A new Fast Radio Burst theory from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center states that maybe, just maybe, they are used by aliens as a propulsion force for space travel.
The downside of this theory is that the 17 FRB signals received so far would hardly propel a fleet of alien spaceships across the cosmos...and using radio-bursts rather than a steady stream of solar / laser light, seems very impractical.
Although synthesized Yeast may not be the sexiest example of cutting - edge science, it is being created with the aid of a software program called ' BioStudio ' , and so far, scientists have replicated 6 of 16 chromosomes .
As yeast shares many similarities to our own DNA, it can be used to improve medicines, etc.
This represents a major advance in the field.
Speaking of DNA , scientists have finally discovered the mechanism which allows Tardigrades to be almost indestructible.
Apparently by some trick of their DNA , they collapse, becoming a form of biological glass , with only a bare minimum of molecules and proteins to keep them in suspended animation.
This obviously has implications for deep space travel.
It is almost certain that elements of 'water bear' DNA will eventually be introduced to humans-
or at least, they will to those who need longevity...suddenly that 4.7 light - year journey to Alpha Centauri seems almost possible.
Regardless of whether Tardigrade DNA is copy/pasted into people , molecular damage has probably already occured in the wild boars that now run wild in Fukushima and its environs.
Moves are afoot to convince people to return to the area, but the hostile, and almost certainly radioactive, boars , are the new owners of the place.
The comments section of the article above is filled with discussion of the best calibre guns to take down the mutant hogs...
Further to my recent post about the search for absolute zero , a little box is being taken to the ISS this summer with a view to creating the coldest space in the universe, just a fraction of a degree above absolute zero.
It is expected that quantum phenomena will occur - I am excited - and a little worried for the brave souls in the ISS : after all, quantum is where the normal laws of physics break down.
What could possibly go wrong ?
Artists impression- Nasa Cold Atom Lab
More quantum strangeness - time crystals have been observed, or at least, have now been peer reviewed - opening new possibilities for quantum computing.
Their magic is the way they create a marker or lattice in time itself : a ' rhythm' maintained in the (alleged) fourth dimension.
Initially, this may sound utterly bizarre - a solid object that vibrates on another plane ?
At a basic level, it is the old idea of perpetual motion , with a twist.
Meanwhile,in Siberia...
Melting permafrost gave us a scare story some time ago with a potential TB pandemic unleashed from thawed reindeer bodies , but nothing else until now - as the permafost thaws with increasing speed, large areas are being uncovered and with them new escapes of gases into the atmosphere , and evidence of volcanic activity
Meanwhile, near Saturn...
Saturns innermost moon, Pan, is tiny, and looks very odd.
Pan was discovered in 1990 from photographs taken by Voyager 2.
Only approximately 17 miles diameter, it orbits Saturn, in the Encke gap of the ring system, and its weird appearance means it is likened to many things including a doughnut, a walnut , and a ufo.
From Saturns inner-most moon to Jupiters possibly life-supporting moon . With the announcement of a NASA mission called Europa Clipper, a reconnaisance craft which will orbit and assess Europa for the essential building blocks of life .
The mission is scheduled to launch in 2020 , arriving at the Jovian moon a few years later.
It will perform 45 orbits of the moon.
The ultimate goal seems to be the colonisation of Europa- which, coming from NASA themselves, makes me wonder what they are not telling us.
On the other hand, the fact that it concerns Europa gives enough fuel for conspiracies, anyway.
From Europa to Europe
Luxembourg is keen to establish itself as a trailblazer and a
major player in the field of asteroid mining
Staying in the area of Europe, any budding astro-engineers should consider these vacancies from ESA !
P.S. I realise that the idea of time as a fourth dimension is contentious , but I don't want to get bogged down with the issue, as this is not really a science forum , and my take on the subject is flexible - personally, I think we should expand our dimensions. At least five, and probably ten. Because quantum . But let's agree to differ ?
The downside of this theory is that the 17 FRB signals received so far would hardly propel a fleet of alien spaceships across the cosmos...and using radio-bursts rather than a steady stream of solar / laser light, seems very impractical.
 |
| Yeast |
As yeast shares many similarities to our own DNA, it can be used to improve medicines, etc.
This represents a major advance in the field.
Speaking of DNA , scientists have finally discovered the mechanism which allows Tardigrades to be almost indestructible.
Apparently by some trick of their DNA , they collapse, becoming a form of biological glass , with only a bare minimum of molecules and proteins to keep them in suspended animation.
This obviously has implications for deep space travel.
It is almost certain that elements of 'water bear' DNA will eventually be introduced to humans-
or at least, they will to those who need longevity...suddenly that 4.7 light - year journey to Alpha Centauri seems almost possible.
Regardless of whether Tardigrade DNA is copy/pasted into people , molecular damage has probably already occured in the wild boars that now run wild in Fukushima and its environs.
Moves are afoot to convince people to return to the area, but the hostile, and almost certainly radioactive, boars , are the new owners of the place.
The comments section of the article above is filled with discussion of the best calibre guns to take down the mutant hogs...
 |
| Mutant hog spotted... |
It is expected that quantum phenomena will occur - I am excited - and a little worried for the brave souls in the ISS : after all, quantum is where the normal laws of physics break down.
What could possibly go wrong ?
More quantum strangeness - time crystals have been observed, or at least, have now been peer reviewed - opening new possibilities for quantum computing.
Their magic is the way they create a marker or lattice in time itself : a ' rhythm' maintained in the (alleged) fourth dimension.
Initially, this may sound utterly bizarre - a solid object that vibrates on another plane ?
At a basic level, it is the old idea of perpetual motion , with a twist.
Meanwhile,in Siberia...
Melting permafrost gave us a scare story some time ago with a potential TB pandemic unleashed from thawed reindeer bodies , but nothing else until now - as the permafost thaws with increasing speed, large areas are being uncovered and with them new escapes of gases into the atmosphere , and evidence of volcanic activity
Meanwhile, near Saturn...
 |
| Pan photo : Cassini/ Nasa |
 |
| Anaglyph 3D Pan |
Saturns innermost moon, Pan, is tiny, and looks very odd.
Pan was discovered in 1990 from photographs taken by Voyager 2.
Only approximately 17 miles diameter, it orbits Saturn, in the Encke gap of the ring system, and its weird appearance means it is likened to many things including a doughnut, a walnut , and a ufo.
From Saturns inner-most moon to Jupiters possibly life-supporting moon . With the announcement of a NASA mission called Europa Clipper, a reconnaisance craft which will orbit and assess Europa for the essential building blocks of life .
The mission is scheduled to launch in 2020 , arriving at the Jovian moon a few years later.
It will perform 45 orbits of the moon.
The ultimate goal seems to be the colonisation of Europa- which, coming from NASA themselves, makes me wonder what they are not telling us.
On the other hand, the fact that it concerns Europa gives enough fuel for conspiracies, anyway.
From Europa to Europe
Luxembourg is keen to establish itself as a trailblazer and a
major player in the field of asteroid mining
Staying in the area of Europe, any budding astro-engineers should consider these vacancies from ESA !
P.S. I realise that the idea of time as a fourth dimension is contentious , but I don't want to get bogged down with the issue, as this is not really a science forum , and my take on the subject is flexible - personally, I think we should expand our dimensions. At least five, and probably ten. Because quantum . But let's agree to differ ?
