HEALTH / AGEING- Five-fold lifespan extension in C. Elegans by combining mutants

"Scientists at the Buck Institute combined mutations in two pathways well known for lifespan extension and report a synergistic five-fold extension of longevity — these worms lived to the human equivalent of 400 to 500 years — introducing the possibility of combination therapy for aging and the maladies associated with it.
The mutations inhibited key molecules involved in insulin signaling (IIS) and the nutrient signaling pathway Target of Rapamycin (TOR). Lead scientist and Buck faculty Pankaj Kapahi, PhD, said single mutations in TOR (in this case RSKS-1) usually result in a 30 percent lifespan extension, while mutations in IIS (Daf-2) often result in a doubling of lifespan in the worms — added together they would be expected to extend longevity by 130 percent.
“Instead, what we have here is a synergistic five-fold increase in lifespan,” Kapahi said. “The two mutations set off a positive feedback loop in specific tissues that amplified lifespan." " kurzweilai.net

Five-fold lifespan extension in C. Elegans by combining mutants

MILITARY: Taking out mortars and UAVs with vehicle-mounted laser

 "High energy laser weapons are a hot area of research with companies including Lockheed Martin, Rheinmetall and Northrop Grumman all developing systems. Boeing is also in the mix with its High Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator (HEL MD), which is being put through its paces by the US Army. Between November 18 and December 10, the HEL MD successfully took out mortar rounds and UAVs in flight, marking a first for the vehicle-mounted system." Gizmag

http://www.gizmag.com/hel-md-vehicle-mounted-laser-test/30116/

HEALTH: Forcing cancer cells to shape-shift stops them from migrating, Mayo Clinic researchers find

"The researchers found that a protein called Syx is key to determining how tumor cells migrate. When researchers removed Syx from the cancer cells, they lost their polarity — their leading and trailing edges — and morphed into a “fried egg” shape. “They are now unable to sense direction, so they are not going anywhere,” Dr. Anastasiadis says." kurzweilai.net

Forcing cancer cells to shape-shift stops them from migrating, Mayo Clinic researchers find

HEALTH: Drugs to fix "misfolded" proteins could cure a range of diseases

 "The team says neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's, as well as certain types of diabetes, inherited cataracts and cystic fibrosis are just a few of the diseases that could potentially be cured using the new approach." Gizmag

http://www.gizmag.com/pharmacoperones-drug-protein-misfolding/30074/

AUTONOMOUS CARS- Volvo plans to put 100 autonomous cars on Swedish roads by 2017

 "Slated to begin next year, the "Drive Me – Self-driving cars for sustainable mobility" pilot project is a collaboration between Volvo Car Group, the Swedish Transport Administration, the Swedish Transport Agency, Lindholmen Science Park and the City of Gothenburg. Its purpose is "to pinpoint the societal benefits of autonomous driving and position Sweden and Volvo Cars as leaders in the development of future mobility." Gizmag

http://www.gizmag.com/volvo-drive-me-autonomous-cars/30002/

ENERGY- Storage

"Batteries. We buy them at the store, use them up, and throw them away without much thought. In reality, however, batteries are remarkably complex electrochemical devices that are continually evolving. The latest example of this comes from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where researchers have invented an advanced lithium/sulfur (Li/S) cell that offers a unique combination of energy storage, power, recharge speed, and survivability." Gizmag

http://www.gizmag.com/lithium-sulfur-battery-energy-density/29907/