STUFF: News, Technology, the cool and the plain weird

[MIKA27]

This Cyborg Stingray Is The Coolest Thing You'll See All Day

An international team of researchers has developed an eerily realistic robotic stingray that blurs the line between animal and machine. Fuelled by light-activated heart cells, the cyborg fish could inspire the development of futuristic medical devices and incredibly life-like synthetic animals.

Like an actual stingray, this miniature robot features a flat body with long wing-like fins. And like the real thing, it swims by flapping its fins up and down. Its polymer “skin” is wrapped around a gold skeleton and laced with about 200,000 rat heart muscle cells called cardiomyocytes. At just 16mm long and weighing just 10g, it is a cyborg in the truest sense — a hybrid of biological and synthetic components.

The effort to build the robotic stingray was headed by Kit Parker, a professor of bioengineering and applied physics at Harvard University. His “eureka” moment for the project came while visiting the New England Aquarium with his daughter, Caroline.

“She was trying to pet a stingray and she put her hand in the water and the stingray quickly moved away from her hand in a very elegant way,” Parker told Gizmodo. “It struck me like a thunderbolt that I could build that system in the musculature, and that it would look very much like the [muscular] layer of the heart.”

Parker took this idea to his team, and they began to build their miniature, soft tissue robot. After creating a neutrally charged gold skeleton, the researchers overlaid it with a thin layer of flexible polymer. A series of light-sensitive (photovoltaic) cardiomyocytes were strategically aligned along the top.

When exposed to light, the muscle cells collectively caused the fins to contract in a downward motion. To create the upward motion, the researchers designed the gold skeleton such that it naturally stores some downward energy, which is later released when the cells relax.

To develop a guidance system, Parker once again turned to his daughter for inspiration. “When my daughter was little, I used to point a laser pointer at the ground and she would try to stomp on it,” he said. “We would go for a walk down the street and I could lead her along the footpath safely by just pointing a laser pointer at the ground. It occurred to me that we could use optogenetics to mimic this with the tissue engineered stingray.”

So that’s what they did. Leveraging the power of the light-sensitive cells, Parker’s team was able to steer the stingray using asymmetrical pulses of light. As the stingray moves forward, the pulses can guide it either to the left or right. Different frequencies of light can be used to control its speed. They tested the light-driven navigation system by having the cyborg stingray navigate through an obstacle course.

The cyborg stingray (left) compared to the real thing.

There’s more to this project than just creating a life-like fish. Parker’s primary interest is in understanding the heart and how various parts of the anatomy can help with blood flow. “With the exception of crustaceans, almost all marine life forms have muscles designed to move fluid,” said Parker. “To advance our studies of the heart we have started looking at marine life forms and the muscular pumps they represent.” Parker hopes to gain better insight into the human heart and heart disease by reverse engineering other forms of muscular pumps found in nature.

This research could also lead to even better, and more useful, automated and semi-automated robots. When it comes to building better robots, biology has its advantages. For instance, this particular bot is faster than other similar devices; its cells function as both actuator and sensor. “Living muscle cells are much more energy efficient than synthetic actuators and can be programmed to do cool things,” said Parker.

Of course, biology isn’t perfect. A disadvantage of using cells as a building material is that they’re vulnerable, fragile and they eventually die. But the potential for tissue engineering and soft robotics is huge. This tiny cyborg stingray is a sure sign of bigger and better things to come.

 

[Akela3rd]

Han Green Outdoor Sunglasses 

Developed by Danish eyewear designer Han Kjobenhavn, the Green Outdoor Sunglasses feature a cool aviator shape and cage trim details on the sides. Available in matt black or titanium, the cool shades have a classic well-proportion shape, and feature full metal mesh side-shields for a more hard edged post-apocalyptic vibe. They also have adjustable nose-pads for a finely tuned fit, dark forest Carl Zeiss lenses, and come with a hardshell case and cleaning cloth.    

Outdoor sunglasses?

Really?

Who'd have thought it eh? Isn't technology wonderful.

Sent from my HTC One M8s using Tapatalk

[MIKA27]

Plane Flies Under A Biker Doing A Backflip And A Guy Walking On A Tight Rope

Which one of these crazy people would you rather be? The person making a low pass on a stunt plane knowing if you fly any higher you’re definitely going to end up in prison? The dude doing a backflip on a motorcycle while jumping over that stunt plane? Or the totally exposed lunatic walking on a tight rope as the plane passes underneath him and the biker flips right next to him?

I’m glad I’ll never be any of them. In the stunt below, aerobatic pilot Melissa Andrzejewski flies under highliner Sketchy Andy Lewis and freestyle motocross Jimmy Fitzpatrick.

 

[MIKA27]

The Sheer Force Of The Super Typhoon In Taiwan Is Really Scary To See

Typhoon Nepartak hit Taiwan Friday morning and reached winds of over 241km/h. According to the Weather Channel, three people have died and over 100 were injured due to the super typhoon. Seeing the incredible strength of the storm is truly terrifying — you can see the powerful winds tossing cars, shaking buildings and ripping the ground.

This glimpse from Earth Uncut TV shows a bit of its power.

 

[MIKA27]

New Cancer Therapy Leaves Three Dead

Clinical trials of a promising new therapy, in which white blood cells are reprogrammed to attack cancer cells, has resulted in the deaths of three patients. In response, the US Food and Drug Administration has ordered a temporary halt to the trial.

The new therapy, called JCAR015 (also known as the “ROCKET” trial), uses genetically engineered immune cells — known as CAR-T cells — to treat acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in adults, a cancer of the immune system that starts from the early version of white blood cells called lymphocytes in the bone marrow. Once these juiced-up CAR-T cells are reintroduced into the patient’s bloodstream, they should prevent cancer from spreading and taking hold. In a study conducted earlier this year, 94 per cent of terminally ill patients who were treated with CAR-T went into remission.

It’s an incredibly promising new approach to battling cancer — but now there’s been a major setback. Three patients, all under the age of 25, have died in a Juno Therapeutics Phase II clinical trial that’s been using the CAR-T cells to treat ALL. The patients died after excess fluids accumulated in their brains (cerebral edemas). In all cases, the deaths happened after a chemotherapy drug, fludarabine, was added to the treatment regimen.

The first death happened in May, but Juno wasn’t certain about the cause of death, saying “a change at that time was not warranted”. The subsequent deaths of two more patients, both from cerebral edemas, in the last week prompted the attention of the FDA, who issued an immediate, but temporary, halt to the trials.

Juno is blaming the deaths on the decision to introduce fludarabine into the treatment, a chemical cocktail that works to flush out the patient’s existing immune cells. Accordingly, the company has asked to re-start the trials, but without the benefit of fludarabine. The FDA wants Juno to revise its patient consent forms, investigative brochure, trial protocol and a presentation it made to the FDA yesterday. Of the 90 patients expected to participate in the study, only 20 have been enrolled so far.

Despite Juno’s claim, there’s no conclusive evidence that the chemotherapy was responsible for the cerebral edemas. Dr Stephan Grupp, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, is in the midst of a similar trial that uses CAR-T cells to treat patients with paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. He says it’s premature to pin the blame on fludarabine. Grupp’s team has not seen any significant brain swelling in their patients, who have been receiving the same chemotherapy drug. A few central nervous system issues have been observed, including confusion, aphasia and seizures, but they have all all been resolved.

“Obviously, it is always hard to attribute toxicity to the chemo as opposed to the CAR-T cells when both are given around the same time, but we believe the self-limited CNS side effects we have reported from our study are more likely to be due to the T cells,” noted Grupp. “Right now, I don’t see this affecting other CAR-T trials or the field as a whole, since this issue appears not be seen more broadly. There may be some discussion about the appropriate role of the drug fludarabine, but this wouldn’t be a central issue.”

As reported in Yahoo! Finance, news of the patient deaths sent Juno’s share price down 31 per cent late yesterday. Investors are obviously nervous, but it’s too early to panic about this promising new approach to cancer therapy. Science is hard, and regrettably, there are bound to be setbacks such as this.

[MIKA27]

Russian Leonardo DiCaprio Is Living His Best Life

Life is good when you look like Oscar-winner Leonardo DiCaprio.

Roman Burtsev eerily resembles the Titanic actor, if Leo were 100 pounds heavier and Russian. That's enough to land Burtsev some pretty sweet gigs in his home country, like a new vodka commercial that goofs on his newfound fame.

"One day you realize your life is but a fake," Burtsev narrates while driving a fake BMW, chatting on a fake iPhone, while a woman next to him uses nail polish to paint the bottom of her high heels with red nail polish to look like Louboutins.

But there are perks to this fake life he's leading.

 

[MIKA27]

Golchi Bottle

Golchi is the world´s first multi-functional and customizable bottle, it can keep your drinks hot, cold, or both at the same time! It features detachable modules that are independently insulated, one keeps your cold drinks icy for 24 hours, the other keeps your hot drinks at a hot temperature for up to 12 hours. It even features a separate dry storage compartment, so you can bring solids along for the ride, whether that’s medicine, food, or protein powder. The modularity of the bottle allows for several configurations, you can use the insulated compartments as a single container or on their own. Even the spouts are adjustable, so that you can get a slow flow for hot drinks and a bigger flow for cold ones.

[MIKA27]

DON PANCHO ORIGENES 30 YEAR RUM

One of the most respected rum blenders in the world has finally put his name on bottles of his handiwork. Hailing from Panama, Cuba, Francisco "Don Pancho" Fernandez has been globally recognized as one of the best in the business, but until the release of rums like Don Pancho Origenes 30 Year Rum, he'd never lent his own name to a label. This luxury rum has plenty of oak, vanilla, and caramel flavors and should be consumed neat on special occasions. Limited to only 600 bottles in the USA.

[MIKA27]

BREMONT ALT1-C/PB

Bremont is a watchmaker based in Henley on Thames, England that was started in 2002 by brothers Nick and Giles English. They’ve quickly earned a place amongst the world’s pre-eminent watchmakers, and all the chronographs in their core range are COSC-certified.

The Bremont ALT1-C/PB was launched this year – it’s powered by the Calibre 13 ¼’ BE-50AE automatic movement, with 28 jewels, a Glucydur balance, an Anachron balance spring, a Nivaflex 1 mainspring, 28,800bph, and a 42 hour power reserve.

[MIKA27]

Octospot Underwater Action Camera

If you spend any amount of time adventuring underwater, the Octospot is the only action camera for you. At about the same size of a hand held flashlight and rated for up to a 200m depth without an external case, the Octospot is the perfect way to record everything from 12 MP stills to 4K video without having to worry about all kinds of extra gear. The magnetic switch buttons can be used with gloves, and the vibration feedback will let you know what’s going on without having to look at the OLED display. On the technical side, the Octospot is the first action cam with a pressure-controlled auto white balance which prevents your videos from too green or blue at depth. You can finally record video without having to focus on anything other than the reason you’re actually underwater.

[MIKA27]

JM & Sons Wall Wine Rack

JM & Sons are furniture crafters from Toronto, Canada. Each of their minimal creations is built by hand with locally sourced, reclaimed wood and raw metals, they strive to make sure each piece retains a bit of that natural ruggedness. Their stylish Wall Wine Rack is handcrafted with salvaged wood and finished in gunmetal black, it is designed fit three of your favorite bottles of wine and can easily be stacked to display your precious collection.    

[MIKA27]

KP Duffle 

The KP Duffle is a new bag on the market and it has quite some interesting features that will differentiate it from its competitors. First of all it looks really good, with a silhouette that aims to evoke a fast car cruising on the highway. It´s really well made too, with premium materials, so you´re pretty sure you´ll use it for some time and on many trips you might make. What we do like also are some smart functional features such as the ventilated shoe compartment, the front utility hatch to easily access important stuff that needs to be organized, it also has a tablet compartment, a spacious main storage area and even a secret compartment to safely place your valuables such as cash or your passport. A matching dopp kit, toiletry set, and laundry pouch are included with every KP Duffle. Available in several colors.

[MIKA27]

The Liquor Cabinet 

The Liquor Cabinet is a new app that not only organizes cocktails by liquor, skill level and flavor profile, it emphasizes the story behind each drink. The beautifully designed app has a sleek interface, stunning photography, is easy to navigate (allowing users to easily discover new cocktails), and makes it very easy to share recipes with friends. The tasting notes and history component of each liquor (variety and brand) are a great touch, as is the section that explains the tools, glassware, and specialty ingredients required for the drink.    

[MIKA27]

Sennheiser PXC 550 wireless headphones

Audio experts Sennheiser have announced the good-looking PXC 550 wireless headphones. The premium foldable headset is designed specifically for frequent travelers, delivering exceptional sound quality with adaptive noise cancelation that creates your own aural space in even the most chaotic of environments. They also feature an extraordinary battery life of up to 30 hours of continuous use (you can span the globe on a single charge), and come with a companion app that allows you to alter audio levels to your liking. A touch trackpad is integrated into the ear cups for controlling volume, skipping tracks, and taking calls.

[MIKA27]

THE WATERGATE HOTEL

Primarily known for its role in biggest political scandal in US history, The Watergate Hotel is looking to make a new name for itself, one synonymous with luxury instead of litigation. While Luigi Moretti's flowing, Potomac-inspired exterior remains, the hotel's 336 guest rooms and other interior spaces have been completely revamped with Ron Arad-designs; even the staff's uniforms have been spruced up by Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant. Off the lobby, you'll find the cleverly-named The Next Whisky Bar, which joins Kingbird restaurant and the rooftop lounge in rounding out the property's dining and drinking options. There's also plenty of meeting space, including the newly constructed Moretti Grand Ballroom, and its ideal location puts nearly all of DC's finest shopping, eating, and sightseeing nearby.

[MIKA27]

Universal May Have Just Cast a Truly Frightening Frankenstein's Monster

It’s happening quietly and you may not even know it. But starting next year, Universal Studios is rebooting their classic Monsters movies into one cinematic universe. The Mummy with Tom Cruise is filming, Russell Crowe is Dr. Jekyll, and Johnny Depp is rumored to be the Invisible Man. Now we may also have Frankenstein’s monster.

Variety reports that Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem, best known for his terrifying turn as Anton Chigurh in No Country For Old Men, is in talks to play the non-titular role.

According to Variety, Bardem’s character would first appear in another Universal Monster movie before doing a Frankenstein movie. What exactly that movie could be is also a mystery because, though Universal has dated a few untitled Monster movies (one in April 2018 and another in February 2019) the monsters who’ll star in those haven’t been revealed.

This is amazing casting by the way. Bardem is a beast with almost unlimited range (there’s No Country, then there’s something like Vicky Cristina Barcelona, which I guarantee has never been mentioned on this site). It’s almost like the actor was built for the role... out of limbs, organs, and body parts taken from the corpses of fine actors, stolen from their graves in the dead of night, and then given unholy life by a mad scientist determined to conquer death itself.

The new Universal Monsters franchise kicks off with The Mummy on June 8, 2017.

[MIKA27]

The Director Of Kung Fu Panda 3 Is Making An X-Men Meets The Walking Dead YA Film

Director Jennifer Yuh Nelson, who helmed the last two Kung Fu Panda movies, is making her live-action debut with an equally high concept idea. It’s called Darkest Minds, based on a series of books by Alexandra Bracken, and it’s sort a mash-up of X-Men and The Walking Dead.

Darkest Minds is about a disease that kills almost all of the children in America. Some of the survivors develop special powers and they’re taken away to be studied. The kids don’t like that much, so they begin to rebel against the government.

Fox has the movie rights to the franchise, which is obviously what they’re hoping for. And while the concept certainly has a ton of potential and familiar notes, it’s Yuh Nelson directing a live-action Hollywood blockbuster that’s the best news. More ladies bringing their perspective to blockbuster cinema, please!

[MIKA27]

Mercedes-Benz Will Take On Tesla With An Electric Sport Car

The unstoppable Tesla juggernaut born from the electric vision of Elon Musk will soon have to compete with the world’s most formidable automaker, Mercedes-Benz.

This story was originally published on D’Marge.

According to reports from Australia’s Motoring magazine, Mercedes-Benz Australia executive David McCarthy revealed that the German marque is set to unveil a high-performance electric sedan at the Paris Motor Show in September.

The all-wheel-drive vehicle is believed to have a range of about 482km which puts it squarely on par with Tesla’s Model S P90D 509km range. This gives Tesla a “good reason to be concerned about it,” according to McCarthy. Given the top of the range Model S P90 retails for AU$215,000 locally, Mercedes will have to ensure that their tentative US$200,000 asking price is worth the bacon when it goes on sale in 2018.

This shouldn’t be a major issue since the brand already has a winning reputation in both motorsports and luxury vehicles. With the vast distances between cities in Australia, this news will come as a welcome amongst the growing fans of electric performance vehicles.

An electric version of the AMG GT R? Now there’s a scarily good idea.

[MIKA27]

Watch A Plane Almost Fall Off An Aircraft Carrier After A Cable Suddenly Snaps

Here’s an E-2C Hawkeye trying to land on the USS Eisenhower. Everything seems normal until the arresting cable on the carrier — which is supposed to snare an aircraft as it lands — suddenly snaps. The aeroplane almost looks like a runaway car until it drops and disappears out of view, off the carrier. Luckily, the aircraft managed to fly back up in time to avoid diving into the ocean.

Eight Navy sailors were injured. The Virginian Pilot reports:

As the Hawkeye snagged the No. 4 wire, its three-person crew first sensed normal deceleration followed by a loud bang. They “heard the tailhook re-contact the flight deck, and felt a shudder,” the report said. They realised “something had happened” when the Hawkeye continued toward the end of the flight deck.

 

[MIKA27]

How Historically Accurate Is Saving Private Ryan?

 

Few movie scenes capture the horror of war like Saving Private Ryan. Seeing the storming of the beach in all its ugliness — the fear, the seasickness, the bullets, the desperation, the death — gives us a cold look at the reality of D-Day and how terrifying it must have been. But just how historically accurate is that scene? History Buffs analyses scenes from Saving Private Ryan to point out what actually happened versus what is Hollywood fiction.

Things like soldiers sinking in the ocean because of the weight of their gear? Yeah, that happened. Soldiers being shredded with bullets while sinking in the ocean because of the weight of their gear? Probably, less likely (because of physics).

Other things (shooting an enemy sniper through a scope) are obviously fictionalized but there’s a lot of authenticity in the movie (like the premise of the movie) and a lot to learn from details that I’ve never noticed before.

 

[MIKA27]

UNBELIEVABLY SEXIST ANTI-SUFFRAGETTE ILLUSTRATIONS FROM 1914

Back in the early 20th century when women began campaigning for equal rights, the movement wasn't without enemies. Though the concept of giving women voting rights and equal status in society seems like a no-brainer now, the movement was extremely controversial.

This series of anti-suffragette cartoons feature messages that are so sexist, they don't even seem real. Circulated between 1900 and 1914, these propaganda postcards warn of the things liberated women would likely do as soon as they receive the right to vote.

You'll find images of women attacking policemen, men complaining that their wives won't let them vote, and children wandering around without food or supervision. The most blood-boiling of them all features an image of a woman with a lock on her lips and some kind of vice on her head. The caption reads "Peace at Last".

It's absolutely mind-blowing to think these appalling sentiments were considered normal or acceptable at one point.

Whew. Those were darks days. If nothing else, this propaganda reminds us how brave the original suffragette campaigners were as they had to face such negative reactions.

 

[MIKA27]

PLANE WEEKEND BAG

Plane is a new company based in Great Britain that builds tough, high-end bags from re purposed aircraft seat materials. These aeronautical textiles have been developed to be exceedingly hard-wearing, flame proof, stain proof, and lightweight – making them ideal for use in travel bags.

The Weekend Bag comes in two styles, one is plain blue and the other has some of the original patterns from the aircraft seat material.  The base and straps are made from vegetable tanned Italian leather, and each bag is individually made in Britain.

 

[MIKA27]

JACK RACK GUITAR AMP KEYHOLDER

When the time comes at the end of the day to unplug and relax, what better way to initiate the ritual by “plugging in” your keys for the night? The Jack Rack Guitar Amp Key Holder facilitates in just that with their key holder that alludes to a standard amplifier.

Each holder comes with four keychains that attach to any ordinary key ring, a wall mounting bracket, and all hardware necessary to ensure a sturdy mounting. Each keychain is made from a real 1/4” input jack and is strong enough to hold not only a keychain but any number of various tools or kitchenware you may feel needs a little display enhancement. The four-input amplifier key holder measures in at only 8” x 3” x 1.5” making it as versatile the items you decide to hang in style. Finally you can hang out like a rockstar without the foggy morning after or the incessant wild nights. Jack Rack has you covered. [Purchase]

 

[MIKA27]

Carpenter Watches Are Designed in Brooklyn

Carpenter’s Brooklyn Field watches were originally launched through a successful Kickstarter and are designed in, you guessed it, Brooklyn. Using a 40mm case (in 316L stainless or brass), double domed anti-reflective sapphire crystal, 20MM genuine leather strap and 21 jewel Miyota automatic movement, Carpenter absolutely delivers on the original goal of a practical timepiece that has heirloom qualities but is still thoroughly modern. In terms of options, the M1 Brooklyn Field has a stainless case with a white face, the M2 uses the same case with a black face, and the M3 features a solid brass case with black face. All three models have a date complication and a sapphire exhibition back to show off the movement.

 

[MIKA27]

goTenna 

goTenna is a new tech device that gives you the freedom to create your own network of communication without the need of satellites or towers from regular carriers. It enables you to even aggregate other goTenna users thus creating your own small community, using the app that goes with it and the free offline maps you can share your location with other users and text them. There are no carrier fees to pay because goTenna sends the data via VHF radio waves. It´s available for IOS and Android ensuring communication is possible anywhere, on a hiking trip, on a packed stadium or a ski track. It´s lightweight and weather proof so you can really use it under harsh conditions. Each pack gets 2 goTennas that you can choose from a blue/green or purple/orange combo, its Li-ion battery lasts for around 24h and you can recharge it using a regular USB cable. Off-grid comm available for everyone.