Weekly Piece of Future #75
From First-of-Its-Kind Brain Devices to Lifespan-Extending Drugs and Breakthrough HIV Medications
Hey there, fellow future-addicts!
Welcome to this week's edition of Rushing Robotics, where we dive into the cutting-edge developments shaping the future of technology and medicine. From revolutionary brain-computer interfaces giving paralyzed patients the power to speak with their thoughts, to the world's first successful complete larynx transplant restoring a cancer patient's voice, our featured stories highlight the transformative power of advanced technology and scientific research.
🤯 Mind-Blowing
Nano MIND device is making waves with its unprecedented ability to modulate deep brain neural circuits using magnetism, offering new possibilities for controlling emotions, cognition, and motivation. Meanwhile, Elon Musk's Neuralink continues to advance its brain chip technology, moving forward with a second implantation that could further demonstrate the potential of brain-computer interfaces.
🔊 Industry Insights & Updates
In industry insights, we explore the latest advancements in renewable energy with the ultralightweight solar-powered drone, ColumbFly, and the impressive hydrogen-electric air taxi by Joby Aviation. LG Energy Solution's generative AI is revolutionizing battery cell design, significantly cutting down production time and improving efficiency.
🧬 BioTech
A new drug has extended the lifespans of lab animals by 25%, raising hopes for anti-aging benefits in humans. A clinical trial in Uganda and South Africa demonstrated a 100% success rate for a new HIV preventative drug, offering hope for a significant reduction in HIV infections. In other news, the MRC Laboratory of Medical Science has discovered a drug that could potentially slow aging, and researchers from Northwestern Medicine and Brigham and Women's Hospital have identified a molecular defect that could reverse lupus.
💡 Products/Tools of the Week
Pieces Copilot+ is an AI assistant designed to enhance your workflow by retaining and recalling information effortlessly. Miro’s Intelligent Canvas combines AI and composable workflows to revolutionize collaboration and boost productivity. Fastn.ai offers a no-code AI orchestration platform simplifying complex processes for developers. Nailedit.ai provides a platform for comparing outputs from multiple large language models, streamlining your workflow and helping you choose the best AI-generated content.
🎥 Video Section
Catch the latest updates and innovations in our featured videos: IEEE Spectrum interviews the Unitree CEO about their newest robot, G1. Fourier showcases the impressive improvements in the GR-1 robot over the past six months. LimX Dynamics presents rigorous testing of their Biped Robot P1. Finally, Sabine Hossenfelder explores why we haven’t yet seen more advanced robots despite significant technological progress.
Stay tuned as we delve into these fascinating stories and more, providing you with a glimpse into the future of technology and its profound impact on our lives. Stay hungry, stay futurish!
🤯 Mind-Blowing
Researchers at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) and Yonsei University have developed Nano MIND, a revolutionary device that is the first of its kind in the world to modulate deep brain neural circuits using magnetism. Known formally as the Magnetogenetic Interface for NeuroDynamics (MIND), this device could potentially unlock and control various brain functions such as emotions, cognition, and even motivation. The device represents a significant advancement in neuroscience, and its potential applications are vast. A research team specializing in biochemistry was particularly interested in discovering whether these complex brain functions could be precisely controlled using wireless technology.
A paralyzed patient has been able to speak using only the power of thoughts, thanks to a groundbreaking brain-computer interface developed at Tel Aviv University. In a revolutionary new study, researchers succeeded in interpreting a patient's thoughts with a sophisticated speech-brain-computer interface. The process involved a silent participant imagining the articulation of a syllable. Depth electrodes, implanted deep within the patient's brain, captured these imagined syllables as electrical signals. These signals were then transmitted to a computer, which processed and vocalized them.
Elon Musk has announced that Neuralink is set to implant its brain chip device into a second patient, with the surgery anticipated to take place in the next week or so. Early worries about the brain implant’s stability seem to be easing as the first patient’s experience has been positive. The tiny wires of the brain chip, implanted in January, have been successfully anchored within the brain tissue. The initial recipient, Noland Arbaugh, a 30-year-old who was paralyzed from the shoulders down in a 2016 accident, became the first person to receive Neuralink’s brain implant. This advancement represents a significant step forward for Neuralink’s ambitious brain-computer interface technology.
The MRC Laboratory of Medical Science has achieved a notable scientific breakthrough with the discovery of a drug that significantly extends the lifespan of laboratory animals. This drug has been able to increase the lifespans of the animals by almost 25%, raising hopes that it might also slow the aging process in humans. Within the lab, the treated mice, humorously referred to as "supermodel grannies," displayed a youthful appearance, better overall health, increased strength, and a reduced incidence of cancer compared to their non-treated counterparts. Although the drug is in the process of being tested on humans, its effectiveness in achieving similar anti-aging benefits for people remains unknown.
A new drug has demonstrated exceptional results in a clinical trial against HIV. A Phase 1 trial conducted in Uganda and South Africa found that this HIV preventative drug achieved a 100% success rate. Results from this extensive clinical trial, which took place across both South Africa and Uganda, indicate that the new prophylactic drug is significantly more effective in preventing HIV infections in women compared to two currently available PrEP drugs. The Purpose 1 trial screened 5,000 participants to evaluate the efficacy of a fusion capsid inhibitor known as Lenacapavir against two other HIV preventative medications. Over a six-month period, it was discovered that administering an injection of Lenacapavir twice a year resulted in a 100% success rate in preventing HIV, outperforming the two other medications tested.
🔊 Industry Insights & Updates
A team of scientists has developed an ultralightweight solar-powered drone named ColumbFly, which is capable of unlimited flight during daylight hours. Weighing a mere 4 grams, ColumbFly utilizes a solar cell to harness and convert sunlight into electrical energy. This energy creates an electric field between oppositely charged plates arranged in a circular configuration. The resulting opposing charges function like repelling magnets, generating sufficient force to rotate the rotor blades. This rotation produces the necessary torque to lift the drone off the ground, enabling it to sustain flight as long as it has access to sunlight.
The Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) is revolutionizing the field of prosthetics with the introduction of SoftFoot Pro, an advanced prosthetic foot designed to mimic the movement and adaptability of a natural human foot. This innovative prosthetic is motor-free, highly flexible, and built for all-weather use, making it a versatile option for users. Drawing inspiration from the intricate design of the human foot, SoftFoot Pro replicates its shape and anatomical features, providing a seamless and natural experience. This two-in-one solution not only enhances movement and balance for individuals with limb loss but also paves the way for more agile and adaptive humanoid robots capable of navigating diverse terrains.
Joby Aviation, a California-based company, has achieved a significant milestone with its hydrogen-electric demonstrator, setting a record by completing a 523-mile (841 kilometers) trip while emitting only water vapor. This remarkable feat was accomplished by utilizing their hydrogen-powered air taxi, which is based on their existing battery-electric aircraft design. The H2FLY air taxi is equipped with 88 pounds of liquid hydrogen and a reduced number of batteries, all while maintaining the same airframe.
LG Energy Solution, has developed a cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) solution that reduces the time required for designing battery cells by nearly 93%. LG Energy Solution announced on Sunday that this innovative AI solution has decreased the battery cell design time from two weeks to just one day, which is expected to greatly improve work efficiency and reduce operating costs. Battery cell design is a fundamental part of the initial phase of the battery production process. The company also highlighted that the generative AI solution will enable them to quickly meet client specifications for battery designs.
🧬 BioTech
In a medical first, a cancer patient has had his voice restored through a total larynx transplant. Marty Kedian, a man from the United States suffering from a rare type of laryngeal (throat) cancer, received the world’s first successful complete larynx transplant in February. The larynx, or voice box, is crucial for breathing, swallowing, and speaking as it houses the vocal cords. The Mayo Clinic’s groundbreaking procedure has enabled Kedian’s voice to return progressively. Remarkably, he has already recovered approximately 60% of his vocal function, showcasing the transformative potential of this advanced surgical technique.
Scientists from Northwestern Medicine and Brigham and Women's Hospital have identified a molecular defect that plays a key role in driving the pathological immune response seen in lupus. This discovery suggests that correcting this molecular defect could potentially reverse the disease. Lupus, which impacts over 1.5 million individuals in the United States, has long been poorly understood in terms of its underlying causes. The disease can cause severe and potentially life-threatening damage to multiple organs, including the kidneys, brain, and heart. Existing treatments often fall short in managing the disease and come with the drawback of diminishing the immune system's ability to fight off infections.
Pancreatic cancer is recognized as one of the deadliest forms of cancer, affecting the lives of more than half a million people each year and having the lowest survival rates among major malignancies. However, a new discovery by an international team of researchers offers a hopeful outlook. This team has identified a crucial DNA component that could potentially lead to a cure for this devastating disease. Scientists from the United States and the United Kingdom have discovered a key genetic flaw in pancreatic cancer cells. This discovery could pave the way for the development of targeted therapies and innovative treatments, providing new hope for patients diagnosed with this aggressive cancer.
💡Products/tools of the week
Introducing Pieces Copilot+, a cutting-edge tool that leverages a real-time, on-device AI assistant to help you retain and recall information effortlessly. Whether you have questions about your current desktop activities or need assistance with specific tasks, this AI copilot is always ready to provide relevant insights. By utilizing live context from your entire workflow, Pieces Copilot+ can adeptly summarize online research, tackle complex coding challenges, and optimize your work-in-progress processes. This tool is designed to streamline your work, making it more efficient and manageable.
The Miro canvas, now with intelligent enhancements, combines the power of AI and composable workflows to transform your collaborative efforts. Miro’s Intelligent Canvas merges advanced AI technology with tailored workflows and integrations with your preferred tools. AI Sidekicks offer additional insights into your work, while Intelligent templates automate best practices, providing your team with a dynamic space to create and ship groundbreaking projects. This smart canvas is designed to help your team achieve new levels of productivity and innovation.
Fastn.ai is a no-code AI orchestration platform that developers love for its ability to simplify complex processes. With Fastn.ai, you can integrate and orchestrate multiple data sources within a single, unified API, allowing you to connect any data flow seamlessly. This platform enables the creation of hundreds of app integrations, accelerating development and reducing time to market. With Fastn.ai, you can compose anything and connect everything, making it an essential tool for modern developers.
Nailedit.ai is a comparison platform designed to help users evaluate the outputs from multiple large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini using a single prompt. This platform enhances productivity by providing instant side-by-side comparisons of AI-generated content, allowing users to see how different models respond to the same prompt. By eliminating the hassle of switching between different models, Nailedit.ai streamlines the workflow and makes it easier for users to choose the best AI-generated content for their needs.
