR-1 humanoid robot, launched in 2019, may seem unexpected in Fourier's portfolio. However, the development of lower-body exoskeletons for physical therapy likely shares hardware and problem-solving aspects with robots' leg mechanisms. Read more

THIS SUIT CAN IMPROVE MOBILITY FOR STROKE OR PARKINSON’S PATIENTS

The single-piece suit is equipped with 58 imbedded electrodes, which are adjust to the user’s individual needs
The Exopulse Mollii Suite is proving extremely valuable for patients that experiences celebral palsy, or the consequences of a stroke or the Parkinson’s disease.

The low-frequency #electrostimulation improves blood circulation and restores the previously inhibited balance between muscles pairs. If, for example, the bicep is tensed, the suit stimulates the tricep, which in turn causes the bicep to relax. As such, the technology works in a complementary way to functional electrical stimulation (FES), in which nerves are stimulated with small electrical impulses in order to trigger movements. by Ottobock market leader in technical orthopaedics.

@science

Theme of the New Science: A Machine-Intelligent World

There is a wide collection of texts available on AI, ranging from less specialized to highly specialized, all in the public domain. I will provide three examples to illustrate this point.

◽️ "How do we know how smart AI systems are?" How close are we to achieving the original objective of creating machine intelligence at or beyond the level of human intelligence?

◽️ "Improving artificial intelligence with games." Games continue to be a driving force in advancing AI development, as researchers are now tackling the more intricate and diverse challenges presented by modern video games.

◽️ "Using machine learning to decode animal communication." Researchers are using machine learning techniques to unravel the complexities of animal communication systems, seeking to understand and interpret their methods of communication.

@science

Purchasing Gift Cards with Crypto Made Easy

One of the most convenient ways to pay for purchases on foreign services is by using gift cards and prepaid cards. While this option may not be suitable for every situation, it proves to be incredibly useful when it comes to paying for various services and subscriptions. Whether you want to enjoy Apple services, purchase games on PlayStation or Xbox, subscribe to Spotify, or order products on Amazon, buying gift cards can simplify the payment process. In this article, we will explore my personal experience of purchasing gift cards with the help of Bitrefill, a popular website that allows you to buy gift and prepaid recharge cards using cryptocurrencies.