Scientists simulate N-explosion of Asteroid

                In a step that may help protect the Earth from potentially dangerous celestial bodies, scientists have simulated the nuclear explosion of an asteroid in a such a way that its irradiated fragments do not fall on our planet. With the help of supercomputer SKIF Cyberia, the nuclear explosion of an asteroid 200 meter in diameter was simulated. “The way we propose to eliminate the threat from space is reasonable to use in case of the impossibility of the soft disposal of an object from a collision in orbit and for the elimination of an object that is constantly returning to Earth,” said Tatiana Galushina, from Tomsk State University (TSU) in Russia.

                “Previously, it was proposed to aboligh the asteroid on its approach to our planet, but this could lead to catastrophic consequences – a fall to Earth of the majority of the highly radioactive fragments,” said Galushina. Scientists have offered another solution to the problem. It is known that the majority of dangerous objects pass close to Earth several times before the collision. Therefore, there is a possibility to blow up the asteroid at the time when it is farther from the planet. This measure will be much more effective and safer.

                For computer modeling, a celestial body was taken as a potential target, similar to the asteroid Apophis, which in 2029 will approach Earth at a distance of 38,000 kilometers. Calculations have shown that for the destruction of the object there must be the impact of a nuclear device with energy of one megaton of TNT equivalent. In this case, part of the asteroid turns into gas and liquid droplets, and some will break into pieces no larger than 10 meters. This is the maximum in terms of safety for the Earth.

 “Because the rocket catches behind the asteroid, almost all the pieces after the destruction will fly forward,” said Galushina. “In this case the orbit of the fragments will be significantly different from the asteroid’s orbit. For 10 years after the explosion an insignificant number of fragments will fall to Earth,” Galushina said. “Their radioactivity during this time will be reduced considerably.” Galushina added, “Nuclear explosion in the space are prohibited by international treaty, but in the case of a real threat to humanity maybe there will be an exception.”

3D food printing in the offing

                Scientists are developing a three dimensional (3D) food printer that can fabricate edible items through computer-guided software and the actual cooking of edible pastes, gels, powders, and liquid ingredients all in a prototype that looks like an elegant coffee machine. Food printers are not meant to replace conventional cooking.

They will not solve all of our nutritional needs, nor cook everything we should eat but they will produce an infinite variety of customized fresh, nutritional foods on demand, transforming digital recipes and basic ingredients supplied in frozen cartridges into healthy dishes that can supplement our daily intake.

                This is the missing link that will bring the benefits of personalized data-driven health to our kitchen tables – it is the ‘killer app’ of 3D printing. The printer is fitted out with a robotic arm that holds eight slots for frozen food cartridges. Researchers are now working on incorporating an infrared heating element into the arm.

                3D printing is a universal technology that has the potential to revolutionize lives by enabling us to design and manufacture things with unprecedented freedom. If we can leverage this technology to allow artificial intelligence tools to design and create new things for us, we can achieve immeasurable potential. The 3D printer will be able to cook various ingredients at different temperatures and different durations.

Tricking the human body to beat cancer

                German researchers have presents a Trojan gorse method of attacking cancer, sneaking virus impersonators into the human body to unleash an anti-tumour immune offensive. Tested in only three people so far, the treatment claims to be the latest advance in immunotherapy, which aims to rouse the body’s own immune army against disease. Made in a lab, this Trojan horse is composed of nanoparticles containing cancer RNA – a form of genetic coding – enclosed by a fatty acid membrane.

                The particles are injected into patients to simulate a virus invasion, and infiltrate specialized immune cells. These so-called dendritic cells decode the RNA embedded in the nanoparticles – triggering, in turn, the production of cancer antigens. The antigens then activate cancer-fighting T cells, and thus prime the body for an all-out, anti-tumour assault.

                Following experiments in mice, three people with advanced skin cancer were given low doses of the treatment. All developed a “strong” immune response, the team reported in the journal ‘Nature’. If further trials find the therapy works, they added, the method could help pave the way to the highly-sought “universal” treatment for all cancer types.

SpaceX successfully launches Japanese JCSAT-14 Satellite

                On 6 May 2016, SpaceX successfully launched the Japanese communications satellite, JCSAT-14 on Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The satellite was place into its intended preliminary geostationary transfer orbit by SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket which was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, US. The odds of a successful soft-landing were slim due to the mission requirements for the particular launch.

About JCSAT-14:

•          JCSAT-14 is designed to last 15 years needed to be placed into geosynchronous orbit at an altitude of 22000 miles.
•          This is much higher than SpaceX’s launch when they successfully recovered their rocket on a drone ship.
•          JCSAT-14 is a satellite from the SKY Perfect JAST Group, the largest satellite operator in Asia.
•          The satellite once in orbit will be used to provide television and communication services.
•          This launch was the fourth successful flight for SpaceX so far in 2016.