SECTIONS Home Society SciTech Planet Cosmos SPECIAL Contents About

SCI-TECH (Science & Technology) is defined by GSReport as the sum and product of human efforts to discover, analyze, manipulate and exploit the forces, phenomena and resources observed in the natural world. In general, science deals in discovery and analysis, while technology deals in manipulation and exploitation. The purview of Sci-Tech extends from the sub-atomic realm to the farthest extent of the physical universe, and includes the treatment (medicine) and manipulation of the human body and mind. Pig Intestine Has Amazing Medical Properties (2/25/00) Recent research shows that tissue taken from the small intestine of pigs has remarkable healing and restorative effects in a wide variety of medical applications. How it works is still not understood. Meeting You Halfway -- The Continuing Saga of Electric and Hybrid Cars (2/10/00) Hybrid cars, combining electric motors and internal combustion engines, may be the only way to wean the auto-loving public away from gas-guzzling machines -- at least if Detroit and Big Oil have anything to say about it. Japan's 'Consumer Robot' a Sign of Things to Come (1/25/00) A Japaneses firm has announced the advent of the world's first consumer robot designed to perform simple household tasks. In the near future, such robots will become far more capable. Stem Cells May Allow Regrowth of Liver (5/25/99) New research on bone marrow stem cells suggests that it may become possible to regenerate the liver and other major organs. Scientists Speed Up Evolution to 'Improve on Nature' (5/25/99) Cells that produce useful medicinal substances can be caused to rapidly mutate to maximize their beneficial activity and minimize their unwanted side-effects. Battle Lines Are Being Drawn in War Over GM Foods (5/25/99) The British government reaffirmed support for genetically modified foods, saying the technology can produce better food more economically; but critics strongly disagreed. Diabetes-Causing Gene Identified (5/25/99) Suppressing the activity of a gene called GAD could prevent the destruction of insulin-producing cells that causes dangerous type I diabetes. What's Behind the War Against Cold Fusion? (5/25/99) Several leading researchers are showing that cold fusion works. But funding is hard to get and official resistance is high. The economic stakes are even higher. Gene Found That Activates Illness-Causing Bacteria (5/10/99) Altering certain genes in disease-causing bacteria offers a promising new approach to fighting infectious disease. Virgin Airways, Daimler Benz Eye Space Tourism (5/10/99) Several major European companies have lately announced plans to invest in space tourism. Potential Diabetes Breakthrough From Jungle Fungus (5/10/99) A substance derived from an African fungus may provide an effective oral alternative to insulin injections for sufferers of type I diabetes. Huge Jump in Internet Use by 2000, Experts Say (4/25/99) The number of internet uses has approximately doubled every year for the last 11 years and could reach 300 million by the end of 2000, some experts predict. Study Says Hackers Threaten U.S. Military (4/25/99) A Pentagon study says hi-tech hackers could outpace official efforts to protect vital military information systems. New Research Promises Bone, Muscle Replacement (4/10/99) New research shows that stem cells from adult bone marrow can be directed to grow into new bone and muscle tissue that can replace similar tissue lost to disease or accident. Race to Clone Humans Now Underway in Earnest (4/1/99) Dr, Richard Seed, who says he intends to clone his wife, announced at a London conference on March 30, 1999 that he expects the first human clone to be created within two years. 'Peach Essence' Might Replace Dangerous Pesticide (3/25/99) A natural substance found in peaches might successfully replace the dangerous substance methyl bromide as an effective agricultural pesticide. Nuclear Disposal Site to Open for Business (3/25/99) A U.S. federal judge cleared the way on March 22, 1999 for the first shipments of nuclear waste to be delivered to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico. Fuel Cells Could Power Your Car by 2004 (3/25/99) In March, 1999, DaimlerChrysler unveiled their newest prototype car powered by a fuel cell, a vehicle that looks and performs like a standard compact car. Suds May Be Antidote for Chemical and Bio-Weapons (3/16/99) A sudsy foam made from common ingredients by scientists at Sandia National Laboratory in New Mexico may provide an antidote to many chemical and biological toxins. Hilton Backs Space Hotel Built From Shuttle Tanks (3/15/99) The hotel group Hilton International is to become the first sponsor of a privately funded plan to build a space station, constructed from used Space Shuttle fuel tanks. Warning on Bio-Engineered Potatoes Gains Support (3/10/99) Numerous scientists came to the defense of researcher Arpad Pusztai after he was fired for announcing that genetically altered potatoes caused stunted growth, weight loss and suppressed immune systems in rats. Rollout of Contender for First Civilian Spaceship (3/1/99) The Rotary Rocket Company on March 1, 1999, rolled out the first flying prototype of their Rotary Rocket, a contender to become the first civilian spacecraft to launch tourists into space. Danish Physicist Slows Down Speed of Light (2/25/99) An experiment by Danish physicist Dr. Lene Vestergaard Hau has reportedly slowed down light to a speed of 38 miles per hour. The technique may have numerous technological applications. Artificial Muscles Are Key to Robots of the Future (2/25/99) New artificial muscles made of plastic that bends and contracts somewhat like biological muscle tissue could give future robots enormous dexterity, and also help paralyzed humans regain mobility. U.S. Air Force Lays Plans for Space Dominance (2/10/99) An Air Force study called AF 2025 describes high-tech plans designed to assure U.S. dominance in an era of space-based commerce, terrorism and war. Huge NSA Encryption Scam Claimed (2/10/99) The Swiss firm Crypto AG reportedly designed their widely used encryption devices so that the NSA could decode secrets from many countries. Mexico City Fights Smog by Electrifying Air (2/10/99) A new experiment in Mexico City is attempting to control rampant air pollution by injecting electricity into the air. Did South Korean Doctors Clone Human Embryo? (2/10/99) Researchers in South Korea claimed in December, 1998 that they had cloned a human embryo, but other researchers disputed the claim. Wind-up Radios Could Be Boon in Developing World (2/10/99) Radios that run on a wind-up electric generator are all the rage with Western survivalists but might prove most useful in developing countries. Author Says Cold Fusion is Proven Technology (2/10/99) According to author Antony Sutton, several varieties of cold fusion technology are already working in labs around the world. 'Terminator' Seed and the Future of Farming (2/10/99) New technology that genetically disables plants' ability to produce viable seeds could disadvantage many farmers and harm the natural gene pool, critics say. Stem Cells: Hope and Controversy on the Bio-Tech Frontier (1/25/99) New research on stem cells might lead to cures for diabetes, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, and to growing replacement organs from a patient's own tissue. DNA Machine Marks Big Jump for Nanotechnology (1/25/99) Scientists at New York University announced the creation of a tiny moving 'elbow' created out of DNA. Renewable Energy Generation Increasing Rapidly (1/25/99) Wind and solar power generating capacity is increasing very rapidly in many parts of the world, but it is still a tiny fraction of total energy capacity. Is an 'Immortality Drug' Coming Soon? (1/10/99) New scientific studies said the enzyme telomerase might slow the aging process in cells and might also provide the basis for a broad-spectrum cancer cure. First Pieces of Space Station Launched, Joined (12/15/98) Two pieces of the new International Space Station, one Russian and the other American, have been successfully launched and joined together in orbit. Entrepreneur Plans Next-Generation Net for Whole World (12/05/98) Neil Tagare, president of New Jersey-based CRT Group, says he'll build a new high-speed fiber optic network that links the whole world and brings underdeveloped countries into the global marketplace. Cloning Humans to Be Undertaken In Japan (12/01/98) Chicago-based physicist Richard Seed says he will participate in a Japan-based project that he hopes will eventually make human cloning possible. NASA Plans New Spacecraft for Mars Sample Return (11/22/98) NASA is developing a miniature Mars ascent vehicle, or mini-MAV, as part of an ambitious but modestly-budgeted program to return samples from Mars. NASA Plans For Mars Sample Return, Robotic Colonies (11/13/98) NASA and international partners have launched a plan to return samples from Mars by 2008 and establish a robotic colony on Mars by 2010. Scientists to Grow a Human Heart (11/11/98) Scientists from Britain, America, Canada and Switzerland say advances in the past five years have made possible the growth of living human organs in a laboratory, and they are planning to grow the first human heart outside the body. New Technique Regrows Man's Lost Thumb (11/1/98) Doctors at the University of Massachusetts have succeeded in regrowing the thumb of a man whose original thumb was irreparably crushed in an accident. NASA: New Hypersonic Propulsion Engine (9/4/98) An experiment scramjet engine is being tested for NASA's Hyper-X program, aimed at creating air-breathing aircraft that can fly to the edge of space at Mach 10. Cybernetics Prof Implants Chip in His Own Body (8/25/98) Professor Kevin Warwick claimed on Aug 25, 1998 to have become the first human to have a computer chip surgically implanted into his body. NASA: Some Space Samples May Pose Risk to Earth (7/15/98) A report of the National Academy of Sciences in July, 1998, said that samples that might be returned to Earth from Mars and other space destinations during the coming decade may pose risks to Earth-life and therefore should require special handling. NASA Steps Up Efforts to Track Asteroids (7/14/98) In July, 1998, NASA announced its new Near-Earth Object Program Office, which will coordinate efforts to locate asteroids and comets that could potentially threaten the Earth. Built by Frontier on a Macintosh on 6/17/00; 12:57:55 PM. Mail to GSReport - Web Comments - Produced by Larry Lowe Served 11987 times since 4/10/99.

Humanoid robots are coming. Kismet is an autonomous robot designed for meaningful social interactions with humans. Kismet can display a wide range of facial expressions connoting appropriate "emotional" responses to input from a human trainer, including interest, fear, happiness, boredom, anger, and disgust. The human trainer can assist the robot in acquiring more sophisticated communication skills and help it learn the meaning its responses have for others. This approach is inspired by the way infants learn to communicate with adults. Kismet is part of the Humanoid Robotic project of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. Other humanoid/android robot projects can be seen at Android World.