POSTHUMAN8: Tse

Emily Tse Blog Post 20 Human Head Transplant

Neuroscientist Sergio Canavero has scheduled the first human head transplant to be performed in December 2017 on Valery Spiridonov an 30 year old man with Werdnig-Hoffmann Disease. This disease deteriorated his motor neurons and makes it hard to breathe. The major risk of the surgery is difficulty in connecting the the spinal cord. Working with Dr. Canavero is Neurosurgeon Dr. Ren who conducted head transplants on 1,000 mice. After the transplant, the mice could behave regularly and then died in a few minutes. The head transplant procedure seems overwhelming and impossible to many. Many people doubt the possibility of survival. If the rare miracle of survival exists, this will change the world of research. It takes a lot of courage for someone to not know the result but still pursue the risk.

Reference

http://www.iflscience.com/human-head-transplant

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/human-head-transplant-meet-terminally-5480518

Emily Tse Blog Post 19 Coffee Waste to Power the City

The bio-bean industry recycles coffee grounds waste to produce energy needed to fuel the city. This saved waste disposal and help prevent fossil fuels. The United Kingdom drinks 17 million cups of coffee per day; which contributes to CO2 emission and tons of waste. The coffee waste recycling factory compresses 50,000 tons of coffee waste annually. It is an interesting idea to use coffee ground waste as an energy resource. This can help reduce tons of waste since coffee is so ubiquitous. Bio-bean has a lot of potential to grow into a world wide industry.

Reference

http://www.bio-bean.com/about-us/

Emily Tse Blog Post 18 Password type: Brain Waves

Binghamton University researchers are developing a new password type for emails and computer accounts. The brainwaves can be used as login passwords for computers. In the experiment, participants read acronyms while researchers studied their brain signals. These signals revealed how each individual recognized words. The results suggested a 94% rate of accuracy in knowing who was reading the words. This new technique of security passwords can provide better protection for important technology because the computer can constantly check who is in front of the computer based on their brain signals. Whereas, current passwords are just a periodic input and the person on the computer can change. This new research can help increase security and protect the virtual world.

Reference

https://www.binghamton.edu/inside/index.php/inside/story/brains-reaction-to-certain-words-could-replace-passwords

Emily Tse Blog Post 17 Technology and Horse

Technology can now play a role in horse racing and the horses’ health. Horse racing can cause severe injuries. Hence, synthetic tracks designed for improvement of their health helped decrease severe horse injuries. Horse shoes are also being developed with the 3-D printer so it can be made from lighter material and provide a better fit. It is great that designers are not only using technology to benefit humans and also animal’s health. Horse racing is very dangerous for the horses; it is physically demanding and can exhausts them. New inventions can reinforce the horse's’ health.

Reference

http://www.popsci.com/article/technology/tech-changing-horse-racing

Emily Tse Blog Post 16 Technological Advances in the Textile Industry

Technology has invaded the textile industry and how designers create their artwork. It started with needles, and thread then sewing machines, and now fabric that can be sprayed on the skin. The fabric is liquid in the can and solidifies when it touches the skin. This novel technique was developed by designer Manel Torres and named it Fabrican. This is an incredible way to create clothing and seems out of this world to me. The advancing technology is already ubiquitous and a huge part of our lives but I am still shocked by all the things inventors can create.

References

http://www.bitrebels.com/technology/spray-on-clothing-technology-fabric/

Emily Tse Blog Post 15 Technology and Pets

Technological devices are beginning to become a part of animals’ lives. Inventions are created for daily tasks like feeding and recreational activities like fetching and laser toy. I think that technology involving pets is a beneficial idea for the technological industry and animals. It will help them relieve stress and allow them encounter new activities. Inventors will make profits because pet owners will be interested in buying things for their pets to explore.

Reference

http://dodoburd.com/gadgets-for-dogs

Emily Tse Blog Post 14 Video Games

Video games bring you to a virtual world where you can are disguised as an avatar and that can behave in unique ways you cannot do outside of the virtual world. Playing video games gives the gamer a sense of determination and tenacity. Winning a game givers the gamer satisfaction. Video games should not only be viewed as a recreational activity, but also a something that can help enhance human emotions that cannot be experienced in the reality.

Emily Tse Blog Post 13 Sending Animals to Space

It is shocking to me that scientists still modernly send animals into space for research. During the space race, nations sent dogs and chimpanzees to space to predict if humans can survive the journey. In modern times, even after numerous human trips to space, people still send animals into space for research. Animals would help the analysis of survival in longer travel times and space conditions. I think that this may be helpful for the future human survival; however, this is an unethical thing to do. Innocent animals are sacrificed for research. They need love and should not be outcasted from their own species and placed in an unfamiliar environment. Science and technology are amazing fields that help improve knowledge; however, we should also focus on the bad events it caused.

Reference

http://www.livescience.com/26673-why-send-animals-into-space.html?li_source=LI&li_medium=more-from-livescience

Monday, March 28, 2016