Merely Human? That’s So Yesterday
Teaching the singularity: More on Google and others’ vision of merging technology and human and its implication – just a couple of decades away, apparently.
New York Times: 11 June 2010
Fern gene for arsenic tolerance may clean toxic land
US researchers have isolated a gene from a fern that allows it to tolerate high levels of arsenic. This could provide a way to create plants that can clean up arsenic-contaminated soil and waters.
Purdue University: media release 10 June 2010
Reference
Abstract in above link. Published in early online edition of Plant Cell
Banana Nano-Smoothies may be coming
Food enriched with nano-sized minerals could soon make billions of people in developing countries healthier.
Discovery Channel: 10 June 2010
TechNyou note:
there is still the issue of making such supplements or foods affordable and accessible to those in developing nations, who arguably are most in need of them. There are bio-fortification programs happening now. There are some success stories, but there is still widespread health problems associated with micro-nutrient deficiency. This nano-fortification might be an important tool, but it will likely sit among a large number of tools needed to help minimise malnutrition. The article seems to imply that it is THE solution, though, I will take a bet this is not the implication the scientists behind the work intended.
Nanotechnology super science guide
Written by science teachers Kate Anderson and Sally Parker and designed for use in the classroom, this 64-page guide will bring out the imagination, creativity and independent learning in your students.
It uses enquiry-based approaches and proven pedagogical methodology to maximise engagement and involvement of students in their learning. And it offers both variety and flexibility of use for the differentiated classroom.
Big news about teaching the small stuff
COSMOS magazine and the Australian government have created a splendid new education resource for teachers – and its free.
COSMOS magazine – together with the Federal Department of Industry, Innovation, Science and Research – have created a fabulous new education resource: the Nanotechnology Super Science Guide. TechNyou get a mention because of our links with DIISR.
Written by our fabulous science teachers Kate Anderson and Sally Parker and designed for use in the classroom, this 64-page guide will bring out the imagination, creativity and independent learning in your students.
It uses enquiry-based approaches and proven pedagogical methodology to maximise engagement and involvement of students in their learning. And it offers both variety and flexibility of use for the differentiated classroom.
Where to get it
You can read the online e-book version of the Nanotechnology Super Science Guide now, or you can download the free PDF version for later use in the classroom.
The PDF is also be available for download on TechNyou’s web site.
If you have trouble downloading it go to www.cosmosmagazine.com/nanoguide
Jason
TechNyou
Friends of the Earth come down hard on nanotechnology – are they right?
Andrew Maynard’s analysis of each of Friends of the Earth’s claims about nanoparticles in sunscreens
Andrew Maynard (2020 Science) has posted an analysis of each of the evidence-based claims made by Friends of the Earth about the risks of nanoparticle-based sunscreens and cosmetics.
It adds appropriate context to the science and the associated risks.
Aussie research
For information on Australian (CSIRO and Macquarie University) research that is trying to understand and minimise the risks associated with the development of these nanoparticle-based products – see
http://www.csiro.au/science/Nanosafety.html
I have posted a previous blog about how some of this research can be misinterpreted, in this case by the media: http://tinyurl.com/2ccet2t
Jason
TechNyou
Banned GM maize sown in Germany
The question is which one and how much. There are conflicting reports from various news agencies
Here is one from the BBC
The Nature magazine’s blog sums up the confusion and as they point out this is likley to stir the debate up again – like it wasn’t already stirring. I can guess it will be ammunition for the anti-GM crowd in Australia to support their cries that contamination is inevitable and that once released the genie is out of the bottle forever. Not a peep from Monsanto, at least nothing official on their website
Perspective
The contamination is < 1% (as far as we can tell from the reports, so far), not that that is any consolation to those who don’t want any.
It isn’t harmful to human health (at least according to regulatory agencies), not that that is any consolation to those for whom even a relatively remote risk is too much
Jason
TechNyou
Sunlight shines on silver technology
Scientists have taken a promising step toward the goal of generating a new source of clean energy, using little more than sunlight and water.
ABC Science News: 7 June 2010
Cyborg rights and other stuff
Cyborg rights. I can see the street protests now. OK I am getting carried away – sort of.
There is an interesting symposium on the social implications of technologies happening at the University of Wollongong, starting today, that I would love to be at, but can’t. And there is a keynote talking about cyborg rights.
The symposium is called Technology and Society: Social implications of emerging technologies.
Keynotes
Scanning the keynote speakers there will be discussions and insight into our advancing genetic knowledge, emerging technologies and implications for privacy. There really is discussion about cyborg rights and a lot on the issue of human enhancement. We aren’t talking the sweaty Angus Thermopyle-type of cyborg (Stephen Donaldson’s Gap Series for anyone into science fiction). This is the existing and near-future prosthetics and implants – including ones for the brain – that can and will likely give us an advantage over the plain-Jane flesh and bone. Who will have access to these technologies and for what purposes?
Other speakers explore the possibility of becoming infected with a computer virus. Based on the technology threatening this possibility, other speakers, including a dude who has one, discuss personalised computer chip or transponder implants placed in your body that allow you to interact with your social living space, for example your mobile phone, computer, car, your white goods, should you feel lonely and want to chat with your fridge.
Anyone there?
I would be interested to hear from anyone who is at the conference or who has access to a speaker paper to let me know some details on the types of dialogue that goes on there.
Jason
TechNyou
Trade-off’ gene for plants discovered
A key gene that trades off a plant’s size with its resistance to disease has been found.