Concept Solar Powered Aircraft
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Saturday, 6 April 2013
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Marine robots will save drowning
Robot Savior Aerial – a concept the marine robotic quadrocopter created just for rescue purposes. The robot will be equipped with 3 lifebuoys,that he will drop a drowning. A robot will have a thermal sensor to detect people who got into trouble during a night patrol. Each robot will be equipped with GPS, and will work from solar panels, charged at solar stations located on a special ship,which will be located nearby.
The developers say that the robot is in the making, but as long as there is no exact date when it will be released. In any case, these robots can be not redundant. The main, they must have time to time to the affected. Well, and still, that tight circle, falling from above, not ranked poor guy to the head.
Saturday, 2 February 2013
New blood test to tell how long will you live
Researchers claim to have developed a new controversial `lifespan` test
that can tell how long a person will live by determining the rate of
ageing.
The blood test estimates how fast someone is ageing by
measuring the length of microscopic structures at the ends of each
chromosome called telomeres, which keep each chromosome from falling
apart when cells divide
Telomeres shorten after each cell division and animal studies have shown that a high percentage of short telomeres in blood cells is associated with a shorter-than-normal life expectancy, which is why blood tests could provide a guide to ageing and life expectancy.
More than 100 Britons have already taken the revolutionary blood test to see how fast they are ageing, and which might be used in the future to indicate statistically how long they have got left to live,
The company behind the test believes that thousands will further take the 650 pounds blood check in UK next year, and millions more worldwide will be tested by the end of the decade.
It also expects the test to be used as part of the standard medical check-up required by insurance companies, just as they now ask about family history of disease and whether someone is a smoker or obese.
"We consider that this will become as standard a medical diagnostic test as cholesterol testing is now," said Stephen Matlin, chief executive of Life Length, which is based in Madrid.
"If you look at cholesterol testing since the early 1980s, in a period of 15 years testing volume went from nothing to about 100 million a year,"
However, some experts have warned that there is still not enough known about telomere testing to provide people with any meaningful medical advice, and one Nobel prize-winner has warned that 99 per cent of people who take the test will not gain any benefit.
"Today there are 500 million cholesterol tests a year. If we do one per cent of this, we are doing well. We hope to be testing millions of people by 2020,"
The company plans to lower the price of the test by 20 per cent a year for the next five years so that it costs no more than about 65 pounds by 2017, bringing it within the price range of millions of new customers.
Friday, 1 February 2013
Now, drug to reverse `permanent` deafness
Harvard scientists have developed a drug which they claim can cure permanent deafness by stimulating the inner ear.
The drug, codenamed LY411575, works by triggering the regeneration of sensory hair cells.
Until
now it has not been possible to restore the cells once they have been
lost due to factors such as loud noise exposure, infection and toxic
drugs
This type of deafness, often suffered by rock musicians and DJs, is generally assumed to be irreversible.
Scientists succeeded in partially restoring hearing to mice that had been deafened by loud noise and believe the research could lead to effective treatments for acute noise-induced deafness in humans.
The tiny sensory hairs in the cochlea are vital to hearing. Sound vibrations transferred from the eardrum shake the hairs, causing nerve messages to be fired to the brain.
Without the hairs, the hearing pathway is blocked and no signals are received by the brain`s auditory centre.
While birds and fish are capable of regenerating sound-sensing hair cells, mammals are not.
The new approach involves reprogramming inner ear cells by inhibiting a protein called Notch.
Previous laboratory research had shown that Notch signals help prevent stem cells in the cochlea transforming themselves into new sensory hair cells.
The new drug suppresses Notch. Mice with noise-induced hearing loss generated functioning sensory hair cells after the drug was injected into their damaged cochleas.
"We show that hair cells can be regenerated from the surrounding cells in the cochlea," lead researcher Dr Albert Edge, from Harvard Medical School in the US, said.
"These cells, called supporting cells, transdifferentiate into hair cells after inhibition of the Notch signalling pathway, and the new hair cell generation results in a recovery of hearing in the region of the cochlea where the new hair cells appear,"
"The significance of this study is that hearing loss is a huge problem affecting 250 million worldwide," Edge added.
A green fluorescent protein was used to label the newly generated hair cells. Electronic measurements of auditory brainstem responses confirmed that three months after treatment, lost hair cells had been replaced and were working.
Improvement in hearing was seen over a wide range of frequencies.
"The missing hair cells had been replaced by new hair cells after the drug treatment, and analysis of their location allowed us to correlate the improvement in hearing to the areas where the hair cells were replaced,"
Harvard scientists have developed a drug which they claim can cure permanent deafness by stimulating the inner ear.
The drug, codenamed LY411575, works by triggering the regeneration of sensory hair cells.
This type of deafness, often suffered by rock musicians and DJs, is generally assumed to be irreversible.
Scientists succeeded in partially restoring hearing to mice that had been deafened by loud noise and believe the research could lead to effective treatments for acute noise-induced deafness in humans.
The tiny sensory hairs in the cochlea are vital to hearing. Sound vibrations transferred from the eardrum shake the hairs, causing nerve messages to be fired to the brain.
Without the hairs, the hearing pathway is blocked and no signals are received by the brain`s auditory centre.
While birds and fish are capable of regenerating sound-sensing hair cells, mammals are not.
The new approach involves reprogramming inner ear cells by inhibiting a protein called Notch.
Previous laboratory research had shown that Notch signals help prevent stem cells in the cochlea transforming themselves into new sensory hair cells.
The new drug suppresses Notch. Mice with noise-induced hearing loss generated functioning sensory hair cells after the drug was injected into their damaged cochleas.
"We show that hair cells can be regenerated from the surrounding cells in the cochlea," lead researcher Dr Albert Edge, from Harvard Medical School in the US, said.
"These cells, called supporting cells, transdifferentiate into hair cells after inhibition of the Notch signalling pathway, and the new hair cell generation results in a recovery of hearing in the region of the cochlea where the new hair cells appear,"
"The significance of this study is that hearing loss is a huge problem affecting 250 million worldwide," Edge added.
A green fluorescent protein was used to label the newly generated hair cells. Electronic measurements of auditory brainstem responses confirmed that three months after treatment, lost hair cells had been replaced and were working.
Improvement in hearing was seen over a wide range of frequencies.
"The missing hair cells had been replaced by new hair cells after the drug treatment, and analysis of their location allowed us to correlate the improvement in hearing to the areas where the hair cells were replaced,"
Monday, 26 November 2012
Bionic Eye In a Blind Patient
We've been waiting on the prospect of a bionic eye
for a while now; being able to surgically give sight to the sightless
would be a medical breakthrough, and we're right on the cusp. Exhibit A:
In a world first, scientists have successfully implanted a prototype
bionic eye that has helped a woman see shapes.
Researchers from the government-funded consortium Bionic Vision Australia made the announcement in a statement yesterday; in it the implantee said she "didn't know what to expect, but all of a sudden, I could see a little flash--it was amazing." The team is hoping they can start to "build" shapes based on what she sees, eventually creating a bionic eye that works like its organic counterpart.
The prototype device is set up in a lab. Electrodes in the implant stimulate nerve cells, and in the controlled environment scientists can get feedback from the user on the "flashes of light." That could help them adjust until the "flashes of light" reflect the actual environment enough to be helpful. It's not full vision, but it's an early step toward it.
The next stage, the scientists say, is incorporating an external camera into a device, and creating versions with more electrodes. With 98, a person could be able to see large objects; with 1,024, they could recognize faces and large print.
Researchers from the government-funded consortium Bionic Vision Australia made the announcement in a statement yesterday; in it the implantee said she "didn't know what to expect, but all of a sudden, I could see a little flash--it was amazing." The team is hoping they can start to "build" shapes based on what she sees, eventually creating a bionic eye that works like its organic counterpart.
The prototype device is set up in a lab. Electrodes in the implant stimulate nerve cells, and in the controlled environment scientists can get feedback from the user on the "flashes of light." That could help them adjust until the "flashes of light" reflect the actual environment enough to be helpful. It's not full vision, but it's an early step toward it.
The next stage, the scientists say, is incorporating an external camera into a device, and creating versions with more electrodes. With 98, a person could be able to see large objects; with 1,024, they could recognize faces and large print.
Warning Signs Mom and Dad Are Getting Old
Many adult children must face a changing reality and confront their own
anxiety and grief as their parents lose strength and independence. These
changes are often more prominent around holiday time, particularly for
adult children who live a distance from their parents. It's easy to
overreact when you haven’t seen your folks in a while and they appear
distracted, confused or frail.
How do you differentiate changes in behavior that are part of normal
aging vs. illness or decline? Holidays can provide an opportunity to
observe your parents and identify ways to help them live as safely and
independently as possible. In order to best care for your parents,
you must first know what to look for and recognize the warning signs
that your parents need help. Here are eight of the most telling signs...
1) Change in eating habits/weight loss
As people age they may lose interest in cooking, especially if they live alone. My mom, who used to cook a four-course meal every night, is now happy with a frozen dinner or take out. In addition, loss of taste or diminished energy can affect appetite. Unexplained weight changes can also be a sign of depression or illness. Understanding the cause of weight and appetite fluctuations will help you determine whether there is cause for concern.
2) Out-of-the-ordinary forgetfulness
If your dad can’t find his glasses, you probably don’t need to worry. But if he forgets that he wears glasses or gets lost on a familiar route home, something more serious may be going on. Memory loss – the out of the ordinary kind – can be a warning sign.
3) Neglected personal hygiene and cleanliness
Your once fastidious mom now looks disheveled; the trash is piled up, or there is rotting food in the fridge. Are the light bulbs out and the grass overgrown? The home may not be safe due to poor lightning or fall hazards. An inability to properly care for oneself and one’s home may be a sign of health-related problems.
4) Decrease in socialization and activity level
Pay attention to your parent’s energy level and mobility. Is your otherwise active mom more sedentary and passive? Does your dad seem disinterested in activities that used to be part of his daily routine? In addition, as people lose loved ones, such as a spouse or a close friend, they can start to feel isolated or depressed. Ongoing engagement with friends, family and community is particularly important for emotional and physical well-being as people age.
5) Significant mood changes
Angry outbursts? Sullen withdrawn behavior? Or perhaps mom is just feeling blue. Depression often goes unrecognized and untreated among seniors who may be reluctant to reach out for help. Don’t attribute uncharacteristic mood changes to old age. Observe your parents and ask how they are feeling. Encourage mom or dad to seek medical help if there are unexplained changes in their mood.
6) Difficulty driving
Are there dents on the car, a pattern of fender benders or increased agitation and distraction while dad is behind the wheel? Unsafe driving puts not only your parent at risk, but other drivers and pedestrians as well. Many people limit driving as they age, such as avoiding highways or driving at night. Taking the keys away should be the last resort. If that becomes necessary, consider alternative means of transportation so your parent does not become isolated.
7) Misuse of prescribed medications
Does your parent have a system of remembering to take their medication each day? Have their prescriptions expired? Is mom or dad aware of potential side effects and drug interactions? Misuse of prescribed medicines may lead to deteriorating health and in some cases, a trip to the emergency room.
8) Mishandling finances
Are there unpaid bills piling up? Did dad forget whether he paid the taxes? Is mom struggling to understand where the money went? It may be difficult to get a handle on your parent’s financial welfare, particularly if they are tight-lipped about money. Losing the ability to pay bills can be a sign of being overwhelmed or something more serious, like dementia. Observing unexpected changes with your parents can often lead to alarm. Look for behavior that’s uncharacteristic and deviates from the norm. Gathering information, as calmly and objectively as possible, is the first step toward being an effective caregiver.
1) Change in eating habits/weight loss
As people age they may lose interest in cooking, especially if they live alone. My mom, who used to cook a four-course meal every night, is now happy with a frozen dinner or take out. In addition, loss of taste or diminished energy can affect appetite. Unexplained weight changes can also be a sign of depression or illness. Understanding the cause of weight and appetite fluctuations will help you determine whether there is cause for concern.
2) Out-of-the-ordinary forgetfulness
If your dad can’t find his glasses, you probably don’t need to worry. But if he forgets that he wears glasses or gets lost on a familiar route home, something more serious may be going on. Memory loss – the out of the ordinary kind – can be a warning sign.
3) Neglected personal hygiene and cleanliness
Your once fastidious mom now looks disheveled; the trash is piled up, or there is rotting food in the fridge. Are the light bulbs out and the grass overgrown? The home may not be safe due to poor lightning or fall hazards. An inability to properly care for oneself and one’s home may be a sign of health-related problems.
4) Decrease in socialization and activity level
Pay attention to your parent’s energy level and mobility. Is your otherwise active mom more sedentary and passive? Does your dad seem disinterested in activities that used to be part of his daily routine? In addition, as people lose loved ones, such as a spouse or a close friend, they can start to feel isolated or depressed. Ongoing engagement with friends, family and community is particularly important for emotional and physical well-being as people age.
5) Significant mood changes
Angry outbursts? Sullen withdrawn behavior? Or perhaps mom is just feeling blue. Depression often goes unrecognized and untreated among seniors who may be reluctant to reach out for help. Don’t attribute uncharacteristic mood changes to old age. Observe your parents and ask how they are feeling. Encourage mom or dad to seek medical help if there are unexplained changes in their mood.
6) Difficulty driving
Are there dents on the car, a pattern of fender benders or increased agitation and distraction while dad is behind the wheel? Unsafe driving puts not only your parent at risk, but other drivers and pedestrians as well. Many people limit driving as they age, such as avoiding highways or driving at night. Taking the keys away should be the last resort. If that becomes necessary, consider alternative means of transportation so your parent does not become isolated.
7) Misuse of prescribed medications
Does your parent have a system of remembering to take their medication each day? Have their prescriptions expired? Is mom or dad aware of potential side effects and drug interactions? Misuse of prescribed medicines may lead to deteriorating health and in some cases, a trip to the emergency room.
8) Mishandling finances
Are there unpaid bills piling up? Did dad forget whether he paid the taxes? Is mom struggling to understand where the money went? It may be difficult to get a handle on your parent’s financial welfare, particularly if they are tight-lipped about money. Losing the ability to pay bills can be a sign of being overwhelmed or something more serious, like dementia. Observing unexpected changes with your parents can often lead to alarm. Look for behavior that’s uncharacteristic and deviates from the norm. Gathering information, as calmly and objectively as possible, is the first step toward being an effective caregiver.
Saturday, 25 August 2012
Audi unveils first luxury-class e-tron concept car in Beijing
Audi has added to its e-tron series of electric and hybrid concept cars with the unveiling of the A6 L e-tron concept at 2012 Beijing Motor Show. Joining the Frankfurt, Detroit, A1, Spyder and A3 e-tron models, the A6 L e-tron concept is the company’s first luxury-class e-tron concept vehicle. Based on the new A6 L, it is a plug-in hybrid that boasts an electric-only driving range of 80 km (49.71 miles).
Audi chose Beijing to unveil the A6 L e-tron concept as the A6 L, which is produced at its Changchun plant in a joint venture with Chinese automaker, First Automobile Works (FAW), is the company’s bestselling model in China.
The concept vehicle combines a 2.0 TFSI engine outputting 155 kW (211 hp) and an electric motor generating a peak output of 70 kW (95 hp). It can be driven powered only by the internal combustion engine, only the electric drive, or in hybrid mode, with a hybrid control module choosing the best mode to maximize driving range.
An energy flow indicator on the instrument panel lets the driver know the current operating mode and which hybrid drive components are currently active. The display screen also shows the average fuel economy and amount of energy recovered over five-minute intervals.
Audi has also replaced the tachometer with a powerometer that indicates the total power of the drive system on a scale of zero to 100 percent. An auxiliary instrument displays the current charge state of the liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery that is located in a collision-protected space at the rear of the vehicle.
In electric mode, the vehicle boasts a range of 80 km (49.71 miles) at a constant speed of 60 km/h (37 mph). This is a big step up from the 3 km (1.86 mile) electric-only range offered by the electrified drive systems found in the company’s current Q5 Quattro, A6 and A8 hybrids.
The concept car has a body that is around 10 percent aluminum and is identical to that of the A6 L business sedan, with a 3.01 m (9.88 ft) wheelbase, 5.02 m (16.47 ft) length, 1.87 m (6.14 ft) width, and 1.46 m (4.79 ft) height. A single-frame grille with slender cross-bars and nearly-covered air intakes that are common to all e-tron models visually differentiate it from the production A6 L.
Audi says the use of aluminum results in a body that is around 15 percent lighter than comparable all-steel designs, and that all future Audi models will be lighter than their predecessors. This will be achieved through the use of combinations of lightweight materials, including carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP).
As the first luxury e-tron concept, the interior of the vehicle boasts all of the A6 line’s luxury-class features, including seat ventilation and massage functions, Bose surround sound system, deluxe air conditioner with air ionizer, and MMI navigation plus navigation system with touchpad character input and the ability to recognize 29,000 Chinese characters.
Driver assistance and safety systems include active lane change assist, parking assist, night vision assistance that highlights detected pedestrians, and a pre sense system designed to reduce the severity of accidents.
Although Audi designed the A6 L e-tron concept specifically around Chinese requirements, there’s no word on whether the car will make the leap from concept to production vehicle there or in other markets. However, the company has revealed the e-tron Frankfurt – also known as the R8 e-tron - will get a short production run later this year, while the A3 e-tron will enter full production in 2014. Audi says these will be followed by other “New Energy Vehicles.”
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