New 'Peptide Polymers' Which Kill Antibiotic-Resistant Bugs Developed

Scientists claim to have developed tiny, star-shaped molecules which may effectively wipe out deadly bacteria that can no longer be killed by current antibiotics. The study holds promise for a new treatment method against antibiotic resistant bacteria, commonly known as superbugs. The star-shaped structures are short chains of proteins called ‘peptide polymers’. Researchers said that currently the only treatment for infections caused by bacteria is antibiotics. However, over time bacteria mutate to protect themselves against antibiotics, making treatment no longer effective. These mutated bacteria are known as ‘superbugs’. It is estimated that the rise of superbugs will cause up to 10 million deaths a year by 2050. In addition, there have only been one or two new antibiotics developed in the last 30 years.

Recently, the team created a star-shaped peptide polymer that was effective at killing Gram-negative bacteria – a major class of bacteria known to be highly prone to antibiotic resistance – while being non-toxic to the body. Tests undertaken on red blood cells showed that the star-shaped polymer dosage rate would beed to be increased by a factor of greater than 100 to become toxic. The star-shaped peptide polymer is alos effective in killing superbugs when tested in animal models. Superbugs showed no signs of resistance against these peptide polymers. The discovered that their star-shaped peptide polymers can kill bacteria with multiple pathways, unlike most antibiotics which kill with a single pathway.

Researchers believe that this accounts for the superior performance of the star-shaped peptide polymers over antibiotics. One of these pathways includes ‘ripping apart’ the bacteria cell wall. While more research is needed, researchers believe that their discovery is the beginning of unlocking a new treatment for antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

50% Chance We Are Living In Matrix-Style Virtual Reality

Analysts at Bank of America have reportedly suggested there is a 20 to 50% chance our world is a Matrix style virtual reality and everything we experience is just a simulation. The report, which was issued to clients, also implies even if our world was an illusion, we would never know about it. Bank of America Merrill Lynch backed up the claims by citing comments from leading philosophers, scientists and other thinkers. It is conceivable that with advancements in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and computing power, future civilizations could have decided to run a simulation of their ancestors. The analysts took inspiration from inventor and SpaceX founder Elon Musk, who believes there is a high probability the world is part of an artificial intelligence created by a future civilization.

Its claims also appeal to the work of a philosophy professor from the University of Oxford. In 2003, Professor Nick Bostrom concluded there is significant possibility we live in a simulation. Astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson also maintains the likelihood of the universe being a simulation may be very high. The report, which was looking at the implications of virtual reality, explained: Many scientists, philosophers, and business leaders believe that there is a 20-50% probability that humans are already living in a computer simulated virtual world.

Dolphins' Language Resembles Human Communication

Dolphins are capable of “highly developed spoken language” which resembles human communication. While it has long been acknowledged dolphins are of high intelligence and can communicate with a larger pack, their ability to converse with each other individually has been less understood. But researchers at the Karadag Nature Reserve, Feodosia, Crimea believe the pulses, clicks and whistles – of up to five “words” – made by dolphins are listened to fully by another before a response is made. Essentially, this exchange resembles a conversation between two people. Each pulse produced by a dolphin is different from another in its time span and the frequencies it emits.

In this regard, we can assume that each pulse represents a phoneme or a word of the dolphin’s spoken language. However the dolphin’s speech unfortunately lies beyond the time and frequency characteristics of the human hearing, and is thus available to humans. The study was conducted on two adult bottlenose captive dolphins, a male and a female. The pair has lived for 20 years in a swimming pool. Without food rewards, a special audio system recorded the exchanges between the dolphins.

The noises emitted were of a different pattern than those produced in a pod. The analysis of numerous pulses registered in our experiments showed that the dolphins took turns in producing pulse packs and did not interrupt each other, which gives reason to believe that each of the dolphins listened to the other’s pulses before producing its own. This language exhibits all the design features present in the human spoken language.

A T-Shirt to Convert Body Heat Into Electricity

Scientists have developed a new light weight, conductive material which can convert body heat into electricity, and lead to t-shirts or arm bands that generate power for wearable electronics. The prototypes, developed by researchers at North Carolina State University in the US, are lightweight, conform to the shape of the body, and can generate far more electricity than previous lightweight heat harvesting technologies. The researchers also identified the optimal site on the body for heat harvesting. Wearable thermoelectric generators (TEGs) generate electricity by making use of the temperature differential between your body and the ambient air.

Previous approaches either made use of heat sinks – which are heavy, stiff and bulky – or were able to generate power only one microwatt or less of per square centimeter. This technology generates up to 20 microwatt per square centimeter and doesn’t use a heat sink, making it lighter and much more comfortable. The new design begins with a layer of thermally conductive material that rests on the skin and spreads out the heat. The material is topped with a polymer layer that prevents the heat from dissipating through to the outside air.

New Mobile Fridge to Store Vaccines

A 22-year-old student in the UK has invented a mobile fridge that can store vaccines at an ideal temperature while in transit, which could potentially save millions of lives. Current methods of transporting can result in the vaccines freezing before reaching their destination in countries where poverty and conflict are major obstacles. The device, called Isobar, maintains a steady two to eight degrees for 30 days. It heats ammonia and water to create ammonia vapors, which are then released into its main chamber when cooling is needed.

Now, 'Solar Impulse of the Seas' Readies to Sail Across Globe

Dubbed the “Solar Impulse of the Seas,” the first boat to be powered solely by renewable energies and hydrogen hopes to make it own historic trip around the world. A water-borne answer to the Solar Impulse – the plane that completed its round-the-globe trip using only solar energy in July – the ‘Energy Observer’ will be powered by the sun, the wind and self-generated hydrogen when it sets sail in February. The multi-hulled catamaran is awaiting the installation of solar panels, wind turbines and electrolysis equipment, which breaks down water to produce hydrogen and oxygen.

This is going to be the first boat with an autonomous means of producing hydrogen. The plan is for the boat’s batteries, which will feed the electric motors, to be powered in good weather by solar and wind energy. If there’s no Sun or wind, or at night, stored hydrogen will take over. As a result, the vessel’s trip will not use any carbon-emitting fossil fuels.

The catamaran won the Jules Verne Trophy, for a team sailing non-stop round the world in 1994. It was bought for 500,000 Euros and extended by six metres, to 30.5 metres, for the project. Its world tour is expected to take six years. After a careful crossing of the Mediterranean, the catamaran will venture out into the Atlantic and then Pacific Oceans. In all, 101 stopovers are planned form Cuba to New Caledonia to Goa.

This Smart Strap Will Turn Your Finger Into a Phone

Move over, earphones! You may soon be able to answer phone calls just by pacing your finger in your ear, thanks to a new wearable smart-watch strap developed by a Korean company. Sgnl is a smart strap that can be attached to existing smart-watches, and enables the users to answer phone calls through their fingertip. “With Sgnl, you can keep your cell phone alone in your pocket,” according to the Innomdle lab, a company based in Seoul that developed the device. When you place your finger to your ear, your finger not only transmits the sound but it also blocks out background noise. The device receives voice signal from the phone through Bluetooth. When a voice signal is received, it generates vibration through its Body Conduction Unit (BCU) which transmits the vibration through the hand to the fingertip. When the fingertip is placed to the ear, the vibration echoes to create amplified sound in the ear.