A democratic republic can only survive and flourish if its citizens are well-educated. However, such an educated society can only exist if the overall majority of its citizens has the individual cognitive ability to handle proper education. In other words a democratic republic is only possible as its citizens have a certain degree of general intelligence. Continue reading Lead and choline
At The Guardian I found a very interesting article:
Look, no lithium! First rechargeable proton battery created.
According to the article, a team of researchers at the RMIT University in Melbourne have created a battery that instead of scarce lithium, uses carbon and hydrogen. The main benefit of this new type of battery, is that carbon and hydrogen are abundant and hence cheap materials.
With the increased popularity of electric vehicles, the demand for batteries increases and hence the demand for lithium and also its price. The limited abundance of lithium is a serious bottleneck for a more sustainable fleet of cars.
According to the scientists who made this proton battery it will take five to ten years, before it will be commercially available.
Here is a video on the topic of whale biopsy, a method used by scientists to study whales.
A few years ago, I proposed to combine whale biopsy and cultured meat, as an alternative to whaling.
We want to share two news stories on ScienceDaily relevant for space colonization.
Roadmap to enhance radioresistance for space colonization.
Cosmic radiation is by far the most serious threat for space settlement, both orbital and surface-based ones. Without adequate protection from cosmic radiation, human space colonization will be impossible. Therefore research to protect humans against this radiation is of crucial importance.
Water is indispensable for human life and hence the presence of water is of critical importance for any Moon-based settlement. Contrary to previous scientific understanding, there appears more water on the Moon. However, this water is primarily contained as hydroxy into lunar stones.
Earlier we proposed that solving puzzles should be a school subject. A study by researchers at the University of Exeter shows that solving puzzles like crosswords on a daily base, strongly improves one’s cognitive abilities at old age. More precise: regular puzzle solving is linked to better memory and thinking skills.
This study supports our proposed policy of including puzzle solving in the curriculum of schools, as it suggests that this will improve overall intellectual skills and hence will likely have a positive effect on academic performances.
Daily crosswords linked to sharper brain in later life (Science Daily)
Apparently there are plans to introduce an opt-out system of organ donation in England, after the Scottish government has announced to introduce such system there. An opt-out system means that every person is automatically an organ donor unless he/she or his/her next of kin objects. Continue reading Organ donation
A team a doctors at the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvannia have make an important breakthrough in developing an artificial uterus. They put six lamb fetuses in a kind of plastic bag and managed to grow them to healthy sheep. This technology could have significant consequences on the debate on abortion and the issue of gender equality.
According to Canadian research there is a correlation between living close to major traffic roads and the probability of developing dementia. Though the cause of this relation is yet unclear, it is likely to be related with the emission of fine dust, which might cause brain damage. Continue reading Traffick and Dementia
ScienceDaily reports of a potential breakthrough on the creation of a so-called quantum computers. If this would be true, it would be a major step towards a practical quantum computer. Continue reading A Quantum Leap (?)
Dutch urologist Gert Dohle argues that the quality of sperm is declining as result of certain substances (especially Bisphenol A) found in wide range of plastic products as well pesticides. According to Dohle does chemicals have a negative impact on the development of male fetuses. Continue reading Decreasing quality of sperm due to polution
