Month: January 2019

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2019 Week 4 Tech and Science Update

Posted on by Rubayat M.
Weekly Tech News Update

A Protein in The Blood Identified That Could Predict Alzheimer

Researchers developed a simple blood test that shows evidence of brain damage due to Alzheimer’s almost seven years before any kind of cognitive changes occur. Research was conducted at German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Tübingen and Washington University at St. Louis.

Samples of blood collected from 243 people all in their in their 40s or 50s. A protein called “neurofilament light chain”, was the main target. It provide structural support to neurons. High levels of this protein in the blood typically indicates brain damage. People of took parts in the research – had some amount of neurofilament light chain in their blood.

But people who has Alzheimer’s gene in their systems started getting more of this protein in their blood. At a faster rate than those who dont have the Alzheimer’s gene. If all goes ok, this test could be used to identify patients who will develop dementia in future. So these people can start taking anti Alzheimer drug even before things go bad.

 

Google Hit With $57M Fine by European Union

Jan 21, 2019 Monday France’s The National Data Protection Commission fined Google 50 million euros ($57 million). According to the commission for ad personalization for users, Google shows “lack of transparency, inadequate information and lack of valid consent”. This is one of the biggest regulatory enforcement action.

Commission mention in their report that – Google donor properly informed their
users why they collect data for advertisement. And user need to spend time to find – how and why Google use their data. In response to this fine. Google said they are studying the decision and planning their next step.

Learn more  –  How Google Collect and Use Our Personal Information

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2019 Week 3 Tech and Science Update

Posted on by Rubayat M.
Weekly Tech News Update

Latest Data Breaches Exposes 773 Million Emails and Passwords

The latest breach was discovered by Troy Hunt, who is the Australian regional director for Microsoft security. This could be the largest breach yet to be made public. The stoeln email address was uploaded to a popular cloud service called MEGA. It’s not clear how long the the information was in public domain. The list also include credentials from more than 2,000 websites. Security advisoer asked everyone to change their passwords.

Password Maker

Here is a tool to create unique password without any effort Linkmeshin Passwordmaker.

 

On the Moon in a Mini-Biosphere Potato, Cotton and Rapeseeds Have Sprouted

This is first time in history, biological growth experiments was done on the lunar surface. Chinese moon lander Change4 has a mini biosphere made of special aluminum alloy material. It has water, soil, air and thermal control inside. Cotton, rapeseed, potato, and arabidopsis seeds ware used in the experiments. It also contain eggs of fruit flies. The plants produced oxygen and by photosynthesis produce food. Which help to sustain the fruit flies. So when everything grows it mimic a mini earth environment.

 

Authorities can’t force people to unlock devices with their faces, fingers or irises

California USA magistrate judge Kandis Westmore has ruled that authorities can’t force people to unlock devices with their iris, faces or fingers.Even with a warrant law enforcement doesn’t have the right to force people to unlock their phones. As biometrics are equal to passcodes. Here is the ruling –

“If a person cannot be compelled to provide a passcode because it is a testimonial communication, a person cannot be compelled to
provide one’s finger, thumb, iris, face, or other biometric feature to unlock that same device.

The undersigned finds that a biometric feature is analogous to the 20 nonverbal, physiological responses elicited during a polygraph test, which are used to determine guilt or innocence, and are considered testimonial.”

These ruling are only applied in USA.

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2019 Week 2 Tech and Science Update

Posted on by Rubayat M.
Weekly Tech News Update

Scientists Can Hack Photosynthesis to Grow Bigger Plant

Photosynthesis, the process by which green plants turn water and carbon dioxide into the food we eat and the air we breathe. Scientists at the University of Illinois found a way to genetically modify this process. Modification was done on tobacco plants.

And now the genetically modified tobacco plants grew up to 40 percent bigger than ordinary tobacco plants. Plants uses an enzyme called RuBisCO, that capture carbon dioxide from the air and then convert it into plant matter or energy. But sometimes this process does not work properly. Instead of carbon dioxide, it uses oxygen.

To correct this – the plant must “detoxify”. it by producing toxic compound. As a result, the plants spend lots of energy on this and nothing left for grow. To rectify – without modifying the enzyme, scientists insert genes that simplify and speed up the detoxification process. So plants have more energy to grow bigger. If this technology works in food crops, then it will certainly help the farmers all over the world to grow more food.

 

Mysterious Signals Have been Picked up From Distant Galaxies

A Canadian telescope picked repeating radio waves. The signals are coming from a galaxy located 1.5 billion light years away.Origin of the waves is unknown. The signals are known as “fast radio bursts” or in short “FRB”.The observatory known as CHIME, located in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. It scan the entire northern sky each day, has four 100-metre-long, semi-cylindrical antennas. scientists have detected about 60 of these waves. There are numerous theories about what could be causing these waves. Here are few –

Spinning Neutron Star
Dead stars become fast spinning neutron stars. They can create fast radio bursts or FRB. But why – scientist don’t know that yet.

Merging Stars
Two dead stars or neutron stars are merging and that can create fast radio bursts.

Blackhole
When neutron star breaks, they become black hole. Another neutron star may fall in to that black hole or other dark matter
hit another can create fast radio bursts or FRB.

Alien
Fast radio bursts or FRB Signals are coming from an alien spaceship or from a distant planet populated with little green man.

Consumer Electronics Show 2019

2019’s Consumer Electronics Show or CES took place in Las Vegas (Nevada) USA from January 8 to 11.It’s the biggest gathering where one can see the latest consumer technologies. This year it was no different. From health care to smart home technology – companies proudly shows their latest and greatest. Here are some of them.

Hyundai has shown off a small model of a car called “Elevate” it can activate robotic legs to walk at 3mph (5km/h) over rough terrain.While Mercedes-Benz’s shows their autonomous Vision Urbanetic concept car.

Philips Hue has new weatherproof motion sensor for front porch and three new lighting fixtures and Elecpro US:E will help to get in to your house by facescan if you left your house inside the house.

A treadmill developed by Verde, where you run and generates electricity for your smart home at the same time. And a boxing robot called BotBoxer teach you how to box.

IBM’s new global weather forecasting system called “Atmospheric Forecasting System”.It updates every hour and provides more accurate forecasts even for a smaller area. LG brings a new impressive ceiling to wall curve tv.

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2019 Week 1 Tech and Science Update

Posted on by Rubayat M.
Weekly Tech News Update

Germany Victim of Massive Political Hacking

Contacts, private chats and financial details of Hundreds of German politicians, including Chancellor Angela Merkel,were put out on Twitter.Leak include every political party except the far-right AfD. Celebrities and journalists information were also leaked. According to Justice Minister Katarina Barley -“serious attack…The people behind this want to damage confidence in our democracy and institutions…” It was not immediately clear who was behind the leaks. Some reports suggested a lone leaker might have had access to sensitive data through their work.Twitter shut down an account on Friday.

Blood Pressure Medication Recalled Over Cancer Concerns

80 lots of Blood pressure medication has been recalled over concerns it could contain elements that can cause cancer. They contain a trace amount of N-nitrosodiethylamine OR NDEA. Here is the list – Amlodipine Valsartan Tablets USP, Valsartan HCTZ Tablets, USP and Valsartan Tablets USP. Medicine was developed by Aurobino Pharma USA, Inc. If you are taking any one of these drugs, then contact your physician soon as possible. Aurobino Pharma has not received any reports of adverse effects related to the drugs at this time. Last November 2018, 6 other blood pressure medications also have been recalled.

 

Breath Test to Detect Multiple Cancers Early Begins Large Trial

Researcher are using exhaled airborne molecules to detect cancer. For the last two years “Cancer Research UK” has been researching on this filed. Their research has created a device called “Breath Biopsy”. Patients need to breath into the device for 10 minutes. This way the device will collect sample. The collected sample will be later analyzed in Owlstone Medical’s laboratory in Cambridge. At lab the collected sample will be compared with samples collected from people who has no cancer. If the patients samples are different the good sample, then that will be an indication that the patients have OR may have cancer. Almost half of cancers are diagnosed at a late stage. Early detection will save life.